Remember last week we mentioned the Gefen USB to DVI Graphics adapter? Yeah, we were dreaming about what would happen with 24 monitors or more on a single machine. We found that it's not only likely, it's wholly possible...as long as it isn't for gaming and you're using the extra monitors as duplicates.

First we asked why it runs at 1600x1200, which is the top-listed resolution and of course not widescreen, and we're happy to say that it does in fact go up (or down) to 1680x1050. 1920x1200 is out of the question though, but hey, 22" monitors rule.

Then we wanted to know how much of the CPU, and the system in general, it uses. "...To give you an idea, a DVD at full screen 1680x1050 uses between 60% and 80% processor, (P4 3Ghz 1 GB ram)." We're assuming that's running on XP since that's what most businesses use (and this isn't a gaming peripheral), but if you've got a dual/quad core processor, it might not really be that much. That is, assuming you aren't using too much of the screen.

Finally, we went for gusto: Can you use six simultaneously? "You can have up to 6 USB to DVI adapters on a computer. Additional adapters do not use any more processing unless there is motion on more than 1 display at a time.  So if someone needed to view 2 or 3 separate full screen full motion videos, you would probably see some motion judder." There go our hopes and dreams. But why?!

"It should also be noted that this is not a 3D adapter. Applications requiring OpenGL, Overlays, or 3D functions will not perform as they do on a card with its own processor(s) and memory so it's not recommended for gaming."

It just uses your CPU as a GPU basically, which isn't its intended function, so it's not something safe to do for gaming per se. You'll just be eating all that processing power. Thanks Gefen for the heads up, and the partially ruined dream!

Don't worry though. If that Asus videocard with 3 GPU's and 4 DVI outputs ever comes out, and someone makes a case capable of housing 4, that's two times 16 (if using the Matrox Triple/DualHead2Go, so 32 monitors on a single machine is possible! Even 48 if you use 1280x1024 monitors. Someone is always there to rescue us.