Dual video card/monitor question

[Takan]

To all those who have a working setup with two video cards in their machine (I have a voodoo3 pci I am planning on doing this with), I have a few questions concerning games.

How do the two monitors work, say, when you play a 3d game. I like Counter-strike, but would also like a windows screen so as to see my icq, etc. Does it work that way? Or does the other screen just go blank when the primary video card plays the game? Also, how do you choose on which card/monitor to play the game on? I'm totally new to this area, but it is definitely where I want to go. Thanks in advance for your help.

Takan

 

[RobsTV]

A good place to go for answers is:
Multi-Monitor Resources at www.realtimesoft.com

With 2 cards, 1 is primary the other is secondary.
Primary is the one you choose to boot up with in Bios, and the one you'll use for gaming.
Secondary card is selected under windows display properties, (extend desktop to this card).
Most apps and games will only see the primary card, so use the one you plan on gaming with there. Some games (mainly OpenGL) have problems if the secondary card is configured uder display properties for extend desktop, and those games or apps require you to disable the extend desktop when playing, otherwise crash and lockups. In general, you can only use the secondary card for windowed 2d apps, and virtually no gaming. Many apps will also not run on secondary card, such as a TV tuner/capture card, and some video players. Some games will allow you to play the game with your primary card, and use the secondary card for things like ICQ. The features to look for with a second card are basically good 2d. 3d and other card features are wasted in most instances.

 

[Takan]

Thanks RobsTV