2 video cards for different games?

[Boyho1]

Hi guys

Is it possible to use 2 cards as seperate entities using the 2 slots of a pci MB? I would like to use my GT9600 as my main card using DVI output and a GF 7800gtx as an analogue device in the 2nd pci express slot. I would connect to my Samsung 2232BW utilising its DVI and analogue inputs. I would like to use different nvidia drivers for the 2 cards. Is this feasible and if so, how would I select between the two?

 

[mfh6375]

I don't have an answer for you, but I am curious. Why do you want to do this?

 

[ViRGE]

Using different drivers simultaneously would be impossible. Vista only allows 1 set of WDDM drivers period, and even XP can only deal with 1 set of drivers with the same naming convention.

 

[babcom]

Probably the next best alternative is to dual boot and install OS 1 with only one card A physically installed on the MB then when OS 1 is installed attach card B and cancel out of the driver install for card B and tell OS 1 never to ask again for the drivers. Then install OS 2 with only one card B physically...
I don't see any reason why OS 1 can't be same as OS 2 eg XP can be installed on different HD partitions.
I have never tried this so this is theoretical.

 

[QuixoticOne]

GT9600? Is that an NVIDIA model?
If it uses the same driver as the 7800 then you may get away with it; I thought they had unified driver packages out for most of their 6/7/8/9 series cards anyway. What VirRGe told you about multiple different driver problems in XP/Vista is correct, but I wonder if it is possible that the same (unified) driver could actually work with both cards. It is a good question.

 

[Boyho1]

tThanks for the replies guys.
The reason for my request is that I have a rather old Rail Simulation game that I used to be able to play on my previous graphics card 7800gtx. Since upgrading my screen and graphics card (9600GT) I have not been able to play the old game which is OpenGL and enquiries seem to indicate that the new card and up to date driver (177.79) are not backwards compatible. I can load the game but only get 5fps which is hopeless. I have no regrets with the new card playing FSX, Call of Duty4 or Crysis as I get good frame rates with most settings turned fairly high. I have used n-tune to try to adjust the OGL settings but without any success.

Clutching at straws really guys but I thought that I would try to pose the question.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: mfh6375
I don't have an answer for you, but I am curious. Why do you want to do this?

Nvidias penchant for completely break older games with new driver releases, probably.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Can you open a support ticket with nvidia?