The Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express card slots for the x1 devices are small and compact enough to allow an additional peripheral that can be used for low power, low bandwidth, and general additions to the computer system.

A PCI express x1 video card provides access to additional graphical power to add one or more monitors to the system. Generally, a video card of this type will provide access to VGA, DVI, S-Video, VHDI, or other possible connectors for additional monitor connections.

 

 

 

 

Specialized cards that offer hybrid video output and recording from sources such as cable, satellite, and antennae are available. Others may offer sound and video input/output ports for AV RCA or Composite cables. This increases the capabilities of expanding video to television sets that do not have the appropriate VGA/DVI or other modern connection ports.

Adding additional displays to a computer can be done for several reasons including:

Increased productivity – having an additional display available makes it possible to have more information available at once. There is less of a need to switch between content loaded on the computer and access to everything is made simpler with simple computer controlled functionality.

Multiplying a display – having a cloned display can provide a simpler way to display the same information in several locations. This is often a better solution for displaying information to a large group by expanding the points where the display is seen rather than having everyone huddle around a single monitor.

Expanding the display area – increasing a system’s display area by expanding the desktop allows more to be seen across the displays. This option is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Increasing the amount of display area can also mimic wide screen video playback and allow better viewing of panoramic images.

Connecting a larger display – Display connections such as large televisions through VGA, DVI, or other connection types make it possible to create a home theater using the computer as a video source. This option is also very useful for making presentations or creating displays for weather and various dynamic Internet based information.

These types of cards can be purchased from electronics retail outlets that sell graphics accelerators for computer systems. Many chain stores carry them and they can be purchased for relatively low costs. Most mainstream video cards are affordable and offer a “dual head” connection with two ports that can be used to expand the number of monitors by two.

There are also several online stores that sell and ship electronic parts to the consumer’s home or business. PCI Express x1 Video Cards can be found at the following:

Amazon

NewEgg

Nextag

Overstock

In addition, consumers can explore their favorite graphics accelerator manufacturer’s products online to find an applicable PCI Express x1 Video Card that is appropriate for the system.

This type of graphics accelerator are also available at many consumer electronic retail locations. Even smaller supermarket retailers have been known to carry them. The demand for this type of graphics accelerator in a specific location may affect their availability locally.