Dual Monitors on Dell Dimension 4700C

Question

I have been trying for weeks to get my two flat panel monitors running on my new 4700C.  It seems that the OEM video port shuts down when you install another video card, no matter which one I try.    The only solution I can think of is to find a PCI Express, Low-Profile, Dual/Quad Monitor card.   Or perhaps someone knows how to reconfigure the BIOS so that the on-board video stays active even when new resources are added?   If anyone can help me, I'd be much obliged.   devin@alumni.princeton.edu

Mithral J · Answer

im not quite sure what you are trying to say but if your trying to run two video cards at the same time it wont work hope it helps Mith

DevinPrinceton · Answer

You can't run two video cards because there is only one PCI Express slot on the 4700C.   YOU CAN RUN TWO MONITORS by purchasing the   NVIDIA QUADRO 280 NVS PCI-EXPRESS CARD which supports two monitors and is LOW PROFILE (another requirement).   It costs about $200.   Unfortunately, it only supports TWO ANALOG monitors.  My other dell has a 4-MONITOR-digital card but it just won't fit in the 4700C.  So far, THE NVIDIA is the only card period that is PCI-EXPRESS and SUPPORTS TWO MONITORS and is LOW PROFILE.   BOTTOM LINE: DON'T BUY THE 4700C IF YOU WANT TO RUN MULTIPLE MONITORS.

SpamapS · Answer

Why can't you run two video cards at once on a Dimension 4700C? The whole point of PCI Express is that it has tons of bandwidth available for things like video cards!

DevinPrinceton · Answer

No, the bios shuts down the native video when you put in a card.

SpamapS · Answer

Alright, that makes sense. You *could* use the open PCI slot for a (slower) PCI card though, couldn't you?

SpamapS · Answer

Oh, right. Too bad nobody makes PCI 1X video cards. ;)

Any idea where one can get the PCI-Express quadro? I can find the PCI and AGP versions everywhere, but nobody seems to have the express cards. :-/

DevinPrinceton · Answer

Yes, there is a selection of high-end PCI-Express cards at NTI http://www.ntsi.com/order/video.asp But they are pricey.

Monitors

Dual Monitors on Dell Dimension 4700C

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