This card appears to have a DVI and a VGA port. If the card supports dual monitor (just because it has 2 ports, dual monitor support is not assured) and you don't mind running one of your monitors in VGA, this card will be fine for trading. If you don't wan't to run one monitor in VGA, look for a card with dual DVI support.
For "multi monitor >2", the motherboard is the key. 1. You can run 2 monitors on virtually any modern computer with a PCIEx16 slot and a dual-monitor video card. 2. If you want to run >2 monitors, it's a bit more complicated... but not much. You should buy a computer with at least 2, PCIEx16 slots. You could run 2, dualhead video cards for a total of 4 monitors. The more monitors you want to run, the fewer your options. But in general, suggest not buying the cheapest computer then trying to run a bunch of monitors on it. Often it won't work as you envision.
The Cards i have been looking at have the following Specs: 1.- 1 x DVI 2. - Dual-Link DVI Supported i am under the impression these Specs allow 2 displays per DVI my guess is with a dongle or a type of single DVI to Dual DVI connector.
Wrong guess. You always need "1 port per monitor". (Except in the case of a "splitter"... but that only gives you a degraded picture of the same image on both monitors. Splitters do not apply to "extended desktop".) "Dual-link" applies only to 30" monitors and refers to the amount of data which can be processed.... not the connection of "dual monitors".
i see, i would like to have extended desktop across all displays, so i am thinking my best choice would be to use 3 NVS 295 Cards that have the DUAL DVI Ports that i have seen for $ 20 to $ 60 per card? For Trading Applications, is there any other choices based on what you have informed me of so far. i feel i need to go with what you are saying: 1 DVI Port per display, so if the card has 2 DVI Ports i will maintain good picture Quality. Of course i am trying not to spend to much on the cards, but am interested on other folks choices of cards and how they configured each card if running more than 1 display each, and how their picture Quality looks. interested in what Resolutions for these setups.
I use NVS 295s myself. Their picture quality ranks #1 for their class as per Display Mate. If you want to run 3, 295s (for 5-6 monitors), get a computer with a mobo that has a minimum 3, PCIEx16 slots. (You can also run a mobo with 2, x16 slots and other x1 slots.. so long as the mobo is X38 or newer. An X58 mobo is still a top choice all around these days.) Proper mobo, proper video cards for trading... all you need beyond that is a "powerful enough" CPU and 4-6 GB of RAM. You're on the right track.
ok, i Think i got it now, @ Scataphagos, I Appreciate the information and your time on this matter, i will decide on the board that can handle the 3 cards. i have been looking at All components for a Build and have been stuck with what we have been discussing. i am sure i will probably need more advice sometime in the future on other things and i know where to check, this thread and Everyone here are Very helpful and i Appreciate that. Thanks.
Why not? I use many of these. One one computer (model U), I use four of them, 8400 GS, to drive 8 monitors. Here is a picture of it that I posted upthread before. http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=195662&perpage=40&pagenumber=4 The post dated "04-01-11 05:04 PM" The brand I use is EVGA. I am sure Zotac makes quality products too. (The chip 8400 GS is made by NVidia in their GeForce series). The processing power does not directly relate to the monitor it can support. Many low-end video cards (which 8400 GS is, relatively speaking) can support dual monitors each.
If you can find NVS 295 for $20 on Ebay, get them. Those are good cards. If you want to buy new... 8400 GS would be fine too. The Zotac card uses passive cooling while my EVGA has a small fan. That's a bonus. I always like passive cooling.