What do i need to buy/do for dual monitors on XC603G??

Nessential

So i have an AXC603G Desktop computer -  all works well enough for my radio and music production needs but i used to have a setup running an extended monitor off my old Acer laptop and loved it for the convenience in production. What i JUST realized is that this desktop (was a gift) has only ONE VGA output, NOTHING else, dvi/hdmi etc..NOTHING - lots of USB 2 and 3.0s...

 i used to be a little more knowledgeable w/ hardware installation but i fell out of practice for some years lol, so what do i need?
 Really im hoping someone can tell me exactly what kind of graphics card i need to buy and give me any tips on installing it...?

Much Appreciated!!!
      
            - Mitch

JordanB

Are you sure it doesn't have an HDMI port?  See diagram below.  According to the diagram, it has both VGA and HDMI. The specs say it supports dual independent displays.  If it has an HDMI port and you need VGA, you can get an HDMI to VGA adapter.  Check Amazon or Best store.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MS611LJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_K6t4ybKKB0PEK

Nessential

Thanks Jordan i see that now, i was tired and thought it was a usb HAHA - just for future reference though i think i will want MORE monitors, is that possible with this computer and if so what kind of soundcard would i need?

Thanks!

JordanB

Nessential,

I don't work for Acer but I think Acer only officially supports 2 monitors with that computer.  However, you can get an HDMI splitter to add an additional monitor, but it won't be "independent".  It would be a mirror.   But let me be honest, the XC-603G is an entry level desktop model, that wasn't really designed for expandability.  However you can add an external USB sound card I suppose.   But keep in mind that the CPU in your computer isn't very powerful, so if you start adding stuff and taxing it, it may not perform up to par or expectations as it wasn't really designed for heavy loads beyond its factory configuration.   So it's possible that you may be disappointed if you start trying to add stuff.   

https://www.amazon.com/HD-102-Powered-Splitter-Certified-Support/dp/B005HXFARS/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_23_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VP7D3Q317M7SA94SF0H0&dpID=412GDbyCYBL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=external sound card&Submit=ENE

It's possible that you may need to purchase a more powerful desktop computer to meet your needs.  I'm not sure.

I assume if you call Acer sales dept and tell them your computing needs, they can recommend a more powerful computer model if that's what you need.

https://store.acer.com/en-us/

JordanB

OK, I found out that some XC-603G do have a powerful Intel i7 4770 cpu, so I shouldn't comment on your cpu without knowing what it is. 

Nessential

Thanks for all the help Jordan yea i THOUGHT i was getting the i7 but i have the weak *****$ J1900 - I think imma try and convert to a Mac anyway since 90% of what i do is sound and video production, ive gotta look at cost/performance differences first though haha

Thanks again
Mitch

JordanB

Mitch,

Ok sounds good.  I'm not really a fan of Macs but I know some people use them for audio and video.  For me personally, I'd probably look at the desktop below as it is expandable and has an i7.  You can add a graphics card, sound card, add a fast M.2 SSD, and upgrade memory to 32 GB.  

Black Friday is coming up soon, and sometimes you can find a deal.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883101539