can I use 2 graphics cards at once?

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johndennis

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Dec 13, 2013
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I currently have a Radeon 5450 in my computer but also found an older one just sitting around and wanted to know if I could also use it in the same computer. its a Radeon 4670. I have about 3-3.5 GBs of RAM so... yea if I can great, if I can't tell me why and if I can but with some needed changes tell me what needs to be changed and how much it would cost! :)
 
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Well, building is very simple and easy if you have the time... I started by just watching Newegg's video step by step, and saved a couple hundred bucks doing so... But, you won't get better/worse performance out of a pre-built system... Can I ask, what are you using your computer for? I took an old workstation and learned that the PSU was beefy enough just to drop in a new graphics card, and now I can game very smoothly.

In order to use two graphics cards together (nVidia calls it SLI, AMD/ATI calls it Crossfire), you first need two cards with the same GPU. So to answer your question, no. A 5450 GPU cannot Crossfire with a 4670 GPU. However, if you want to, rather than build/buy a new PC, you could just (if needed) upgrade your current...
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frillybob101

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No you can't use these two cards. They must be from the same family of cards. For example you would need another 54xx series card. You also have to consider the extra heat and power needed as well as an extra pci slot. Give us your full specs and we'll tell you what needs to be upgraded.

But honestly it's not worth putting money into a computer to crossfire such low end cards.
 
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J

johndennis

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Dec 13, 2013
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If you need more then this i can post more but i think this should be alright


System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 2/4/2012, 09:27:38
Machine name: HP25443314882
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Compaq dc7600 Small Form Factor
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2552MB RAM
Page File: 893MB used, 3024MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2772&SUBSYS_3011103C&REV_02
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4299 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/5/2005 07:38:44, 38014 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 4/5/2005 07:46:28, 830684 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6432-11CF-4763-1B10A3C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2772
SubSys ID: 0x3011103C
Revision ID: 0x0002
Revision ID: 0x0002
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0260&SUBSYS_103C3011&REV_1004
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5121 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 3/4/2005 14:04:00, 2538624 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 1, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio Input
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5121 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 3/4/2005 14:04:00, 2538624 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x27C9
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/3/2004 22:08:44, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/17/2001 13:03:02, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/3/2004 22:14:38, 52736 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:34, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 02:01:08, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 21:58:34, 24576 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC03D
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 07:00:00, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 12:48:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 02:01:08, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 07:00:00, 23040 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 44.2 GB
Total Space: 76.3 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD800JD-08MSA1

Drive: D:
Model: LITE-ON DVD SOHD-16P9S
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/3/2004 21:59:54, 49536 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
Name: Intel(R) 82801GB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 27DF
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27DF&SUBSYS_3011103C&REV_01\3&B1BFB68&0&F9


 
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J

johndennis

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Dec 13, 2013
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10,510


so basically the only way to i guess make this comp better is to just build/buy a new computer?
 
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F

frillybob101

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Apr 20, 2013
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To make this computer better would be the same as making a new one pretty much. You may be able to keep the case but you even need a new hard drive.

I would highly suggest building it over buying one prebuilt.

 
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J

johndennis

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Dec 13, 2013
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but thats the problem i dont know a thing about computers and im very low on budget
 
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C

Christopher Gonzalez

Honorable
Jul 27, 2013
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10,810
Well, building is very simple and easy if you have the time... I started by just watching Newegg's video step by step, and saved a couple hundred bucks doing so... But, you won't get better/worse performance out of a pre-built system... Can I ask, what are you using your computer for? I took an old workstation and learned that the PSU was beefy enough just to drop in a new graphics card, and now I can game very smoothly.

In order to use two graphics cards together (nVidia calls it SLI, AMD/ATI calls it Crossfire), you first need two cards with the same GPU. So to answer your question, no. A 5450 GPU cannot Crossfire with a 4670 GPU. However, if you want to, rather than build/buy a new PC, you could just (if needed) upgrade your current PC's power supply, though I doubt you'd need to, and drop in a second 5450 card. However, I'd recommend that if you wanted more Graphics horsepower, you ditch your 5450 and grab something newer, that is again if you don't want a new PC...

Hope this helped!
 
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Solution
F

frillybob101

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Apr 20, 2013
405
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10,860
If you are on a low budget and want a decent ego I would suggest at least $500-600 assuming you have monitor, os, k&m.

Have a friend that knows this stuff help you
Or read up on guides. I learned everything I know from friends and this forum. If you want a prebuilt that plays games decently be prepared to drop $1000+
 
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Christopher Gonzalez

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Jul 27, 2013
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You could get by around $500 easy! Of course you'll do better with $1k but it's not at all needed.
 
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J

johndennis

Honorable
Dec 13, 2013
6
0
10,510


I currently have a Radeon 5450 in my computer but also found an older one just sitting around and wanted to know if I could also use it in the same computer
 
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C

Christopher Gonzalez

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Jul 27, 2013
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Haha good point! I guess he could use them, SEPERATELY, though! Actually, before I upgraded to a GTX 660 in my workstation, I had 2 nVidia cards of different GPUs, but I wasn't mining or anything! The only thing is, using them seperate and not in Crossfire wouldn't improve your performance or anything... What that means is you wouldn't be able to use both cards to draw the same picture/video. You could just do some BitCoin mining on one and run your monitor on the other.

One thing to try though, see if your 4670 performs better than your 5450 because, though I'm no expert with older AMD hardware, it is a better GPU, just of a previous generation. You could get some-what better performance by just swapping the two, and if you don't, than you can consider a new PC.

If you'd like to build, you can let me know a budget and I can point you in the right direction! Let me know what you'd use it for. You don't need to spend much to get a decent PC for gaming, but video-editing is just about the most demanding thing you can do with a computer and will benefit from as powerful parts you can get!

Also, let me know if I'm too confusing... I know when I first started looking at PCs, I couldn't understand much of anything at all!
 
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J

johndennis

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Dec 13, 2013
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10,510


do you have a gmail/facebook so we could get in touch? really appreciate it! :)
 
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C

Christopher Gonzalez

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Jul 27, 2013
330
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You can just PM (Private Message) me! I will send one to you and just respond to it. All you have to do is click on my username and, under profile, click Send Private Message.
 
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