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Multi monitor support

Paul Deckard

Paul Deckard

Paul Deckard

Associate
Joined
7 Feb 2009
Posts
3
I have a MB that currently holds a quad core 775 based Intel processor and 8GB of DDR2 ram and one 8800GTX graphics card, from which I run two Dell 24" monitors - I have been given a second 8800GTX and want to be able to run three monitors, each capable of running a different application (I am a graphic/web designer) - I have no need to run SLI but have been given conflicting reports on whether running two graphics cards on a new motherboard, one with the primary screen, the second running two more will actually work..(i.e. give me three independent desktops)..has anyone done this, general info on both the Nvidia web site and other forums is sketchy to say the least....and seeing at I have bought all my kit from the excellent Overclockers for the past five four years this seemed like a logical please to ask... so will this work, and what is going to be the best motherboard...does it have to be an SLI board even though I don't need SLI, or can another chip set that provides two PCIe slots do the trick....I also have the possibility of adding a third 8800 GTX - would this be a better solution (having a card per monitor?)....or is the extra heat/power consumption/instability going to be an issue? (not really sure I want a 1200-1300w power supply, three cards, loads of RAM and three screens heating my office during the summer !)

I am currently running Vista64 (to gain access to the extra RAM) but are happy to use XP if Vista is not capable (the latest Nvidia driver for V64 seems to give far less control of multi monitors and I wonder if that's going to be an issue - you cant span monitors fro example)

Thoughts anyone?
 
As far as I am aware vista supports multi monitor configurations with SLI whereas nvidia are yet to impliment this under windows xp. Stick with vista, wack the card in and have a play.
 
Well this will work providing that you can plug in the new gtx and get power to it. I was doing a similar thing in my old rig. (8800 ultra + 8600 gts). I will say the nVidia drivers are not the best to sort out the monitor setup so you would prob need to use a program called ultramon.

What MB and PSU do you have at the moment?
 
A hardware solution would be superior and you would only need 1 graphics card (if your Mb/PSU wont handle 2x8800GTX) and no driver issues - Matrox DualHead connect to 1 DVI and the other 24" screen to the second DVI port (I wound have said Matrox Triple Head but the max supported resolution is 3 x 1680x1050 due to DVI limitation - so you wouldn't be able to run your screens at native res.).
 
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Thanks Guys

Current MB is an intel D975XBX2 - which only has one graphics slot - what would be the best board to replace it with - I don't need massive OC controls (current 2.66 processor running at 3.0 with a stock cooler without issues) - seems like I have to go with an Nvidia chipset - stability is the name of the game (95% of the time its high res stuff in PhotoShop CS3, web dev in Dreamweaver CS4, and logo design in Illustrator CS4 etc) - I play the odd game (for instance Half life 2, Call of Duty WOW and Left 4 Dead) and they all currently run at 1920x1200 without problems - I have a buddy with a 680 based Nvidia board and he seems to have no end of stability problems...and he was running 2 x 8800GTX in SLI.

What would be your MB recommendations be? (cost around the £150-£230mark) that would use the existing DDR2 ram and 775 processor.

Alternatively - has anyone moved up to 7i processor and triple channel RAM - what has the performance increase been like? - would it be worth be saving the pennies and building a new rig?









Paul Deckard said:
I have a MB that currently holds a quad core 775 based Intel processor and 8GB of DDR2 ram and one 8800GTX graphics card, from which I run two Dell 24" monitors - I have been given a second 8800GTX and want to be able to run three monitors, each capable of running a different application (I am a graphic/web designer) - I have no need to run SLI but have been given conflicting reports on whether running two graphics cards on a new motherboard, one with the primary screen, the second running two more will actually work..(i.e. give me three independent desktops)..has anyone done this, general info on both the Nvidia web site and other forums is sketchy to say the least....and seeing at I have bought all my kit from the excellent Overclockers for the past five four years this seemed like a logical please to ask... so will this work, and what is going to be the best motherboard...does it have to be an SLI board even though I don't need SLI, or can another chip set that provides two PCIe slots do the trick....I also have the possibility of adding a third 8800 GTX - would this be a better solution (having a card per monitor?)....or is the extra heat/power consumption/instability going to be an issue? (not really sure I want a 1200-1300w power supply, three cards, loads of RAM and three screens heating my office during the summer !)

I am currently running Vista64 (to gain access to the extra RAM) but are happy to use XP if Vista is not capable (the latest Nvidia driver for V64 seems to give far less control of multi monitors and I wonder if that's going to be an issue - you cant span monitors fro example)

Thoughts anyone?
Click to expand...
 
Cheapest and easiest way if your not doing a full upgrade is to keep your current MB and Quad, sell 1 8800GTX and buy a Matrox Dual Head box. You can now run all 3 monitors off 1 card (2 DV ports)and have no driver worries (or a Matrox Triplehead if you want to game across 3 monitors (1 DVI port) ablit at a lower res - 3x1680x1050)
 
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