Two graphics cards in same system

[camerongray]

Hi,

Bit of an odd question but is it possible to install two different graphics card into the same system? I have a 560ti which is great for most use but I also use the PC (under Linux) as an HTPC so would rather have a silent and low power card for that (I'm looking at the 5450 you have on sale at the moment).

Would I be able to put the 5450 in as well as my 560ti and use the 560ti under windows and the other under linux by disabling the unwanted card in each OS? I'd then have my monitor connected to the 560ti and the TV via HDMI to the 5450.

 

[camerongray]

560Ti is an nvidia card and the 5450 is AMD (both running different software)... you cant have them in the same system and expect to power it up.... i would have thought

But wouldn't it be the same if I had a 560ti and say a GT 210 - They are both completely different from each other anyway, not sure if the brand would matter.

 

[camerongray]

Just get better soundproofing in your case? save the hassle of running 2 different cards, or underclock/slow the fan speed of the 560Ti

Could do that but the 560ti is also very power hungry. I'd rather not have to keep underclocking the card when I want to use it as an HTPC.

 

[camerongray]

What? No!

It's perfectly fine to run two different cards in the same system with XP and 7. Vista on the other hand doesn't like this... Not sure about Linux but I'm sure it will be fine with two different cards.

As for "disabling" the card for each OS, it won't work. Even if you disable it, it will still go into idle mode and use power. Only way to properly disable it is to take it out of the system.

Ahh - That's exactly what I was looking for!