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View Full Version : Help with a video card choice...


The IT Monkey
02-22-2008, 03:48 PM
Okay friends, confession time.

Bought what I thought was a TITS computer... and for the most part it is. But I may have been a bit hasty pulling the ol' CC out and making the purchase.

I should have thought about what slots are available for EXPANSION.

My specs:
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_ldr.071009-1543)
System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
System Model: GX609AA-ABA m9160f
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6700 @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 4094MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 10

Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 8800GT (Replaced the 8600 GS that was in it) Currently in the PCI Express x16

My problem? Only expansion slots available for a video card is a PCI or a PCI Express x1.

I am currently running two monitors but wish to add a third.

What are my options here kids? I don't want to spend TOO much money (I should say TOO much MORE money). The only thing this video card will be used for is running TWO instances of WoW on one wide screen monitor.

Ideas? Suggestions? Ridicule?
Bravo
02-22-2008, 03:59 PM
Matrox TripleHead

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/th2go/
pinotnoir
02-22-2008, 04:01 PM
Buy a new motherboard and a second 8800 GT.
The IT Monkey
02-22-2008, 04:15 PM
Matrox TripleHead

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/th2go/Has anyone had experience with that? I am not spending over $300 (what they want for the DVI one) on something that I have not heard from other multiboxers work. Especially when a video card is less expensive.

As far as Pinotnoir's suggestions.... Not helpful.
Grelius
02-22-2008, 05:14 PM
I've ran WoW on one of those since the spring. Works great, computer just thinks you have one huge monitor connected.

When I started multi boxing I ended up not using it, instead have my 2nd computer run 2 wows on the left monitor, then my gaming computer (in horizontal span) runs the main instance on my middle monitor and 2 more wows on the right monitor.

Hopefully you have a video card with lots of ram though, I have the 8880GTS 512mb, and even it would slow down sometimes when running one wow at 3840x1024. Bought mine before they had the DVI one, and sometimes when in Windows, text would get a little wavy. Never noticed the effect when inside the game though.
Chorizotarian
02-22-2008, 06:14 PM
Buy a new motherboard and a second 8800 GT.

I hate to say it, but that might be your only option. You can't run a 3D graphic card off of either PCI or PCI-E x1.

The Matrox doodad looks like it's analog, bleh.
The IT Monkey
02-22-2008, 06:26 PM
Buy a new motherboard and a second 8800 GT.

I hate to say it, but that might be your only option. You can't run a 3D graphic card off of either PCI or PCI-E x1.

The Matrox doodad looks like it's analog, bleh.

So you're saying this ('http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161017') is not a 3D Graphics card?
pinotnoir
02-22-2008, 06:57 PM
If you purchase an HP machine more than likely it has the cheapest motherboard they can get inside. Thats why you only have one other expansion slot thats x1. If your looking at newegg go look at some of the combo deals. I saw a 8800GT that comes with an MSI Intel motherboard. I think it was in the $400's. If you get a new motherboard thats high quality with a second 8800GT its just going to help you in the future. Dont by a PCIeX1 crappy video card.
Chorizotarian
02-25-2008, 03:25 PM
So you're saying this ('http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161017') is not a 3D Graphics card?

Not one that will give you acceptable performance, no. If you think I'm wrong post some comparison benchmarks showing how your PCI-E x1 card of choice alongside a 8800GT / GTX.