Dual Monitor Graphics Card

Whilst one monitor is enough for many people, for PC gamers there can be many benefits from having two computer monitors!

This is because - when you have setup two monitors - it is possible to have two separate screens being shown (one in each monitor) which could allow the user to - for example - surf the internet in one monitor and also play computer game in the second monitor.

Alternatively, it is also possible under this configuration to have one, wider continuous image. So when playing a game, you can see more of the game due to the wider perspective. This can add a new dimension to a user's gaming.

This is made possible by having a dual monitor video card which allows for (at least) two monitors to be plugged into it; there are a range of such cards which have this feature (see below). Another requirement is that the two monitors must have the same native screen resolution (i.e. meaning they are both designed for the same optimum screen resolution).

Once these two requirements have been met, setting this up is usually simply a case of plugging both monitors in, and then following the instructions on the operating system (which will detect you have plugged two monitors in) to configure your new setup.

As mentioned above, only certain dual monitor graphics cards offer this feature. The following is a list of graphics cards which offer the ability to have a dual monitor setup:

ATI Dual Monitor Graphics Cards

  • ATI Radeon HD 5450 - $60
  • ATI Radeon HD 5770 - $150
  • ATI Radeon HD 5830 - $230
  • ATI Radeon HD 5850 - $270
  • ATI Radeon HD 5870 - $390
  • ATI Radeon HD 5970 - $650 (Amazingly high powered graphics card; is in short supply at the moment hence its large price!)

Nvidia Dual Monitor Graphics Cards

  • GeForce GT 240 - Can be purchased for around $95
  • GeForce GTS 250 - $140
  • GeForce GTX 260 - $190
  • GeForce GTX 280 - $280-$300
  • GeForce GTX 285 - $350
  • GeForce GTX 295 - $460

There are other dual monitor graphic cards, however these are some of the most common and popular ones currently on the market at various price points. It is worth pointing out that - for this range of graphics cards (i.e. the more modern ones aimed at computer enthusiasts) - the ATI graphics cards tend to offer better value for money at this moment in time.

Below is an image of the ATI Radeon HD 5850 graphics card which - as you can see - has more than one input for a monitor cable, allowing for a dual monitor setup:

ATI Radeon HD 5850


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