Can I get a dual monitor set up using separate VGA + HDMI outputs from PC Box?

Jaxer
Jaxer Posts: 204 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
I currently have a Dell PC with a single monitor on the standard VGA connector. It only has one VGA connector but it does have a HDMI slot.

I want to add a second monitor (which I'll use in portrait mode) with a DVI connector. Will there be any problems if I connect this to the Dell PC using a DVI to HDMI cable.

ie. will Windows 7 have any problem with a 2 monitor setup, where one is connected by the VGA port and one connected by a HDMI/DVI cable.

Comments

  • tronator
    tronator Posts: 2,859 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Jaxer wrote: »
    I currently have a Dell PC with a single monitor on the standard VGA connector. It only has one VGA connector but it does have a HDMI slot.

    I want to add a second monitor (which I'll use in portrait mode) with a DVI connector. Will there be any problems if I connect this to the Dell PC using a DVI to HDMI cable.

    ie. will Windows 7 have any problem with a 2 monitor setup, where one is connected by the VGA port and one connected by a HDMI/DVI cable.

    Should work. What is the model of the PC and the graphics card?
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,845 Forumite
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    Go into the display settings and see if you have a dual monitor option.

    If not you will probably only get the same picture on both screens.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • Lum
    Lum Posts: 6,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Should be able to test this using a TV before you go to the expense of buying a second monitor.

    For the record I'd connect the primary monitor to the HDMI connector and the secondary to the VGA, since HDMI gives you a better picture.
  • almillar
    almillar Posts: 8,621 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Yep as above this is down to your computer hardware rather than Windows, which is perfectly capable of doing the job. If your integrated graphics isn't capable of spitting out 2 different pictures to 2 different displays, you can buy a graphics card for less than £50 that'll happily do this.
  • Jaxer
    Jaxer Posts: 204 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Worked without any problem and very easy to configure on Windows 7. I now have an extended desktop with the second screen in portrait mode which is very handy for work purposes.
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