What is the cheapest combination of two low-profile video cards to run Vista Aero Glass on 3 to 4 monitors?

This is for a work machine (Dimension C521) I'm at my wit's end going back and forth from site to site trying to put together a combination of cards. I have only 3 slots on my workstation: PCI X16, PCI X1, and regular PCI-- in that order. All slots are LOW PROFILE which limits the cards that will fit. With Vista, you can't mix-and-match like XP or 2000. The two cards MUST share the same drivers (so no ATI + NVidia combinations) The PCI slot at literally at the bottom of the case, so no cards with huge fans or heatsinks will fit there. Similarly, the PCI X16 and PCI X1 slots are next to each other, so a PCI X16 + X1 combination would require the PCI X16 card not have an overly large heatsink or fan. Both cards must support the Vista Aero Glass interface and more than likely will have 1 DVI and 1 VGA (which is fine). The primary card (X16) must have at least 128MB RAM, 256MB preferably. The secondary must have at least 128MB RAM. Total budget? $150, but the lower the better.

What is the cheapest combination of two low-profile video cards to run Vista Aero Glass on 3 to 4 monitors?
lol, a single mid range graphic card from 7300 to 7900GT 256MB DDR2 will do solve your problem PCIx.





Or Newer graphic card from 8500GTS to 8800GTX silent 0db from 256mb DDr 2 or 3 will also solve your problem PCIx problem too.





With expensive budgets of $150.00 so the recommendation will be Nvidia Geforce 7300GE 256MB DDR2 at the cost of $100.00 and your VGA splitter shall be less than $50.00.





For display more than 2 monitors, all u need it's a VGA splitter.





There u go, all problem solved with ease of simpilicity.
Reply:Ok, order of use of slots, primary card goes into the PCI-E x16, secondary card goes into the PCI-E x1 slot. Leave the PCI (regular) slot open for later additions of things like network cards, sound cards, etc. PCI slots that are not PCI-E slots will run video cards but this is the oldest technology on the market and will run very slow when compared to systems using either AGP or PCI-E video cards. Here is a link to a nice XFX PCI-E 256mg video card, I recommend using XFX video cards because they have an excellent performance record, and they are one of a very few manufacturers that offer lifetime warranties on both parts and labor on all their video cards. I know you said your budget is a total of $150, but I would honestly consider using two of these cards though it will push your budget slightly. Link: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/... .

rodeo buckle