Computer help

[Kenoi]

well, I was at a friend's house one day, and noticed something really great. He had 2 GeForce GTX 670 video cards on his motherboard! Which leaves a question. What are the pros/cons of having 2 video cards? I mean he only has 2 displays, and he only runs games on his PC. Also, what is its purpose? 2 is better that one? haha :cheesy:

[Trunks]

Duals cards are only really needed if you are running multiple displays or play at a high resolution.

If you only have one monitor and you play at a lower resolution, I'd say anything at 1680x 1050 and lower. Dual cards won't do much, and you won't notice a difference. If you're playing at a high resolution, around 2560x1600 you'll noticed a huge difference.

If you plan on doing dual monitor, dual cards are nice, but not needed. It will put less stress on your graphics card, but both pictures will still look fine, and run at a high level. I'd say any set up over 2 monitors would need a dual card set up though.

[Knibbler]

I was wondering this myself actually.. Not so much about the dual cards but mor about the dual display.. Is there a way to run a game on one screen and desktop tasks on the second?
I've not attempted this before hence the reason for asking.

[Trunks]

When you run dual display, only one screen has the taskbar at the bottom with the start menu. The other screen just shows a blank desktop, with whatever background you have. The way most gamers use dual screens is they open the game in there second screen, then the main screen with the taskbar can be used for internet browsing, looking at guides or anything.

I wish my desk had room for dual, I'd buy one in a heart beat.

[Ziek88]

When you run dual display, only one screen has the taskbar at the bottom with the start menu. The other screen just shows a blank desktop, with whatever background you have. The way most gamers use dual screens is they open the game in there second screen, then the main screen with the taskbar can be used for internet browsing, looking at guides or anything.

I wish my desk had room for dual, I'd buy one in a heart beat.

Actually there is a recent change to this. Windows 8 now allows for all screens to have the taskbar. It functions sortof like different workspaces in Linux Ubuntu or other similar distributions for anyone who has linux familiarity. Like he said though, unless you are going really high end with your display it's not worth it. I currently have two monitors running off a single Geforce 9500 gt (I know, so old :(. Hopefully upgrade this summer) and they work great. If you do decide to go with multiple graphics cards consider temperature increase. A past customer of mine had an awesome custom built system but he had 3 graphics cards runnning in SLI (OVERKILL!) and they were causing him to be unable to even get to a login screen. Just something to keep in mind.

[Kenoi]

yeah, I only have one graphics card, and I have been wondering about that too, now that both of you brought it up. so Dual cards are nice, but not needed huh? well, that makes me curious. so for example if I had 2 displays, but one card, it probably will put 'some' stress on my video card? how much stress on the card? I have been thinking about getting another monitor, but I have to think of a really good reason. I only have a few friends that have just 2 displays, and basically just what Trunks has said -- the uses are for internet browsing & gaming. I mean its a luxury to me, it would be nice, but I need to have a legit reason why I need 2 monitors.. haha. I dont know, I'm just like that...

[Knibbler]

These are some pretty knowledgable responses.
So with the build noted in my recent desktop build thread, I'm able to run to displays, have Internet browsing, video editing and such on one display and my games on the other..these are leading to exciting times.

[Trunks]

aw, I did not know that Ziek, good to know though.

@Kenoi

All depends on the resolution the monitor is on. Normally the highest Resolution for non HD monitors are 1680x1050. That's what mine is and I believe that's standard. I believe HD starts at 1920×1080 That would be considered 1080i/p for a TV (If you have an HD monitor, you'll be using an HDMI or mini HDMI.) So if you're running two HD monitors with a single card it will increase stress for sure. I don't think it will destroy your card if it's a newer one, but it will definitely make it run a lot hotter. If you're using two standard definition monitors, around 1680x1050 resoultion( or using the White Video cable ) then your card is less likely to be stressed.

It also depends on your Video Card, if you're running one GTX 670 you'll probably be okay with HD resolution as long as it's not super high. You'd easily be able to run two standard definitions monitors. I have a GTX 560, and I sometimes hook up my HD tv to my PC to watch movies on it while doing thins on my Computer. My card never got too hot, but I do have a pretty decent cooling system. As long as you have good air flow through your case I wouldn't worry about much.

At this point I feel like I'm rambling lol.

[Ziek88]

What Trunks has "rambled" as he put it is pretty much on the money in much better wording than I could say.

Too anyone debating whether to go dual monitor or not, do it. You won't regret it. Even if the second monitor is garbage, it still beats only having one monitor. Someday I dream of having 3....

Something like this maybe
http://www.l3p.nl/files/Hardware/Deskmod/Progress/1280px/P1050825%20%5B1280px%5D.JPG

[LiNuX]

I have a dual screen set up at work (with an imac on the side). It's not a gaming machine so it has a crappy old graphics card. And I agree that multiple monitors are better than one and I could have 3 set up on my home computer, but I have no room on my desk :(

And the stress from a standard definition to hi-def monitor isn't that big, unless you are on a crazy high resolution, and even then the stress on a GPU won't be very high unless you do something graphics intensive, like play a game on the highest settings (and it has to be one of those games that makes a GPU work for its money). So I don't think you should worry at all putting one GPU to work on multiple monitors.

And multiple GPUs aren't that special anyway. You are always better off having a single higher-end graphics card than two lower end ones because another card doesn't add power, it just decreases the load each card has to carry. Like carrying a couch up the stairs, it's less stress on you if you have a friend helping, but it's the exact same amount of energy used between the two of you to get it up the stairs.

[Kenoi]

@Linux: thanks for the detailed explanation. Appreciate it!

@Trunks: well, my resolution on my ONE monitor is 1600 x 900.
went out & bought an HDMI cable and connected it from the PC to the HD tv in my room, the resolution on the TV is 1080i/p (if thats how its measured) its not so bad. today was a 'testing' session. in a way I have dual displays, but I prefer just using my TV as just a tv. in the cheapest way, I have 2 displays. yay! but one screen is bigger than the other. haha

also, I have tested out my PC games on this screen by itself, about 45% - 65% of CPU/GPU usage is in Task Manager. Somewhat average, but not so bad.

To all the people in this thread, thanks again for your help, I guess I'll stay with just one card, and upgrade from just this one later in the future.

although I kind of want to upgrade to the Titan... (drools) :cheesy: so EXPENSIVE though!

[Mizel]

OMG that Titan would be sooooo sexy lol Expensive is an understatement :P

I absolutely *love* having dual monitors. I play games on one screen while browsing the internet and whatnot on the other. I only have one video card, but it's decent. I wouldn't try running 2 monitors on a crappy video card. Hubby and I are actually in the process of upgrading our PC's into monster machines. We'll have 3 monitors then. Water cooling. Etc, etc. Can't wait :O

This is what my set up looks like now:

http://i.imgur.com/NBmRe0k.jpg?1

As for him having dual video cards- I assume he was running more than one 1440p monitor? Seems sort of pointless to have 2 if you're not. Unless you're running design heavy graphics programs, etc.

[Ziek88]

We have the same keyboard/mouse. If only I could say about the monitors.... I have one pretty good monitor but my second one is terrible.

[Mizel]

Nice! I actually just upgraded the mouse and keyboard. Got them on an amazing sale... I think under $75 for both. You should have seen the PoS ones I was using before. I have no idea why I didn't upgrade sooner :P

Same with my monitors. The one that came with my Desktop, the Dell one, isn't complete garbage... but it's nothing amazing. I love my new one though. 27". Can't wait to have 3 of those puppies >:)

[Ziek88]

I should be getting a pretty nice setup at work soon but unfortunately that is at work. This summer I'll be doing the same thing and upgrading except mine will be my video card. Mine isn't good enough to run new games. I want to play Tomb Raider :(.

Currently I think for cost/benefit I would go with ASUS HD7870-DC2-2GD5-V2 Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121649) but who knows in a few months. With a card like that my games should get MUCH prettier. 3 Monitors is a good goal. I plan to eventually have that setup as well. It will be in my eventual gameroom. For that I would imagine Dual monitors would be good idea. Even if for no other reason than to have enough outputs.

I'm going off topic though but I think Kenoi's question has been more or less answered by this point.

[Mizel]

Awwww, sucks to have a better PC at work than at home :( Just started switching your PC home parts with your PC work parts LOL

If your current card wont let you play games like Tomb Raider, then that will be an awesome upgrade. Anndddd you get TR for free with the purchase of the card ;)

[Kenoi]

Yeah, thats how I ended up getting borderlands 2/Assassin's creed 3 for pc. when I bought the card, it had 2 codes and I used them. oh man, it was a greatest thing ever. 2 free games that come with the video card. I would like to try out tomb raider though. and I just missed the sale on Steam! OH NO!

other than that, your setup looks nice either way Mizel! I'm assuming the Monitor to the left of the photo is your husband's PC too right?
and good luck upgrading! seems that I wont be for a while. there are 2 things that I would get in the future though -- another PC monitor, a 2TB HD, and an SSD (256GB) -- just so my OS will run a bit faster. I like everything to run fast. Dont we all now? haha

[Mizel]

Yeah, thats how I ended up getting borderlands 2/Assassin's creed 3 for pc. when I bought the card, it had 2 codes and I used them. oh man, it was a greatest thing ever. 2 free games that come with the video card. I would like to try out tomb raider though. and I just missed the sale on Steam! OH NO!

other than that, your setup looks nice either way Mizel! I'm assuming the Monitor to the left of the photo is your husband's PC too right?
and good luck upgrading! seems that I wont be for a while. there are 2 things that I would get in the future though -- another PC monitor, a 2TB HD, and an SSD (256GB) -- just so my OS will run a bit faster. I like everything to run fast. Dont we all now? haha

Awwww I hate it when that happens!

Thanks :) It's actually a lot better now, I got a new bigger, flat desk so my monitors sit side by side. And yupp, hubby's set up is to the left of mine.

I know that's right! lol When it comes to PC's, the faster the better ;) SSD's can be awesome! I know some people on here were saying that they can be sketchy, but my husband got one a couple months ago and *loves* it. He's never had an issue once. That's also part of my new build... along with so many other things. Now all I need is money LOL

[Ziek88]

@Kenoi. Be glad you missed the sale. Tomb Raider is on sale again. Now it's $24.99. They also have the Tomb Raider Collection on sale which is all 10 Tomb Raider games (including the new one) for $34.99

I just picked up the collection yesterday myself. Fantastic deal. Good games to play through with the significant other and till we finish the first 9 I should have a new video card. With the use of XPadder and motionjoy the old games work great. Especially since the original Tomb Raider game has a glitch issue with both PS2 and PS3 consoles so PC is the only way to play it.

[Kenoi]

@Ziek88: thanks man! makes me glad when I just logged in, I'm going to check it out. I think I'm okay with just the new one cause I've played the old ones already and I've only finished the 2 recent ones (I'm bad with names) but they're semi-new I think? Either way, the new one looks pretty neat! I hope I could run it on my computer...


ONCE AGAIN ANOTHER QUESTION: what site would I have to go to check out what games I could play on my current rig? I really hate bugging my friend on what games I can/cannot play on my PC. just cause of a Graphics card. Guess you could still say I'm a semi-newbie to this kind of stuff. haha (please no flaming, its just an innocent question)

[LiNuX]

ONCE AGAIN ANOTHER QUESTION: what site would I have to go to check out what games I could play on my current rig? I really hate bugging my friend on what games I can/cannot play on my PC. just cause of a Graphics card. Guess you could still say I'm a semi-newbie to this kind of stuff. haha (please no flaming, its just an innocent question)

Can You RUN It | Can I run that game | Game system requirements (http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri)

Good site to bookmark imo.

[Ziek88]

Can You RUN It | Can I run that game | Game system requirements (http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri)

Good site to bookmark imo.

Agreed. I use that site a lot.

I also like this one to see how new parts compare in benchmark testing.
PassMark Software - CPU Benchmark Charts (http://www.cpubenchmark.net/)

[Kenoi]

There it is! thanks very much Linux!