Ideal Dual Monitor Setup

Ok Mr. Technical guys...

We have an extra monitor at work that my boss used with his laptop, but he isn't using it much anymore. So I want to buy a new video card and run DualHead with that monitor and my current one.

The video card I have now is some crap intel or something that came with the Compaq. It may even be integrated, I'm not sure. Haven't opened up this case before.

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Yup, sticker on side of case says "Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics with 64mb shared memory"

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So... What are my options? Can I buy an external card that only supports one monitor, and run dual head with that and the integrated card, or am I looking at buying a DualHead card?

Which is better, if I can do either one?

Have any good DualHead cards to recommend? (I'm thinking under $150... I don't want the latest GeForce or anything. This is just going to be used to run Photoshop, Corel Draw, and other work related apps)

Thanks guys.

Check to see if your built in video card will allow dual monitoring. It would be an issue with the driver.

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/intel845g/monitor.htm

Looks like it...

I ran SiSoft Sandra and it doesn't look like this computer has an AGP port. At least that's what I gather from my understanding of this insanely confusing program.

So that limits me to PCI cards.

This is what I found on Newegg.com...

http://secure.newegg.com/app/specification.asp?item=14-131-193

Will that do the job you think?

Looks good =) Also I think all the GeForce cards use TwinView as well. So either would be good. This should be cool Deker. I wish I had a second monitor, I've actually been looking around pawn shops and have seen a few Sony trinitrons for under a $100us. They were only 15" monitors, but that would be great for spreading out work layout. Make life easier for sure.

I have never set up a dual monitor before, but with the driver gui it should be pretty easy and well documented.

Yeah I'll have two 17" when I get the card. My dad has a 19" and two 17". It's impressive. He has them on a corner desk, so you are like surrounded by monitors. It can be overwhelming at times.

Oh yeah, I guess I'll have to buy a DVI to VGA adapter too. wonder how much that will cost.

It looks like it'll cost $4. Nice.

Lol! Man I would love to see your dad's setup. You should take a pix and show us... hehe.

I am looking at selling my car since I dont need one now, and it would be a hassle to transfer it to Canada, so I am thinking of taking some of the money and buying a nice monitor with it. hmmmm damn I spend too much money I dont have on gear.

My dad's setup is at the bottom of this page:

http://www.4allthingsweb.com/aboutme.htm

he's a little crazy...