TripleHead2Go

Forums › Desktop computing › TripleHead2Go

webup

547 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 17

#60159 20-Apr-2010 21:28

Im wanting to connect an extra screen to my setup so I have 3 x 24" LCDs on my PC.

Problem is that this TripleHead2Go unit is about $700!

Im not gaming or anything on it just forex trading so it doesnt need to be super flash.
Video card is a 8800GT.

Any ideas?

nate

6473 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 458

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#320992 20-Apr-2010 21:48

I have the same issue - my laptop is already running 2x 22"s (one on VGA, the other on the docking station DVI). I looked at the Head2Go products but they are pricey.

I've opted for one of these instead - EVGA UV16 USB video card - I'll soon have 3 monitors similar to yours.

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 8

#321020 20-Apr-2010 22:11

Probably cheaper and more effective to modify your PC than use the TripleHead2Go. Plenty of options for that:

Some motherboards allow you (either officially or not) to use the integrated graphics alongside a dedicated graphics card. I've used this for quad-output once.
Some (usually expensive) motherboards have 2 or more PCI-Express x8 (or better) slots, so you can plug in 2 or more video cards.
Some video cards have more than 2 outputs.
There are PCI-Express x1 and PCI video cards available, although if using Vista or Windows 7 you need to be careful about driver conflicts (XP can run separate drivers for each graphics card).

Any of those options are likely to be cheaper than $700, and will also give you fully independent control of each monitor.

I'd avoid the USB video card, it's unlikely to be able to drive a high enough resolution and refresh rate for comfortable use on a 24" LCD (most of which are 1920x1200).

Michael

wazzageek

1095 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 108

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#321027 20-Apr-2010 22:17

webup: Im wanting to connect an extra screen to my setup so I have 3 x 24" LCDs on my PC.

Problem is that this TripleHead2Go unit is about $700!

Im not gaming or anything on it just forex trading so it doesnt need to be super flash.
Video card is a 8800GT.

Any ideas?

If it's a PC (Box, as opposed to a laptop) and can you drop in another graphics card? (I guess this will only work if you have a card that will drop in an existing slot)

wazzageek

1095 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 108

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#321032 20-Apr-2010 22:26

michaelt: Probably cheaper and more effective to modify your PC than use the TripleHead2Go. Plenty of options for that:

Some motherboards allow you (either officially or not) to use the integrated graphics alongside a dedicated graphics card. I've used this for quad-output once.
Some (usually expensive) motherboards have 2 or more PCI-Express x8 (or better) slots, so you can plug in 2 or more video cards.
Some video cards have more than 2 outputs.
There are PCI-Express x1 and PCI video cards available, although if using Vista or Windows 7 you need to be careful about driver conflicts (XP can run separate drivers for each graphics card).

Any of those options are likely to be cheaper than $700, and will also give you fully independent control of each monitor.

I'd avoid the USB video card, it's unlikely to be able to drive a high enough resolution and refresh rate for comfortable use on a 24" LCD (most of which are 1920x1200).

Michael

pricespy just now told me that there are PCI 8xxx series cards for approx $139 - 256MB should still let you drive @ 1920x1200 resolution ... possibly won't be a speed demon, though.

nate

6473 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 458

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#321037 20-Apr-2010 22:36

michaelt: I'd avoid the USB video card, it's unlikely to be able to drive a high enough resolution and refresh rate for comfortable use on a 24" LCD (most of which are 1920x1200).

Good point, sorry I should've pointed out that the USB video card is only good up to 22".

wazzageek

1095 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 108

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#321044 20-Apr-2010 22:51

nate:
michaelt: I'd avoid the USB video card, it's unlikely to be able to drive a high enough resolution and refresh rate for comfortable use on a 24" LCD (most of which are 1920x1200).

Good point, sorry I should've pointed out that the USB video card is only good up to 22".

1680x1050 you mean?

There's a handful of 22" screens out there that will drive higher resolutions.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#321067 20-Apr-2010 23:54

wazzageek:

If it's a PC (Box, as opposed to a laptop) and can you drop in another graphics card? (I guess this will only work if you have a card that will drop in an existing slot)

+1 this, if it's a PC you just need to lookup the motherboard make/model and/or pop the case open and check for a spare slot.

If you have only one slot on the motherboard capable of being used for a graphics card you could always get a ATI Radeon 5770 which are about $250ish currently. This will let you connect 3 monitor's two DVI and one display port.

Note: One of the monitors needs to be connected via display port or from display port on the video card to an adapater then dvi on the monitor. The other two monitors would be connected via normal DVI.

webup

547 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 17

#321207 21-Apr-2010 10:39

So if I get another 8800GT for ~$100 I could then run 3-4 screens I guess,with the additional screen(s) just connecting to the new card.

I want the desktop stretched over 3 screens so when I open my program it stretches across all 3 x 24".

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#321351 21-Apr-2010 15:40

Yes, check whether your motherboard has a free slot that can take the 2nd video card.

webup

547 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 17

#321403 21-Apr-2010 18:14

yes it does