What graphics cards are good for dual monitor? And how do I do it?

[LeechHax]

Hey guys, I was just wondering what kind of graphics card I should buy to run a dual monitor setup.

 

But before I do, will a cable splitter work? Because I already have a "Y" shaped DVI-D cable, and I tried connecting it to two monitors, and the only thing that happened was it "duplicated" the image onto both screens. So everything I was doing on my main monitor was happening on my second one. But I want to have it where I can expand both monitors and be able to multi-task. Did I do something wrong? Or do cable splitters not work and I need a graphics card with 2 DVI ports?

[Tedster]

Hey guys, I was just wondering what kind of graphics card I should buy to run a dual monitor setup.

 

But before I do, will a cable splitter work? Because I already have a "Y" shaped DVI-D cable, and I tried connecting it to two monitors, and the only thing that happened was it "duplicated" the image onto both screens. So everything I was doing on my main monitor was happening on my second one. But I want to have it where I can expand both monitors and be able to multi-task. Did I do something wrong? Or do cable splitters not work and I need a graphics card with 2 DVI ports?

Cable splitters will simply copy the outputs...

You will need a graphics card with multiple outputs that you can use, that supports using the ones you want to use simultaneously.

What's your budget and how many screens do you want to drive?

[TheRandomness]

R9 390 for the card, I'm not entirely sure how to set up dual monitors and I don't want to spread misinformation so I'll let other people say c:

[Josephdalepi]

Hey guys, I was just wondering what kind of graphics card I should buy to run a dual monitor setup.

 

But before I do, will a cable splitter work? Because I already have a "Y" shaped DVI-D cable, and I tried connecting it to two monitors, and the only thing that happened was it "duplicated" the image onto both screens. So everything I was doing on my main monitor was happening on my second one. But I want to have it where I can expand both monitors and be able to multi-task. Did I do something wrong? Or do cable splitters not work and I need a graphics card with 2 DVI ports?

splitters split the image

what kind of inputs do the monitors have and what size?

and what will you be running?

[Soviet_Tech]

I have an 960 and that runs great with 2 

[zlolslavez]

You may have had the monitors on mirror instead of extend, I have no idea if that works or not.

Assuming 1080p not surround - basically any graphics card will work, you can do this onboard.

Assuming 1080p surround for gaming -  you will probably need at least a 380X for a decent experience, I would recommend a 390(X).

[Glenwing]

Splitters will not work for driving independent monitors. You'll need to connect them separately. You don't necessarily need two DVI ports, as HDMI ports and DisplayPorts on graphics cards can be easily adapted to DVI monitors.