Compatible Display card for optiplex 790 PC

[genesis]

Hi

 

I would like to purchase a display card with low profile for my Dell OptiPlex 790.Iam looking for cards that have two out puts one to connect to a projector and another to a monitor.

 

It would be great to have 2 VGA output on the cards. Please let me know if any cards if you know that would be suitable.

 

Thanks

[3s-gtech]

Having two VGA outputs is rare unless you choose one of the workstation cards with a DMS-59 port that then has a choice of fly leads. ICT Direct tend to have a stock of these that should suit. Otherwise, look for a low profile card that has VGA plus a DVI-I output - that just needs a cheap adaptor to make it dual VGA. Something like https://www.ebuyer.com/279274-gigabyte-geforce-g210-1gb-ddr3-vga-dvi-hdmi-low-profile-pci-e-graphics-gv-n210d3-1gi (it's a miserable, ancient card but most of the newer ones are DVI-D only which is no good). Edited October 17, 2017 by 3s-gtech

[ollyyllo]

You will struggle to find a low profile card with 2 VGA

Most of the cheap cards come with HDMI DVI and VGA, the VGA is usually attached by a ribbon, so you could place it a seperate bracket, using these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BNE6NN0

You would also need a DVI to VGA adapter

[Norphy]

Be careful when buying cards with DVI ports. A lot of the cheaper ones that I've been looking at only have DVI-D ports which can't be adapted to VGA. Make sure you get one with a DVI-I port as @3s-gtech said.

[nicholab]

Well I hate to disagree https://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-adapters-c1/audio-video-c107/dvi-d-to-vga-converter-adapter-p7726/s7877?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=dvi-d-to-vga-converter-adapter&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1JbPBRCrARIsAOKj2PmVMR2NZ1m6tKfRTARRauhok1Kfh2CS19tg1KsXQzT3vFApVGS50Q8aAu5YEALw_wcB

[nicholab]

Well I hate to disagree https://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-adapters-c1/audio-video-c107/dvi-d-to-vga-converter-adapter-p7726/s7877?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=dvi-d-to-vga-converter-adapter&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1JbPBRCrARIsAOKj2PmVMR2NZ1m6tKfRTARRauhok1Kfh2CS19tg1KsXQzT3vFApVGS50Q8aAu5YEALw_wcB

 

Just a side note DVI has 6 different pin options.

[Norphy]

Well I hate to disagree https://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-adapters-c1/audio-video-c107/dvi-d-to-vga-converter-adapter-p7726/s7877?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=dvi-d-to-vga-converter-adapter&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1JbPBRCrARIsAOKj2PmVMR2NZ1m6tKfRTARRauhok1Kfh2CS19tg1KsXQzT3vFApVGS50Q8aAu5YEALw_wcB

 

Well, that looks like it’s an active adapter, something that’s translating the DVI signal into VGA. Similar to those HDMI to VGA adapters you can buy for Apple TVs. That would explain why it costs £20.

 

Whereas with a DVI adapter, the extra pins in the cross formation actually output a real VGA signal which is why a £2 physical passive adapter works.

 

In other words, that £20 adapter is a kludge.

[GuyJD]

wouldn't a vga splitter do the job?

[Norphy]

Yes, if you want to output the same image to both screens. The disadvantage of that is that it's an extra box on the desk, another power supply required and it's rather messy with all the extra cabling required.

[3s-gtech]

And passive splitters are absolutely useless IME - especially with modern high-res screens at 60Hz+.

[Norphy]

Ugh, don't talk to me about passive splitters. I had an old boss who bought a shedload of them and thought they were the best thing since sliced bread. He refused to listen when he was told about the problems that they were creating.

[GuyJD]

And passive splitters are absolutely useless IME - especially with modern high-res screens at 60Hz+.

if it's a high res screen surly the monitor would have a DVI input negating the need for 2 VGA's and a VGA + DVI card would suffice.

[3s-gtech]

High res in this case = greater than XGA I don't mean high-def.

[ollyyllo]

@genesis

I presume you are talking about the SFF optiplex 790

 

Remember to check the card length and height.

I have an optiplex 390 that I think is a very similar build to the 790 and there is only about 35mm room for the heatsink.

the card is about 155mm in length, if it was any longer it would be a pain to get to the pci release button.

 

Edit: looks like the 790 release button is on the side/top, the 390 has it underneath, so you may get away with a longer card.

Edited October 18, 2017 by ollyyllo

[Rob_D]

We use the Sapphire Radeon HD 5450 cards, they've always come with low profile kits. After a quick check, they seem work fine with those passive DVI to VGA adapter blocks.