GA-MA69VM-S2 which graphics card should I buy?

[wally]

Hi I want to support 2 x displays using Windows 7. Any recomendations as to which Graphics card I should add?

[oggmonster]

At what res are the displays running?
Budget?
Will it be for gaming?

[absic]

Just to add to the questions what PSU are you using?
Upgrading your Graphics Card might mean you also need to update this.

[wally]

Good questions:-

1. Res = 1280x1024
2. Budget = Cheap as possible (I am Scottish)
3. Gaming - No just large spreadsheets, low end commercial, nothing too taxing!
4. Power Supply - (Why did I not think of that?) ATX 450W. 4GB memory, 3x HDD and 1xDVD

What I would like is something as compatible as posible to the onboard graphics,

Many Thanks....

[absic]

Ok

here are a few for you to look at they are low cost but will do what you want.
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/512mb-gigabyte-hd4350-pci-e-20(x16)-800mhz-gddr2-gpu-650mhz-80-cores-d-sub-dl-dvi-i-hdmi
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/512mb-sapphire-hd4550-pci-e-20-(x16)-1800mhz-gddr3-gpu-600mhz-80-cores-dvi-d-sub-s-video
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/512mb-sapphire-hd-5450-pci-e-21(x16)-1600mhz-gddr3-gpu-650mhz-80-cores-d-sub-dl-dvi-i-hdmi

Sorry the links are for Scan UK but I'm lazy!

EDIT: Personally I would go for the 5450 but only because it will run DX11 where the others are DX10

[Dark Mantis]

Sorry the links are for Scan UK but I'm lazy!

Are you SURE you're not getting a backhander?

[absic]

Are you SURE you're not getting a backhander?

I wish I was, I'd be a very rich man! 

[Dark Mantis]

I thought you were, all that lovely gear that you're running

EDIT: Sorry forget I said anything runn3R told me not to let on about all the goodies he's sending us

[wally]

Many thanks ABSIC. I will take your advice - the 5450 it is....

This is what I call SERVICE so have a great weekend.

[absic]

You're welcome and pleased to have been able to help.

[Badbonji]

You won't be disappointed, I use a HD5450 in my media PC sitting behind the TV and it is dead silent even when watching 1080P movies.
Enjoy it

[wally]

Well I am now the proud owner of a bright and shiny 1GB 5450 - that is where my problems begin.

In summary I can load full graphics, as detected by Catalyst, on either one of the graphic adaptors in isolation  BUT when I reboot after initialising extended screens on W7 both the X1200 (internal) and the 5450 (PEG) revert to basic VGA ie no graphics or DVD capability. If I then force a reload of either driver via the Device Manager then graphics are available UNTIL I reboot and then back to square one.
It appears as if an incompatability exists between these two device when operating under W7 (Pro 32).

If anyone has this configuration working I would be most grateful for the following information:-

1. Which BIOS are you using? I have loaded F9
2. Your Bios settings for:-
            Init Dispaly First
            Surroundview
            Internal Graphics Mode
3. The driver versions you have loaded for both the HD5450 and the X1200
I have now spent MANY hours trying different combinations of the above and aslo Googling any known problems to no avail.

Any advice will be gratefully received.

[absic]

Hi there,
Sorry if I misunderstood your intentions for getting the 5450 GPU.

I think the reason you are having problems is that you are trying to run the 5450 in crossfire with the on-board graphics of your motherboard. When I suggested the 5450 it was as a standalone card which was capable of running 2 monitors by itself not as a crossfire card.

If you connect both of your monitors to the 5450 and disable the on-board graphics chip then you should have no problems.

[Dark Mantis]

To be fair that was my impression too

[wally]

Sadly the 5450 only has one HDMI port and one DVI which I am using with a convertor to drive the second display.
Do you think therfore that I am beating my head against a brick wall trying to get both devices working in full graphics mode?