Advise needed for 2nd card

merkat106 · 11 Jul 2010

I have an older monitor that I have decided to use as a 3rd monitor for my build: a 15" widescreen Sharp (aprox. 6 - 7 years old). Here is a link: 15" Sharp LL-M15X1U LCD Monitor w/Speakers (Pearl White) Sharp LL-M15X1U

The mobo on this build is microatx, thus only has one pci-e slot. The primary card I use is a PNY GeForce 9400gt 512mb (non-sli). This card is fine for my needs and does well with my two high res. Samsung monitors.

For driver consistancy, I've decided that the 2nd card should also be a GeForce nVidia card, but also be designed for a PCI slot. Money is also a little tight.

This is what I have been considering:
Amazon.com: PNY nVidia GeForce 8400 GS 512 MB PCI Video Graphics Card VCG84512SPEB - Retail: Electronics

Opinions?

EpicThorn · 11 Jul 2010

Someone should correct me if I am wrong here, but I doubt you will get a PCI video card working alonside a Pci-E card.
However, there is some low cost options of video splitters to enable more than 2 screns.

Thorn

stormy13 · 11 Jul 2010

How's this for an option, don't spend anything as you should already have what you need. Double check your motherboard manual for how to enable and use it, but if you enable the onboard video and Hybrid SLi you can run two monitors off your 9400 GT and up to 2 more off the onboard video,

Advise needed for 2nd card-hybridsli.jpg

merkat106 · 11 Jul 2010

Card does not support sli

stormy13 · 11 Jul 2010

Sorry about that, brain cramp and forgot Nvidia made it so that it isn't as convenient as ATI's Surround View which works with pretty much any ATI/AMD based motherboard with onboard video and any ATI video card (no need for Crossfire).

That siad yes that 8400 GS should be just fine for what you are looking to do. Here is another one without the hassle of a sale or rebate,

Newegg.com - SPARKLE SFPC84GS256U2LP GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI HDCP Ready Video Card