Question Will Windows 11 truly run two discrete GPUs?

[thegreatdelcamo]

I've a unique situation with my golf simulator. Four displays, thusly arranged...

1. GSPro on a 4K projector.
2. 4K monitor to analyze golf swings with high-speed cameras and that display is mirrored on a touch screen monitor so I can manipulate the swing, stopping it and moving it to see what happened.
3. Then, a FOURTH monitor that runs the ProTee launch-monitor software.

It happens that the integrated GPU on my Ryzen 7700X handles the ProTee monitor just fine. But I'm asking too much of my 4080 Super to run two 4K screens PLUS another. I've fussed with the two mirrored screens and reduced the resolution to some benefit.

So, I'm considering building a new system with a motherboard that has two PCIe 5.0 slots that will run 8x8 and using my 4080S in one and a 4070ti that I also have available. Then, the ProTee software can still run on the integrated GPU.

I am looking at the new 870 ProArt motherboard as a possibility. Or I could go to the Intel camp and get something like the ROG Maximus Z890 Apex, which I like because it has two additional PCIe 4.0 slots.

Thoughts? Any experience with successfully running two discrete GPUs?

 

[Darkbreeze]

If you're just trying to run them in the same machine, not to run together like an SLI configuration, then it's no problem. Windows has supported dual graphics cards for years and years and years. So long as you understand that whatever screen your game or whatever is on, the graphics card connected to that screen will be doing the work. You will however want to reassess your PSU situation because running dual graphics cards means having a PSU that is large enough to satisfy the demand of BOTH cards, plus the rest of your hardware.

For a system with both a 4080S and a 4070 ti, I'd tentatively say you're looking at needing something like a 1200w PSU to accommodate the recommended 850w for the 4080 Super and core hardware plus another 300w to satisfy the maximum power consumption of the RTX 4070 ti itself.

 

[thegreatdelcamo]

Yes! That is precisely what I was hoping to do. I have no desire to try to combine the card's capabilities for a single screen or application. That truly does seem quite a technical difficulty.

And I was eyeballing at LEAST a 1200w PSU, on the notion that I may eventually want one or two 5000 series cards. So dual 12v-2x6 connectors was on my mind.

I'm super encouraged by your prompt reply! Thank you SOOOOO much. This has been vexing me for quite a while.

Now to figure out how to mount two cards while ALSO preserving the ability to install, down the road, a POE card for upgraded swing cameras... This does put limits on the MBs that will work.