Running PCI-E x16 and PCI-E x1 together

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wx4sno

wx4sno

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Jul 22, 2011
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Hello,

I have been searching for an answer this but can't seem to find a definite answer. I currently have a dual-monitor setup but just bought two additional monitors and want to create a quad setup.

I have a Gigabyte GA-EP43T-USB3 motherboard that supports (1) PCI-E x16, (3) PCI-E x1, and (2) PCI slots. Currently I have a Galaxy Tech 1GB GeForce 210 PCI-E x16 graphics card installed which supports dual-monitors.

Can I add a second graphics card, preferably a PCI-E x1 card such as this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500233? Will Windows 7 support both a PCI-E x16 and a PCI-E x1 graphics card installed on the same motherboard? I'm not using this for gaming, just standard programs like Excel, SPSS, Word, etc.

Several posts on here say that you can run a PCI-E x16 and PCI-E x1 card together, some posts say you can't...which is correct?

Any help is appreciated! :)

 
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Sadly this card doesn't support SLI. your be better off infact to get a more powerful Single card. if you can wait a few more months. Kepler will be out and you can try a low end kepler card or one of the high level 500 series will be a steal
 
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So even though they are two completely different cards, they won't work?

Is there any way I can add a second graphics card (either PCI-E x1 or PCI AND keeping the current Galaxy card) and have the ability to use four monitors?
 
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So I CAN run (1) PCI-E x16 graphics card and (1) PCI graphics card....but I CAN'T run (1) PCI-E x16 graphics card and (1) PCI-E x1 graphics card??? Yeah...this isn't for gaming...just standard Windows programs.
 
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I think there are cheaper AMD alternatives that can support multiple monitors since he isn't gaming they won't need the power. I know i've seen some 4870's with support for 4 or more monitors (not sure what they are going for now)
Another thing to consider is keeping your current card and getting a cheap AMD card so you have future support for 2 monitors on the nvidia card and 3+ on the AMD for a total of 5+ depending on the AMD card you get.
 
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What would be some recommendations for a cheap AMD that supports 3+ monitors? Are we talking about using a PCI-E x1 or just a regular PCI card...from the first post it sounded like I can't use PCI-E x16 and PCI-E x1 together, only a PCI-E x16 and a regular PCI card.

 
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You should have no problem using a pcie x1 card with the pcie x16.
I'll have to look into it, the easiest thing would be to ditch the current card, get an AMD card with support for 3+ monitors and make that your primary in the x16 slot. That will eliminate any issue you may get from having two different drivers. I'll look into recommendation in a minute.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161354 This states it has eyefinity so it should drive 3 monitors, but you'd probably need to use an adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102960
This one will allow at least 3 with the included adapter and is about $40 cheaper than the 6770 mentioned. If you want to spend the extra 40 than the 6770 would be a good option depending on the model you should get 4-5 monitors (with additional adapters)
 
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http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/permalink/796899/797242/ShowThread.aspx#797242

It appears you can run up to 12 monitors in a non-SLI setup using the PCI-E slots...with PCI you're limited by the number of slots as one guy on that forum has 8 monitors using 4 graphics cards (1 PCI-E and 3 PCI cards). So, I'm probably going to stick with the PCI-E 2.0 x16 card I have now (unless there is a cheap 4-monitor card you all recommend) and just throw in a PCI-E x1 or a PCI card...probably need one that's not a power-hog as I have the following components hooked up already: http://www.wx4sno.com/blog/?page_id=193

What's your recommendations omega21xx?

 
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Yeah, I was looking at the HIS model you just suggested and also just keeping my current graphics card...that way I could run 2 monitors off the current Galaxy card and 2 monitors off that card...

I wonder if I could just add this to my system and use it to add 2 additional monitors: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133364
 
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The down side to that card is power consumption over the radeon's i mentioned. The lower end nvidia don't have very good power consumption compared to radeon cards.
 
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Yeah...power might be an issue since I have so much going on already and only a 500w PSU. I think I'll give that Radeon HD 5450 a shot and see if this all pans out...

Will post an update once I get my additional monitors and the graphics card...
 
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Alright good luck :) as long as you are running windows 7 you won't run into any issues having two different cards and drivers installed.
 
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The PCI-E x1 card arrived yesterday afternoon...got it installed and updated all drivers...no problems whatsoever! I can confirm running both a PCI-E x16 card and PCI-E x1 card together (non-SLI) works just fine in my system...even with a 500w PSU.

Thanks for all the help and comments folks! 😀
 
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