Different Video Cards for dual screens?

[Jundals NZ]

I currently have a SAPPHIRE HD 6450 1GB DDR3 as my GPU but still have my old NVIDIA QUADRO NVS 295 somewhere. I was thinking about setting up my other monitor and having dual screens for when im doing digital artwork etc i can have my reference on one extra screen so i dont have to keep moving everything around whenever i wish to do something. I was wondering if i can use the Nvidia card to run my extra screen in my spare video card slot or do the cards have to be the same to function together?

Cheers, Jundals

 

[Duvi]

I'm not an expert, but I do know Nvidia has to go with Nvidia (and it's far more strict than being the same brand) for SLI. With Radeon, they aren't as strict for Crossfire, but do have some restrictions like being based off the same GPU.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGN1na3F5do

 

[4745454b]

Doesn't your 6450 have more then one output? I'm running 4 screens off of my 280. Just plug the second monitor into the card you are already using.

 

[Jundals NZ]

Doesn't your 6450 have more then one output? I'm running 4 screens off of my 280. Just plug the second monitor into the card you are already using.

yes but for some reason i get no signal from the hdmi port on my 6450 so im using the avi connection. Was curious about running a different brand of video card for the purpose of running a second screen not for gaming advantages or anything so the idea of using a second screen running off its own card was to not change the performance of my 6450 when using both screens

 

[4745454b]

The performance shouldn't change. The power draw will be a bit higher with two screens instead of one, but it's still less then running a second card.

 

[Jundals NZ]

The performance shouldn't change. The power draw will be a bit higher with two screens instead of one, but it's still less then running a second card.

so there shouldn't be a noticeable frame drop on my main screen? Iv been told different so was fairly dubious about it but ill try get my hdmi port working and see what happens, Cheers

 

[doctorgiggles]

might be a stupid question but after you plug it in do you activate the monitor in the nvidia control panel.. you can have it plugged it but if its not active it will not show up a second monitor

 

[Jundals NZ]

might be a stupid question but after you plug it in do you activate the monitor in the nvidia control panel.. you can have it plugged it but if its not active it will not show up a second monitor

my Pc malfunctioned before i got to try this, stupid ram, but i shall give it a go and see what happens. Gonna feel pretty stupid if thats what i forgot to do, cheers for the suggestion ill see how it goes

 

[doctorgiggles]

Well ill be waiting to see...i really have to proof read when i type stuff out..wow looks like a 4 year old typed it. lol..

 

[Jundals NZ]

Well ill be waiting to see...i really have to proof read when i type stuff out..wow looks like a 4 year old typed it. lol..

well it worked haha. i managed to activate the second screen. Only issue is the HDMI output is slightly fuzzy and the colours off a little but i think thats just my video card we'll see what happens when i (eventually) upgrade my video card haha. cheers for the help

 

[4745454b]

Congrats on getting it working. You can try playing with settings on the control panel and your TV. Might clear it up.