Upgrade to support 3 or 4 monitors

[bermarti]

My computer is a HP Pavilion, AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core Processor 4200+ 2.20GHz, 1.93 GB RAM. Presently this computer only supports one monitor but I would like to upgrade it so that I could have 3 or maybe 4 monitors. I would be displaying price charts of stocks, futures, etc. My questions is, is this possible with this computer or do I have to buy a different one? If it is possible, then what do I need to buy to get it done? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[stroyal]

Welcome to TechIMO!

Yes you can.
Here is a recent post to save me typing.
Dual head graphics card and 2 PCI video cards is pretty easy.
I ran 4 PCI cards on win 98 for a short time. Using the same kind is helpful ATI or Nvidia.
You don't need a powerful computer, I ran them on a P1.

Can you run three monitors using a dual-head AGP card & a PCI card

[RicheemxX]

CAn you give us an exact model number or do you know forsure what slots are available. If you've got an open pci-e slot then adding almost any single card would be fine (most all have dual outputs these days) After that you'd need to know what else is open. Adding in another pci card to make your 3-4 connections would probably be the option there. Since you aren't gaming or pushing high end video then just about any two cards that fit into your open slots would work.

You'll also need to keep an eye on power requirements as factory built pc's are notorious for low end power supplies.

[bermarti]

Thanks for the quick response. The model # is a1648x, Nvidia GeForce 6150LE video card. There are no more places to hook up another monitor and I don't see where there is another slot where a hook up could be inserted. There are 3 empty horizontal slots towards the bottom of the case where some kind of card could be plugged in but I don't know if this would accomodate additional video cards or not. I have three monitors hooked up to another computer, which is now in the repair shop, and if it is determined to be unwise the repair, as it is old, then I will want to upgrade this HP Pavilion. Can you tell if this can be done from the Model #?

[RicheemxX]

If this is your system Product information*HP Pavilion Media Center a1648x Desktop PC then the motherboard specs list an open pci-e 16x slot and 3 pci slots.

[bermarti]

RicheemxX, that is the system I have. What do I have to do to add 1, 2, or possibly 3 monitors to the one I now have? Tell me what card I need to buy, then I'll look at a picture of it and I'm sure I can figure out where and how to install it. Thanks

[RicheemxX]

I haven't had a chance to look to see whats on sale right now, what kind of budget are you looking at? Really pretty much any budget pci-e card would work for just a dual monitor setup.

[stroyal]

Here is every thing New Egg has.
Your board LOOKS like PCI-E X16 the older version of PCI Express, but I'm not positive.

Either PCI express will work, but the newer versions will be throttled a little if you have the older slot.
I am not sure If your on-board will work with an expansion card in your PCI Express slot, the specs don't say what kind of on-board graphics you have.

I was surprised to see that most of the PCI cards that New Egg has are dual head.
If you got a dual head PCI-Express and a dual head PCI that should give you 4 monitors.

My newest card is AGP so I won't be making any recommendations.
Just make sure the card you pick is dual head, most of them are.

My personal preference is ATI for more than 1 monitor, but I have only done this with older cards. I also would not mix ATI with Nvidia, that may create problems.

PCI-E X16
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Video Cards & Video Devices,Desktop Graphics / Video Cards,PCI Express x16

PCI-E 2.0 X16
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Video Cards & Video Devices,Desktop Graphics / Video Cards,PCI Express 2.0 x16

PCI
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Video Cards & Video Devices,Desktop Graphics / Video Cards,PCI

[bermarti]

Thanks stroyal for your help. Here is the info I have on the mainboard on my computer:

Manufacturer: AUSTek Computer INC.
Model: NODUSM3 1.05
Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 Rev. A2
Southbridge: NVIDIA nForce 410/430 MCP
LPCIO: SMSC
BIOS
Brand: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Version: 3.07
Date: 08/02/2006

I'll get the PCI-E 2.0 X16 that you mentioned if I can find out if it will be compatible. Can you tell from the info I have given you? Thanks a a lot for your help.

[RicheemxX]

Pci-e x16 is backwards compatible so as long as you get a pci-e x16 card you'll be fine. Looking at the pricing this card might be your best bet Newegg.com - POWERCOLOR AX3650 512MD2 Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards its $24.99 after mir and has free shipping

[stroyal]

You are welcome.
Like RicheemxX said they are backward compatible. They are also forward compatible.
That's why any PCI Express x16 card will work.

[bermarti]

Thank you both very much. I've ordered the one Rich suggested, as it looks like it's exactly what I'm looking for at a good price. I appreciate your willingness to help a novice such as myself.

[bermarti]

Hey Guys, I got the HD 3650 but it does not fit the available slots. Too many pins and space in the pin row is toward the rear while the slot the card fits into has the space towards the front of the case. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[stroyal]

From the sound of it, you have a PCI card, The first slot is PCI-Express 16

The computer that was posted also has 2 PCI slots as well as the PCI Express 16.

Dose it fit in 1 of the other 2 slots?
Edit;
Give us a link for the card.

[bermarti]

Pretty stupid of me, I thought no way will it fit in the top slot but sure enough it fits and is now working with one monitor hooked up to it. I'll try another monitor later. The original monitor was hooked up directly to the motherboard but this now seems to no longer be functioning. Will I still be able to use this connection and there by have 3 monitors or will only the new card work? Thanks for your help.

[stroyal]

That good to hear.

As far as the on-board working with the PCI-E card, you will have to try it to see if it will work, some do some don't.

You will have to go into the BIOS and see what settings are available, and experiment.

[bermarti]

The instructions with the new card said to remove the old graphics drivers, which were Nvidia. I did this so I assume then the on board connection will no longer work. At least now I have 2 monitors where I only had one before. Thanks for your expertise and time.

[stroyal]

Basic drivers should be still available.
If the new card is ATI they probably wouldn't play well together anyway.

Good luck!

[bermarti]

Hey stroyal, I got the two monitors hooked and operating fine, much thanks to you, but now I have other problems which I'm hoping you can help me with.
1. Control panel does not show up when I click START button, I have to go into My Computer to find it. No big deal but not as simple as it was before.
2. I have no sound. When I go into Sounds and Audio Devices Properties it shows No Audio Device although speakers are hooked up.
When I installed the new video card I removed the display drivers which were with the motherboard but that should have no affect on the sound IMO.
Do you have an idea what might be the problem? Thanks

[stroyal]

1. Check right click Start, choose properties, start menue tab, customize. See if it is checked to not show.

2. Check in Device Manager and see if the audio devices are in alarm.

If they are, uninstall the devices in alarm, in device manager and restart.

If that doesn't work you will have to reinstall the audio drivers from your original set up disk that came with the computer or motherboard.

You should have been able to uninstall the video drivers, with out effecting the audio, but who knows.

Edit;
No audio device refers to the on-board sound chip, the computer can't tell if the speakers are hooked up.