Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24

Thread: SLI + Dual Monitors?

  1. #1

    Default SLI + Dual Monitors?

    It's upgrade time, infact it's build a new main rig and cannibalize my two current PCs but that's beside the point. I'm looking into some updated gear, I'm wanting to put together a dual booting Vista / XP machine as my main but I'm curious about putting SLI in the mix. I've never worked with SLI and I'm wondering if it has any effects on using two monitors? I currently use a 7950 GTX with a pair of Samsung LCDs hooked up to it, but I've heard that atleast in Crossfire setups you lose the ability to do dual monitors. Anyone have experience with this?
    The Ghostwheel Project
    "A lot of theoretical crap involving space and time and some notions of some guys named Everett and Wheeler."

    :: Spectre : GHOST 38.1 Mk1 : GHOST 38.1 Mk 2 : GHOST 38.2 ::

  2. #2
    Keepin' it Metal .Maleficus.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    The Dairy State...
    Posts
    3,347

    Default Re: SLI + Dual Monitors?

    I just read that the easiest way to do this is buy a PCI graphics card not made by Nvidia and run the other monitors off that.

    Check it.
    Doesn't seem too hard or expensive when you can buy a cheap PCI card for $30-40.
    RIP Bucko

  3. #3

    Default Re: SLI + Dual Monitors?

    Nice find Male, thanks.
    The Ghostwheel Project
    "A lot of theoretical crap involving space and time and some notions of some guys named Everett and Wheeler."

    :: Spectre : GHOST 38.1 Mk1 : GHOST 38.1 Mk 2 : GHOST 38.2 ::

  4. #4
    Greco101
    Guest

    Default Re: SLI + Dual Monitors?

    Sweet! I would have never thought of running 3gpus...


    Now I need another 7950 GT, another lcd and I'm set!

  5. #5
    Project: Elegant-Li The boy 4rm oz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Balhannah, South Australia
    Posts
    6,411

    Default Re: SLI + Dual Monitors?

    You shouldn't have a problem running duel monitors off an SLI rig. Theoretically you can run 4, 2 per card.
    Project: Elegant-Li *NEW*
    Project: Alpha FINISHED
    Project: LEXA Revival FINISHED
    Project: LEXA FINISHED Bit-Tech MOTM Nominee October 08

  6. #6
    Austral Alien
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Newcastle, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    2,194

    Default Re: SLI + Dual Monitors?

    Quote Originally Posted by The boy 4rm oz View Post
    You shouldn't have a problem running duel monitors off an SLI rig. Theoretically you can run 4, 2 per card.

    Not while it's in SLi though. When you have two cards you can run 4 monitors, however when you run as SLi, you can only run one monitor.
    Quote Originally Posted by Crimson Sky View Post
    hahaha..."Wacky"
    -Wackello Capello

  7. #7
    D'Oh
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    .5m from my PC
    Posts
    959

    Default Re: SLI + Dual Monitors?

    errmm.. I built a dual 7600gs (leadtek extreme) system.. and the dual monitor feature worked.. just don't plug the cables in different adapters.. It's like using one board.. no biggie just think of it like the second card sacrificing its connectivity for the performance boost

    |Projects: =N0Name= =Tensa case= || Life: waiting for the download to be completed... BSOD"|

  8. #8
    Kittens!! <3 Cymae's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    567

    Default Re: SLI + Dual Monitors?

    What SLI and crossfire do, is share the rendering on the screen between two video cards, so each video card has an allocated part of the screen to render. Why this is stupid with 2 monitors is this: If you have 2 monitors, you're better off plugging 1 monitor into each video card so 1 video card renders 1 monitor. To have SLI compatible with dual screens, you'd need FOUR video cards, two to work on each monitor, othewise you lose the whole point of it. It's like either putting 2 cpus in one computer or getting 2 computers (ok thats a pretty loose comparison but you get what i mean). In my opinion, until larger monitors become cheaper, SLI and crossfire aren't really worth it unless you're doing high-end graphics design, and even then you're probably going to want 2 screens so you can't do it.

    I guess technically it's possible, but if you're running like that I'm going to call you an idiot, cos you are!

  9. #9
    iShot the Sheriff jdbnsn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Normal
    Posts
    8,241

    Default Re: SLI + Dual Monitors?

    I agree with the above statements regarding SLI or CX running multiple monitors, it doesn't work that way and you can only run a single monitor in CX or SLI. I have 2 X1900 ATI's in CX and there is a noticeable improvement in performance. But bang for the buck, you are probably better off getting one 8800 than either CX or SLI rigs these days. There are also plenty of compatibility issues with many games.
    "At the midpoint on the journey of life, I found myself in a dark forest, for the clear path was lost..." -Dante Alighieri

  10. #10
    Console God LiTHiUM0XiD3's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    in your nightmares
    Posts
    1,003

    Default Re: SLI + Dual Monitors?

    lemme break this down to u very simply..... SLI or CX..... ABSOLUTELY USELESS!!!!! lol no real benchmark differences....ive looked into to it very in depth... my customers have said they want all the new big features.... u should see their faces when i tell em its a waste of time heh i agree with the idea of using jus one 8800 would make ya life alot ezier...
    Quote Originally Posted by nevermind1534 View Post
    I wouldn't be surprised if somebody sigquotes part of this.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •