Lanlan 2002-03-15 15:49
I'm debating on picking up a MX440, but recent reviews have said that even though it is supposed to replace the Geforce3 Ti200, the Ti200 is still somewhat a better performing card.
I would prefer using one card with dual heads. And it has been 3 weeks without vid cards. I'm getting desperate here... should I purchase a mx440? or go with two seperate video cards ie: Ti200 AGP + 32meg Geforce2 MX PCI ? Is a setup with two video cards stable?! I know in XP you have to set the pci card as primary and you can setup the agp card primary in XP. Say I do open up a game...I'm assuming it'll play properly in the XP Primary display?
I've heard of people having to disable the pci car to play opengl with their AGP cards, is this true?
I will use this mostly for audio editing and web design but I do want to open up some opengl games and get at least 50fps so Matrox and Radeon 7500 is out of the question. But, how is the Radeon 8500? it's practically the same price as the MX440 and I'm just worried about the past driver issues. I know for a fact that ATI's 2d rocks, but how are they for gaming? for example in Counterstrike?
So, should I stick to the idea that one card is better than two? 8500 vs mx440...any recommendations?
|
Seven5555 2002-03-17 09:14
Be careful because the MSI Gf3 200 Ti that I just bought has 2 outs (1 vga 1 dvi) but does "not" support spanning, just mirrored monitors.
I hope that helps.
|
Lanlan 2002-03-17 16:58
If I was to go the Ti200 way, I'd have to go with two cards. So I'd have to pick up a 32meg PCI Geforce2.
But my issue is, does it matter if you are running two cards or is one card better?
Here are my setup choices (no particular order):
1) Geforce3 Ti200 + Geforce 2 MX PCI
2) Visiontek MX440 (dual head)
3) Radeon 8500
|
Christian Studer 2002-03-18 00:18
There are no inherent stability problems with multiple video cards, but make sure to check the compatibility database for any configuration-specific problems.
On Windows 2000/XP, you won't have to disable secondary monitors to play OpenGL games, see the OpenGL FAQ for more on this issue.
I'm using an AGP GeForce3 + 2x PCI GeForce2 MX myself (with Windows XP/2000/Me/98, on a dual P2 with BX board, AGP primary in BIOS), no problems. At least not with the 12.x drivers, with newer drivers I had problems with video playback and hibernation, but that's most likely unrelated to having multiple video cards.
BTW, what about the GeForce4 Ti? Better performance than the GeForce3 and dualhead support.
Christian Studer - www.realtimesoft.com
|
Seven5555 2002-03-18 12:55
I'm trying to get GF2MXPCI to work with the Gf3 Ti 200, GF2 Ti or a GF4 440MX. I've tried numerous solutions with no luck. I have not tried drivers under 21.xx.
I really don't think it's a bad card. I'll try the 12.xx drivers. Can you give me alittle more insight into how you are you stablized your GF3 with the GF2?
They all work fine (no lockups) with a older pci S3 540 32 but it doesnt keep up of course.
Thankyou
1G SDRAM, IWILL KK266, XP1600+ 400wt power supply, 40g IBMs
|
Lanlan 2002-03-18 13:27
Well, I went ahead and ordered a Visiontek MX440. It should arrive in a day or two.
I decided to go with the MX440 becuase I got it for a cheaper price (budget) and I'm familiar with Nvidia and like the geforce family.
|
Christian Studer 2002-03-19 05:09
No special workarounds were necessary, it just worked fine out of the box. Could be an issue with your motherboard chipset, I've heard from several people having problems with Via chipsets and Nvidia cards.
Christian Studer - www.realtimesoft.com
|
Seven5555 2002-03-19 07:47
I am still looking for the 12.xx drivers. If these dont fix it then I will get a Radeon 8500. I have only heard a few successful storys about getting 2 nVidia cards to work together.
Do you know where I might find the 12.xx drivers?
1G SDRAM, IWILL KK266, XP1600+ 400wt power supply, 40g IBMs
|
Christian Studer 2002-03-19 07:52
Nvidia has them in the driver archive.
Christian Studer - www.realtimesoft.com
|
