Best way to add more monitors?

[Tripredacus]

I am actively trying to go from 2 monitors to 3, but I am not certain on the best way to do it. Here is my system specs:

Computer Name: DAI-ATLAS (Windows 7 Professional x86)

This is my regular workstation

Config

- Intel DB43LD

- Intel Core 2 2.40GHz

- 4GB DDR2

- WD 80GB SATA HDD

- 2x WD 160GB SATA HDD

- Lite-On DVD+/-RW/CD-RW SATA

- ATI Radeon X1800

- 2x 17" AOC LCD Monitors

I have 2 PCI slots and 1 1x slot available to me. Which of these options would work the best?

1. Add a second video card to a PCI slot. I know if I do this it should be another Radeon, but does it need to be an X1800, or is there a specific range of models I can use?

2. Drop 300 on a FirePro? I doubt this is possible. I do know that there is (somewhere) a FireMV 4 port DVI-A card in the building somewhere, but it is (for all intents and purposes) missing. Its listed in inventory but the PC it is in is MIA.

3. Switch away from ATI and use a Matrox Parpehlia P960. I'm not really impressed by these and would prefer sticking with ATI if possible.

This will all be solved if we can find the missing FireMV card. Tell me some of your experiences with running multies and what cards you used.

[Guest]

I had a pair of BFG GeForce 7800 GTX 256 MB cards in SLI. For gaming I enabled SLI and used one monitor. Otherwise, SLI was disabled and one monitor was connected to each card to increase desktop space. My setup supported four monitors at two per card. This was under XP x64.

I have tried getting multiple monitors connected using a PowerColor PCS+ Radeon HD 5830 and an old Radeon 7000 64 MB. The cards work fine separately, but will not work when installed together. I suspect it is due to the fact that modern Catalyst drivers no longer support the 7000. This was also under XP x64, where only XP's default VGA driver would work with the 7000.

Edited August 18, 2010 by 5eraph

[puntoMX]

Well, how about using that system for other things and get yourself something new?

Or "upgrade" what you have now with way less noise and all? A mobo with VGA card and an AMD AM3 CPU with Virtualization Technology can be found as low as 167USD plus some shipping.

[Tripredacus]

Well I don't actually pay for these parts, let's call it a work benefit.

Anyways, I located the missing video card, but the PC it used to be in is still MIA.