New graphics card for XPS 400

Hi! I got the Dell XPS400 about a year ago, with the 2.8 GHz dual core thingy. I have an ATI Radeon x600 PCI-E 256MB, and I'd like to do the dual-monitor thing. Looking at my computer, I have spare PCI-E slots, and I'd like to spend under $200. I was looking at the ATI Radeon X1600 Pro, which is dual DVI - that means it can do 2 monitors on its own. Can I run 2 parallel graphics cards? A second card with only 1 monitor port should be cheaper, right? The other thing is the Digital/Analog - the card I have is alalog, i think(how would I check? it's a blue plug, but theres another hole on the card with 3 lines of holes and also 4 holes on the right side?) The second monitor is definately analog - here's the one I was looking at:
http://ati.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/vcode=ATI/partnum=100-437509/ut=45fd298b6549c247
will that work, can I get one with only one port for less and run parallel, and do I need to worry about analog/digital? Thanks!

 

bump?

 

Are you wanting to go with ATI or Nvidia?
Also are you wanting SLI or Crossfire or a single card?

I say go with a single card especially if you're staying with ATI. Crossfire doesn't work to well I've heard.

 

Here's a nice Nvidia card in the price range you wanted.
Here's a nice ATI card in the price range you wanted.

Both are pretty equal in performance, it's just which company you want to go with. Both will allow you to hook up dual monitors.

Hope this helps,
Paul

 

cool, thanks. So I don't need 2 cards to use 2 monitors?

 

nope, you just need a card with two video connectors.