Non-SLI/Crossfire Multi-GPU setup

[notneps]

Is it possible to have two video cards, each one hooked up to its own display, without the two of them working together? I've heard of people simultaneously using IGPs on one display and their discrete card for another display, and I was wondering if it would work for two discrete cards.

P.S. Before anyone says "just get a more powerful single card," please, don't. I have a very specific question. Of course a single-GPU setup is much better, simpler, and possibly much cheaper. I have my reasons for asking this question though.

 

[Novuake]

Perfectly possible, they do not even have to be similar. Just need to run on the same drivers essentially.

Nor do you need an SLI bridge.

 

[sincreator]

Perfectly possible, they do not even have to be similar. Just need to run on the same drivers essentially.

Nor do you need an SLI bridge.

I thought you could have both a Nvidia card and an AMD card in the system running seperate monitors with both drivers installed as well. I saw someone mention that since Win 7 came out you could do this. Is this not true? I had always figured there would be some conflict, so it surprised me when I read it. Correct me if any of this is wrong though since it will be helpful for giving advice in the future. Thanks.

 

[bignastyid]

I have built many systems with a main high end gaming video card then 1 or 2 low end cards that where just there to run extra monitors. While it's not required they use the same driver(except in vista) it does make setup alot easier. Mixing cards that use different drivers is possible but can be difficult due to driver conflicts.

 

[Novuake]

As bignastyid said, its POSSIBLE, but generally NEEDS to be avoided.

Especially since Nvidia made some changes to their drivers to block AMD GPU users from installing a secondary PhysX card.
The drivers become a nightmare if you mix AMD and Nvidia cards.