Multiple monitor setup with different video cards?

[dorfma05]

I have a PC I built a while ago with a Core i7 920, Asus P6T v1, & an NVIDIA GTX 280. I recently upgraded to a 1000W corsair power supply.

I'm looking to expand to a 4 monitor setup. It seems like it wouldn't be worth it to buy another GTX 280 because if I sli them I'll only get 2 monitor outputs anyway.

If I get a GTX 480 (obviously not to SLI), it should be faster than (2) 280's in SLI and it would give me 4 monitor outputs.

My main question is, what will happen when I go to play a 3D game on the GTX 480 monitor and go to move it to the GTX 280 monitor? Will transfer seamlessly and just run slower since its a less powerful card or will there be problems?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Skurge]

Im not sure what exactly you are trying to do. Do you want to Surround vision? You would need Identical cards for that I believe. 2x480s or 2x 280s.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

3d Applications will run full screen on your primary screen. You can change your primary screen and then the game will run on that corresponding video card. Dragging a windowed 3d game around between multiple monitors on different cards likely won't end well.

 

[dorfma05]

Im not sure what exactly you are trying to do. Do you want to Surround vision? You would need Identical cards for that I believe. 2x480s or 2x 280s.

I'm looking to sort of have a centralized computer for my apartment with output to all of the various screens in bedrooms, living room, etc. I have many wireless keyboards & wiring laying around. Only one screen would be used at a time.

 

[Skurge]

3d Applications will run full screen on your primary screen. You can change your primary screen and then the game will run on that corresponding video card. Dragging a windowed 3d game around between multiple monitors on different cards likely won't end well.

I don't think games can switch between different cards will running.

 

[Skurge]

I'm looking to sort of have a centralized computer for my apartment with output to all of the various screens in bedrooms, living room, etc. I have many wireless keyboards & wiring laying around. Only one screen would be used at a time.

If you have more than 3 displays, you can get a 5series card, if you have more than that you can get an eyefinity 6 card and run all the displays at once and just switch between them, rather than having multiple cards in your system.