Windows 7: Dual Monitor Graphics Card

Hey all,
I've got a bunch of HP Compaq dc5800 and dc6000 small form factors in the office I do IT support for. A couple of the employees have requested the use of multiple monitors, but I quickly discovered that the standard video card in these models does no support this function. I have looked on-line for an appropriate card replacement, but haven't found one that will fit into the compact design of the small form factor PCs.



Does anyone know of a specific make/model of graphics card that will fit? It doesn't need to be super powerful, just capable of running two monitors, (typically they have both a VGA and DVI port).

Thanks for your help.

Assuming PCI-E something like this would do the trick,

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-N84STC-512I Rev2.0 GeForce 8400 GS Supporting up to 512MB(128MB onboard) 64-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

Multi-monitor is easy with anything from the Radeon 5000 series. Most cards can do two monitors from their DVI output with a dual link splitter.

Yes, I agree, Multi-Monitor is simple with the Radeon 5000 Series and some others!

Actually, my model of PC has no DVI port, thus the need for a new card. Also, as far as I'm aware the current card is a NVIDIA Quadro NVS 290 Graphics Card, which I was told doesn't support multiple monitors.

I could be mistaken on any of this, but that's the information I was given.

@Stormy - thanks for the tip, I'll look into the one you suggested, I'm still not exactly clear on how that's going to fit, but it's a good start.

Actually that card does support dual monitors (best I can find as Nvidia doesn't list on their site anymore),

Lenovo Support - 256MB NVIDIA Quadro NVS 290 Dual-VGA or Dual-DVI Graphics Card - Overview

It just takes one of these,

Newegg.com - DMS-59

a DMS-59 to dual DVI or dual VGA, and there are even a couple with DVI and VGA. With one of those adapters you can run dual monitors with your current card.

For business the Nvidia Quadro's are pretty good.

And as said abovel the Radeon 5000's should have 2+ DVI outs. I know the HD 5770 has 3 (I think?). If not, it has two, and is cheap (about $160 now... or way less) and damn powerful for the price.

He did mention that there isn't a DVI port, so it may not be the same card you linked to, so that splitter wouldn't work.

An easy way to add a second screen is using a USB to DVI adapter,
something like this,
Amazon.com: Plugable UGA-125 USB 2.0 to VGA/DVI/HDMI Adapter for Multiple Monitors up to 1280x1024 / 1440x900 Each (DisplayLink DL-125 Chipset): Electronics

I am not recommending the specific product linked above, just showing you the device. Lenovo and other companies make similar products so if you go this route, do some research and buy the one that has good support and fits the budget.

Ya, I think it was my bad on the graphics card. I listed one that I found in some online specifications for these computers, but that can't be right, because I have no DMS-59 port (I call it the DVI female port.)

So am I correct in assuming that I'm currently using an on-board card? That's what it looks like to me when I crack the case, but I'm clearly no expert.

Quick and easy way to tell if your not sure what you're looking at without having to open the case.



#1 is onboard and #2 is a video card.