All;I am running a rig with one video card that supports two monitors and all is well.I am going to build a new rig and want to add a third monitor so I need a second card. If my motherboard has two PCI Express slots, do I just need two cards or must the be "connected"? I am not sure how the second card is recognized and handled.I will be getting a new Motherboard (probably and ASUS) with a Core 2 Duo or Quad processor. I am running XP Pro and FS9.Also, should my two cards be of the same Manufacturer and type?I tried this on my older PC and the motherboard would not take a PCI express video card and a PCI card and recognize both :(Many thanks.John

Tow the best of my knowledge you should have both GPU's the same..You will also need a bridge for them avaible from the manufacturer....

If you already have a decent PCIe Vcard, just reuse that. If not, buy one of these $160 8800GTs. Install your best Vcard on the mobo's primary PCIe slot.I would suggest that you use the same series Vcard chip, but the cheapest of it's series. There's no need for identical Vcards or even cards from the same mfg. For instance, I'm using an XFX 8800GT as my primary Vcard and an EVGA 8400GS as my second Vcard. The Primary card does all the work. The second only provides additional monitors outputs. These cards drive three 19s and a 42, no problem (DVI > HDMI adapter did then trick for the 42). FSX runs like a dream on the 42. Flightaware web pages for charts, undocked gauges, email, whatever populate the three 19s. Install the cards, then Nvidia's latest driver. The driver's install sequence will automatically recognize both cards. Vista's desktop > personalize > display settings, will get you to the monitor setup screen. Drag 'em around to the proper locations, select resolutions and primary monitor. Apply, then go fly. It's that easy.

Sam;I have XP Pro, but I assume it is similar to Vista. I have an ATI x1300 512Mb card and will probably get another one.So I plug one into each PCIe slot, plug in the monitors, boot up, load the drivers and then my display panel settings should recognize the three monitors I plugged in?I hate to buy stuff and then it doesn't work :).John

Sam- you wouldn't by any chance have a pic of your setup? Having recently acquired a 37 1920x1080 TV, I'd love to see how FS looks on your "big screen".Alex Reid

I ran 2 Vcards with XP for a while. One AGP and a PCI. One was a 6600GT and the other a late nineties something-or-other. Finally got it running, but it was a real battle. Make your life easier. Get the cards I suggested and a copy of Vista 64. I expect XP would work the same, but it's time for that 64 bit op system. Those OOM issues with the 32bit systems are just ridiculous. The 42's great. I generally sit with my feet up on the desk, wireless keyboard on my lap, peeking over my toes at the 42. The 19s array to the right with that Google Earth addon tracking along on one, my approach chart on another. When it's time to disco the AP and 'get serious' about hand flying a Cat III approach @ 1/8 mile visibility, I sit up and get my nose about 6 inches from the 42. At the right zoom, that PMDG 744 Vcockpit pilot view is literally life sized (I spend plenty of time in that real cockpit). Good thing I'm not a pilot . . . but I'm getting better. At least I can crash actually On the runway, well, most of the time ;)

My long time freind own a computer store so it cost me nothing to "experiment".I had a Asus mob m2n something or another sli with a BFG 8800gt oc.We got another BFG 8800gt oc, same box,writing,details ect ect. However they were not the same and he said the card was different.Anyways, after using a "bridge" which connects the cards the headaches began.Eventually I got them working but for WHAT?88OOgts are now $250+ at least the good ones.I use a 32 inch Sharp Aquos with a native rez of 1920x1080.Few games support sli and a few were a little better at HIGH rezes.FSX I saw no difference.Most others I ran into a ton of issures.I would save up and get ONE really fast new card than fool with 2 in sli that will require alot of TLC and luck to run.Just my Opinion.

Good advice. Also, SLI will limit the user to Only One Monitor. Right now the $200 8800GTS/512s Are the best available. The 8800GT's performance will be indistinguishable for ~ $30 less. No need to save up.BTW: to OP. Don't try to mix ATI and Nvidia cards. That's asking for big trouble. If that X1300 is PCIe and you decide to reuse it, it must be used as the secondary card. You'll have to buy a Top notch ATI something. My suggestion is to leave that x1300 where it is and spend $200 (Total) on an 8800GT and an 8400GS.

Sam- an interesting thread- thanks for your comments. I'm currently running triple views (LFwd,Fwd,RFwd) on triple monitors & the wide field of view truly revolutionizes how one flies. See the attached screenshots.What I'm wondering is how practical it would be to put all this on a single "large" high res TV. This would eliminate 3 small mons and their bezels plus a video card. Perhaps even enhance performance.Any comments?Alex Reid Cockpit prep WestJet 737 CYYJ dawn departure http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/188268.jpgWestJet 737 "Clear for Taxi."http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/188269.jpg

That setup has always seemed to be a required 'best effort' because of marginal hardware. That's not what a cockpit looks like! If you're getting a 37", splurge another $160 for an 8800GT. The Virtual Cockpit is the Only way simulate a real experience. Track IR is great, but view setups on a HOTAS works too. The only keypad really necessary for repeated, serious access is the FMC's CDU. Undock an FMC new-view and drag it to an the adjacent monitor. If I'm just sight seeing in the Maule, the Vcockpit is still the way to go. Set Widescreen=True and zoom on back. Heck, I'm as much outside the airplane as inside when I'm just buzzing around.

Well I cannot agree with the need to go to a 64 bit OS for FS9. I cannot even agree on the move to Vista for FS9. I guess I work under the if it isn't broke don't fix it mentality when it comes to OS.I put in the following:Intel Core 2 DuoIntel Motherboard2 Gig RAMI reused my ATI x1300 512 and added a second ATI card at 512. Both are PCIeI have three monitorsI run:Active SkyPro Flight 2000Ground Environment ProUltimate TrafficPhoenix Enhanced SceneryI am getting anywhere from 25 to 33 fps. Very acceptable. Now I have to test it out with heavy clouds and the like, but I assume I will just lower my weather settings. Lots of clouds and you don't need to see 60 miles anyway.Again, my opinion but I cannot see the desire to go to FSX right now. With all the enhancements and add-ons I am getting just as good an experience.Shucks, if I want a really good experience I will go fly my real F33A Bonanza. Gas was only $5.17 per gallon yesterday at DVT here in Phoenix and we burn about 13 to 15 gph :(Oh well, I ate yesterday I'll just skip today.John

Sam- I have to disagree when it comes to 2D Multiple Views vs Virtual Single View plus Panning & Zooming for instrument readability.Apart from pilot skills, the one essential human attribute on the flight deck is VISION. Normal human vision covers a FIELD of VIEW of 180