Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Is three monitors possible for me?

Jan 5, 2012 6:55AM PST

I have a PowerSpec computer and I am running windows 7. I currently have two monitors coming from an GeForce 8400 graphics card. I want to add a third monitor. When I Plug in the third monitor to the original monitor slot in that came with the computer it does not get recognized. Any advice on how to do this?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
You mention ...
Jan 5, 2012 8:39AM PST

"When I Plug in the third monitor to the original monitor slot in that came with the computer ..." which I assume means you have an additional VGA or DVI connection on the motherboard itself. If this is the case go into the BIOS and see if it was disabled when the GeForce 8400 was put into the system. If so enable it as the secondary monitor and give it another try.

- Collapse -
Answer
The 8400's I knew give us 2 displays.
Jan 5, 2012 7:18AM PST

To add a third monitor you would need one more video card. That's it!

- Collapse -
Where to put the video card?
Jan 5, 2012 7:37AM PST

What kind and where would I add another video card? it doesnt look like there is another slot like the one I hooked the GeForce card into?

- Collapse -
You'll have to tell more
Jan 5, 2012 7:41AM PST

I remember powerspec to be some clone maker so they are all over the map for what slots could be open.

If you need to catch up on your machine, google what the PCI PCIE and such slots look like then see which are open. You also need to tell about the use. For example, stock quotes will not be as demanding as some flight sim.
Bob

- Collapse -
Not heavy use
Jan 5, 2012 8:28AM PST

I am not using it for gaming or anything like that. Just basic work. (spreadsheets, word docs, etc...)

From the quick research I did it looks like there are 2 basic PCI slots open. Are there simple video cards that will fit that for around $30?

- Collapse -
Yes there are.
Jan 5, 2012 9:06AM PST
- Collapse -
Bought a video card
Jan 6, 2012 4:23AM PST

So I bought another video card. I installed it and now I can only get either only the third monitor to work or only the original two not all three together. I went into the BIOS and the only options I can think I can change is the video card main boot up, the only options are PCI and PCI express. when I use PCI obviously only the third monitor works and when I use PCI express only the original two work. Any help?

PS I found out my mother board is a 3G1T-M5.

- Collapse -
Tell more.
Jan 6, 2012 8:34AM PST

I can't tell what video card you got but for most you set the PCIe as the boot and later, when the drivers load and we configure the other display with Extend the desktop we see the next display turn on.

- Collapse -
While not in the $30 limit
Jan 5, 2012 8:38PM PST
- Collapse -
Close at 34.95 is the Sewell
Jan 6, 2012 1:30AM PST