Can I use two different graphics cards?

reddevilvsca

Junior Member
Jul 23, 2017
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I have a AMD radeon rx 480 and I'd like to buy a gtx 1050 or 1080 but was wondering if I can use two different graphics cards, but before I do anything, what are benifits of having two graphics cards? I've built pcs but never had 2 graphics cards

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Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
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Sure you could... but, until the devs fully support Multi-GPU in DX12, then, it would be wasted, unless of course you want to do GPU passthrough. :)
 
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reddevilvsca

Junior Member
Jul 23, 2017
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Thanks and what's the benifit of having dual graphics cards, the Same one?

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Wall Street

Senior member
Mar 28, 2012
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If you have two of the same graphics cards then nVidia and AMD have each made efforts to make them both be able to work together in games. nVidia's technology is called SLI while AMD calls their version CrossFire. Google those terms to see what type of performance increase you could see from Crossfire RX 480s vs. a single RX 480. If you have different cards, even two cards from different series in the same brands, they will not benefit from CrossFire or SLI.
 
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reddevilvsca

Junior Member
Jul 23, 2017
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If you have two of the same graphics cards then nVidia and AMD have each made efforts to make them both be able to work together in games. nVidia's technology is called SLI while AMD calls their version CrossFire. Google those terms to see what type of performance increase you could see from Crossfire RX 480s vs. a single RX 480. If you have different cards, even two cards from different series in the same brands, they will not benefit from CrossFire or SLI.
Now am I able to have extended screens for games on 2 monitors

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Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
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Thanks and what's the benifit of having dual graphics cards, the Same one?

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Right now, the only real benefit for having multiple GPUs is if you have a game that *supports* more than 1 GPU & your frame rate is too low for one GPU.

The other benefit is for using VM's and you dedicate each card to a different VM.
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
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If I understand your question correctly, there is no real benefit as far as monitor use. It does not enable any capabilities that a single card solution would provide, outside of Crossfire / SLI as mentioned. There may be some behind the scenes efficiency you might gain, but no tangible change that you can interact with.
 

biostud

Lifer
Feb 27, 2003
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Why would you like to buy either a gtx 1050 or 1080?

There's a huge difference and you already have a card that sits between those?
 

cfenton

Senior member
Jul 27, 2015
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Sure you could... but, until the devs fully support Multi-GPU in DX12, then, it would be wasted, unless of course you want to do GPU passthrough. :)

I just want to make it super clear for the OP that devs will almost certainly never fully support multi-GPU in DX12. At least not within the useful lifetime of current GPUs. Hell, it's been two years and lots of them don't support DX12 period. Multi-GPU is a feature that is even more of a niche than SLI or Crossfire. It's just not worth the time to implement for the tiny number of people who could use it.