Adding another Video controller safely

[Terry O'Brien 0]

Can I add another high end video controller to my Sim without damaging it so that I can support more than 3 monitors?

 

[himmelhorse 1,276]

Terry,

I am not quite sure what you are taling about here but I wlll attempt to help you out.

It is entirely feasible to add another GPU (controller???) if you have a spare PCIe slot on your mother board.and you can then plug in as many monitors as you have GPU outputs. The next step is to go into your resolution set up (right click on desktop... screen resolution ad set up your new or all) monitors from there. Adjust your screens positions so that you can intuitively and logically move your mouse from screen to screen.

However, and it is a big however, if you undock a panel and move it to any screen other than your main monitor, it will, I repeat, will have an negative effect on your frame rates. This is not as applicable on FS9 (I have been running 6 screens on that platform using up to three GPUs) and still achieving 40FPS. All other platforms though, will bog you down very quickly to unacceptable frame rates and to my knowledge there is no solution. Please note that my system specs are now fairly ancient and I am well overdue for an update. As such I am not at all sure if the new CPU and GPU combinations are effectively combatting this Frame Rate problem, but I do know that there is still an impact regardless of your set up. The more screens you undock to, the more impact it will have. 

As an example of this, with my system specs, I can run three screens on P3Dv4 but frames are reduced from 40+ using a single monitor, to a maximum of a stuttery 20 FPS using three undocked panels on three displays. 

As I do not know your system specs or platform, nor what you are trying to achieve, I can only surmise that I am on the right track with this advice. Also remember that you can connect as many monitors as you like with no FPS effect UNTIL you undock a panel and move it to another screen. I also found that moving (undocking) 2 or more panels to a display had no further impact on your frame rates. For example if you are utilising three screens with a single undocked panel on each of your screens (I am not talking about your main display, so in this case I am referring to 2 monitors in a three screen setup) you will have "X" frame rate. Undocking a further six panels to those existing displays will have no further impact on your frame rates.

I hope this helps, and if not, please get back to us but this time with a few more details on specs and what you are really trying to achieve. I am sure someone will be able to help.

Good luck 

Regards to all

Tony

[Terry O'Brien 0]

Thank You Tony for your response … I will describe my system and tell you what I want to achieve:

1. Intel 4 Core i7-4770K (Overclocked) to 4.6 GHz with 8 Logical Processors

2.16.0 GB Physical RAM

3. ASUS Z87 SABERTOOTH

4. OS x64 Based PC Microsoft Windows 10 Professional

5. Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti Display Adapter

6. 1000 watt Corsair Power supply

I would like to add the following Display adapter:

7.  EVGA GeForce GTX 770 Classified Display adapter

Can you reconfirm this additional display adapter for me please.

Cheers

Terry

[himmelhorse 1,276]

Terry,

I am unfamiliar with your motherboard, but if it has 2 PCIe channels and you have room in your case, I can see no reason whatsoever, for you not to be able to utilise your GTX 770.

From memory you have 3 or 5 outputs on that card (not sure) but go your hardest young man.

If I were you, I would utilise the GTX980ti for your main screen and the 770 for your panel displays.

If you have any further problems please let me know.

Regards

Tony