Can you run PCI and PCIe 2.0 x16 video cards at the same time

[Rlyons124]

I want to do a 6+ monitor system. I found a ASUS board that has 3 PCI and 1 PCIe 2.0 x16. Can I run 3 video cars with dual DVI on the PCI and 1 dual DVI video card on the PCIe 2.0 x16 to get a total of 8 monitors. I guess the easy question is, can you run multiple cards on different interfaces (PCI, PCIe, PCIe 2.0 x1, PCIe 2.0 x16) Thank you.

 

[daedalus685]

Yes, though in vista they will have to both use the same driver. (so probably not in practice...)

 

[Rlyons124]

Could I do 6 monitors, 3 PCI cards?

 

[uncfan_2563]

yah maybe but why don't u just use a usb display adapter?

 

[Rlyons124]

From what I was told, I would need 4 adapters to do 6 monitors (using a video card with dual DVI output). At 80 each that gets quite expensive ($320) compared to 3 video cards at $50 each. I think thats how I would set up those adapters. I have never used them, correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Yes you can run 6 monitors on 3 PCI cards, plus 2 more on the PCIe slot quite easily.

The only question becomes what you want to do with them next.

For desktop use, no problem; for video playback a bit tougher; for gaming tougher still.

For some things you may want to get a good dedicated multi-monitor application, like UltraMon, to make management easier/better.

You could also look into someone like Matrox for their expertise in multi-monitor support. Then you could do 8 monitors on 2 cards. Matrox RULZ !!

 

[Rlyons124]

I'm using it for day trading. Programs using graphs, data sheets, Excel...... I don't think the programes are very graphic intense. If I ever wanted to play a demanding game could I put a really nice gaming card on the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot and have it work with the other PCI cards. Or would I run into problems.

 

[Rlyons124]

I would love to go with a Matrox card or a Quadro NVS but they are just so expensive. You cant beat 3 cards for under $150.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

For that, no problem, either will work because all you need is windows management, you don't even need complex driver support.

However I would recommend to keep the cards to the same chip maker and of a similar generation to make life easier.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

BTW, Quadro NVS and ATi FireMV both SUXOR, MatROX ROXORZ !!

 

[Rlyons124]

Any suggestions on cards. There's like a thousand of them out there.

 

[Rlyons124]

I was looking at these for the PCI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130451
and this for the PCIe 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130440

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Yeah those would be fine, there's limited selection in the PCI realm and unless you want Sparkle or mail in rebates, that's one of your best combos, and GF8 & 9 are similar architecture which should keep issues to a minimum.

 

[boudy]

I was looking at these for the PCI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130451
and this for the PCIe 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130440

EDIT: The 9800GT you picked isn't a very good idea. For one, you won't be needing 1GB of VRAM.
The 8400GS is pretty good. It's a lot cheaper and faster than some similarly priced PCI cards too.

 

[Rlyons124]

Thanks guys for your help. Do you have any suggestions or tips on installation or set up. I have installed cards before, but never more than one on a computer.

 

[spentshells]

the 8400gs the RGB is not usable
please not

 

[Rlyons124]

sorry for my lack of knowledge, but what is RGB.

 

[boudy]

sorry for my lack of knowledge, but what is RGB.

Red, Green, and Blue.
I honestly have no idea what he is trying to say...

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

I think he's trying to say that the D-sub/DB-15/VGA is disabled and that it's a shared RAMDAC (except that the GF8400 has duals built-in on chip), however usually when that's the case it's DVI-D + D-Sub, not DVI-I like is the case here.

Double check, but there's no reason it should be disabled by default.