Leadtek 8800GTS - Multi Monitor Setup ?

Hi,

Why does this type of video card have 2 x DVI connectors on it?

Does a single card of this model drive two monitors to allow multi monitor
setup?

I mean will each DVI plug provide independent video output, or is it simply
tweo monitors showing the exact same output ?

Or would I need two of these cards for multi monitor setup ?

http://www.leadtek.com/usa/3d_graphic/overview.asp?lineid=1&pronameid=313

Thanks
Harry

harry wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Why does this type of video card have 2 x DVI connectors on it?
>
> Does a single card of this model drive two monitors to allow multi monitor
> setup?
>
> I mean will each DVI plug provide independent video output, or is it simply
> tweo monitors showing the exact same output ?
>
> Or would I need two of these cards for multi monitor setup ?
>
> http://www.leadtek.com/usa/3d_graphic/overview.asp?lineid=1&pronameid=313
>
> Thanks
> Harry
>

The two connectors are for two monitors. The rules could change at any time,
but with two cards in non SLI mode, you can drive four monitors. When two
cards are used in SLI mode, then only one of the four monitor connectors
works.

With a single card, there isn't an SLI option, so two DVI connectors means
the ability to use two monitors.

This block diagram, shows your video card has two processing paths in it.
The two paths go to five output options. I expect the limitation is
any two of five, or something along those lines. The output on this
card is done with the NVIO chip, which houses both TMDS transmitters
for digital output, and the DACs that drive analog outputs.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gf8800_9.html

The DVI-I connector on your card, contains both a 10 bit analog VGA signal,
and a DVI digital signal. With a DVI-I to VGA adapter dongle, you get the
familiar 15 pin VGA connector, suitable for use with an analog monitor
interface. Or use a DVI cable, to connect from the DVI connector, to your
DVI monitor.

If buying monitors at this point in time, I would recommend that at a
minimum, the LCD monitor still have an analog VGA connector. That allows
more flexibility in connecting the monitor to older computers (say you
want to take your monitor to a friends house). You can find monitors
with both DVI and VGA connectors, and that allows the use of the monitor
with as many kinds of video cards as possible. Buying a DVI only monitor
is a mistake, since a day could come where you only have a VGA
output (like from a laptop).

In terms of user manuals, download the "Nview User Guide" from here,
to learn more about using more than one monitor. There are several
other PDFs you can download as well. These PDFs appear on the
major driver releases, and a bit of poking around the FTP site
may find even newer versions. But these docs should be enough to
get you started. Pg.75 of the Nview Users Guide shows a picture
of the control panel, with two monitors shown in the panel.

ftp://download.nvidia.com/Windows/91.33/

HTH,
Paul