Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
8 Posts
0
18524
Dual screen on XPS 210 - possible?
Hi all, I'm thinking of buying one of these machines since not being a games player it looks as if it does about everything I want (recording studio use with an external firewire soundcard), except I am unclear if you can connect two monitors to it. You certainly can to the Radeon X1300 Pro full size card, but the 210 has the half height card. Does this cut the mustard? If it only has the DVI connector, as I suspect, can I also use the motherboard VGA connector at the same time?
TIA,
Chris
Message Edited by ConcertinaChap on 03-20-2007 10:03 AM
TIA,
Chris
Message Edited by ConcertinaChap on 03-20-2007 10:03 AM
SR45
12.1K Posts
0
March 20th, 2007 15:00
http://www.pcworld.com/video/id,367-page,1-bid,4/video.html click on this link, than click on the demo to see how two monitors can be set up
Dim 4400
2.6 Ghz 400 FSB
1 Gb 2100 DDR memory
Windows XP Home
120 Gb Seagate 7,200 drive
24 inch 2407 WFP
XFX 7800 GS O/C AGP
16x DVD-R
410 watt ( PcPower&Cooling )
Message Edited by SR45 on 03-20-2007 01:01 PM
ConcertinaChap
8 Posts
0
March 20th, 2007 19:00
So far as I can see the Radeon X1300 Pro half height card has only one DVI connector. However there is still the original motherboard vga connector present, plus suggestions I have read elsewhere on the net that the DVI connector on the half-height card will take a splitter cable which will enable the connection of two monitors. I thought I'd ask here in the expectation that someone here would know whereof they speak.
Chris
Edited to add link: this link suggests that dual monitors is possible with the half height 256 Mb card. So how's it done?
http://www.dell.com/content/learnmore/learnmore.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~id=gfx_cards_trans&~line=desktops&~lt=popup&~mode=popup&~model=xps210&~series=dimen&~tab=details
Message Edited by ConcertinaChap on 03-20-2007 03:25 PM
Message Edited by ConcertinaChap on 03-20-2007 03:25 PM
ConcertinaChap
8 Posts
0
March 20th, 2007 19:00
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMS-59
Chris
SR45
12.1K Posts
0
March 20th, 2007 20:00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150128 $70.00 dual input card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161073 $66.00 dual input card
misha_markovich
94 Posts
0
March 21st, 2007 02:00
According to Dell manuals here:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps210/en/index.htm
you can use booth Video adapters built in ( Intel) and add-on PCI-E Radeon; built in Video would use Analog and Radeon would use DVI connector; I had that copter for two weeks during Christmas and I retuned it because it was limited as far as gaming; for typo of games you mentioned and what you intend to use I would call it perfect choice; on the plus side it is completely silent, small, very cute looking, with C2D processor and Radeon PRO VGA controller it is more than sufficient for day-day computer tasks; on the minus side, it is very easy to overturn it in upright position, since it has no stand, I have a cat roaming the desk :smileywink: also the mechanism for opening the Optical Bay and Media Card Reader Bay is easy to open, but very tricky to close.
I am actually thinking about buying this one again, keeping it and using it for everything but gaming, than I can built my own “monster” gaming and take tame, pleasure and financial pain :smileyhappy: doing that.
Hope it helps!
Misha
ConcertinaChap
8 Posts
0
March 21st, 2007 11:00
If I were a gaming person i'd definitely go your route and have a separate machine optimised for games. I've already got a general purpose machine, a Linux server and the machine I got for my partner, who is a graphics artist. Each I've chosen or built for its purpose. If you can stand multiple machines it's definitely the way to go.
Cheers,
Chris
ConcertinaChap
8 Posts
0
March 21st, 2007 14:00
I've decided the issue's not a deal breaker, so I've gone ahead and ordered one off Dell Outlet (loaded with XP Pro. Excellent!). I'll post here when I've got it.
Cheers,
Chris
misha_markovich
94 Posts
0
March 21st, 2007 14:00
Well I read it last night “tired” and now this morning with my “fresh” mind, so it not clear, but is sounds like it may not be possible to use booth on-board and add-on video card; the information is located under: Service Manuals\System Setup[\System Setup Options\ Video
And could be found here:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps210/en/SM_EN/syssetup.htm#wp1055788
it says:
Primary Video:
Specifies which video controller is primary when two video controllers are present on the computer. Auto enables the add-in video controller. Onboard enables the integrated video controller.
You may have to use, from my recollection, of Radeon’s 1300 PRO booth connectors Analog and DVI, that should work with Windows feature to ether multiply or extend desktop.
Misha
misha_markovich
94 Posts
0
March 22nd, 2007 02:00
Chris,
I have dealt today again with several different Dell OptiPlex models and on one in particularly on built-in VGA issue vs. Add-on Card issue; so I have “refreshed” my knowledge. You can only “choose “Auto” (detect) if add-on board present built-in gets disabled, or if add-on present to use built-in, there is no choice to use booth at the same time. However, speaking from my memory Radeon PRO you are getting has two connectors, VGA Analog and DVI, so using Windows Display Properties you could do “Mirror” or “Extended Desktop, “ either way you are going to be fine even without BIOS support for dual Video.
Thanks!
Misha
ConcertinaChap
8 Posts
0
March 23rd, 2007 11:00