Hi all, It's been a while since posting here but I have a question regarding multi monitors in SLi. I know that I can't run 2 monitors while in SLi mode. My current PC has a 7950GX2 and a cheapo ati card for the second monitor. I want to upgrade soon to 2x N280 GTXs, if I were to get a tri SLi board (such as XFX MB-N780-ISH9) could I hook up the 2 280s and use the 7950GX2 in the 3rd slot to run my second monitor? Thank you in advance Dave
I'd suggest you to buy a whole new computer because you're going to bottleneck your graphics with an older CPU. On your problem I have no idea, but I think it should work.
I was looking at getting a Q9450 with 4Gb OCZ PC9200. I know when I built my current computer there was an issue with multiple nvidia cards in a multi mon setup. Hence why I have an ati card for the second monitor, but I'd rather not get rid of the GX2 just yet
We found a 3GHz quad core was bottlenecking a single GTX 280 in some cases, so, unless you're running a 24" or 30" monitor SLI won't help.
I'm going to be getting a 26" (1920x1200) with it. The second monitor will be a 20" (1680x1050) I could *just* stretch my budget to a QX9650. Would this be worth it? Thank you
Overclock the nuts off the Q9450 to be honest - buy a good 4GB kit of memory and a good heatsink and have some fun. It'll easily give you 3+GHz. I'd say see how you go with one, but also bear in mind that mixing pre-8 series and post may have driver conflicts. I'm running an 8800 GT and 8600 GTS in this PC and it's a *little* funny with 3 monitors.
Cooling isn't going to be an issue, I'm running water cooled as will all the gfx cards. As a result I'll also be running aquacomputers 9x120mm radiator outside the case, possibly with 1 or 2 temp controlled fans. Would it be worth flogging the 7950 and buying a mid range ati card instead then?
With an Nvidia card in addition? That's asking for more trouble See how you get on with the GTX 280 and 79GX2, but what I'm saying is don't grow too attached to the latter..
I know that was the solution when I first built this rig. I assumed it was going to be the same situation. I suppose if the GX2 doesn't work I could always get a 260GTX
Nvidia never supported the 7950GX2 - it was an e-peen product against ATI. Uh, yea a GTX 260 just to power a second monitor. I feel sorry for you power bill ha! Why not just use the 2 GTX 280s in SLI for gaming, then disable SLI and use the extra monitor in every other situation? Tbh most games won't stretch a single GTX 280 so even if it does support dual monitors (Sup Com for example) you have more than enough horsepower for both.
Does SLi automatically enable/disable itself when in games or do you have to go through the driver application to do it?
That's going to be irritating. I'll try it out with the GX2 for a while and see if I can get it working. One more question, 2x2Gb or 4x1Gb?
