I'm using an RX 9070 XT with a 4K gaming monitor while playing media on a second display, and I'm noticing some lag. I'm considering adding a second graphics card just to handle the other monitor and video playback. Are there inexpensive GPUs with at least three display outputs that draw power only from the motherboard's PCIe slot? I already have a GTX 1050 Ti and could add another 6-pin cable to my power supply if using it as the second card makes sense.
3 Answers
Before buying another GPU, check the rest of the system. This could be caused by the CPU, an undersized or poorly connected PSU, browser hardware acceleration, or graphics-driver software. The CPU, motherboard, RAM, PSU model, and monitor connections would help narrow it down.
Try disabling hardware acceleration in the browser or media app, and make sure the 9070 XT has the recommended separate power cables from the PSU. A clean driver installation can also help if the issue started after installing or updating the graphics software. If your processor has integrated graphics, that may be enough to run the second display.
A second GPU may not solve the problem and could make the motherboard run the primary slot at x8, although the performance loss is usually minor. If the goal is only video playback, a low-end card with three outputs is fine, but first confirm that the 1050 Ti is compatible with your PSU and has the correct power connector. If you want the second card for frame generation or other advanced workloads, that requires a different setup than simply offloading media.
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