Can I run AMD and Nvidia GPUs simultaneously?

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
I have a CrossFire-enabled motherboard. I need to upgrade my GPU. I'm wondering if I can use my 8800GTS as a PhysX/CUDA card while using an AMD card for gaming.

Could I even use 2 Nvidia cards in my rig, with the 8800GTS acting as a PhysX-only GPU for gaming?

TIA
 

lavaheadache

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2005
6,893
14
81
yes you can to both questions

in order to use an AMD card with the 8800 you'll need to use geforce drivers 157.15. I have these if you can't find them cause i did the same thing you are trying to do
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
How do you find the performance boost BTW? Does it make a big difference in PhysX games?
 

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
I think it's silly you can't run a NV card for Physx with a AMD card. I would have bought one a while back to pair with my 5870 if current drivers allowed.
 

lavaheadache

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2005
6,893
14
81
How do you find the performance boost BTW? Does it make a big difference in PhysX games?

The big difference is actually being able to use physx with an AMD GPU doing the rendering.

As far as the performance increase when using a dedicated physx card along side of an Nvidia card, the answer is a definite ..... Depends on the game and on the primary GPU.

Lets say i popped and 8600 gts for physx in with my GTX 580 I would lose performance in games that 580 had plenty of power to spare
 

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
I have a CrossFire-enabled motherboard. I need to upgrade my GPU. I'm wondering if I can use my 8800GTS as a PhysX/CUDA card while using an AMD card for gaming.

Could I even use 2 Nvidia cards in my rig, with the 8800GTS acting as a PhysX-only GPU for gaming?

TIA

You can have your crossfire board use this SLi hack and use 2 Nvidia cards.
It worked for my motherboard.

http://xdevs.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.30
 

mizzou

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2008
9,734
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X-fire mobo here (socket AM2+)

I use a ATI 4850 in one slot and a 6600GT in the other to drive my third monitor
 

tweakboy

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2010
9,517
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www.hammiestudios.com

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
A friend of my co-worker claims he has an HD 6800 card running with an nVidia card for PhysX. I've been wondering how to do this myself. I've got a CrossfireX board. Wouldn't mind tossing a cheap nVidia card in there for that.
 

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,275
46
91
There is a set of older Nvidia drivers that allow you to use an Nvidia card for PhysX even if an AMD card is in the system. I do not know the specific driver off the top of my head, but somebody around here does so they'll fill you in shortly.
 

nanaki333

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2002
3,772
13
81
There is a set of older Nvidia drivers that allow you to use an Nvidia card for PhysX even if an AMD card is in the system. I do not know the specific driver off the top of my head, but somebody around here does so they'll fill you in shortly.

yeah. someone already said it. interesting stuff for sure. even a low-end nvidia card that supports physx will help even a high end AMD card.