Using Both a PCI and AGP vidcard

[Willi]

Building a new computer that I'll use mainly for 2D work in my business
but I also like to occasionally play 3D games. What I want to do is use
a Matrox G450 PCI for 2D and a modern 3d card in the AGP slot for
playing games. (I know many people think the modern 3D cards are just as
good in 2D as a Matrox, but not to my eye)

I'm using an Abit AN7 and will be running XP. Will this setup work?

Would I have to reboot and unplug and replug in the the monitor cable to
switch cards?

Willi

 

[Shep©]

Building a new computer that I'll use mainly for 2D work in my business
but I also like to occasionally play 3D games. What I want to do is use
a Matrox G450 PCI for 2D and a modern 3d card in the AGP slot for
playing games. (I know many people think the modern 3D cards are just as
good in 2D as a Matrox, but not to my eye)

I'm using an Abit AN7 and will be running XP. Will this setup work?

Would I have to reboot and unplug and replug in the the monitor cable to
switch cards?

Willi

Why bother?
The newer 3d card will do both jobs.
You are setting yourself up for a fall :/



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[Willi]

Why bother?
The newer 3d card will do both jobs.
You are setting yourself up for a fall :/

I'm not looking to debate the qualities of a Matrox G450's 2d
performance with another card. For you the newer 3d cards' 2D
performance is just as good as a Matrox. To me, the clarity, sharpness
and color saturation of a G450 is considerably better than anything else
I've seen on other people's machines who were using newer 3D cards.

All I want to know is if it will work and what the mechanics of setting
it up and using it would be.

Willi

 

[kony]

I'm not looking to debate the qualities of a Matrox G450's 2d
performance with another card. For you the newer 3d cards' 2D
performance is just as good as a Matrox. To me, the clarity, sharpness
and color saturation of a G450 is considerably better than anything else
I've seen on other people's machines who were using newer 3D cards.

All I want to know is if it will work and what the mechanics of setting
it up and using it would be.

Well the mechanics of it are that the OS must support multiple
displays, like WinXP for example, that your power supply must
have a little more power to support the 2nd video card (5V amps),
and the case slightly better airflow due to more heat. Placing
the PCI card in slot adjacent to the AGP slot should also be
avoided, perferribly having that slot empty, perhaps even leaving
that slot's case bracket cover off, which will cause more air
flow in this area even without any other fan changes.

As for switching back and forth between the two, consider using a
KVM switch, one with a manual switch on the top of it's housing
so you won't have to deal with issue of the KVM's switching of
which USB or PS2 keyboard plugs are active. Instead you can just
plug keyboard and mouse directly into system ports and leave
those ports on the KVM, disconnected.

 

[Mac Cool]

Building a new computer that I'll use mainly for 2D work in my
business but I also like to occasionally play 3D games. What I want
to do is use a Matrox G450 PCI for 2D and a modern 3d card in the AGP
slot for playing games.

Why not a Parhelia? It's a compromise on the 3D side but much simpler.
IMO, you're begging for aggravation. I know you don't want to hear it but
I see an ATI card in your future.

(I know many people think the modern 3D cards
are just as good in 2D as a Matrox, but not to my eye)

Let us know if it works and how you did it.

I'm using an Abit AN7 and will be running XP. Will this setup work?

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;296538

 

[kony]

I see an ATI card in your future.

..... or an LCD monitor.

 

[Matt]

For you the newer 3d cards' 2D
performance is just as good as a Matrox. To me, the clarity, sharpness
and color saturation of a G450 is considerably better than anything else
I've seen on other people's machines who were using newer 3D cards.

Did your graphics look better because your monitor is better than
theirs? Just asking ...

 

[Noozer]

Why not a Parhelia? It's a compromise on the 3D side but much simpler.
IMO, you're begging for aggravation. I know you don't want to hear it but
I see an ATI card in your future.

Because a Parhelia is WAY overpriced and has very bad 3d acceleration.