Will this config work: Dual Video Cards (1 AGP, 1 PCI) in Windows XP?

[Stealth1024]

I remember reading somewhere that one could only use dual video cards if they were on Microsoft's list of cards specifically allowed.

I was pondering using an AGP ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 128MB Pro card for a main LCD, and then install a PCI ATI 7500 (or 9000) 64MB Dual Head card for another DVI LCD or analog monitor. Afterall, I wouldn't be playing games on all the monitors, but extra monitors for programming is a must.

I am also curious to know if the TV tuner app could be successfully dragged to the other monitors... I was hoping ATI's drivers for just such a configuration would be pretty good at this point.

Since ATI's cards don't offer dual DVI outs, and since the TV tuner and extra analog output from the second card would come in handy, this setup would be awesome if it worked.

Just wanted to get some input here... I also imagine the motherboard would have to be set to consider the AGP card the primary card.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Stealth1024
I remember reading somewhere that one could only use dual video cards if they were on Microsoft's list of cards specifically allowed.

I've had cards that weren't on MS's list, and didn't work together with Windows 98SE, but worked fine then with Windows 2000 Pro.

I was pondering using an AGP ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 128MB Pro card for a main LCD, and then install a PCI ATI 7500 (or 9000) 64MB Dual Head card for another DVI LCD or analog monitor. Afterall, I wouldn't be playing games on all the monitors, but extra monitors for programming is a must.

Those two cards should work just fine together.

I am also curious to know if the TV tuner app could be successfully dragged to the other monitors... I was hoping ATI's drivers for just such a configuration would be pretty good at this point.

No, that won't work. A separate TV tuner with the soon-to-be-available Matrox P650 and P750 (both Dual DVI) would allow you to do that, but that's probably not what you're wanting.

Since ATI's cards don't offer dual DVI outs, and since the TV tuner and extra analog output from the second card would come in handy, this setup would be awesome if it worked.

It should work fine, with the exception of the TV tuner being confined to the primary (AIW 9700 Pro) display output.

Just wanted to get some input here... I also imagine the motherboard would have to be set to consider the AGP card the primary card.

That is correct. The motherboard will probably default to the PCI card when it's first installed, unless you set up the BIOS to prefer AGP beforehand.

Edit: small clarification.