Using two different graphics cards in the same PC

[BrunoRabachini]

So, since last year, I have a GTX 1080 and 2 monitors, the main one 144hz 1080p (connected to the DVI output) and the second one an old 1440x900 (VGA output) using a HDMI to VGA adapter sice the 1080 does not have a VGA output.

 

Last week this HDMI to VGA adapter stopped working, my only alternative to use the second monitor again, was to put my GT 710 (with has a VGA output) in another PCI-e (like back in the day, one card to process PhysX lol)

Then I booted up the PC and it worked well, but I have some doubts and observations about that about this:

- Installing new drivers, for example, can I do it the normal way or not?

- Is that any instability issues that I can experience (windows, drivers or even games)?

 

- I think I've gained some performance in games, I don't know if that is just an impression or what, but that's that

- I've noticed that the main GPU (GTX 1080 is running a couple of degrees cooler in idle, and the base clock is much lower too (139MHz)

 

Anyway, my main concern is with drivers and windows instability, I'm running this setup for the past two days, and it is working pretty good, no issues at all, but it just feels wrong, I don't know.

 

If anyone has any experience with this kind of thing, I would appreciate it.

 

[TheSLSAMG]

2 minutes ago, BrunoRabachini said:

Then I booted up the PC and it worked well, but I have some doubts and observations about that about this:

- Installing new drivers, for example, can I do it the normal way or not?

- Is that any instability issues that I can experience (windows, drivers or even games)?

 

- I think I've gained some performance in games, I don't know if that is just an impression or what, but that's that

- I've noticed that the main GPU (GTX 1080 is running a couple of degrees cooler in idle, and the base clock is much lower too (139MHz)

 

Anyway, my main concern is with drivers and windows instability, I'm running this setup for the past two days, and it is working pretty good, no issues at all, but it just feels wrong, I don't know.

For installing new drivers, you will install them the normal way and it shouldn't be an issue. This is until the point at which NVIDIA pushes a driver that doesn't support the GT 710 but still supports the GTX 1080, something that isn't too likely to happen soon but it will certainly happen at some point in the future. Instability also shouldn't be a problem outside of extremely niche cases. I haven't personally heard of it causing issues.

 

A performance gain could be possible, but given your secondary monitor is low-res, I would probably chalk it up to placebo. You could run benchmarks to verify that though. And the lower temps are normal. The more displays you plug into your GPU, the more idle load is on it. For multi-monitor configurations, the idle clock speed gets bumped up.

[DailyProcrastinator]

Why wouldn't you get a VGA to HDMI or display port adapter? So unnecessary to have a separate crappy GPU for a single monitor. 

[BrunoRabachini]

19 minutes ago, JM21 said:

Why wouldn't you get a VGA to HDMI or display port adapter? So unnecessary to have a separate crappy GPU for a single monitor. 

I know, I'm waiting for the new adapter to arrive. the GT 710 was like a quick fix (and only one available) to the problem, but after using it I'm kinda considering the idea of havin this second graphics card in there. so far I have found no reason not to, this post is exactly that btw, find out if anyone has experience in this.

[BrunoRabachini]

27 minutes ago, TheSLSAMG said:

For installing new drivers, you will install them the normal way and it shouldn't be an issue. This is until the point at which NVIDIA pushes a driver that doesn't support the GT 710 but still supports the GTX 1080, something that isn't too likely to happen soon but it will certainly happen at some point in the future. Instability also shouldn't be a problem outside of extremely niche cases. I haven't personally heard of it causing issues.

 

A performance gain could be possible, but given your secondary monitor is low-res, I would probably chalk it up to placebo. You could run benchmarks to verify that though. And the lower temps are normal. The more displays you plug into your GPU, the more idle load is on it. For multi-monitor configurations, the idle clock speed gets bumped up.

I'm waiting for a new adapter to arrive, so I'll run benchmarks now and when it arrives.

But I'm kinda considering the idea of leave the 710 in there. if there is no driver or windows problems (for now). I mean, I did some research and it might be ok, so why not.

 

And thank you for your quick reply!! =D

[DailyProcrastinator]

11 hours ago, BrunoRabachini said:

I know, I'm waiting for the new adapter to arrive. the GT 710 was like a quick fix (and only one available) to the problem, but after using it I'm kinda considering the idea of havin this second graphics card in there. so far I have found no reason not to, this post is exactly that btw, find out if anyone has experience in this.

Fair enough, I personally would rather have one GPU displaying out than 2 but to each their own. 

[Tristerin]

There is ZERO performance gained between 1 monitor or 2, when only 1 monitor is displaying the 3d imaging and not both (eyefinity for example).  The second monitor is still only being displayed in 2D