8500GT + 8800GTS together, possible?

[anon6]

Is it possible to use a 8500 GT simultaneously with a 8800 GTS in XP/Vista: use both cards at once for multi monitor in Windows desktop; use the 8800 GTS for games; and use the 8500 GT for h.264-acceleration for movies? Nvidia's driver page for 8800 GTS states that it supports 8500 GT.

 

[keeleysam]

It should work, although you may periodically run into OpenGL/DirectX conflicts.

 

[anon6]

do you mean that OpenGL/DirectX conflicts are common when mixing videocards?

 

[SunnyD]

Huh? Why would you want a separate video card just for h264 when the GTS does the same thing? Are you running more than 2 monitors or something?

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Huh? Why would you want a separate video card just for h264 when the GTS does the same thing? Are you running more than 2 monitors or something?

8800 does not offer the full hardware h.264 acceleration that the 8600 (and 8500?) offer.
however, it should perform well enough for the task, granted you have a good CPU. the CPU will never be over 50% load when using an 8800GTS.

 

[nullpointerus]

anaon6:

You could just wait for the high end refresh, which should have those features in one card.

 

[anon6]

Originally posted by: nullpointerus
anaon6: You could just wait for the high end refresh, which should have those features in one card.

Yeah I wished the 8800 GTS had h264 acceleration. I've waited a long time to upgrade, and now the obvious answer is: wait a bit longer before upgrading!

Since I need multi monitor I'd still need to use two cards though.

 

[anon6]

Originally posted by: SunnyDAre you running more than 2 monitors or something?

Yes I need 4 monitor ports.

 

[nullpointerus]

Originally posted by: anon6

Originally posted by: nullpointerus
anaon6: You could just wait for the high end refresh, which should have those features in one card.

Yeah I wished the 8800 GTS had h264 acceleration. I've waited a long time to upgrade, and now the obvious answer is: wait a bit longer before upgrading!

Since I need multi monitor I'd still need to use two cards though.

Might as well go for it, then.

I've heard that h264 acceleration is *optional* on the 8500 GT, so make sure you get one w/ HDCP listed in the features. You may also want to look up the manufacturer's product page to see if they list that BSP diagram graphic--if so, the card most likely supports the full decode acceleration.

It's no fun to order a product based on the model and then find out when it arrives that the board maker didn't include a specific feature.

 

[anon6]

It's no fun to order a product based on the model and then find out when it arrives that the board maker didn't include a specific feature.

Being a pessimist I worry that if I mix the two cards together, somehow the 8500GT's acceleration will be disabled or useless due to the presence of another card. And since very few people use such a setup, I can only speculate.

 

[BladeVenom]

Wasn't the 2900XT going to offer improved video decoding?

 

[anon6]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
Wasn't the 2900XT going to offer improved video decoding?

Yes from what I read most of the Radeon HD 2XXX-series (except the 2400 Pro) will have ATI's new Avivo which accelerates both h264 and VC-1 video. The Geforce 8500/8600 only accelerates VC-1 partially.

I'm not sure how well ATI's drivers handle multi-card, multi-monitor setups. If anyone has any experience to offer I'd appreciate it.