hooking second monitor for slimline t3600

[bixing]

Hi there,

I am trying to connect second monitor and upgrading RAM from 3 Gb to 4Gb.

Please let me know what king of video adapter and RAM will I need?

Thanks

Here are details of my pc.

HP Pavilion Slimline s3600t PC
- Genuine Windows 7
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor E4700 (2.6GHz)
- 3GB DDR2-800MHz SDRAM (1x2048,1x1024)
- Integrated Graphics (NVIDIA GeForce 7100), VGA
- 500GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
- Wireless-G LAN card
- LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
- 15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, headphone port
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- Integrated 5.1 channel sound with front audio ports

[banhien]

Hi,

1. You already have information for RAM on your machine. 4Gb is the max number as mentioned in this:

   http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/HP+-+Compaq-memory/Pavilion+Slimline+S3000+Series/Pavilion+Slimline+s...

you already have 3Gb, upgrading to 4Gb won't help if your machine is running 32bit Windows 7.

2. You may need a new video card for the second monitor. Please refer to this:

   http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Audio-Video-Monitors/What-dual-monitor-graphics-card-will-fit-i...

Regards.

[bixing]

Thanks,
I am running 64-bit Win 7. Do you think upgrading to 4 gb will help making day-to-day surfing and MS Office work faster?
BG

[bixing]

Also, Is there any cheaper alternative to this?By this, I meant cheaper alternative to USB VGA adapter?
Thanks again

[banhien]

Hi,

Normally you can see a big difference when moving from 1Gb of RAM to 2Gb of RAM. You can see a small difference when moving from 2Gb to 3Gb and very little or see nothing when moving from 3Gb to 4Gb.

In your case, having 4Gb (2 x 2) will probably give a bit improvement (very hard to see) with dual channels thing. You already have 2Gb in one slot, you only need 2Gb on another slot (cost less).

Regards.

[bixing]

Last question for this topic!

Is there a cheaper alternative to USB-VGA adapter for second monitor? How about internal video card?

Thanks in advance

[lasvegaswireman · Accepted solution]

Here are the specs for your HP Pavilion Slimline s3600t Desktop Computer. According to the specs, your system has a 180 watt power supply. This power supply is very unlikely to support a low profile retail graphics card. You can purchase a custom reduced power card from HP but that is very expensive. This leaves the eVGA USB-to-VGA adapter. At around $40 - $50, it is a bargain compared to your other choices.

Frank