3 Monitors - 2 graphics cards

Arokas

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Feb 11, 2014
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Hey there,
I currently have a Radeon HD 5870 as linked below

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5870/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5870-overview.aspx

It's currently running 2 monitors, 1 which plays games in fullscreen window mode, and the other just for internet browsing, watching movies, steam chat etc.

I want to now run a 3rd monitor. The idea being I'll play a game on one, watch a movie on the other, and have steam chat and web browsing on the 3rd. However, my card is getting pretty old and sometimes struggle to run even 2 screens without overheating.

I want to know if it's possible to get a 2nd low profile card to run the two utility monitors, while just saving my HD 5870 for games.

I was thinking of something along the lines of this:

http://www.ple.com.au/ViewItem.aspx?InventoryItemID=614286&CategoryID=674

I just want to know if you can have two different graphic cards to run something in this manner. Also, as the 2nd card is only running two monitors for movies/web browsing/chat can you recommend any cheaper cards for this purpose? The R7 250 was just something I quickly looked up.

Thanks!
 

HugoStiglitz

Distinguished
yes you defiantly can do that as long as your motherboard supports 2 graphics cards.

guide to mulit-monitors here
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-803443/eyefinity-setup-guide.html

otherwise you can use an active display port to connect all 3 to the primary card. If you are having overheating issues i would suggest you clean the dust out of the PC and consider adding some more case fans.
 
Solution

Arokas

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Feb 11, 2014
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Hey Jonathan,
Thanks for your reply, but I've been doing this for years, so I think you may be wrong. Note that I play in fullscreen windowed mode, not normal fullscreen.

Cheers!

 

Arokas

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Feb 11, 2014
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Excellent, thanks HugoStiglitz. I'll check that link out as well.

 

Jonathan Cave

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Oct 17, 2013
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You are indeed correct if you play in windowed mode. There is software called actual multiple monitors which claims to allow you to run full-screen games whilst simultaneously being able to interact with desktop apps.

video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqqZlAlM0AI

i didn't ever get it working for my 3 monitor set up. (think its a direct x restriction) so it may vary by game.
 

Arokas

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Feb 11, 2014
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Sorry, perhaps I should clarify, it might also be called borderless window mode.