Hi all. Recently finished my first build. I would like to set up a dual monitor system for working on photos and videos. I'm using the on board graphics on a GIGABYTE GA-MA78G-DS3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail, didn't purchase a GPU initially, was trying to save a few $$. I have two older analog monitors which when plugged into the analog video port each work. Unfortunately, the mobo digital video output will not work with an analog adapter (a fact I failed to realize when I purchased this board). I believe it will work with a digital monitor and straight digital output and will allow dual monitor, though I haven't tested this yet (have borrow a friend's digital monitor).
Here's my question: should I invest in a reasonable video card with dual outputs (that work), and use the two analog LCD monitors I have (both 19" square, not widesceen format), or just buy a reasonable digital monitor and use the onboard graphics digital output. I should add the mobo is Crossfire ready, but I am running XP, and I understand that this technology only works under Vista.
I have about $150 earmarked for this, unless I can hit a great deal(s) on Black Friday!
Thanks in advance.
System Specs |
| Budget:$150 | VGA: | Monitor: |
| MB:GIGABYTE GA-MA78G-DS3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX | OS:XP 32 bit | Browser: |
| CPU:AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz AM2 89W Dual-Core | Sound: | CPU Pps:photo and video editing |
| Memory:Crucial 2x2GB | PSU:Antec earthwatts EA430 430W ATX12V v2.0 | Brand: |
| HD:Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA | Cooling: | Misc: |