Using two GPUs

[Acronyx]

Hey Forum!
I have been using a 1680x1050@60Hz with a GTX 470 but have now decided to add a 1920x1080@120Hz with a new GTX 690.
I would like to use both monitors and of course an SLI would be ideal but isn't possible. Instead I have been wondering if it makes sense performance-wise (or if it is even possible) to install both cards and connect only the old screen to the 470. Would I get better performance doing this or by connecting both to the 690?
Thanks!

[TenBlade]

Hi, Acronyx. Your 690 is a SLI on a single board. Will easily pull two screens. You could use the old card for PhysX, if that's necessary at all with the 690. I'm going for the 680 4 GB and hook up four screens, confident it'll work. So, 690 should be more than sufficient for two screens.

Bjorn

[Acronyx]

Thanks for the answer. I was never really doubting the 690's ability to pull off two screens, more wondering whether this would actually boost performance slightly because I essentially have a spare 470 now. I'll probably just use the 690 because the 470 just isn't necessary and would only be using power.

[TenBlade]

I'm under the impression that adding a physx processor is unnecessary with these boards (680-90), and yes, there's the power issue, for me at least. 750W isn't enough, I'm afraid. What are your specs anyway? And are you running any particular game?

[Acronyx]

Yeah, I was just thinking more of power consumption in general as the PSU would have coped.

Specs:
CM Storm Trooper
ASUS Rampage IV Formula
Intel 3960x
Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB 2400 MHz
ASUS GTX 690
Corsair AX1200
Corsiar H80
2 x Intel 520 240GB + 1 TB HDD
ASUS VG278H + old BenQ FP202W
Astro A50 and mainly Logitech peripherals (G19, G500, 5.1 Speakers) and an LG BD RW

[HiVizMan]

Use only the 690 card, any gains that there might be will be negated by the extra load on the CPU to manage the different data stream. In some games you will actually get worse performance. There is a very interesting thread talking about this topic and Boarderland2.