I'm thinking it is about time to upgrade my Athlon 64 3200+ and move into the world of dual core to ease my multitasking use. I have been reading about the SLI motherboards, but not one article I have seen seems to mention if you can just install the two cards and run them independently as two separate video cards (run two cards NOT in SLI).


My reason for asking is that I run a triple monitor environment. Currently, I have one AGP (9600 Pro) and one PCI graphics (9200SE) card to handle the three monitors, with the possibility of four monitors. My consideration was to go up to something like a pair of 7600GS's to run the multiple monitors until later I upgrade from three monitors to two 22” LCDs or one 24” LCD.


I don't really have a preference for ATI or nVidia. I can go with either company, but I'm not going to be spending more than about $250 total for the cards. Gaming is a consideration, but I do more design work in CAD, ANSYS, Matlab, or Dreamweaver than anything else.

1. Has anyone successfully tried to do this?
2. Will this setup only be able to handle two monitors or one is SLI with no other options?
3. Should I keep the PCI card and get one of the ATI cards to keep the drivers the in same camp and use that for the third monitor?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

In the case of my twin 7800s, there are a total of 4 DVI out connectors. I don't see why there would be a problem with multiple monitor setups...

As far as using a single monitor with the cards in SLI and two other monitors, I don't think it will work, but I can't say for sure that it will or won't...

Someone more knowledgeable will come along and set us both straight, no doubt.

Alternately, you could try it out and let us know how it goes... Worst case, you have multiple monitors with awesome graphics all the way around...

I had not considered the main monitor as SLI and the others as non-SLI, but more of a one output per monitor from the dual cards. Top card would support monitor 1 and 2, bottom card would be monitor 3 and a spare DVI out. This is the question.

I might try the setup you mentioned once I order the new hardware. I also doubt it will work easily, if at all.

Are you running one monitor with SLI? No one that I know has a SLI setup that we could even try the multiple monitors with, so I may have to be the guinea pig on that one.

Thank for the input.

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 In the case of my twin 7800s, there are a total of 4 DVI out connectors. I don't see why there would be a problem with multiple monitor setups... As far as using a single monitor with the cards in SLI and two other monitors, I don't think it will work, but I can't say for sure that it will or won't... Someone more knowledgeable will come along and set us both straight, no doubt. Alternately, you could try it out and let us know how it goes... Worst case, you have multiple monitors with awesome graphics all the way around...

One monitor per DVI out should work with little trouble at all... I guess I misunderstood what you were saying about SLI, that's what I was thinking when I mentioned the SLI on one monitor, etc.

You have been more than helpful - thank you.

One monitor per DVI was the idea until I could upgrade. Final question - Can you run two monitors both in SLI? Idea being to upgrade from the two 17" and one 19" LCDs I currently have to dual 22" LCDs.

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 One monitor per DVI out should work with little trouble at all... I guess I misunderstood what you were saying about SLI, that's what I was thinking when I mentioned the SLI on one monitor, etc.

Being helpful is what most people here are all about... Helping because they've been helped in the past, paying it forward...

I honestly don't know if you can run dual monitors in SLI. I'm split on that one... I can't think of any reason why FOR SURE you shouldn't be able to, unless... The cards disable one or both of the DVI outs on one of the cards. That's not to say that it can't or won't work, I just haven't tried it or read about anyone else trying it or making it work...

I guess I may have to just try the dual SLI with the existing system monitors before I order another set to replace these. That should tell me if I need to get one nice big monitor or go with the dual monitors. Thanks again.

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 Being helpful is what most people here are all about... Helping because they've been helped in the past, paying it forward... I honestly don't know if you can run dual monitors in SLI. I'm split on that one... I can't think of any reason why FOR SURE you shouldn't be able to, unless... The cards disable one or both of the DVI outs on one of the cards. That's not to say that it can't or won't work, I just haven't tried it or read about anyone else trying it or making it work...

If you have two video cards in PCI-Express x16 slots they'll work quite happily independantly. Actually if the board has it, you can run 3 x16 cards independantly too. I don't know this first hand, but because I talk to someone that keeps a Wildcat video card for rendering, and a nvidia 8800GTS for gaming on the same system.

Also in sli mode - you can run two monitors assuming both cards have dual outs, but the cables must be hooked to one card or else the drivers will disable SLi mode. (So you can't have one monitor connected to card 1 and the other monitor connected to card 2.)

Dont mix and match your cards. Get two similar cards it will save you time and trouble. You can only run 1 monitor in SLI mode. You might beable to run a second monitor but it will only be 2d not 3d.

That looks exactly like the answer I was looking for regarding to the separate monitors being used by two independent cards, not in SLI. That will allow me the use of the three monitors for a while longer. That clarifies things greatly on that front.

As for the two monitors portion you mention, you are saying that if card 1 has connections 1A and 1B and card 2 has connections 2A and 2B that I should use SLI with one monitor connected to card 1A and the other connected to card 1B, letting card 2 interface with the internal connection back to card 1. Correct?

Now will both monitors have the same 3D results or will they be limited as Cpt. Planet mentions?

Quote: Originally Posted by Iateronmly If you have two video cards in PCI-Express x16 slots they'll work quite happily independantly. Actually if the board has it, you can run 3 x16 cards independantly too. I don't know this first hand, but because I talk to someone that keeps a Wildcat video card for rendering, and a nvidia 8800GTS for gaming on the same system. Also in sli mode - you can run two monitors assuming both cards have dual outs, but the cables must be hooked to one card or else the drivers will disable SLi mode. (So you can't have one monitor connected to card 1 and the other monitor connected to card 2.)

You'll only be able to game on one monitor. Which is fine really because the only game coded to make use of two monitors is FlightSim.

Gaming on only one monitor is fine, since that is what I have now even with the three screens. Splitting the game between multiple monitors just does not seem to be the best idea with the strange resolution that would create. Or running the game windowed (which I dislike).

I use the multiple monitors more for one screen with code, one with help files, one with research article or one each for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I only game maybe a few hours a week, and I'm usually pretty far behind the times on the games. Still have to finish FEAR and Doom 3, but I still find Dawn of War and Farcry much better games.

Quote: Originally Posted by Iateronmly You'll only be able to game on one monitor. Which is fine really because the only game coded to make use of two monitors is FlightSim.