Adding a second graphics card - What do I have?

[petjam]

Morning all,

I have commandeered my son's old pc and I want to add a second graphics card for more monitors. I've been told that I need to get exactly the same. This is what is currently in it. Could someone point me to the card I need (I'm happy buying second hand if they don't make them anymore).

[dundarach]

It all depends on what you're doing and what you already have.

For example you can use internal and external together, does the motherboard have a second output already?

I'm guessing this isn't for gaming?

Doesn't this card already have multiple monitor support

[nickd01]

Looks like one of these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364013421885?hash=item5...

But you may be better just getting a more modern card that'll support multiple monitors.

All depends on the usage

[petjam]

I'm currently running 3 screens off it. I want to switch to 6 (using it for work) hence needing a second card.

There is space for 2 more GPUs.

[petjam]

nickd01 said:

Looks like one of these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364013421885?hash=item5...

But you may be better just getting a more modern card that'll support multiple monitors.

All depends on the usage

That's got three fans, the existing only has two.

I thought it was this: -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284998650757?epid=24034...

but apparently that is the overclocked version?

[paulrockliffe]

petjam said:

I'm currently running 3 screens off it. I want to switch to 6 (using it for work) hence needing a second card.

There is space for 2 more GPUs.

I was thinking about doing the same, I'm running 4 screens off one 1080ti card but it won't run the two that are 4k at anything over 30Hz, which isn't ideal.

Is it definitely the case that you have to use exactly the same cards? I was assuming you could just use whatever these days?

[maffski]

You don't need exactly the same - it used to be necessary to stick to the same chip manufacturer (Nvida in this case), while it's still less hassle it's not a requirement.

I used to run two different AMD cards with no problems.

[macdaddy11]

You might want to consider whether the current PSU can handle an additional GPU. Running 6x monitors off 2 or more GPUs will increase your power demand noticeably. I'd try one of those power calculators to see if you are within range of what the current PSU can offer. Just my two pence...

[Trustmeimadoctor]

You can add monitors over USB
If you only using things like excel etc

[paulrockliffe]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

You can add monitors over USB
If you only using things like excel etc

You can, but your ability to drive a total resolution is limited by the GPU. My card has 5 outputs, I think for flexibility really, it'll drive 5 monitors, but only at 1080p and I think two are then capped at 30Hz too. I can put two more on the onboard graphics, I think that's OK with 1080 and 60hz on both, but it'll only drive a 4k screen at 30Hz.

It's basically fine until you add 4k screens, then you need something beefy to keep the refresh rate up.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Sorry hadnt read all the replies to see the 4k requirement

[paulrockliffe]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

Sorry hadnt read all the replies to see the 4k requirement

I don't know if the OP is after 4k, he didn't say, I was just clarifying because you're right that you don't need another card just because you've run out connections, but there's still a limit on what you can get out of the system that might be an issue.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

I mean I'm not sure what kind of job requires 6 monitors either

[paulrockliffe]

I do prefer to have a couple of screens to look at for working and then a few more that I can just drop applications that I need as I'm working, so like one screen for everything I'm using.

I quite like using the smaller Raspberry PI screens as dedicated single app screens too, those long thin ones put portrait make a great place to drop pop-out Teams Chat windows and the smaller ones are good for putting calendars, central heating controls etc on.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Yeah but this sounds more like dodgy forex cfd wolf of wall steet