Multiple GPUs, Multiple Displays

[Mand]

So I'm planning out a new build, and I'm strongly considering a multi-GPU setup. I remember hearing some things about potential issues with multiple displays with SLI/Crossfire, and was wondering what the current status was.

I'm not looking for Eyefinity/Surround setups, but rather a primary display that the games are played on and a secondary display for other things.

So, is there anything I should know about? Is running a setup like this detrimental in any way to performance (more than simply the added pixels, of course)? Is there anything specific to SLI or Crossfire that would affect it? Are there differences between SLI and Crossfire in how they interact with it?

Is there any impact for multi-GPU setups in doing fullscreen windowed on the primary display, as opposed to fullscreen?

Or have things matured to the point where I don't need to worry about any of this and should just get whatever cards I feel like getting?

 

[djsb]

It is my understanding that Crossfire (don't know about SLI) still requires fullscreen mode to work, which tragically precludes the use fullscreen windowed mode.

 

[KingFatty]

Another factor to consider is how the game itself behaves. A game may insist on running full-screen on one monitor, and also insist that the other monitor is blacked out. You might want to check widescreen gaming forum for your particular game to see if it has any issues: http://www.wsgf.org/

 

[bystander36]

As long as you enable the 2ndary monitors as "extended" displays, it'll work, but all monitors have to be hooked up to the primary card. With AMD, it is still considered Eyefinity, but it is not a single resolution Eyefinity setup. For Nvidia, just hook them up to any output on either card. Then just select what is the primary monitor and which will be the extended displays.

 

[Mand]

Another factor to consider is how the game itself behaves. A game may insist on running full-screen on one monitor, and also insist that the other monitor is blacked out. You might want to check widescreen gaming forum for your particular game to see if it has any issues: http://www.wsgf.org/

I have a dual monitor setup now, run off of one card. I haven't had a problem with any of the games I've played yet in that setup, but I know very little about the day-to-day practical issues of SLI/Crossfire setups.

Can anyone confirm anything about SLI and compatibility with fullscreen windowed?