Dual Graphics Cards
Dual Graphics Cards
Hi, I'm curious about the advantages of running two cards at once. I've heard mixed things about it. I was planning to upgrade from my 2060 Phoenix GeForce RTX to a new 4060 Windforce RTX, but I'm considering the pros and cons now. My PC handles streaming and editing, and I have a dual monitor setup.
Back then it was possible to utilize both GPUs for video processing in SLI mode. Nowadays, I don't see much advantage, and many cards no longer support SLI. YMMV
SLI/Crossfire can utilize two identical cards together in a game. it was quite problematic and needed to be carefully programmed into each version intended for use. frequently the advantages were not even as strong as those of a single card of the same kind, so it ultimately failed and no longer exists. nevertheless, you can combine them and allocate their functions between various programs or purposes. one might play a game while another encodes a recording. there are numerous other possibilities as well. each program must be set up to use particular resources, but if you have a clear idea and the skills to implement it, there are benefits beyond simply using both in one session.
windows 11 simplifies things somewhat according to my understanding, though i haven’t personally used it. i’ve found tutorials that suggest it’s relatively straightforward to specify which card to use for each task.
you might find useful information by searching online about what you can achieve with two cards, especially if you’re interested in experimenting. it could be enjoyable to explore if you have the time.
And of course, you require the software to back it up, even though it isn't being developed anymore.
The old Laura Croft games and RPGs might benefit from it, but nothing in 2025 uses or acknowledges a Sli setup anymore.
@Math Geek
Sli used to handle various cards from the same brand like Nvidia/ATI, but the most powerful card you could link was the slowest one, which had the lowest performance and struggled to work together.
A simple explanation of my misunderstanding.
It's important to understand the rest of your system. Both components are likely expected to function as PCIe x8 rather than x16, possibly even x4, based on MB, CPU, and chipset. This could affect the performance of the 4060 or both units. Dual GPU usage is not common anymore; eventually, you'll focus more on adding monitors without worrying about performance.