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2 video cards

C

catcando

Junior Member
I primarly use my computer for desktop "word" type work,and from what I've read in your postings, the Matrox G450 has the best 2D performance and sharpest picture. I do ocassionaly play games and link computers to play with someone else and wanted to put a decent 3D card into the AGP slot ( somethind like a new Kyro II) ann the Matrox in a PCI slot. I have seen some software for managing two cards. Is this practicle and is it the right way to go about it?
Thanks

PIII700,256mb PC100 ram, Windows 98se,Dell computer, not sure of the motherboard manufacturer.
 
Before you do make the purchase/decision... you may want to make sure if you have an AGP slot in your Dell PC?.. it may just be integrated AGP video...with only pci slots available. A lot of Dell PCs which I have seen are like that.
 
If that is the case, try buying a PCI video card for 3D (Geforce 2 MX, Radeon, V5, whatever), and a G450. In terms of getting that to work, check out Power Strip. I would deal with it by buying a serial port switch, and using the appropriate cables to hook both your monitor ports up to what would normally be the outputs, and have what would usually be the input from the computer lead to the monitor. You then use Powerstrip to set up a couple profiles to switch between video cards if you run games, so you would start a game, throw the monitor switch, and you would be set.
EDIT: Sorry 'bout that.
 
I do not want to use two monitors, just one. The computer does have an AGP slot and it has a Riva TNT 2 M64 in it.
 
Im not saying you should get two monitors, I am saying that you will have two VGA ports, and both need a monitor, as there are no 3D only cards these days. As such, you need to set up a switch so you can decide which VGA port is hooked up to a monitor at any time, reread my post.
 
Got a question that's sort of on the main topic. I just bought a Sony monitor with dual inputs. In the instructions it says that I can hook up two computers to it. Could I hook up two video cards to it instead? One card for 2d and one for 3d games like catcando wants to do?

Sal
 
Thanks for your help. I will give it a try and see how I get on. I did reread your post and you did say "two monitors" not two monitor ports. Thanks for your kind and patient assistance to a lowly newby.
Yours gratefully

Catcando
 


<< Got a question that's sort of on the main topic. I just bought a Sony monitor with dual inputs. In the instructions it says that I can hook up two computers to it. Could I hook up two video cards to it instead? One card for 2d and one for 3d games like catcando wants to do?

Sal >>


Yes, if your monitor has dual inputs, you can switch between them. I have tried this on my dad's FW900 and it works great. You will still need a program like powerstrip to disable the 3D card when you are doing 2D, and the 2D card when you do 3D.
 
It does not matter. Any two will work, with few exceptions (some old cards dont like sharing the machine with a second computer).
 


<< It does not matter. Any two will work, with few exceptions (some old cards dont like sharing the machine with a second computer). >>



Did you mean to say that some old cards don't like to share the same computer with another card?

Both of these cards would be new. I'm looking at the Matrox 450 for graphics and 2d and then whatever the hot gaming card is.

Sal
 
I have a Matrox MGA based card that refuses to dual head with any other card. Never heard of similar problems popping up with anything made within the last 3 years (this card is dated '96).
 
Diff-

I have a Matrox Millennium II PCI working alongside the onbroad i810 AGP video chip. I can &quot;go dual&quot; in Win2K, Win98, &amp; Linux.

-SUO
 
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