Video Cards with Two Monitors

[ConAir]

Hey Everyone,

I am actively persuing purchasing a second monitor for my system. I have a P4 1.7Ghz w/ 512 Ram and 80 Gig hard drive. I am updating to a better video card, and have recently been incentivised by Dell telling me that I can't run two monitors on my current system. So here's the scoop.

I need peoples experience about which of the following two cards to use: nVidia GeForce 4 Ti4600 128mb or Matrox Parhelia. I have studied the whole field of options at length and feel that the price not with standing, I like these two the most. I am aware that FS 2002 is dependant on CPU speed for frame rates, which is really what we Sim'rs care about, but I want high quality visuals as well. So Matrox has great features, but I am not sure about the speed to generate 3D images, since it is primarily designed as a graphics card not gaming. It is very user friendly though. But the NVidia is supposedly very good for gaming, but may not have the easy setup like the Parhelia.


So can some of you experienced FS 2002 gamers come out of hiding and tell me what you might do in this situation. I guess ultimately I want a FS that doesn't bogg down and keeps Frame Rates atleast above 20 FPS.

P.S. I am using the second monitor primarily for Guages, Radio and GPS.

Thanks

[cascadesss]

Running two monitors is very easy to setup with the Ti-4600. Just plug in the 2nd monitor and extend the desktop to that monitor in the settings. That's it.

The Matrox Parhelia card suppose to create outstanding graphics, but is slow compared to the Ti-4600. I haven't read a single report by anyone who is running it with FS-2002. I would hate to buy the card and find that it's too slow.

I am running 3 monitors on a single system, and it's great. The Ti-4600 is driving two of the monitors and a Geforce2 PCI card is driving the 3rd monitor.


Rick - KPDX - Private Pilot
http://www.iqthost.com/orpcax/images/PSA.jpg
Dual XP1800's..1G RAM..MSI Ti-4600
4-SCSI Drives w/Raid 0... WinXP

[capjack]

I currently run five monitors on the following system.
AMD Athlon 750 Slot A, 256 Mb 133 Ram,10 Gig H/drive, Main Screen [21"] running off Creative Nvidia2 GTS 64Mb Pro. Four Subsidiary screens 1X15" 3X10" running off 2 X Jeronimo Dual Output 16 Mb PCI cards. Additional Monitors for use in showing undocked instrumentation does NOT require wildly expensive Graphics Cards as can be seen from foregoing information. I set mine up for total outlay of £100:00 all screens refurbished and PCI cards costing £25:00 each. This leaves the main 21" screen running only the "Eye Candy" as all necessary Flight instrumentation is undocked to remaining screens. I will be upgrading CPU [and Mobo] and possibly a top flight Graphics card as I start to build a cockpit panel based hopefully on the awaited new Meridian from FSD/Flight 1. I trust you will find this info of value.
Happy Flying
Capjack

[ConAir]

Hey Rick

Thanks for you candor and very helpful information. I was starting to lean toward the nVidia as well.

Take Care and Happy Flying

[ConAir]

Thanks for the Info. I appreciate this greatly.

ConAir