If I install two different models of video cards, for example a Primary 8800GTX and secondary 7950GT (or lower level 7 series card) in a motherboard with two PCI Express x 16 slots, is there any problem relative to compatibility or anything else anyone knows about? All I want to do with the second card is to be able to implement low demand programs such as FSNAV on a third (and possibly a future fourth monitor) as I have previously done between AGP and PCI slots. I will never use SLI and have no desire to buy two 8800GTX cards. A reply to another post suggested that mismatched cards may have been a problem somewhere mentioned in other posts which thus far I am afraid I have overlooked.Also, is there any real advantage to having a high end secondary card or will a less expensive card give about the same performance for such purposes as that described above? On my present system with a 6800XT AGP combined with an ancient Stealth PCI card, I really could tell no difference with or without the second card installed. Frame rates were about the same. Now if one moved the GPS to the third monitor it was a different story, although it had little effect on the secondary port of the 6800XT. If anybody has this combination with a 8800GTX and a less expensive secondary video card, I would appreciate the input relative to how pleased (of displeased) you are with the setup, and what your choice in cards was.The motherboard in question for this application will be an ASUS P5N-E SLI with the 650i chip.Thanks:RTH

If you are not putting any '3D Views' on the second card and are only using 2D apps like FSNav on it, a 7950GT would be overkill. You could easily use something like a 7600GT for that purpose or even lower, like a 7300 or similar.If I am understanding your requirments rightly of course.........

Hi RTHThis is the reference. I havent read it to check its relevance:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...d=21961&page=15

>Also, is there any real advantage to having a high end>secondary card or will a less expensive card give about the>same performance for such purposes as that described above? On>my present system with a 6800XT AGP combined with an ancient>Stealth PCI card, I really could tell no difference with or>without the second card installed. Frame rates were about the>same. This says it all - reuse your Stealth PCI card in your new system or, if you are keeping it in the old system, buy the cheapest PCI or PCI-E video card you can find.GaryPS. My son runs four monitors on his FS system, two driven by an X800XT AGP and the other two run by a 4M Diamond Viper V330 PCI and Voodoo 3 2000 PCI respectively. While flight simming, he spreads all external addon windows, plus web browsers, instant messenger, and even a TV output across the three secondary displays with neglible performance drop with these two PCI cards doing their stuff.

Thanks guys!Thanks ever so much for the input and the link folks: It saved me from purchasing two different high priced cards of which one would have been useless and unworkable it seems. I cannot help but wonder how many people have made this mistake.Unfortunately, the link and your comments pretty well says it all as I somewhat feared. Looks like three choices to me relative to multiple monitors, and that option is mandatory to me in FS:1. Limit displays only to two from a single High end card. Negate any other multiple monitors.2. Buy two high end cards that are just alike and run them separately without SLI. Without implementing SLI and useing two identical cards with the same driver would permit multiple monitor implementation if I am understanding what I read correctly, allowing potentially four monitors. (Particularly in Peter's case on the linked post). I would appreciate it if someone could confirm that I have interpreted this choice correctly. My assumption is that this would offer maximum performance for up to four monitor displays. If I have misinterpreted this option, please forgive my ignorance.3. Use one high end card for two monitors and PCI cards (as allowed by available slots) for additional monitors.Note: All high end choices are assumed by me to the the 8800GTX cards.I guess another option would be to use the ASRock 775Dual-VSTA or similar ASUS motherboard (Forgot the model no.) that would allow both the high end card and an AGP slot card, but my understanding is that performance capability is limited somewhat by such an application.Again, thanks for the input.RTH