Duel Video card questions

[eljaye925]

Hi,

Could anybody give me the "abc's" of running duel cards? I'm talking about the basics. Or maybe point me to a how-to.

Do the cards have to be of the same source ie. ATI/Nvidia?

Do you have to install 2 sets of Video drivers?

Is running 2 cards problematic?

This is for my Dad's computer that I helped him buy. He got in one of the recent Dell 4700 deals with a 173fp and a 2005fp. I recomended the X300SE card thinking it would be enough for his needs, but it's not. The "trading" software he runs starts to bog-down if he has 8 windows open(4 on each monitor). If he only runs the software on the 2005fp everything is fine.

I would like to save him some money by picking up a cheap PCI card to run the 173, but if its too complicated or cludgy I'll just recomend getting a better PCI X card.

Thanks

 

[imported_Kensai]

You mean "Dual" and "PCI-E" do you not?
It is very easy to set up a secondary video card. Make sure the first one works, add the second, install drivers, enable.
They don't have to be the same either.

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: eljaye925
I recomended the X300SE card thinking it would be enough for his needs, but it's not. The "trading" software he runs starts to bog-down if he has 8 windows open(4 on each monitor).

I highly doubt that the video card is at fault for that.

 

[LJ925]

Thanks for the responses.

Kensai, are u saying 1 card can be Ati based and the other Nvidia? That would be great because I know where I can get a PNY FX5200 for $29.00

Snowman, you could be correct. I'm trying to elimnate the obvious first. The computer is a P4 2.8 with a gig of ram. The card seems like the weak link, but his trading/charting software could be part of the problem too.

Yes I meant "dual" and PCI-E.

 

[cbehnken]

Originally posted by: LJ925
Thanks for the responses.

Kensai, are u saying 1 card can be Ati based and the other Nvidia? That would be great because I know where I can get a PNY FX5200 for $29.00

Snowman, you could be correct. I'm trying to elimnate the obvious first. The computer is a P4 2.8 with a gig of ram. The card seems like the weak link, but his trading/charting software could be part of the problem too.

Yes I meant "dual" and PCI-E.

The nvidia/ati mix can be done and I've done it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

A 5200 will be no better at 2D (probably worse) than the x300se

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: TheSnowman

Originally posted by: eljaye925
I recomended the X300SE card thinking it would be enough for his needs, but it's not. The "trading" software he runs starts to bog-down if he has 8 windows open(4 on each monitor).

I highly doubt that the video card is at fault for that.

He's right. It has to be another reason. It only takes 6 or so MB of video memory to display 1600x1200 (1,920,000) pixels on a screen at 32 bits. So I doubt that the video card is the reason. Maybe memory, or spyware, or something like that. Something maybe is using up resources.