can i run 2 graphics cards of different series?

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Ash Ish

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Can i run two graphics cards like one from geforce series the gtx 760 for gaming and another one from the quadro or tesla series for graphics rendring work and softwares like Maya, z brush and unity game engine?
Will this type of config if possible, be able to meet both my making and playing requirements?
 
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RFM1997
I just tried to run a GTX 650 and an ATI Radeon HD 4650 connected to the same monitor, as meat_loaf said, the primary PCI-e slot is the main one, only the GTX 650 seemed to output image, there was a brief time in which the ATI card also worked when I switched channels.

The best would be to just invest in a high end graphics card, it will be able to run games and professional software, in fact, there is an article about how well can workstation GPU's work on games.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/workstation-graphics-card-gaming,3425.html

Bottom end shows that AMD firepro cards are better at gaming than Nvidia's quadro.

Yes, for two cards to run on the same monitor, it must be 2 cards that are the same model, in order to SLI...
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RFM1997

RFM1997

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Hello Ash Ish!

That should be possible, as long as the PSU can power both cards, and the motherboard has two PCI-express slots.

From personal experience, I got two monitors linked to one GTX 650, I decided to fill the second slot with my old ATI Radeon HD 4650. Each GPU was connected to one monitor and both worked fine. (Didn't try to install AMD drivers though). I could drag stuff from one to the other monitor seamlessly, gaming would probably suck on the monitor connected to the old gpu though.

The main problem now is, if you only own one monitor, you cannot have two GPU's on the same screen working at the same time, that's what SLI/Crossfire is for.

For example, if the monitor has 2 inputs (VGA, HDMI, DVI), you could connect one GPU with a HDMI cable to the monitor and the other GPU with a VGA, DVI cable to the monitor. In the end, the monitor is connected to two GPU's by two wires. With this said, when you want to game, switch to HDMI (connected to gaming GPU), if you feel like designing/modelling, switch to VGA or DVI (workstation GPU).

Do you understand? Take this scheme with a grain of salt though, I have no experience on how will two different drivers behave in an environment like this.

Or you could just get a high end graphics card that can do both tasks.
 
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Deemo13

Deemo13

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I have 2 GPU's in the same system as above. I have my HD6950 running my bigger monitor and my 8600GT running the other one. Its running a second monitor setup. I have both Nvidia and AMD drivers installed and I havent had any problems. Games run great on the HD6950.

The thing you might have to take into account is that your motherboards PCIe setup. Some motherboards run 2 cards at x8 and x8, while some motherboards will run the GPU's at x16 and x4.
 
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RFM1997

RFM1997

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So, if you install two different drivers for different GPU's, the Windows can recognize which drivers work for which GPU?

Each GPU can work independently in dual monitor setup, how will the GPU's behave (driver wise) if connected to the same monitor, following the scheme from my previous post? Does Windows recognize which GPU is running and apply the right driver?

This subject can be a little confusing at times!
 
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Deemo13

Deemo13

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It is a rather confusing. I have the 334.89 Nvidia drivers. I mainly run the 8600GT for the case I am running, since the case uses Nvidia software to control the color changing LED's.

If they are connected to the same monitor I guess there would be 2 options. You could run them as an extended monitor, which will have them both run their own sort of desktop thing. If they both run in "duplicate" mode, I feel like if you try to run a game it would try to run on the slower card.

It is a confusing topic.
 
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RFM1997

RFM1997

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Hmm, the extended monitor and individual desktop idea might work, it would behave just like dual monitors I suppose.

Tomorrow I'll whip out the ATI 4650, install drivers and plug both to the same monitor. Keep in mind that it's Nvidia and ATI on the same PC. I'll post results tomorrow!
 
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meat_loaf

meat_loaf

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Totally wrong, and a terrible suggestion.

You cannot run 2 graphics card of different series in your system. Because the gfx drivers whether it be AMD or Nvidia will automatically disable the secondary gfx card (it doesnt matter if all your cards are connected to a monitor). The drivers will only select the first PCI slotted card as the primary display device and any other gfx card in other slots are disabled.
 
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meat_loaf

meat_loaf

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Not confusing at all. Linus Tech tips already explained and did this in his video using 2 R9 290x and 2 GTX 780 in one computer.

AMD and Nvidia drivers cannot both work at the same time. The very first slot of the PCI is the primary adapter.

For example: AMD cards in 1 and 3 PCIE slot, Nvidia in 2 and 4 PCIE slot.

Only AMD will run regardless if you connected a monitor to Nvidia. Because AMD in slot 1 is the primary display device. To actually use Nvidia cards in slot 2 and 4, you must remove the monitor connection from AMD to Nvidia in slot 2. Then nvidia becomes the primary slot.

This the same if you use different series card in one PC that is not SLI or crossfire.

You do not have the benefit of enabling to use 2 different gfx card outputting display at the same time.
 
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Deemo13

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AMD and Nvidia drivers cannot both work at the same time.
Click to expand...

Umm......I mean......coming from someone who is literally running 2 completely different cards right now, I'd say it works. In the first PCIe slot I have a Nvidia GeForce 8600GT manufactured by the now defunct BFG Tech. I have it hooked up to my secondary monitor that is mainly used for TV and displaying random things.

In the second slot of my PCIe, I have my main Radeon HD6950. It runs all of my games and is connected to my bigger monitor. I use it to play games (playing LoL right now actually).

I have Nvidia 334.xx driver set to run the 8600GT and AMD 13.xx drivers for the 6950 both installed and running. The computer runs as it should. In BIOS, the 8600GT, the top card serves as the main card, but the main display (as set in Windows) is the display on the HD6950.

The reason I am running this setup is because I need the Nvidia Control Panel to be operational so I can work my case lights. The Nvidia Control Panel will not work without a present Nvidia card. Figured might as well run the second monitor on it.
 
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meat_loaf

meat_loaf

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Doesn't work for me cause I tried it using a friend's GTX 760 (when I was deciding which to upgrade to). HD 6870 is connected on HDMI, and GTX on DVI.

Windows detects an alternative device display but listed as "unknown" and when I switched to it, it was just a black screen.

But if I remove HDMI of 6870, then it GTX works.

I tried it in a different scenario too when I got an R9 270 card. Put the HD6870 in a different PCIe slot and catalyst just disables it.

The bios for me since i have an old mobo is primary adapter is PCI-E.

Perhaps you have a newer bios that can configures differently?

But know it has lots of compatibility problems because Linus in his Techtips explained it before.
 
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jshoop

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i think you have to go into the device manager from the control pane, and set the different drives (amd/ati vs nvidia) to the correct gpu. The gpus are under display adapter. this is just a guess, but it seems to make sense. I dont have a nvidia card to test it on though, all i have is my hd4890 :)
 
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Deemo13

Deemo13

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Of course, it takes some configuring. It probably wouldnt work with certain setups and there are probably some things out there that stop it from working, but I just wanted to chime in saying it is possible.

I had actually asked the same question on this forum quite a long time ago and was greeted by yes's. I use an older MSI Z68 motherboard.

But, it does work. just not with all setups. You should be able to do it for the sake of getting more monitors.

 
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Ash Ish

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Coz i'hv heard both of them have different drivers and manufacturing platforms. Besides the sli config runs with similar cards like the 2 gtx 760 (thats what i'hv heard).
And please elaborate the 2 monitor thing, Its very confusing to me
 
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RFM1997

RFM1997

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I just tried to run a GTX 650 and an ATI Radeon HD 4650 connected to the same monitor, as meat_loaf said, the primary PCI-e slot is the main one, only the GTX 650 seemed to output image, there was a brief time in which the ATI card also worked when I switched channels.

The best would be to just invest in a high end graphics card, it will be able to run games and professional software, in fact, there is an article about how well can workstation GPU's work on games.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/workstation-graphics-card-gaming,3425.html

Bottom end shows that AMD firepro cards are better at gaming than Nvidia's quadro.

Yes, for two cards to run on the same monitor, it must be 2 cards that are the same model, in order to SLI (Nvidia) or to CrossfireX (Amd). The two cards will work together to output one image.

Whereas two different cards, not bridged (not working together) will require drivers that might conflict, as well as outputting two completely different images, the monitor can only show one image.

Two graphic cards can work if each one has it's own monitor to power up, there will be no conflict between the graphic cards.

Hope this helps to clear your doubts!
 
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