Adding additional video ports

[Guppy]

Quick background... I require a total of 8 monitors to be used: 1 main + 6 secondary monitors. I have an 8th monitor always plugged in so I can switch between the 7 displays for my simpit and my desk to play regular games/browse.

 

Currently I run 2x 1080 Ti. As most of you know, SLI does not support that many monitors. So when I play DCS I shut off SLI, but Windows still allows me to use both cards for video ports. When I play regular games I turn on SLI for my single monitor, for better performance in those games. Right now I'm on a 5930K w/ ASUS ROG RAMPAGE V, in a custom loop; I'm looking to upgrade to an 8700K + ROG Strix and upgrade the loop.

 

My goal is to also upgrade to a 2080 Ti in this process. I'm not planning on doing an SLI config as DCS does not support it to the degree that there is meaningful increase in performance. However - I MUST have 8 video ports.

 

Is it possible to run two different graphics cards within a PC? The interwebs say yes - but I'm wondering if anyone can validate based on their experience? I'm considering using one of the 1080 TIs with a 2080 TI purely for video ports. Or, if there is a cheaper alternative to using those 1080s I'll do that, too.

 

Thank you!

[BaD CrC]

I ran up to 6 monitors with DCS on two video cards. Currently running 5 (still on 2 GC). I have never seen a 8 monitors configuration, but since all recent graphic cards have now 4 outputs, I am pretty sure you can connect 8 monitors with no issue with 2 of them. Of course, forget about SLI or full screen mode.

Now, the real question is what is the resolution you want to run DCS? I am running 5760x1080 for DCS which is basically the equivalent of 3 HD monitors. The display area left is used for displaying gauges, panels and misc apps used in DCS like SRS, Helios,TIR,DCSFP,...

Now if you are looking to have DCS displaying on all 8 monitors, which can be a definition of 15360x1080, or 7680x2160 depending on the configuration of your monitors, then, you might run into serious fps issues. No matter how super powerful your graphic cards are.

[Mr_Burns]

Why you need 8 monitors?

 

 

 

A solution may be a way to use fewer monitors.

[Guppy]

Why you need 8 monitors?

A solution may be a way to use fewer monitors.

 

Not helpful - but thanks. Another option would be to not play computer games and not worry about technology LOL! Feel free to click my simpit link in my signature. It will show you why I'm running 7-8 monitors. I'm from 'merica - more is always better here.

 

I ran up to 6 monitors with DCS on two video cards. Currently running 5 (still on 2 GC). I have never seen a 8 monitors configuration, but since all recent graphic cards have now 4 outputs, I am pretty sure you can connect 8 monitors with no issue with 2 of them. Of course, forget about SLI or full screen mode.

Now, the real question is what is the resolution you want to run DCS? I am running 5760x1080 for DCS which is basically the equivalent of 3 HD monitors. The display area left is used for displaying gauges, panels and misc apps used in DCS like SRS, Helios,TIR,DCSFP,...

Now if you are looking to have DCS displaying on all 8 monitors, which can be a definition of 15360x1080, or 7680x2160 depending on the configuration of your monitors, then, you might run into serious fps issues. No matter how super powerful your graphic cards are.

 

One main monitor + 6 secondary monitors. the 6 secondary monitors are used to pull displays, etc from DCS. Click my simpit link in my signature.

 

 

Maybe my question was not clear in my original post and I apologize for that. I'm looking to know two things:

1) Does anyone have any experience running 2 or more different video cards? IE: a 1080 paired with a 970? OR a 1080 with 2x 970s. In this config, my thought would be to have the primary video processing (1080) focused on the main monitor and the two other video cards used purely for the secondary monitors.

 

2) Is it possible to have 2 cards (of the same type), set up in an SLI config and secondary GPUs used purely for video ports? IE: 2x 1080 TIs (in SLI) with 2x 970s (not in SLI, but used for video ports).

 

My goal is to get the most performance out of my video cards with the primary rendering of DCS (which is in window mode due to the need to extract displays from the game), while still having the ability to render additional displays for my simpit.

 

I'm looking at upgrading my rig to the latest and greatest technology on the market right now and I'm just exploring what alternatives I could consider in this endeavor (cost really is not an issue - i'm not trying to be economical; just practical with my needs).

[BaD CrC]

1) Yes, it doesn't matter of your GC are identical or not. My previous configuration was running 6 displays with 2 different Radeon GC.

2) In a SLI configuration, you are loosing the 4 outputs of your second 1080. So you are ending up with only 4 video outputs which is not what you want to do I believe. SLI is not supported by DCS and will get you no additional FPS. In addition, SLI needs to work in full screen mode if I remember.

[Guppy]

Very helpful - thank you! especially point #2 regarding SLI.

 

I think my best bet here is to potentially use a 2080 TI for my main monitors and have all my sub monitors spread amongst 2 different video cards. I might try my 2 1080s (extremely pointlessly overkill) just to see if it works. Then potentially downgrade.

 

thank you!

 

1) Yes, it doesn't matter of your GC are identical or not. My previous configuration was running 6 displays with 2 different Radeon GC.

2) In a SLI configuration, you are loosing the 4 outputs of your second 1080. So you are ending up with only 4 video outputs which is not what you want to do I believe. SLI is not supported by DCS and will get you no additional FPS. In addition, SLI needs to work in full screen mode if I remember.

[BaD CrC]

Not sure you'll see a massive improvement going from 1080Ti to 2080Ti, at least the perf to cost ratio shouldn't be impressive. I am looking myself for a 2080Ti but I am starting with 2x780Ti so I expect to see a huge difference.

Then you'll be running 3 cards with extremely high wattage requirement. Having 2 1080Ti and a 2080Ti runing at the same time will require a massive power supply. I believe each card requires something around 200 to 250W to run. Maybe more for the 2080Ti. GCs alone will then take 800W! You'll blow up your power supply if it is less than 1 Kw.

[Guppy]

Not sure you'll see a massive improvement going from 1080Ti to 2080Ti, at least the perf to cost ratio shouldn't be impressive. I am looking myself for a 2080Ti but I am starting with 2x780Ti so I expect to see a huge difference.

Then you'll be running 3 cards with extremely high wattage requirement. Having 2 1080Ti and a 2080Ti runing at the same time will require a massive power supply. I believe each card requires something around 200 to 250W to run. Maybe more for the 2080Ti. GCs alone will then take 800W! You'll blow up your power supply if it is less than 1 Kw.

 

I do have a 1200W power supply :)