[olug] dual head vid cards

[Obi-Wan]

>> Since neither existing vid card will fit in any new box,
>> he'll need to buy a second vid card if he wants to keep the
>> dual head setup (and he does).
> 
> I assume that is because the old video cards are PCI and/or AGP and any new system will be PCIe, correct?

Correct.

> If the card is not listed as a dual-head card then it isn't a dual head card.  You need a dual circuitry to drive dual outputs.  The DVI and VGA outputs are included so you can use any monitor from the last 20 years or so. :-)
> 
> Most mainboards that have built-in video allow you to disable it and run with an add-on card only.  But running with both "should" always work, assuming the video card drivers can handle it.  The mainboard "should" not care what the add-on card is.  Buying standard hardware from a mainline manufacturer almost always gives you standard performance.

Well, that's probably good enough, then.  I don't need to power both
monitors off the same card.

> Is the new PC a "name brand" or are you buying parts?  If buying parts there are mainboards that come with built-in dual head.  I've got one, buy it is an old Athlon board.

The machine hasn't been chosen, but it'll be pre-assembled from a name
brand.  This afternoon, he was looking at ~$500 HP machines.

-- 
Ben "Obi-Wan" Hollingsworth                             obiwan at jedi.com
   The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the
     Giver of all good things, so if I stand, let me stand on the
       promise that You will pull me through.  -- Rich Mullins