Do Dual video cards benefit editors, or just gamers?

A

AppaLuci

Active member
Was considering a system with DUAL NVIDIA GeForce8700M GT (w/SLI) 512MB graphics cards. In this scenario, would be going only 2G DDR2 RAM.

Otherwise, it's a single NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT card... and then 4G RAM (juggling around costs and what is and isn't necessary).

Wondering if the dual thing, as slick as it sounds, is really a benefit to an editor. (This brand, alienware, is known for catering to gamers primarily)

Still searching for my sweet set-up!
Thanks!
 
i dont think it benefits us editors.. more RAM and better HD do.... yes u want to have a nice graphic card but going overkill on a gaming card like that is not needed unless u have cash to burn.
 
Saturnin, thanks for that feedback. I just needed a nudge in the right direction on this since I had no exposure to dual video cards before. No interest in burning cash, so 4G RAM it is.
 
The videocard only comes into play for post apps using the GPU, like Color, Shake or Motion.
For basic editing it won´t do much...
 
I can't imagine enditing on the single screen setup aymore ... well, I can (and do); but it's not fun.

Having dual monitors is THE way to go.


- Mikko ... could use 4 at times...
 
Hey Mikko,
I believe Lucinda wanted to know if she needed TWO SEPERATE videocards, in her case Nvidias SLI technique...
Dual DVI-out is a must of course...
 
Yeah, I'll nix the thought of 2 dual cards and get more RAM instead...but I like the 2 monitor set-up idea which I've not used yet. I wonder if that is something I'd be capable of doing with the one video card? Im not sure how that works yet!

As far as Dual DVI-out Spartacus, this laptop I'm looking at doesn't appear to have dual (isn't that unusual?), but there's one DVI-D out... so I suppose that's just as good, to have one external monitor plus the laptop's 17" LCD as well. Again, IF I the video card allows for separate workflow on 2 screens....

Hey, would somebody please post an answer to my other question in here, comparing 2 video cards?? :)

I'm soaking this all in for a purchase...would like to pull the trigger today.....

Thanks guys!
 
You are looking for a laptop?
With two video cards?
Last time I checked this was only possible with very view specialised models...

Anyway,
if the laptop has a DVI-out, get a good 19" or 20" TFT, it will give you more space to arange your Premiere workspace.
 
yah u can get a single video card with dual monitor inputs that very common... u dont need two cards for each monitor anymore..back in the day they didnt have dual inputs on single cards. As for laptops..i dont do laptops but i'd imainge u could find a dualt monitor laptop but it prolly be pricey.

I'm a film beliver of editing on a station and not laptop...but yah like everyone says..get a better chip,stock up on ram and raid yoru drives if u need to ...and u are laughin.
good luck
 
You will be able to run two monitors with a single graphic card. I'm useing a lower end NVIDIA GeForce 5500 (I think) and I currently have it set up with Two LCD. For our use it is good. Running two off one card kinda splits the GPU power between the two cards. Fine for me, gamers might not accept. You just have to make sure that your card has two outputs.
Also mine has a Svid output so I have a regular tv hooked up so that I can play clips to see what it looks like in SD. So it is set up like my system has 3 monitors.
 
Wow, you're smokin with your 3 monitor system. Yeah, I ended up going with 8700 NVIDIA GeForce something er other, and it's all 2.1 open GL complient and has 512 MB and all that good stuff. Will use 2 monitors (I don't know about 3!). Also have HDMI output... hmmm.

Oh yeah, Sparticus the dual vid card setup in a laptop was Alienware's, and yes, they build for gamers primarily. I didn't end up going with them, I went with a faster CPU and FSB and 6MB cache. Anyway, yes I got a laptop... wish I had the lifestyle for a desktop station and gazillion-core render-munching monster and all... aw well. Hoping this'll kick some butt though.
 
That is great. I think the faster CPU is a smarter move. That and more memory will sped up your editing time (computer wise) The HDMI output is very nice, well if you have a HDTV, unlike me :(

Cheers,
Scott
 
No, you dont need dual graphics boards for editing, except that it is possible to pimp 4 monitors with 2 graphics boards. I dont know how complex of a setup process it is, but I have a friend who is doing it, and it is ****ing sweet. 4 30 inch LCDs with FCP. Granted, i hate FCP, but its pretty dope.
 
If you do decide to add a second graphic card so that you can run 4 screens. You really sould make sure that both cards are of the same chipset. ATI cards with ati cards and NVIDIA with NVIDIA. I'm sure you can run two different brands, but from when I was researching everywhere I read said keep them the same, it will work out smother.
 
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