How to split one DVI source to two different displays?
 

Hey RS comp guru's

I'm having an issue trying to split one DVI source to two displays.

Before I begin here's the specs:
Win 7 64
Q6600
4 Gig Ram
Asus P5K
9800GTX (has two dvi's)

So the story goes, I'm already running dual display (extended desktop) so the two existing DVI ports are used. What I want to do is split the MAIN display (26" 1900x1200) to my LCD TV(46" 1080P). Seems simple enough so I bought a DVI Splitter cable and a long ass DVI to HDMI cable. Big nono on Vista and ended up crashing my comp and me having to do a system restore and spend hours trying to recover my data. So now I'm running Win 7 and decided to try again, so it doesn't crash the comp but when I plug in the cable to the TV the secondary monitor becomes the main monitor and the main monitor stays off. I looked into it a little further, but apparently I can't run two different resolutions (or even one common res) off that adapter.

I looked into a DVI switcher...they cost $300+...Not worth it.
I can't run SLI because the card is too old and the mobo is crossfire
I did a little research today and found a USB to DVI adapter but not sure if that's the best alternative.
video cards w DVI start around $30-40 but I'm not sure if that'll work.

SOOOOOO does anyone have any input or suggestions?

Can i technically run a different 2nd video card without complications?

I know it's long winded but thanks for reading guys

nvm

Get a second video card, if you have room. You never said what motherboard you have

dual-link DVI outputs only have enough bandwidth for one display each at that resolution. That's why "splitters" are so expensive.

Sorry forgot one of the most important things

It's an Asus P5K

It's a crossfire board and I have an Nvidia 9800GTX. Can I just run any cheap video card? Or do I need to buy something comparable because of the Nvidia drivers? With that being said can I even run another Nvidia card because it's a crossfire board?

I'm pretty sure you can just get any NVIDIA card from the same series. Remember you do not want SLI or Crossfire here, just 2 video cards.

Or it could be that you need an identical card. I'm not sure, since I have never run multiple graphics cards outside SLI or Crossfire. If the hardware and drivers support it, it shouldn't matter that you're using an Intel chipset. If there are enough PCI-E lanes, it should work in theory.

Best bet would be to borrow a GeForce and give it a try :)