Matrox the solution?

[citric]

I have 2 monitors, one CRT one TFT, both have anologue connectors. I want to use the CRT just to watch TV with my TV card and the other to continue with internet browsing etc.

Is it better to get something like a Matrox card or a proper graphics card that has dual DVI?

Also, do these things eat up a lot of RAM & CPU power etc? My comp at the moment is a little old, but i should be updating soon.

Thanks.

 

[PinkFloyd]

Just get a graphics card with 2 outputs, even 2x analogue woul be fine since thats what both screens are. Although DVI could be usefull further along the line

 

[citric]

can you suggest a fairly cheap one that will do the job? I really know nothing about graphics cards, but if i get a new motherboard it'll prolly be PCI-e.

 

[PinkFloyd]

Depends really.
Whats your idea of cheap? £100?
Are you going to be gaming or just general light use such as browsing and the tv watching?

 

[citric]

Don't play any games, so it's just for TV and movies etc.

 

[PinkFloyd]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_X300___X550_Series_252.html
Something like that should be fine, basicly if you don't game all you need to look for is something with 2 connections on the back for your screens.
You could even get away with PCI graphics rather than PCIe and you could save a bit more.

 

[El_Watcher]

If it is an "old" PC as you say, the chances are you won't have a PCI-e port, so you will be stuck with an AGP or maybe even PCI. Check the motherboard for type of port (AGP is usually brown, PCI is white, PCI-e can be blue/white/brown but looks smaller than AGP/PCI) and once you know that look for a Geforce 6200, ATI 9200/X300. Should be looking at about £40 for a bottom end dual output card.