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    SLI and dual monitors?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by eleron911, Oct 28, 2008.

  1. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    Could I connect my XPS1730 to a 24inch LCD while keeping SLI enabled?
    It`s the only reason I didn`t buy one yet...cause to play at native, I need SLI...
     
    eleron911, Oct 28, 2008
    #1
  2. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Yes, but the most you can do with SLI'd cards is two without a box like a MatroxDualHead2Go.
    Video cards have two outputs, so non SLI would allow for (theoretically) four connections. SLI combines the two cards to a single set of outputs.
     
    Hep!, Oct 28, 2008
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  3. Qwakrz

    Qwakrz Notebook Consultant

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    The new 180.xx drivers from nVidia are supposed to allow 2 outputs from a graphics card when in SLi mode (the same as ATi have done for a while now).

    No idea how the monitor connectors are setup on a laptop so it may not be possible.

    Best bet is to check out the reviews of the beta 180.xx drivers.
     
    Qwakrz, Oct 28, 2008
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  4. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    I`m using the 180.42 drivers and I have a 22 inch LCD around.
    I`ll have to test it and see...
    Thanks guys.
     
    eleron911, Oct 28, 2008
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  5. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    Well, it only works for either the LCD on the laptop or the external one, not both.

    Technically, I guess it`s what I`m looking for, erm...
     
    eleron911, Oct 31, 2008
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  6. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    sli doesnt make a difference. You will only be able to run one video output at a time. The only way to use two screens is to get a matrox dual head 2 go or a triple head 2 go.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Oct 31, 2008
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  7. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    You can do it with Crossfire. I have 2x LCD attached to my 4870x2 on my desktop. The 180x driver is supposed to do it for Nvidia.
     
    lixuelai, Oct 31, 2008
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  8. Tippey764

    Tippey764 Notebook Deity

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    Sli dosent make a diffrence?!?!? are you kidding me?????
     
    Tippey764, Nov 1, 2008
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  9. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    i am not talking about game performance, sli does not effect the amount of screens you can have plugged into your laptop. Their is a limited number of graphics outputs on a laptop. You cant just plug in 4 screens cause the system has SLI. You still need to get a graphics splitter, unless you have a screen which runs of hdmi, and one of dvi.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Nov 1, 2008
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  10. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    If the notebook supports dual outputs with one card, it will with SLI. That's what I was trying to say in my original post. As K-Tron said, SLI will not make a difference in this case since outputs are combined into a single set in an SLI configuration.
     
    Hep!, Nov 1, 2008
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  11. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    SLI is worse to run dual monitors with at least not before 180x drivers from NV. With SLI you can only use 1 monitor. Either the notebook's LCD or the external. Not both at the same time. The 180x drivers supposedly fixed that however.
     
    lixuelai, Nov 1, 2008
    #11