Dual Monitor (help) Dell Optiplex 390

Question

I have Dell Optiplex tower and two Sansung monitors. Both monitors work well individually using the HDMI ports. Also%2C using a spliter%2C both monitors work duplicated. I need the expanded workspace. Ports are HDMI and VGA. I also bought a HDMI to VGA connector and it does not allow detection of two monitors when I use both the VGA to one monitor and the HDMI to the other monitor. What gives%3F Please HELP. Do I need so something else%3F or just help connecting the cables correctly

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

your 390 onboard integrated graphics is HD graphics 2000. It can support two monitors based on 390 tech guide. Up to 1920x1200 @ 60Hz (HDMI)
Up to 2048x1536 @ 75Hz (VGA)

does your montior support DP or DVI in addition to HDMI? it sounds like your monitor has no VGA.

simple video suggested by Dell for this model: 1GB AMD RADEON™ HD6450

Dual-Link DVI Max: 2560 x 1600/32bpp @ 75Hz
DispalyPort Max: 2560 x 1600/32bpp @ 75Hz
VGA Max : 1920x1440/32bpp @ 75Hz
Min : 640x480/8bpp @ 60Hz

There are also a lot of simple video cards with two DP, HDMI+DVI, DP+DVI.

If you monitor has HDMI only (no DVI/DP), to make it simple try to find a card that has two HDMI so you do not need to use adapter. one example is sapphire R7 240. if the card uses short bracket you need to remove/modify the bracket to install in MT case.

or you can get a DVI to HDMI cable to connect to a video card with HDMI/DP so you can have two HDMI. example Dell HCVMH.

Re: VGA to HDMI converter. VGA to HDMI Converter -- DataPro

redxps630 · Answer

probably getting a simple video card with two HDMI is an easier option for you.

VGA to HDMI conversion is not as simple as you think. the HDMI to VGA adapter you have can work only in one direction: from HDMI to VGA.
to convert a VGA signal to HDMI; things that require more than connecting the two together. To do this, it is necessary to pass the VGA signal through a converter, which will take the VGA analog video signal and the stereo audio signals and convert them into digital signals which can then be sent out across a HDMI cable for connection to a monitor with a HDMI connector.

390 MT 390 MT

dgonzald10 · Answer

Please clarify simple video card. When I looked to discover what kind of video card I have, the system says it is Intel HD card. I assume you mean I have to purchase a different card and then install it by taking out the Intel HD card and putting the new card in its place. If that's what you mean, what it the name of the card I need, please?

What about drivers? Is there a video driver I could download to resolve the problem? Just asking because I really don't know -- just say the term driver and thought -- maybe?

dgonzald10 · Answer

Samsung curved monitors have two IN ports:  one is HDMI and the other (just looked again) is RGB IN with 3 rows of 5 pins

dgonzald10 · Answer

Also, could you possibly send a link to the VGA converter (to HDMI) of which you spoke?  The reason I ask is that I've purchased several converters and splitters trying to fix the issue myself without asking anyone.  If I could get your recommendation visually through a link to an Amazon product or something like that, I could be more sure I'm getting the correct product.  All of this is new to me -- I'm educating myself along the way.  Not sure if I will try the video card or the converter next; but, I'm determined to find the answer eventually.

redxps630 · Answer

in that case the cheapest way to support two HDMI monitors is to use HD6450 with HDMI and DVI then use DVI to HDMI cable for one of the monitor. DVI is a digital signal in the same format as the video portion of HDMI.

HDMI-to-DVI-Cable

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Dual Monitor (help) Dell Optiplex 390

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