How to Install a Second Video Monitor to Your PC

Connecting The Second Video Monitor

Connecting the second video monitor is pretty straight-forward, however there are a few things you need to know before going further.
All the steps described below must be performed with your computer turned off.
We are assuming that the video connector available on your computer is a DVI connector. Video monitors, however, can come with a VGA connector, with a DVI connector or with both. Of course your best option is to buy a video monitor that has a DVI connector.
After buying your second monitor, you need to take a look at the kind of connector it uses. In Figure 7 show how the VGA and the DVI connectors look like, however you should take a look at the rear of your monitor to see what kind of connection your video monitor has. Several monitors nowadays come with both connections (see Figure 8). If you have a video monitor like this you should use only the DVI cable and not use the VGA cable that comes with the product.

Figure 7: VGA vs. DVI connectors

Figure 8: This video monitor (Samsung SyncMaster 932BW) has both VGA and DVI connectors. Use the DVI one.

If your video monitor doesn’t have a DVI connector, you will need to use an adapter to convert its VGA connector into a DVI one (see Figures 9 and 10). This adapter comes with the video card.

Figure 9: Two VGA-to-DVI adapters (you will need only one, of course).

Figure 10: VGA cable converted into to DVI.