Two graphics cards, independently.

[dancook]

I have a GTX480 and an ATI HD 4870 in the same PC. Each one with it's own monitor.

Since I multibox WOW (I run five copies on one PC, four @ 1920x1200 on one screen and one @ 1920 x 1200 on the main screen). Software I am using lets me flick between them, which is why they are all this resolution - though they are squashed on the secondary monitor, into four segments of the screen.

I assumed running two graphics card would benefit me, but I would like to know what's going on behind the scenes and if it is in fact helping?

Do both graphics card render their own screens from the bottom up? Or does one card do all the calculations send push it out via both cards?

 

[FlukeRogi]

I'd imagine that each monitor is having it's display rendered by the graphics card it is connected to.

The only benefit I can see is to find something else to do other than run five copies of WoW at the same time (sorry, but that just seems insane).

 

[dancook]

I'd imagine that each monitor is having it's display rendered by the graphics card it is connected to.

The only benefit I can see is to find something else to do other than run five copies of WoW at the same time (sorry, but that just seems insane).

Thanks, I'm supposing and hoping each card renders it's own screen 100% and makes the most out of having two v/cards. It's just been hard to find info on it, as most stuff is either old or talking about SLI.

Oh and it's good fun actually..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfe8d581bjw&feature=player_embedded#at=120

 

[FlukeRogi]

Thanks, I'm supposing and hoping each card renders it's own screen 100% and makes the most out of having two v/cards. It's just been hard to find info on it, as most stuff is either old or talking about SLI.

Oh and it's good fun actually..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfe8d581bjw&feature=player_embedded#at=120

Can't see it working any other way really, even with two cards of the same make, let alone when one is ATI and the other nVidia.

Never played WoW, though I do dip into LotRO every now and again, but one copy at a time is enough for me to concentrate on

 

[lay-z-boy]

5 copies of WOW playing at the same time?

 

[dancook]

Can't see it working any other way really, even with two cards of the same make, let alone when one is ATI and the other nVidia.

But I believe an alternative possibility is that one graphics card is primary and does all the processing and only uses the other graphics card to 'pass through' to the display.

 

[dancook]

I found my answer here, it's specific to the software I'm using.

http://isboxer.com/index.php/component/content/article/3-general/21-using-multiple-video-cards

Selecting a GPU for rendering does not work like CPU Affinity; it is controlled by the monitor assigned to the game, and your video drivers. ISBoxer 38 will automatically render the game with the appropriate GPU.

 

[[timko]]

5 copies of WOW playing at the same time?

5 copy multiboxing isn't a lot, it really isn't...

...and no that is not mine. Just click this image search and be amazed/horrified...

http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=multiboxing+wow