How many video cards can be used on 1 machine?

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Nick Mirro - 28 May 2008 14:12 GMT

Currently have a single Radeon HD 3800 (3 outputs on 1 card) and are
using both DVI outputs to 2 monitors wile the svideo goes to the TV.

Can I add an additional VGA card for a projector? Will the display
output to all of these work?

If yes, do I need to stick with a Radeon so that Catalyst Control
Center will see and control the new video output?

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Bob I - 28 May 2008 15:08 GMT

Windows XP will support 10 monitors, the question is how many video
cards can you stuff into the motherboard and still have the Powersupply
keep up. see Windows Help and Support, lookup "multiple monitors", click
"install additional monitors"

> Currently have a single Radeon HD 3800 (3 outputs on 1 card) and are
> using both DVI outputs to 2 monitors wile the svideo goes to the TV.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> If yes, do I need to stick with a Radeon so that Catalyst Control
> Center will see and control the new video output?

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Phisherman - 28 May 2008 16:12 GMT

>Currently have a single Radeon HD 3800 (3 outputs on 1 card) and are
>using both DVI outputs to 2 monitors wile the svideo goes to the TV.
>
>Can I add an additional VGA card for a projector? Will the display
>output to all of these work?

Yes. XP can handle multiple video cards and any onboard video
simultaneously.

>If yes, do I need to stick with a Radeon so that Catalyst Control
>Center will see and control the new video output?

No. You can use different brand names. Keep in mind that video
circuits generate heat, check your power capacity and circulation.

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Donald L McDaniel - 29 May 2008 20:26 GMT

>>Currently have a single Radeon HD 3800 (3 outputs on 1 card) and are
>>using both DVI outputs to 2 monitors wile the svideo goes to the TV.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>No. You can use different brand names. Keep in mind that video
>circuits generate heat, check your power capacity and circulation.

While this may (or may not) be true, it is still a bad idea.
NEVER mix 'n match devices, if possible.

Using matched video cards is just as important as using matched memory
sticks if you want the best performance from them.

This is especially true with SLI/capable motherboards, which REQUIRE
matched cards if one is to "shot-gun" them (use them together to
improve overall Video performance.)

Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original newsgroup and thread.
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