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.

 

[Conor Royston]

I see no reason if your doing it like that, but it might be some awkwardness when it comes to a driver patch is it? Sure it's possible but yeah, someone will say something better than me =] haha!

 

[slade]

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

 

[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.

 

[Jay794]

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

 

[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.

 

[slade]

You've got me thinking now...(this is the kind of thing my brother in law would ask me) im trying to think why it wouldn’t work.

When you power up your pc/htpc both cards will start, that in it's self would use more power.... but you dont want that.

Yes, two gpu's from same manufacture is what you want.

 

[Orcvader]

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

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.

 

[Jay794]

I'd rather not have to keep underclocking the card when I want to use it as an HTPC.

Not exactly difficult with software, I only whack mine on full when playing games

 

[slade]

so no then!?

 

[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!

 

[tribz]

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.

I have my primary monitor connected to an AMD 7970 and secondary monitor connected to a NVidia 210 which works fine for me. Its been a while since I've rebooted but I seem to remember that the secondary monitor doesnt display until Windows starts so you may run into it not displaying until the OS starts. I think this is probably down to the primary PCI-E display adaptor in the BIOS

Also, if your doing it to cut down on noise I dont think disabling the 560 will disable its fan. Its going to need to stay cool if powered.