Can i run old style PCI graphics card aswell as AGP for multi monitors??

W

w33lerd33ler

New Member
Hi all,

Iv currently got a little project going trying to set up multi monitors on an old XPC SS51G Shuttle PC out of old parts iv had lying around. Its got an AGP slot and a PCI slot, at the minute im running an AGP 128mb Radeon 9800 XT graphics card with VGA and DVI outputs on 2 19" monitors without a problem in Windows 7, but im wondering if i can add a 2nd graphics card into the PCI slot to work along side the AGP one and run 3 monitors or even 4 if i get hold of a dual head PCI graphics card similar to my Radeon AGP. I know that some PC's dont support running both PCI and AGP graphics at the same time, its usually either one or the other, but after researching this shuttle PC iv found on the technical information it actually states this:

'1x AGP (4X), 1x PCI (for simultaneous use)'

So this leads me to beleive that this shuttle PC can infact run both a AGP card along with a PCI card for multi monitor set up:confused:

Id be very greatful for any info anyone has on this and any suggestions on a suitable PCI graphics card that will not conflict my Radeon so both run together.

Thanks.
 
I guess il have to give it a go, only problem is i dont have any PCI graphics cards at all! iv got 8 AGP ones here that iv found lying around but not one singe PCI one so id have to buy one, im only looking to spend a few quid on one just to try it, im not bothered about high end grahics and such like, this is just a project so aslong as it funcions the 3rd monitor and i can use them in conjunction (similar to eyefinity and my dual set up now, to hopefully extend all 3 monitors into one huge desktop) thatl do for me! and suggestions to which make and model would normally work along side my Radeon without causing conflicts? Iv heard Nvidia sometimes fights against ATI Radeon so shall i steer clear fo them? thanks for the help so far guys much apreciated!!
 
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wolfeking said:
i am not too sure on this, but I think that you can only run multiple graphics cards with PCI and PCIe.
The reason that it says "for simultaneous use" is because AGP was a modification of the PCI bus. I assume that in some cases early on, it may have disabled the PCI when using the AGP.

either way, you will be better off with a card like:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500228
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139054
Click to expand...

I know theres plenty Graphics cards i could buy with 3 port display to go in, but to be honest il be suprised if the whole PC is worth $59 so didnt want to shell out that on a graphics card, its just thing im playing around with so want to kee costs down to an absolute minimum. But thanks th something to bare in mind!
 
iv gone for a much simpler solution, Iv just bought a USB to DVI/VGA/HDMI 1080p graphics adapter for a very reasonable price of £32.99, that way i dont have to shell out £15-£20 on a PCI card that might not even work! and i can still use it to extend the display onto the 3rd monitor.

The discription says the USB 2.0 Graphic Adapter supports up to six simultaneous displays, including widescreen displays, extending your desktop and your horizons. It operates at a high resolution of 1920*1080, Though i dont know how because theres only 1 output on it :confused: i do have 5 identical 19" monitors so it would be great if there was some way to connect the last 3 monitors upto this to USB graphics adapter to the extended desktop over all 5, but i think if you can connect more than 1 monitor upto it, it would be done by a splitter cable so simply cloning whats on the 1st monitor which is no good, but i can live with 3 monitors just fine either way ;)

If i do get hold of a cheap dual head PCI at some point il also put that in aswell, if it did work id have 5 identical 19" widescreen monitors running off a little shuttle PC, 2 off the AGP, 2 off the PCI and 1 off the USB, which would look pretty cool! :)

Il update when it arrives and let you all know how it goes!
 
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