Multi-GPU, how to chose default? (different cards)

Hey,

Quick question, maybe someone that has experienced this can help. I have an HTPC I use to drive my bigscreen for movies, etc. As such, I originally bought a low end GPU (GT 610). Simply because I didnt need the power to run anything. And, it has an HDMI output, which can bitstream sounds.

I also have a GTX260, which is an older card, but it should still much faster than the 610.

I have both in there, but it appears that whenever I try to run a game, the 610 is in use. (poor performance). Is there any way to set the GTX260 as the default? This card isn't driving a screen, and I need the 610 to putput via HDMI which the 260 doesnt have... But... Can I somehow output with the 610, and render games with the 260 for better performance?

Eventually I'll get a faster card for this pc.

Thanks

Basically this is not possible. The card that does the work also has to do the output. Otherwise the whole framebuffer would always have to be copied across the PCIe bus, which would cost a lot of performance like it can be seen with Lucid Virtu for example.

That makes sense, thanks.

omniscence said:

Basically this is not possible. The card that does the work also has to do the output. Otherwise the whole framebuffer would always have to be copied across the PCIe bus, which would cost a lot of performance like it can be seen with Lucid Virtu for example.

Click to expand...

Basically this. The power of the 260 will only be used when it's outputting to a display, otherwise it's sitting there waiting for... a dedication to physX?

Just use a DVI to HDMI cable for video, and something like this for audio. If you are running a receiver, just run a digital audio cable from your computer to your receiver for Audio. No need to be limited just because you want to shoehorn your audio over clunky ass HDMI. Use the GTX260.

GotNoRice said:

Just use a DVI to HDMI cable for video, and something like this for audio. If you are running a receiver, just run a digital audio cable from your computer to your receiver for Audio. No need to be limited just because you want to shoehorn your audio over clunky ass HDMI. Use the GTX260.

Click to expand...

Big difference between the audio solution you provided (No AC3, no 5.1, no DTS, no nothing except 2 channel audio) vs what comes out of an HDMI port.

RamonGTP said:

Big difference between the audio solution you provided (No AC3, no 5.1, no DTS, no nothing except 2 channel audio) vs what comes out of an HDMI port.

Click to expand...

OP provided nothing to indicate what he is using for Audio other than a vague reference to a bigscreen. Many just use their TV speakers and thus nothing beyond stereo, in which case you wouldn't lose anything with the analog cable. You'll also notice the 2nd part of my post that you quoted, where I reference possibly running a digital audio cable from the computer to the receiver (if he is using one), which would match any audio capabilities of HDMI.