Is it possible to use the integrated video card AND a separate video card at the same time?

[Arcadio]

I've always seen dual monitor setups using one video card which includes two video ports, but is it possible to use the integrated video card to one monitor and a separate video card for a second, independent monitor?

 

[Crusty]

Depends on the BIOS. Some will disable the onboard when a GFX card is detected in an expansion slot and some won't.

What motherboard is it?

 

[bruceb]

Can't say for sure, but I would think most computers can do it. I know most laptops can use both the built in display and an external display and both can have different screens being shown. And laptops only have whatever video is built into them.

 

[JTsyo]

I would doubt it unless the the external card is the same type as the integrated. Maybe it's possible with some extra software.

 

[mpilchfamily]

The answer use to be no till Nvidia came out with hybrid SLI and ATI came out with a similar concept. But those use the onboard video whenever the system isn't in need of the high power descreat card. Those may or may not support the ablity to run a monitor off the onbaord video.

you mention independant monitor. You do know that even though a second monitor is connected to teh same video card its an independant monitor. It can be set up as an independant monitor or a cloan of the main monitor. There is no need to try and connect a monitor to the onboard video. Unless of course you need a 3rd monitor.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Arcadio
I've always seen dual monitor setups using one video card which includes two video ports, but is it possible to use the integrated video card to one monitor and a separate video card for a second, independent monitor?

You may run 2 monitors on the 780g IGP - or 4 with a discrete card.

 

[tynopik]

if you're using vista both cards need to be able to use the same drivers (so can't mix amd and nvidia)

win7 removes this limitation

 

[Arcadio]

It's a new Slimline HP Computer. I don't know the exact model number. If that doesn't work, then I need to find a low-profile video card with support for two monitors.

 

[Paperdoc]

Running two monitors off one video card has become so common I kind of assumed it was a feature nearly every video system has. Is it true that the on-board video in your slimline unit cannot do this?

 

[Pollock]

My understanding is that an external video card typically disables integrated graphics, or at least with Intel IGPs. That might have changed with the most recent chipsets, but I couldn't say for sure.

 

[Arcadio]

Originally posted by: Paperdoc
Running two monitors off one video card has become so common I kind of assumed it was a feature nearly every video system has. Is it true that the on-board video in your slimline unit cannot do this?

I don't know, this is not my computer. A friend asked me to install a second monitor on the slimline PC, but I just noticed that I need a low profile video card, so I'll just get a low profile card with an extra bracket for the second monitor.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Pollock
My understanding is that an external video card typically disables integrated graphics, or at least with Intel IGPs. That might have changed with the most recent chipsets, but I couldn't say for sure.

That's still the case with the latest Intel X4500HD. I've got one, and that's what the manual says.