Using multiple Graphics cards

Question

In my old PC, a Dell Dimension 2350, I was using the integrated video card and a Radeon 9250 Dual Head card to power three monitors in total.  I recently purchased a new Optiplex 320 with an ATI x1300 PCI X16 card in it, with the integrated video apparently disabled.  I installed by 9250 into this system, and I'm able to use the 9250, but the x1300 is not operating.  The drivers are installed correctly, but the PC runs into a problem when loading the card.    1.  Is it possible to run both cards simultaneously to power three monitors.   2.  If not, can I pull out the x1300 and enable the onboard video card.  Looking at the montherboard, it looks like the onboard video is there, just disabled.   3.  All else fails, I guess I'll have to pony up for a quad-head x16 graphics card (this may result in the best performance, but will be very $$$$).   I appreciate any help in advance.   Mark

JohnGaltsMotor · Answer

The Drivers for each appear to be loading correctly, but it is the older card (the Radeon 9250) that is working fine, and the newer card (the x1300) that has a problem functioning.   The x1300 card is built for a PCI x16 slot, which is where it is installed, and the Radeom 9250 is just a regular PCI card.      I'll try to turn on the onboard and take out the x1300.  I emailed ATI and they said that you can't use two graphics cards at the same time, unless they're the new models that are designed for this.  Not sure if this is 100% true, as anything seems to be possible with setting up a PC.   Mark

WolverineMachin · Answer

It should but, is the driver version one for both the newest or for the older card? If you don't get the second card up and running, turn on the onboard in the bios setup after the Dell splash screen. What slots are the cards built for? Just to get a better idea.

XPS 600
Vista Home Premium 32 bit and Ubuntu Linux 7.04 dual boot
Pentium D 955 Extreme 3.46 Ghz OC'able
2 Gigs of PNY Optima 667 Mhz PC5300
640 MB EVGA Geforce 8800 GTS
128 MB Ageia Physx PPU
320Gig SATA Vista,160Gig SATA Linux, 500Gig WD MY BOOK
Thermaltake 5.25" bay fan controller/3-80mm modded extra fans/low rpm(noise factor)
Avermedia MCE500 TV dual tuner
Creative XIFI Extreme Music
G5 Logitech Gaming mouse, Wireless Logitech Rumblepad 2
2007WFP
One Happy Camper

XPS M140
XP Media Center 2005
Pentium M 760 2.0 Ghz
2 Gigs DDR2 533 Mhz
60 Gig 7200 RPM drive

JohnGaltsMotor · Answer

Update:  I was able enable the onboard video processor through the BIOS, but when I removed the x1300 from the PCI x16 slot, the computer wouldn't boot up.  So I put it back in, as well as the Radeon 9250, but again couldn't boot. It also wouldn't boot when I had the 9250 and the onboard in, without the x1300.   I left in the x1300 and kept the onboard on, and I booted perfectly.  What this tells me is that I need a dual-head x16 card to repalce the x1300, and then I'll have three monitor capability (fingers crossed).  This is the same style setup I ahd in the previous PC, so I guess I'm not shocked that it worked.  I appreciate your help with getting this resolved.   Mark

WolverineMachin · Answer

Yes, I had found some instances that some of the different combos of ATI cards do not work in the dual config for 3 or 4 monitors. I did find some match ups like the x300 card and the x200 chipset with onboard as well as a few others. It seems you have discovered a neglible combo as well. The setup you have should work with the x1300 and onboard, most of the chipset will work with that card to pull off 3 monitors. It seems more Nvidia cards are capable.

XPS 600
Vista Home Premium 32 bit and Ubuntu Linux 7.04 dual boot
Pentium D 955 Extreme 3.46 Ghz OC'able
2 Gigs of PNY Optima 667 Mhz PC5300
640 MB EVGA Geforce 8800 GTS
128 MB Ageia Physx PPU
320Gig SATA Vista,160Gig SATA Linux, 500Gig WD MY BOOK
Thermaltake 5.25" bay fan controller/3-80mm modded extra fans/low rpm(noise factor)
Avermedia MCE500 TV dual tuner
Creative XIFI Extreme Music
G5 Logitech Gaming mouse, Wireless Logitech Rumblepad 2
2007WFP
One Happy Camper

XPS M140
XP Media Center 2005
Pentium M 760 2.0 Ghz
2 Gigs DDR2 533 Mhz
60 Gig 7200 RPM drive

Locked Topics – Desktops General

Using multiple Graphics cards

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