Is 2 graphics cards really better than 1 (in this case)

[killakali]

i have GTS 450 and a GT9800 plugged into my system. GT9800 is used for PhysX. when i plugged my PhysX card in, it dropped both PCIe slots down to 8x. Wondering if i would get better performance with just the GTS 450 at 16x.

specs as follows:

Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/17/11 10:49:36 Ver: 08.00.15
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 955 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8182MB RAM
Page File: 4053MB used, 12310MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Motherboard: ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTS 450
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0DC4&SUBSYS_13523842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4065 MB
Dedicated Memory: 993 MB
Shared Memory: 3071 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: VE247
Monitor Id: ACI2493
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.8579 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.8579
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 11/7/2011 19:51:00, 15693120 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9800 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0605&SUBSYS_C9813842&REV_A2
Display Memory: 4069 MB
Dedicated Memory: 997 MB
Shared Memory: 3071 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: SDM-HS94P
Monitor Id: SNY1C90
Native Mode: 1280 x 1024(p) (60.020Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.8579 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.8579
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 11/7/2011 19:51:00, 15693120 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes

 

[bystander]

In most cases it won't help and might even drop performance every so slightly (not enough to matter). The only time having a dedicated PhysX card helps is when you play games with GPU Accelerated PhysX. There are only around 25 ever made. Do you play any of those games?

 

[killakali]

BF3, LoL mainly

 

[bystander]

I don't believe BF3 supports GPU accelerated PhysX. Here is a list on Nvidia's site: http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/Technologies/physx/games

Look at different reviews and benchmarks, there is no indication that BF3 uses GPU accelerated PhysX and does not lose any performance on AMD GPU's, which don't support GPU accelerated PhysX.

You might as well pull that 9800 out.

 

[killakali]

rgr

 

[killakali]

i do have a 1080p monitor on the 450 and a old LCD on the 9800. with a 2 monitor setup, does that make a difference if my 450 can physically run both monitors (ie 2 DVI ports). i use the second monitor for watching ventrilo and such in-game

 

[killakali]

Best answer selected by killakali.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar