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Resolved Question

Dual Monitor setup on Inspiron 3487

by Dec 15, 2014 3:42AM PST

I just purchased a Dell desktop Inspiron i3847-5386BK and I'm trying to achieve a dual monitor setup with 2 24" Widescreen LED Dell E2414Hr monitors.

The specs for the desktop as well as detailed pics of the computer's front, back, and inside are here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883156238

Basically, the desktop has 1 VGA port, 1 HDMI port, and several 2.0/3.0 USB ports. It runs Windows 8.1 64 bit.

The specs for the monitor as well as detailed pics are here:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/420579/e2414hr_24_widescreen_led_monitor

Basically, the monitor has 1 VGA port and 1 DVI-D port

The first monitor is already connected from the monitors VGA port to the desktop's VGA port via the VGA cable included with the monitor.

My question is regarding the optimal way of connecting the second monitor. One option is to get a cable with HDMI at one end (desktop) and DVI-D at the other end (monitor). Will the computer be able to handle this double output and automatically adjust to the dual monitors or will it require some setting changes? The computer does not have a dedicated graphics card to my knowledge and my main goal is to use these monitors independently with occasional extended desktop display.

Also, are there better options for the desktop to monitor connection in this case such as a HDMI (desktop) to VGA (monitor) cable? I saw online that cables with HDMI at one end and VGA at the other end could be a scam because it is not possible to convert digital to analog signal without a converter but there were also people saying the this type of cable works just fine. Are there any better options for connecting to the second monitor using the USB ports on the computer? Since one of my monitors is already connected via a VGA to VGA cable will the second monitor look any different in terms of brightness, readability etc if it has a DVI-D input instead of VGA? Finally, what would be a place to get the recommended cable/converter on the cheap?

Sorry for the long multi-question post, but any help on this topic would be much appreciated and will help others as well. Thank you in advance!

Discussion is locked

nav_main has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
3 Posts
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Best Answer

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Ugg. Intel HD may be limited.
by Forum moderator Dec 15, 2014 3:50AM PST

But let's dismiss HDMI to VGA "cables" as a ruse. No. And I won't waste words here. Maybe someone will write at length but read the reviews.

Since we are dealing with what the PC has for video out, we hook a monitor to one VGA port and the other to another port and set it up.

You should have a VGA cable with the monitor and will need the usual HDMI to DVD-D cable for the second display.

As to "automatically adjust", no, Windows has yet to this day to be that automatic.
Bob

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Thank you
by nav_main Dec 15, 2014 5:16AM PST

First, thank you for your quick reply. Sorry to pile on the questions, but as a follow-up:

Since one of my monitors is already connected via a VGA to VGA cable will the second monitor look any different in terms of brightness, readability etc if it has a DVI-D input instead of VGA?

Any recommendations on where to buy a HDMI to DVI-D cable on the cheap?

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Simply yes.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 15, 2014 5:54AM PST
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