Need another Video Card

[TLScrappy]

I am running a EVGA 8800GTS with dual monitors.

Dell 2407
Dell 1907

THe Dell 2407 is working at max res but that doesn't leave me enough to get max res on the DEll 1907.

If I install a second video card like this will I be ok. Will effect the performence of my other video card.

EVGA Video card

Thanks

 

[Bearing360]

I believe (correct me if I am wrong) that 2 gpu's on 1 motherboard have to run in either sli or crossfire. With that said in order to enable SLI your gpu's have to be the same model number. since you have an 8800gts , you would need another 8800gts for that solution.

 

[Bearing360]

Just to add a bit of info. Depending on what you are doing with the 2nd monitor. If it not too graphics intensive and the 8800gts is just having problems rendering both displays. If you have a decent onboard video and if your bios supports it, you may be able enable both your onboard and your PCIE card and use your onboard for the 19". This would effect your RAM depending on how much memory you allocate to your onboardVGA. This is a lot of IF's though so it really depends on your system and what you are running on the 2nd display.

 

[TLScrappy]

NVIDA = SLI
I have a board that only supports crossfire, no onboard video.

2nd monitor will not do any intense graphics. But I can't set it to max resoulution just using the 8800 gts.

I thought I read somewhere that as long as the video drivers supported both cards there will not be any problems.

 

[Bearing360]

Originally posted by: TLScrappy
NVIDA = SLI
I have a board that only supports crossfire, no onboard video.

Hmm.. sorry I assumed since your board supported dual gpu's and you had an NVIDIA, you were looking into SLI. assumptions- you know what they say =)

2nd monitor will not do any intense graphics. But I can't set it to max resoulution just using the 8800 gts.

This might be due to the restrictions of your GPU's max resolution. Perhaps someone with a little more experience might be able to chime in on this one.

I thought I read somewhere that as long as the video drivers supported both cards there will not be any problems.

It seems that this is a dead issue since your board does not support SLI. You would either have to trade your NVIDIA for ATI, Or replace your board. This is somewhat of a last resort obviously if a 2nd gpu is your only option here unless your budget says otherwise. As far as I know the gpu's have to be the same, there may be exceptions though and again if there are I do not know of any.

 

[JACKDRUID]

Originally posted by: TLScrappy
I am running a EVGA 8800GTS with dual monitors.

Dell 2407
Dell 1907

THe Dell 2407 is working at max res but that doesn't leave me enough to get max res on the DEll 1907.

If I install a second video card like this will I be ok. Will effect the performence of my other video card.

EVGA Video card

Thanks

are you running 1907 as an extended desktop or as another desktop? what are the resolution each monitor is running?

most importantly, what are you trying to achieve here? for gaming or 2d app?

any card should be able to render any display... it could be rendered slowly.. but it should render and you shouldn't get a black screen...

 

[JasonCoder]

I have that card and it runs my two 2007FPs at 1600x1200 just fine. Of course I only do 3d games on the primary display but isn't that really the only option right now, except for rare occasions?

Btw, if you're running Vista, make sure to get a card that uses the same driver stack. Vista won't do multiple cards with different drivers.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Bearing360
I believe (correct me if I am wrong) that 2 gpu's on 1 motherboard have to run in either sli or crossfire. With that said in order to enable SLI your gpu's have to be the same model number. since you have an 8800gts , you would need another 8800gts for that solution.

trust me... SLI + 2nd monitor is nothing but absolute headache.

The only way to do SLI + dual monitor is by using a third card. The second DVI port is diabled when you enable SLI. Now ive tried EVERYTHING when the 680i first came out to support dual monitor + SLI. I used 2 8800GTX(SLI) + 1 7900GT. The 7900GT couldnt play any movies, couldnt play games... basically its a dead monitor that i can only move icons and pull up IE explorer.

That means the only thing you can do on the second monitor would be browse though internet, pull up word.


The only way i was able to work around this was by getting an ATI card as a counter part. But i had to use 2 sets of drives. ATI and Nvidia.

Seems like SLI software still disables all Nvidia direct3d applications on the third card. So the second monitor is pointless in SLI system. Thats why i pulled my cards off SLI.


Anyhow your problem seems like your not enabling the second monitor in control panel. You need to extend your desktop onto the second monitor via control panel display options.

 

[PCTC2]

You don't need to have SLI or Crossfire running if you have 2 card running. I have had 3 video cards in my system running 5 monitors before. At work, I have 2 7950GT's running 4 monitors. As long as the drivers support both cards, you should be fine. Now, as for the 8400GS, for word processing, surfing, and basics like that it's fine.

 

[BassBomb]

I think we should probably get to the root of the problem rather than adding another GPU

he should be able to run 1920x1200 + 1280x1024 (correct me if im wrong) off ONE card.

Check to see if you are not hiding any resolutions for other monitor.

What res' are displaying when "not maxed"

 

[TLScrappy]

I went back to check the max resolutions on both monitors and they ARE both running at MAX. I guess the contrast differences make the 1907 seem inferior to the 2407. I can live with that I guess.

 

[BassBomb]

I knew it !!