installing a 2nd video card

[Guest]

hey all,
i'd like to install a 2nd video card and was just wondering if i need to
note anything special when i do this?
thanks,
rodchar

 

[DL]

Depends what hardware you are installing on

 

[Guest]

Sounds like a question for the Hardware group [address below]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...r.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware

Also depends on video card maker. When I was using an AGP card and wanted to
install a PCI card withTV out, ATI suggested installing the PCI card FIRST,
and then reinstalling the AGP card.

 

[HeyBub]

hey all,
i'd like to install a 2nd video card and was just wondering if i need
to note anything special when i do this?
thanks,
rodchar

Nah, I did it yesterday. Found an old PCI video card, stuck it in, and boom!
Second monitor.

Got 'em sittin' side-by-side right now.

If you get stuck, go to Help/Dual Monitor for info on how to activate the
second monitor.

 

[Guest]

i was reading on the box of a video card that i was thinking about buying and
it said one of the requirements was a 450-watt power supply. are all video
cards like this?
i think i have only a 300-watt. And the 450-watt requirement, what about
adding the 2nd one does the power supply need to be modified there again?

 

[dobey]

Depends on the card.

A high end 3d card would require something like 450 watts, (even greater foe
SLI), though realistically it's amps that are more important, and only when
you are running full tilt in some 3d game.

My 7950gx2 recommneds a 400 PSU, and 27 amps.

You could either throw in a PCI card, or update to one of the newer low end
cards. Many cards have dual output these days.

The high-end cards are focused on 3d performance, so you won't notice any
difference in 2d performance, except your wallet will heavier using the low
end card.

 

[HeyBub]

i was reading on the box of a video card that i was thinking about
buying and it said one of the requirements was a 450-watt power
supply. are all video cards like this?
i think i have only a 300-watt. And the 450-watt requirement, what
about adding the 2nd one does the power supply need to be modified
there again?

Ah, well, that's a different story. Since you asked on the XP group, I
assumed you had misgivings regarding the operating system.

In my case, I used a crap PCI card from the bottom of the Hell Box. It
pulls, oh, maybe two watts! In fact, in a cursory search of the 'net I can't
find any video cards that mention their power draw.

Just as a GUESS, if the video card doesn't have a FAN on it, it'll probably
work with what you have. Otherwise, you may need to upgrade your power
supply.

In any case, check with a hardware group for a more knowledgeable answer.