Dual-Output Ports = Dual-Monitor always?

[Dario D.]

Hi all. Quick question (need an answer ASAP, if possible): I was going to tell somebody, "If your video card has 2 output ports, it will support dual monitor," but is that safe to say?

I realized that it COULD be that some video cards just have 2 ports for plug-compatibility (like the ones with a VGA and DVI port... both different) and might only support mirrored dual-monitor (as opposed to dual-view, where you can expand your desktop).

So, can you expect there to be cards that have 2 ports, but DON'T support dual-monitor? (dual-view with expanded desktop, not just mirrored/cloned) Thanks.

[powerarmour]

I think it would be safe to say that any graphics card that comes with two DVI outputs is dual monitor capable/independant.

There are a few VGA/DVI only cards (usually older GeForce <4, Radeon <8xxx Series) that only support extended desktop modes. Most Matrox cards (even really old ones) support DualHead2Go.

Anything modern on the market (even with VGA/DVI outputs only) should be safe, but look on the box/specs for 'HydraVision' for ATI and 'nView' for Nvidia cards.