Dual Graphics - the Mobo Side

[ispofdoom]

Hi, hopefully the title and summary explain:

I've finally got round to using two monitors (a Samsung 913B - 19", and a Samsung 226BW - 22" Widescreen). I'm now heading towards my next upgrade - basically the whole works - mobo (P5N32-E), CPU (Q6600), GPU (8800GTS), case, PSU, Memory, CPU Cooler, GPU Cooler... Almost an entirely new rig

My question mainly concerns running each monitor from a separate graphics card (using my old 7600GT as well). I hope to run the 19" from the 7600GT, and the 22" from the new 8800GTS. The motherboards I've been looking at have often mentioned SLI, which I'm aware of but I have no experience/interest in.

Questions:
1) Can I run two different graphics cards on a motherboard (one for each monitor), I've heard SLI has to be the same card, but I'm not hoping to use SLI
2) I've seen mobo's listed as two PCIe slots, when upon further inspection they have one PCIe 16x and one PCIe 8x (for example). Will I still be able to run a GPU in those PCIe slots?
3) I've seen some mobo's where it lists two PCIe slots, and they are both PCIe 16x, but they mention that one only runs at PCIe 8x power... (I can't remember the exact way they mentioned it, but its definitely the power being a different *x to the speed)

Hope this is understandable.

 

[PingSpike]

I have a similar question to yours. I want to have dual graphics cards in the system, but not SLI. I want one slot to run full blown 16x at all times, the other slot...I don't care what it runs at as long as it works (although it'd be nice if I could get at least 4x). I have a 8800GTS which I want to be the focal point, and I'd like to install an older x800 series card in the second slot. If I have to dual boot to use them both, thats ok...I just don't want to have to open the case and swap cards all the time.

I don't know much about intel chipsets though. I think the dual 16x slots are only for high end (high cost) motherboards? I've seen some that say they have a 16x slot and a 16x that has 4x bandwidth though. Then there's some I think do the lane splitting for SLI, two 8x slots. I don't want that though. I want 1 full 16x slot for the 8800, and another slot that just works! (cards prior to the 8 series didn't seem to make use of bandwidth above 8x, or even 4x for that matter)

What is a good motherboard or at least chipset that does this? I'd also like to take an e2160 to 3+ghz with some 667 ram with it. I'm mostly an AMD guy so intel chipsets have me a little lost.

 

[piasabird]

Maybe find some sites where they sell those frames designed to hold multiple monitors. Maybe they would have some recommendations for the hardware. I think they make some expensive video cards with 4 outputs.

 

[Billb2]

There'a confusion here...............

Yes, since Win3.1 you can run multiple video cards and multiple monitors (windows will recognize 10). Any mix of manufacturers and busses. I running a 3dfx Voodo 5500 AGP and and nVidia 440mx PCI in a PIII, win2k box.

Most modern video cards have both digital and analogue outputs along with s-video. You can run dual monitors, one on each output (heck, with two cards you can run 4 monitors, 6 with s-video and 2 TVs!). There are A/D and D/A converter plugs available. They are usually included with new cards, but only cost $5-10 if not.

As for SLI, there are significant performance benefits if your MOBO supports it, but the cards must match, as in being the same family. 6800s, 8600's 8800's etc.
With SLI you can switch back and forth between a single monitor in SLI and dual monitors, non-SLI by just checking/unchecking a box as often as you wish. As for pipelines supported on video busses, that depends on the MOBO. Check the specs.

Then there's Intell/ATI's Crossfire...do NOT confuse SLI and Crossfire.

 

[ispofdoom]

thanks for the replies.

So what you're saying Billb2, is that I don't need an SLI motherboard to run 2 graphics cards off it?
But if I have an SLI motherboard, I have to have 2 cards that are the same (even if I'm not running them in SLI - I wouldn't be, one card for one monitor, never running in SLI).


The thing that confuses me (now) is do I need both PCIe slots to run at 16x? From what I understand (correct me if I'm wrong) a PCI slot is 1x (?) and PCIe slots are their big brothers who can run up to 16x? Now I know I can't run a GPU (say my 7600) in a PCI slot, so it will need a PCIe slot, but does that have to be a 16x slot?

 

[ispofdoom]

bump