On my last build, I thought the video was built in to the MOBO..... but after putting it all together, and looking for a way to connect the monitor, I soon discovered it wasn't.

A trip back to the computer parts big box vendor and I had a dual monitor video card. I think I paid about $15 for it. It wasn't the cheapest one in the store, but it was close.

It is a GEForce 210 and it works well. I run one 19" monitor and I can see everything I need to see, to do everything I need to do.

I'm running an ATI 5450, 512 w/DDR3.

It's fanless which was my primary reason for picking it up, and seems to run XP and X1 without any issues. As it says in my signature, it's not a great card - but it works well and it's quiet! (Edit: not to mention - it's really inexpensive, borderline cheap)

 
If there's another thread I should be on, I genuinely apologize ... please re-direct me if so.
 
Any SONAR X2a Users out there using dual-monitors?
 
Long Lead-in to my Question ... I'm running SONAR X2a x64 on a ZT Systems 3.00 Ghz with 16 Gig of Memory and I recently purchased a Roland Studio Capture (awesome by-the-way) and now I've decided to get a larger monitor (currently have a 24 inch) due to my age-visual-deteriorization (meaning I'm getting old and can't see like I used to be able to) and during this process I thought "why not go to dual-monitors" and use the 24 inch for exclusively for the Studio Capture's Control Panel windows and when not using it ... float some of SONAR's windows to it. 
 
I was looking at the back of my computer and there is only 1 VGA port (where my 24 inch is hooked-up to) and 1 DVI-D port (available).  I was considering getting a 32 inch Samsung Smart TV and what I found out was most TVs today really aren't geared-up to attached to the available DVI-D port ... I've also read and heard that converter (DVI TO HDMI) cables and plugs aren't really reliable with the dual monitor concept.
 
So,   ... now, finally the question.  Would it be best to purchase a new PCI graphics card with HDMI/VGA/DVI capability and install it to gain dual monitor capability?  Or, should I just skip the dual-monitor concept and purchase the graphics card with HDMI and the 32 inch Samsung and live with one monitor.
 
I'll take all suggestions with regard to graphics cards mentioned above into consideration, thanks for all of that input dudes and dudettes.
 
Don't hesitate to let me know I'm heading down the road in the wrong direction ... anybody reading this thread knows we've all spent good money after bad money to get this far!  I'm trying to avoid another bad expenditure in my life!
 
As most of you know out there ... nothing worse than buggering-up a stable system and that is my uppermost solid priority here ... but I need to see the screen!
 
T. Dale
 
"when you're up to your butt in alligators, it's easy to forget the initial objective was to drain the swamp"
 

I just lower the resolution on my 24" monitor. HDMI carries both graphics and sound to a monitor with either speakers or another connection for the audio out of it. (I think if remembering right looking at them a couple of months ago when my monitor quit working). HDMI is also made to hook up to a TV to use that way also, although I think the TV has to have overscan controls or something else also with it (because it is a TV and not a actual computer monitor - hook up consoles or computers to play games on the TV - bigger usually).
 
I just got a new newer type Nviida card dual slot (only one graphics card though) and although it is a 2 slot sort of monster for the cooling of it, it is also quiet.
It has HDMI, DVI-D and DVI-I for connections but only an adaptor if you wanted VGA from the DVI-I or D I guess.
 
The rest will have to be answered by someone who uses two monitors but for myself I only need one. I just use a lower resolution if I need to and that works good enough for me.
 
 If wanting there are forums over there in the Community also, as well as explaining these graphics cards:
 
http://www.geforce.com
 
http://www.nvidia.com/
 
And perhaps if you want more articles:
http://www.guru3d.com/
 
 

Thanks spacealf ... in the interest of keeping things solid and stable, I've found a Samsung S27C450D 27 inch actual computer monitor that has VGA and DVI-D inputs so it's as simple as hooking-up two cables and going into Windows 7 and identifying the montors.  So with regard to the existing graphics card that I have, I'll just keep it for now and get on with finishing my projects that I've got started.  I'll keep the advised graphic card in my thoughts for future changes.  Thanks again for your time and input.

Any card that has 2 outputs will work, mine is probably 10 years old , an ATI. has one of each connector. no fan.  I had trouble finding W7 drivers at first so couldn't use 2 monitors, But I kept checking and they eventually released the W7 64 bit drivers so now I have my control panel back. I couldn't believe the better image I got once the correct driver was installed. I guess windows has generic drivers that get you by. 
 
 I only run a second monitor every once in a while just to goof around with the idea. It  hogs the space my keyboard controller goes so can't leave it there. I like it for keeping wave lab open or the mixer when I do a lot of mix downs. Will have to re design my space someday to make it work. 

I use a NVS 510 tp Power 4 monitors.
I have used the NVS Cards for over 7 years and never had problems With them.
I do not do any gaming..  so need for fancy Graphics.
If you dabble in audio/video this a great card With good colour.
 

I use a NVS 510 tp Power 4 monitors.
I have used the NVS Cards for over 7 years and never had problems With them.
I do not do any gaming..  so need for fancy Graphics.
If you dabble in audio/video this a great card With good colour.