Want to use 2 cards...

[bhumpty]

Hi all,
I haven't completed the build in my sig, but it should be up by this weekend and I am already planning out my upgrades...
I wanted to add a Quadro card for some 3D CAD work...
Could I use a softmodded Geforce card in conjuction with my GTX 260?
OR, is the GTX 260 capable enough?
Thanks

 

[enayet_redeemer]

If you are not a regular CAD or 3D application runner and you are not concerned about quicker render time then GTX260 is sufficient for your purpose.

 

[bhumpty]

Well, I want to teach myself ProE WF 5 and NX 6. I have Solidworks training and am trying to get in the big leagues..
SO, for all intensive purposes I will not be doing any large assemblies or renderings...
ALSO, I have the 8600 GT laying around so would it be worth it to soft mod and use it along side the GTX 260 (if that is even possible)??

 

[enayet_redeemer]

As 8600GT and GTX260 uses the same Geforce driver then you run two graphics cards at a time.... But if you want to add a quadro card with a geforce card then there would be problem because the driver for the two cards are totally different (for drivers only those cards are different)...

What type of M/B you're using?? It it has two PCI-e slots and one runs at x16 and another at x8 mode then I would suggest to use GTX260 on the x16 and 8600GT in x8 slot.

And why do you want to use two different model cards in the same system??

 

[HibyPrime]

The modded 8600gt should run opengl apps faster than the GTX260, however as the other poster said - you cant use both at the same time.

If you do any gaming on that machine, then you'd be better off running the 260 by itself.

Also, is there a reason you don't want to mod the GTX260?

 

[enayet_redeemer]

Always make sure you have the latest approved driver for the program(s) you're running and if you don't know much about computers stay away from soft-modding your card to a Quadro. It's not a "supported" configuration (even though it works) and could cause your program(s) to become inoperable or create seemingly unrelated crashes/errors.

 

[enayet_redeemer]

This link can help you on how to soft-mod a Geforce to Quadro:

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=539