Question on onboard graphic chip

  • Thread starter Thread starter FUNG WAI KEUNG
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FUNG WAI KEUNG

Hi all,

Is it possible to re-activate onboard graphic chip when I plug in another graphic
card on my AGP/PCI slot so that I can have 2 graphic chips on for my dualhead system,
for example?

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========
Regards,
Wai-keung, Fung

Department of Automation and Computer-Aided Engineering,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong,
Shatin, N.T.,
Hong Kong

Tel: (852)26098056 Fax: (852)26036002
Email: (e-mail address removed)
 
FUNG WAI KEUNG said:
Hi all,

Is it possible to re-activate onboard graphic chip when I plug in
another graphic card on my AGP/PCI slot so that I can have 2 graphic
chips on for my dualhead system, for example?

========
Regards,
Wai-keung, Fung
Click to expand...

The AGP bus can physically have two or more agents present, but
logically only one can be activated at a time. So, either the
graphics function inside the Northbridge can use the AGP or
a graphics card plugged into the AGP connector can use the AGP,
but not both at the same time.

You can add a PCI card, to get a second screen. Or even two
PCI cards to get a second and third screen (but it would be
really slow and annoying). You don't have to use the AGP at
all, if you want.

You can also use a video card with "dual head" capabilities,
to drive more than one monitor but only use up one bus position.
The dual head monitor could be run from the AGP slot with an
AGP video card or from a PCI slot with a PCI based video card.

As to how many monitors can be used, that will be limited by the
system software. An older OS might only support the primary
screen.

If you need to run a lot of monitors, take a look at this product.
It will drive four monitors:

http://www.matrox.com/mga/products/qid/features.cfm

My best guess,
Paul
 
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