2 graphic cards on one monitor?

[D.V.D]

I heard some time ago that having 2 graphic cards running on one monitor would boost performance. After doing some reasearch today I got mixed answers. Some said it was not possible and would only work for 2 monitors rather than 1. Others said some programs took advantage of this feature and it would seperate the work load of both graphic cards evenly. I was wondering, would it boost the performance of games graphics on my computer if I had the proper mother board to support 2 graphic cards running at once for one screen?

 

[Ghan]

The technologies you are referring to are called Scalable Link Interface (SLI) for Nvidia graphics cards and CrossFire for AMD graphics cards. If you search SLI and CrossFire you might be able to find better results.
As for performance boosts, you can expect quite a bit from a properly configured setup. Both technologies are getting mature enough to where you can expect 90 - 95% increases in performance on average and possibly higher depending on what you are running.
Generally the requirement is that you have two identical cards and that the motherboard supports the specific one you are going for (SLI or CrossFire). Then it is a matter of installing the updated driver from the manufacturer and setting it up in the configuration. Obviously the motherboard itself needs to have two PCI Express x16 2.0 slots or more in order to handle two cards.

 

[Lyerae]

You should also make sure your power supply is capable of handling both cards.

 

[D.V.D]

Thanks for the feedback. Looking at crossfire, it seems much more efficient because it doesn't require the exact same GPU, only the same GPU of the generation. So if my graphic card starts to suck later on, I can buy a better one of the generation and run them both. I still keep getting mixed answers and wikipedia doesn't cover this topic. It also seems a cheaper thing to do so I guess im going to try it out once i start getting some money

 

[Darthfett]

I would recommend looking at an article that does tests/benchmarking. I found one on Tom's hardware shack here. If you don't feel like reading the whole thing, at least check out the conclusion page(s). I would also recommend looking up your specific card, as well.

 

[D.V.D]

Wow those are some sick results. From what I understand they use one monitor but they keep upping the resolution right? If so, that works perfectly for me. Thanks a lot D

 

[Darthfett]

Wow those are some sick results. From what I understand they use one monitor but they keep upping the resolution right? If so, that works perfectly for me. Thanks a lot D

The monitors are all connected to the same graphics card, and the way multi-monitor works, is by creating an extended resolution, essentially the same thing as a larger resolution. Graphics cards never have specific monitors they're in charge of, they just all work together to generate the one giant picture. If you have multi-monitors setup, try taking a screenshot, and then looking at the result in paint.

As far as what they're testing, it's mostly just upping the quality of the games/software, as well as increasing the resolution.

 

[Romek]

> it doesn't require the exact same GPU, only the same GPU of the generation. So if my graphic card starts to suck later on, I can buy a better one of the generation and run them both
I've heard the fastest card will slow down to the slower cards speed. So if you're going to use SLI/Crossfire, you'll essentially be wasting potential/money if you're not using two identical cards.

 

[Lyerae]

I've heard the fastest card will slow down to the slower cards speed.

Definitely makes sense that it would, and even if it didn't, your computer is only as fast as your slowest part.

 

[Slapshot136]

I've heard the fastest card will slow down to the slower cards speed. So if you're going to use SLI/Crossfire, you'll essentially be wasting potential/money if you're not using two identical cards.

this is true, but they cards don't have to be identical - i.e. the can be from different brands with different coolers/etc.

 

[D.V.D]

well my reason to get crossfire is to get a decent graphic card that can run basically anything of this generation and once the graphics improve, rather than buying a brand new graphic card, just buy the same one to boost performance. You save a bit of money because after a while, the cost of the graphic card will decrease so by the time you need it its going to be like half priced.

 

[Ghan]

> just buy the same one to boost performance.

You know, I had that same plan myself. Unfortunately for me, I picked the GTX 295, which isn't even available for retail anymore. You can only find them on Ebay or similar. So just keep an eye on the availability of your card. Some stay around longer than others.

 

[Exfiltrate]

...

well my reason to get crossfire is to get a decent graphic card that can run basically anything of this generation and once the graphics improve, rather than buying a brand new graphic card, just buy the same one to boost performance. You save a bit of money because after a while, the cost of the graphic card will decrease so by the time you need it its going to be like half priced.

That's not that great of an idea. A single GPU card will be better, as later generation graphics cards come out the crossfire support for the previous generations usually suck. You will also probably encounter issues like micro-stutter, where as you would then be better off with a single card.

In most cases you could probably sell your previous card and upgrade to the newer generation while having similar financial expenditure. You would also have fewer issues with the single GPU in comparison to the dual GPU setup.

 

[Slapshot136]

That's not that great of an idea. A single GPU card will be better, as later generation graphics cards come out the crossfire support for the previous generations usually suck. You will also probably encounter issues like micro-stutter, where as you would then be better off with a single card.

In most cases you could probably sell your previous card and upgrade to the newer generation while having similar financial expenditure. You would also have fewer issues with the single GPU in comparison to the dual GPU setup.

this.

99% of the time people say they will buy a 2nd card later, but they don't - it really only makes sense to buy 2 at the start, since 2 medium cards will be cheaper and out-power 1 high-end card

the only thing that usually ends up happening is the older card becomes a dedicated physix card (for nvidia), or being given away/sold on e-bay

 

[Edward7]

Make sure you have a compatible motherboard and a minimum off 450 watts of power supply. A LCD monitor can be a boost high performance of 2 GPUs.

 

[The Helper]

bumping for possible tech support Hall of Fame