Many users wonder if it’s possible to put more than one video card into a single computer. The answer is yes, but depends on the cards and whether or not you want them to work together (e.g., SLI or CrossFire). The following sections contain information on different scenarios.

Using multiple cards in general

If you’d like to install more than one card, but don’t need them to work together, you need to meet the following conditions:

  • Using multiple cards in general.

  • Using more than one card together.

  • Before you install.

  • Windows 98 multiple monitor support requirements.

  • Windows 98 multiple monitor issues.

  • There need to be available resources on the computer. By this we mean appropriate slots and space.

  • Ensure you’re not using an EGA, CGA, or VGA card in one computer.

  • Ensure you’re using an operating system that supports multiple monitors. Almost all modern operating systems support multiple monitors. Anything earlier than Windows 98 does not support multiple monitors.

Using more than one card together

User who are looking to use more than one card to increase their graphics processing power, such as an SLI or CrossFire setup, must meet the following requirements:

  • You need two or more SLI or CrossFire capable GPUs and bridge to connect the cards.
  • All cards must use the same GPU, but don’t necessarily need to be from the same manufacturer.
  • All cards need the same bus width and amount of VRAM.
  • You cannot have two different SLI or CrossFire configurations. For example, you can’t have two GTX 960s and two GTX 980s in the same machine (see number 2).

Before you install

Before installing a secondary video card, we recommend you review the below checklist first to help prevent possible issues in the future.

Some OEM systems have restrictions on how many video cards work with their systems.

SLI and CrossFire only work with GPUs that use a PCIe interface and are seated in a 16x or 8x PCIe expansion slot.

Windows 98 multiple monitor support requirements

For multiple monitor support to operate, you must meet the below requirements:

Do you have a large enough power supply?

Does your computer have a free AGP, PCI, or PCIe slot?

Do you have the available resources for a new video card? See IRQ page for additional information. New versions of Windows (XP and above) should be able to handle system resources for you.

Do you have an application or operating system capable of utilizing the new video card separately or in conjunction with the existing one?

If you are running Windows 98, verify that it meets the requirements for multiple monitor support listed below.

  • You are running Direct X 5.0 or higher.
  • You are using a PCI or AGP card listed below each card for each monitor.

Supported video cards:

ATI Mach 64 GX, GXD, VTATI Graphics Pro Turbo PCIATI Graphics XpressionATI Rage I, II, and II+ATI All-In-WonderATI 3D Xpression+ (PC2TV)ATI 3D Xpression+California Graphics V2/DXCirrus 5436Cirrus 5446CyberPro 2000A, 2 MBDiamond Fire GL Pro 1000 PCI (AGP)Diamond Stealth 64 Video 2001Diamond Stealth 3D 2000, 3000, and 2000 ProET6000Hercules Dynamite 128/VideoHercules Terminator 64/VideoInterGraphics System (IGS)Jayton Video - 57PMicro Crystal VR4000Micro TwinHead 22SDNumber Nine 9FX Reality 332, 334, and 772Permedia*S3 AuroraS3 765 (Must be recognized in Device Manager as Trio64V+)S3 Trio64V2 (DX/GX)S3 ViRGESTB PowerGraph 64V+STB PowerGraph 3DSTB Lightspeed 128STB MVP 64 or 64 3DSTB Nitro 3DSTB Velocity 3DSTB WorkStation (2 & 4 output)TI TVP4020, 8 MB PCI or AGPTrident 9685/9680/9682/9385/9382/9385Videologic GraphicStar 410ViRGE 325ViRGE VX (988)ViRGE DX (385)ViRGE GX (385)

*The Permedia video card cannot be used as the primary display adapter (the Permedia NT and Permedia-2 do not apply to this rule).

Windows 98 multiple monitor issues

The following tips help you resolve many common issues with a dual display setup in Windows 98.

Screen savers that only work on the primary monitor

Screen savers that are not designed for multiple monitors only work on the primary monitor. For a screen saver to be active on both monitors, the screen saver must support multiple monitors.

Unable to drag a window from one screen to another

This issue can occur by one of the below possibilities.

  • The window is maximized, make sure that the window is sized appropriately to drag.
  • Your monitor position is not set properly. Go into your display properties, and then verify that the secondary monitor is set to the appropriate position.

How to arrange multiple monitors

  • Click Start, Settings, and double-click the Display icon.
  • Click the Settings tab.
  • Move the screen icons to the appropriate position based on preference, or how the monitors are set up on your computer desk.

MS-DOS program is not fullscreen

On the appropriate monitor with the MS-DOS window open, press Alt+Enter.

How to view the same desktop across multiple monitors

  • Click Start, Settings, and then double-click the Display icon.
  • Click the Settings tab.
  • Click the monitor that you want to use and select the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor option.
  • See our video card definition for further information.
  • Video card help and support.