Dual Port Pci

Add Screen Area with A Dual Desktop Configuration

I'm a programmer. I work with copious amounts of programs, and I need to have a multitude of applications running simultaneously: a compiler, debugger, code editor, command shells, documentation, and other various tools of the trade; this makes for a lot of opened windows. The pace of my workflow would degrade considerably if I only had a single display to work with. I admit it; I spoil myself by utilizing the power of a dual desktop configuration. I find it frustrating dealing with a single desktop. I'm an avid multi-tasker. I juggle a lot of windows at the same time, and doing this with a single display becomes a cumbersome and frustrating endeavor.

Windows XP provides native multiple monitor support. Imagine having 2 displays right next to each other. Now envision your Window's desktop expanding to fill out your displays, forming one fluid, continuous desktop. With 2 displays, side by side, you can have one application maximized full screen on display 1, and another maximized app on display 2. Viewing 2 maximized windows at the same time becomes impossible within the confines of a single desktop. You basically have 2 desktops at your disposal, each one in full view. To move from one desktop to the other, you simple move your cursor to it; it's almost magical the first time you witness it!

I can't live without at least one LCD display; its small foot print leaves a lot of extra space on my computer desk, and it doesn't feel like I'm carrying a baby elephant when I move it around. I also have several spare CRT monitors from yesteryear lounging around, attracting dust and generally doing nothing of value. Most of today's graphics cards come with 2 monitor ports: one D-Sub and one DVI port. The D-Sub port supports the old school CRT monitors and the DVI for today's vogue LCDs. With an LCD and an old school CRT monitor, you can construct a dual desktop system that greatly expands your desktop real estate twofold, giving your windows ample leg room.

The process is simple: connect your LCD to your DVI port and the CRT to the D-Sub port and boot up XP. Window's XP should recognize your extra monitor. Right click on your desktop and select "properties". Navigate to the "Settings" tab. You should see your displays labeled as 1 and 2. You can move each one around, change their resolution and color quality. On your CRT monitor's configuration, you can change its refresh rate. If you happen to have an extra LCD on tap, you can even purchase an adapter, so that you can connect your extra LCD to the VGA D-Sub port. Two LCD's are better than the LCD/CRT setup, in my humble opinion.

When shopping around for a graphics card for your multiple display setup, make sure that your card of choice has one DVI port and one VGA port; most mid-range and up nVidia and ATI cards do. If you have 2 LCD displays, make sure that you have an adapter so that one of your displays can interface with the VGA port. If your current card doesn't have dual head capabilities and you have an unoccupied PCI slot, you can purchase a very inexpensive nVidia card for your extra display.
I absolutely rely on my multi-desktop configuration for my extreme multi-tasking needs. A dual desktop setup provides the extra space I need, and can be a frugal alternative to purchasing a massive wide screen display.

About the Author

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Agilent 2GB Dual Port PCI-X 7690BVJ0333 $58.55 Agilent 2GB Dual Port PCI-X 7690BVJ0333

Agilent 2GB Dual Port PCI-X HPFC5400C11 $58.55 Agilent 2GB Dual Port PCI-X HPFC5400C11

Agilent 2GB Dual Port PCI-X HPFC5400C $58.55 Agilent 2GB Dual Port PCI-X HPFC5400C

Agilent 2GB Dual Port PCI-X HHBA5418A $58.55 Agilent 2GB Dual Port PCI-X HHBA5418A

Emulex Dual Port PCI-E LPE11002-E $1388.98 Emulex Dual Port PCI-E LPE11002-E

Dell Dual Port PCI-E NIC G174P $110.13 Dell Dual Port PCI-E NIC G174P

Emulex Dual Port 8gb Fc Pci Express $998.99 EMULEX DUAL PORT 8GB FC PCI EXPRESS

Label Stock / Dual EPP Parallel Port PCI Bus / DUALPARALLEL-PCI $60.69 Label Stock - Dual EPP Parallel Port PCI Bus - DUALPARALLEL-PCI

Intel PWLA8492MT Dual Port PCI-X interface network card NIC $40.53 Intel PWLA8492MT Dual Port PCI-X interface network card NIC

HP / HPQ NC360M PCI-E DUAL PORT GETH ADPT / 445978-B21 $354.22 HP - HPQ NC360M PCI-E DUAL PORT GETH ADPT - 445978-B21

Emulex / EMULEX DUAL PORT 8GB FC PCI EXPRESS / LPE12002-E $1028.16 Emulex - EMULEX DUAL PORT 8GB FC PCI EXPRESS - LPE12002-E

HP 82E 8GB PCI-E Dual Port HBA AJ76363001 $720 HP 82E 8GB PCI-E Dual Port HBA AJ76363001

HP 82Q 8GB PCI-E FC Dual Port HBA AJ76463001 $804.36 HP 82Q 8GB PCI-E FC Dual Port HBA AJ76463001

HP NC360T PCI-E Dual Port Server Adpater EXPI9402PTHP $70.2 HP NC360T PCI-E Dual Port Server Adpater EXPI9402PTHP

HP NC7170 Network Interface Card Dual Port PCI-X 313881B21 $41.11 HP NC7170 Network Interface Card Dual Port PCI-X 313881B21

SUN SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E QLE2562SUN $868.75 SUN SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E QLE2562SUN

IBM SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E QLE2562IBMX $823.83 IBM SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E QLE2562IBMX

IBM NetXtreme 1000 T+ Dual-Port PCI-X 1GBE 39Y0693 $168.63 IBM NetXtreme 1000 T+ Dual-Port PCI-X 1GBE 39Y0693

IBM SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E 42D0512 $823.83 IBM SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E 42D0512

HP NC374m PCI Express Dual Port MultiFunction GigaBit NIC 416557001 $150 HP NC374m PCI Express Dual Port MultiFunction GigaBit NIC 416557001

Dell SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E KV00H $882.33 Dell SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E KV00H

Topsin Infiniband PCI-X Dual Port HCA 990002501 $63.33 Topsin Infiniband PCI-X Dual Port HCA 990002501

HP FC2242SR 4GB PCI-E Dual Port HBA LPE11002HP $378 HP FC2242SR 4GB PCI-E Dual Port HBA LPE11002HP

Dell 10GB Dual Port PCI-E HBA J676T $472.83 Dell 10GB Dual Port PCI-E HBA J676T

Dell 10GB Dual Port PCI-E HBA J650T $472.83 Dell 10GB Dual Port PCI-E HBA J650T

Dell GigaBit Ef Dual Port PCI-E Server Adapter 5D27X $414.33 Dell GigaBit Ef Dual Port PCI-E Server Adapter 5D27X

Cisco Dual Port PCI-E GigaBit Server Adapter NC382T $120.36 Cisco Dual Port PCI-E GigaBit Server Adapter NC382T

HP 8GB PCI-E Dual Port HBA AH403A $720 HP 8GB PCI-E Dual Port HBA AH403A

HP 82E 8GB PCI-E Dual Port HBA AJ76369001 $720 HP 82E 8GB PCI-E Dual Port HBA AJ76369001

HP PCI Express Dual Port GigaBit Server Adapter NC360T $70.2 HP PCI Express Dual Port GigaBit Server Adapter NC360T

HP Ib 4x DDR PCI-e Dual Port HCA 409778001 $120.36 HP Ib 4x DDR PCI-e Dual Port HCA 409778001

Intel Pro/1000 Dual Port Server PCI-X Adapter C29887 $24.57 Intel Pro/1000 Dual Port Server PCI-X Adapter C29887

Intel 10GB Dual Port PCI-E NIC EXPX9502FXSR $1103.35 Intel 10GB Dual Port PCI-E NIC EXPX9502FXSR

HP G2 Dual Port 10Gigabit Ethernet Card PCI-E 518001001 $576.36 HP G2 Dual Port 10Gigabit Ethernet Card PCI-E 518001001

HP G2 Dual Port 10Gigabit Ethernet Card PCI-E 516937B21 $583.6 HP G2 Dual Port 10Gigabit Ethernet Card PCI-E 516937B21

IBM 10GB Dual Port PCI-E FC Adapter 46K6886 $840.2 IBM 10GB Dual Port PCI-E FC Adapter 46K6886

SIIG Dual Port Serial Adapter PCI USB 2.0 JUP20212S2 $28.52 SIIG Dual Port Serial Adapter PCI USB 2.0 JUP20212S2

Dell Dual Port 2GB PCI-X Host BUS Adapter 4U854 $39.06 Dell Dual Port 2GB PCI-X Host BUS Adapter 4U854

SUN SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E 371432501 $868.75 SUN SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E 371432501

SUN SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E 3714325 $868.75 SUN SANblade 8GB Dual Port Fibre PCI-E 3714325

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 6th, 2007 at 3:32 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.