Triple monitors on ATI integrated graphics and nVidia discrete graphics card
Posted on : 10-11-2009 | By : Andy | In : tech
Tags: ati, graphics card, integrated graphics, nvidia, triple monitor setup, windows 7
5
I recently did a lot of googling about how to use my ATI Radeon HD 3300 integrated graphics card at the same time as my nVidia 8600 GTS discrete graphics card at the same time. The problem is, my motherboard (the BioStar TA790GX 128M) supports integrated + discrete card usage…only with ATI cards. I don’t have an ATI graphics card, and didn’t want to buy one.
This hasn’t been a problem from my two-monitor setup because the 8600GTS easily powers two monitors, but I recently ordered an upgraded monitor (24″ Dell S2409W), and I didn’t want to have to ditch my old 17″ LCD. Lots of googling, and the result is all the same: the TA790GX turns off the onboard graphics card automatically if an nVidia card is detected.
Well, my motherboard does support crossfire with 2 PCI-express slots, so I got to wondering. What if I put my graphics card not in the primary slot, but in the secondary slot? Sure, it will only run at x8 speed, but it’s already PCI-express 2.0, and the lower bandwidth is not likely to hurt my middle-of-the-road graphics card anyways.
Swap it out. Boot it up. Windows 7 recognizes TWO graphics cards from different manufacturers, automatically installs the drivers for the ATI card, and asks to reboot. Reboot.
Viola! It’s done! Hybrid graphics on an ATI motherboard with an nVidia graphics card! Hope someone finds this to be helpful.
Note: apparently, Vista will not work with this. XP may, but I’m not sure. Windows 7 definitely does. I tell you, I’m loving Windows 7!
Thank you very much for providing informative facts. Finally windows 7 support multi vendor graphics cards simultaneously so that we can add our old or new cards to the existing system for multi monitor with greater flexibilty.
Windows 7 rocks
Oddly enough I have run in to a similar problem with similar components. I upgraded to a Phenom II X3 720 and a Biostar TA790GXE 128M from a MSI Socket 478 motherboard and P4 3.2 ghz processor. I also have a Nvidia 8600 GT for (light) gaming. The new motherboard RARELY detects the 8600 GT, no matter what settings I use. I finally decided to use the integrated graphics (radeon 3300) until I could get a response from biostar tech support. Well, I figured after a week of no response I should just mess around in the BIOS until it works. It doesn’t work the way I want it to (No integrated enabled and 8600 working) but I’m in XP and both display adapters ARE working. And the 8600 GT is in the primary PCIE slot with the shadow card in the second slot.
Only problem is I can’t figure out how to make the 8600 GT The primary adapter. I’m quite scared to disable the integrated graphics because every time the BIOS need reset because the 8600 GT doesn’t get enabled. That’s a lot of BIOS resets (I must’ve done it at least 15 times) and it sucks re-entering my favorite settings (Especially my overclock settings – The Phenom II is unlocked and overclocked)
Also; Looking at your link for the 8600 GTS, I REALLY feel sorry for you if you paid $150 for that. I got my PNY 8600 GT overclocked from the factory, and it cost me $50. It was refurbished, but new it shouldn’t cost more than $75.
Have you tried putting the 8600 in the secondary slot and just leaving the shadow card out? What were the results?
You’re right on the price on Amazon for the 8600 GTS, it’s ridiculous. I got mine for about $50 after rebate almost two years ago now. If anyone’s looking for a graphics card, there’s much better deals than that any day at newegg.com, or keep an eye on slickdeals if you’re patient!
Regarding BIOS resets, check your BIOS again for a way to save/backup your settings. It should be pretty easy to do.