Windows 7: Need help getting my computer to recognise my third monitor

Hey guys, I decided to re purpose two of my old monitors lying around in the house in order to do my university coursework more efficiently (more places to drag windows and the like)

I'm using an nvidia GTX 460 2GB and have been able to get the second monitor working fine, however I have not been able to get the third one working. After searching around I think it's because I have the standard 460 that can only handle two displays at once. The question is if I have to get a second GPU does have to be the exact same one? Or can I use a cheap £30 PCI-E card?

A quick google search yielded a plethora of different answers ranging from "it's fine" to "it will literally explode your rig" so I thought I'd ask you guys, what do you think?

dmakinde, welcome to the Seven Forums.

There are very few (like one or two custom made by a single card maker) Nvidia desktop cards that support more than 2 monitors. And no you don't need another GTX 460 unless you want to run SLI. For just adding a 3rd any cheap PCI_E card will do.

Just echoing Stormy's good advice. Unless your PSU is already at the limit, a cheap card should not draw enough power to make much of a difference.

Like you, I am a student and find that my third monitor is quite helpful. I have the document I'm working on on one screen, web sites for research on another, then any PDFs or other research documents on the third one.

I would say to go with cheaper cards but in latest 400 or 500 series graphics cards like GT 520, GT 420, GT 430, etc instead of pretty old cards like 6200, 8400 GS,.

Thanks for the insight guys, and thanks for the welcome haha. I have one more question though. How would this work in terms of drivers? If I was to keep my nvidia 460 and put a cheap card in the other PCI slot I assume I'll have to download drivers for that GPU as well, would that cause any conflicts?

All the drivers are common starting from 270.61 for GeForce 6 to GeForce 500 graphics cards so no need to worry about driver conflicts. They will have unified driver but please don't get 5 FX or MX 400 series card for PCI.

Go with GeForce GT 520 for PCI.

Newegg.com - ZOTAC ZT-50610-10L GeForce GT 520 (Fermi) 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

Brilliant! I'm a UK citizen though so I'm not sure newegg delivers there. Would something like Asus G210 512MB DDR3 DVI VGA HDMI PCI-E Low Profile.. | Ebuyer.com suffice?

The graphics card should do but better go with
EVGA Nvidia 01G-P3-1525-KR GF GT 520 LP Graphics Card (1GB, DDR3): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Again, thank you all for such quick responses and thanks for bearing with me I'll get that card as soon as money permits haha being a cheap student sucks xD