Secondary Graphics card for second monitor.

[Echo-80]

Hello, I currently have my primary display using my GTX 770 and my second monitor is using my GT 530. I was wondering if my weaker graphics card is taking up performance from my primary card. Would my primary card run faster if it was on it's own tackling both displays simultaneously or is it better to have a second be it weaker card running my second monitor exclusively. I plan on upgrading to the 1070 to replace my 770 and I know it can handle both displays easily but if there is an increase in performance then I'll take it since it's already set up.

 

[4745454b]

You could test both to see what happens.

I doubt there is any difference. The 770 should use a bit more power in lower use states because it's powering two monitors and not one. But seeing as you are using a second card to power the second monitor you are probably drawing more power then you should/could. As for performance I haven't seen any hard numbers on this in years but I doubt you are gaining much.

 

[Echo-80]

You could test both to see what happens.

I doubt there is any difference. The 770 should use a bit more power in lower use states because it's powering two monitors and not one. But seeing as you are using a second card to power the second monitor you are probably drawing more power then you should/could. As for performance I haven't seen any hard numbers on this in years but I doubt you are gaining much.

I have 750w power supply.

 

[4745454b]

? That's irrelevant. Normally when you attach more then one monitor the GPU can't enter it's idle states. So it will use more power, raising your bill. That's all I meant. I didn't mean you were taxing your PSU or needed a larger one. (The one you have is too large anyways, but I'm trying to stay on point.) Because you are already running a second card by having the 770 run both monitors you should see a lower draw as the second card should use more power then extra ~10W or so the 770 will want.

 

[Echo-80]

? That's irrelevant. Normally when you attach more then one monitor the GPU can't enter it's idle states. So it will use more power, raising your bill. That's all I meant. I didn't mean you were taxing your PSU or needed a larger one. (The one you have is too large anyways, but I'm trying to stay on point.) Because you are already running a second card by having the 770 run both monitors you should see a lower draw as the second card should use more power then extra ~10W or so the 770 will want.

Ok but that doesn't answer my question. Will I get a performance increase while playing games if my second monitor is hooked up to the 530?

 

[4745454b]

Reread my first reply. First, you can run tests and find out for sure. Won't cost you anything other then a few min. From what I know you have a slight speed boost by running the second monitor on the other card. But I mean slight. Guessing a few frames, or maybe 1%?

I'm actually curious about this now because I run 4 monitors off of my single 7950. I only game on one of course. But if I disable the other ones and see what FPS I get with one, then turn them back on and see what the change is. Again, you can test this yourself seeing as you already have all the parts. Won't cost you anything.