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Upgrading bios to support multiple video cards

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  • BIOS
  • Support
  • Graphics Cards
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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August 21, 2014 8:43:32 PM

I have a old dell desktop. It's a optiplex 760 and the bios that is included with it does not support multiple video cards running at the same time. I have checked the Dell website and they do not have a bios upgrade to one that will give me the option to open up both slots. I was wondering if I can upgrade my bios as if my desktop was a later model optiplex? I have two video cards, one is an ATI HD 3450 that is in the PCI.e x 16 slot and the other one is the ATI Rage Xl that is in the PCI port.

I would even be happy using the on board graphics and the HD 3450 if possible. \

My goal is to run 3 monitors simultaneously, but I do not want to use the usb external video cards since In my experience they seem to lag a lot if you try to run anything above notepad on the monitor.

System Specs

Processor Intel core 2 quad q6600
Video card (1st) ATI Radeon HD 3450 PCI.e x 16
video card (2nd) ATI XL Rage PCi
ram 8 gb ddr2
brand Dell
Power supply 305 watts (OEM)


any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

More about : upgrading bios support multiple video cards

a b U Graphics card
August 21, 2014 8:46:51 PM

I guess you could upgrade the BIOS if there are any updates online; you would just have to flash it as carefully as possible. I would not suggest it though as it may still not support multiple video cards.
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August 21, 2014 8:52:04 PM

I have checked Dells website and they do not have an update for this model, that's why I was asking if I can use the bios from another Dell desktop. Or is this bios stuck with the mother board?
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a b U Graphics card
August 21, 2014 9:15:48 PM

Different motherboard, different bios. If the newer ones have the same motherboard, then you can use the new bios. Personally, I'd shoot for a video card for the x16 slot that can run 3 monitors. Especially with Black Fri being almost right around the corner. Last year I picked up a 6750 for my parents computer for 15$ shipped. I know it's not a superawesome video card, but a 6750 isn't bad either.
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August 22, 2014 12:38:13 PM

The 6750 looks like exactly what I need, but would it work with my setup?
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Best solution

a b U Graphics card
August 22, 2014 2:54:51 PM

It might. Recommended PSU is 430 Watts. With that in mind, they usually overshoot, and you're not doing anything really graphics intensive. You might want to upgrade your PSU at the same time.
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