2 SLI + 1 = Tri Screen Ability?

[arkaon]

Im looking to build a new computer some time soon and was wondering.

If I build an SLI machine and add another card (prolly just buy three of the same) can I run 2 in SLI and on seperate and be able to TriScreen?


This is all assuming I use the single card to run 2 screens and the 2 in SLI to run the other.

 

[brendano257]

Ummm unfortunately not. SLI is actually only capable of *2* screens on Vista with the latest drivers, other than that it does not support multi-screens. Your better off with one monitor and 2 cards, the third card will only work on a 3XSLI motherboard, and it would have to be working together on the same monitor with the other two.

 

[arkaon]

I was under the impression that SLI did not support Multi screen displays when running the cards together. You essentially had to disable one card to run multipule displays.

Also, I was not wanting to run all three cards SLI. Just two in SLI and the third card running the extra displays.

 

[aevm]

I think you should call nVidia support and ask them. You are talking about buying a $200+ 780i MB and three expensive gaming cards from them after all, so I'm sure they'll be very motivated to help you

Edit: btw, if you really want that scenario and nVidia can't do it, call AMD's support too and see if they can do it with a P5Q-E or some X58 motherboard or a K9A2 Platinum and three ATI cards.

 

[arkaon]

Well, im currently deployed and don't have access to a phone so thats not really an option for me.

 

[evongugg]

Open the Device Manager, and under Display Adapters you will see all three cards listed. Right-Click on the third card's entry and choose the "Disable" option. Close the Device Manager and reboot the system.

Once Vista fires back up with the third card disabled, the option to run SLI will show up in the NVIDIA Control Panel. Enable SLI as you normally would, and regardless of whether or not you have to reboot to enter SLI, once SLI is enabled you must reboot at least one time so that Vista starts up with SLI active.

Once SLI is enabled and Vista has been rebooted, you can open the Device Manager again and re-enable the third card.

At that point, you can do whatever you need with the other monitor(s) as you normally would. You can't extend the SLI rendering to the extra screens, but you can still extend the Vista Desktop, etc. and run apps or child windows as you normally would.

To get out of SLI, reverse the process. The key is in having the third card DISABLED while enabling or disabling SLI with a reboot.

 

[arkaon]

Eureka!

*Throws up the love 4 U!*