Extended display over 3 monitors

Would appreciate some help on this one.

Sorry for the long thread but wanted to provide some context.

Objective
I would like to have an extended desktop over 3 monitors (different windows on different displays). I've seen it done, I know its possible. But I have tried and failed. Looking for help before I give up.

Setup
-Windows 7 Home Ediition 64 bit
-Dell XPS Studio 9100 desktop
-Dell OEM version of AMD HD 5670 ( VGA, DVI and HDMI ports. NO DP port)
-Non gaming application
-3 existing monitors
>>>LEFT: Sony Bravia 32" LCD TV ( HDMI and VGA inputs
>>>MIDDLE: Dell 1901 monitor ( DVI and VGA inputs)
>>>RIGHT: Dell 1907 monitor (DVI and VGA inputs)
-Slots
•PCI card slot (PCI_1) 26
•PCI Express x1 card slot (PCIE1X3)
•PCI Express x16 card slot (PCIE16_1) (used by video card)
•PCI Express x1 card slot (PCIE1X2)
•PCI Express x1 card slot (PCIE1X1)
•PCI Express x8 card slot (PCIE8_2)
Latest AMD Drivers,Catalyst etc.
Resolution requirement - Modest. At this point would even settle for 1280 x 1024 on all monitors

Intial display configuration
Dell OEM AMD 5670 HDMI port > to > HDMI input on Sony Bravia
Dell OEM AMD 5670 DVI port > to > DVI input on Dell 1901
Dell OEM AMD 5670 VGA port > to > VGA input on Dell 1907

Results
Windows 7 control panel sees, recognizes and identifies all 3 monitors. In fact I thought I was done!. But it only lets me extend any two at a time ; not all three at once.

Solutions
From searches to date, I read quite a bit so far - all frustrating:

Option 1 - use a passive or active DP adaptor - but not applicable here as I dont have a DP port.

Option 2 - add a cheap second video card - but many unanwered questions -

a) If I get a second video card - must it have the DP port for all this to work? I assume yes, given I dont have any DP ports now, and three conventional ports dont seem to do the trick.

b) If yes to needing a DP port, the what type of DP adaptor do I need to get?:
- DP to VGA passive?
- DP to VGA active?
- DP to DVI passive?
- DP to DVI active?

c) How do I set it up? Any two monitors on the orignal OEM card (no DP) and one monitor on the new card (via DP)?

d) Regardless i have been unable to find such a card on the market that is "a cheap second video card". has a DP port, and is not a X16 card ( that slot is filled).

Option 3 - Throw out the Dell OEM video card and replace it with something new ( like what?) with DVI, HDMI and DP ports (at what cost?) and what type of DP adaptor?

Option 4- Give up. Abandon the project and stick with two displays ;This will be my only option if I cannot find a another solution.

Again, sorry for the long post but I am out of ideas.

mediaman09 said:

Why is it that power supply requirements wouldn't be an issue here. Wouldn't TWO cards represent quite a burden in that regard ?

Dell XPS Studio 9100 has a 525w power supply.

Not all 525W PSUs are equal; being that it's a Dell...maybe.

The card stormy13 linked to is typically used in HTPC setups. It's small and fanless, so it will fit in a dinky case, be quiet, and most importantly for your question, not draw a lot of power. Some of those HTPC rigs only have a 300-400W PSU to begin with.

See what you get with this:

eXtreme Power Supply Calculator