On windows XP, I added a 2nd inexpensive PCI graphics card (yes PCI, not PCI express). It's a NVIDIA GeForce 8400 with 512MB RAM and it is on the list of CUDA enabled devices. Based on the BOINC Manager messages, I'm not sure that this system is seeing or utilizing the second card. I'm still getting the seti@home message "running (0.02 CPUs, 1 CUDA)". Also, on my Vista home system in the startup messages, it explicitly lists the 2nd card AND I see 5 instead of 4 process running. I'm not seeing either the messages or an extra process on XP.

Both the primary graphics card (Nvidia 8500, 512MB ram) and this card use the same driver. I have re-installed the driver and rebooted the system and repeated both tasks several times.

The cards are not setup SLI.

Following the procedure from this forum in Feb 2009 threads, I have uninstalled BOINC Manager AND deleted all BOINC directories (and reinstalled).

Any suggestions how to tell if both GPU's are being actively utilized on this system? Or, more importantly, if my suspicions are correct how to get the second GPU engaged. Note if I can get this to work, adding a second GPU is very inexpensive (less than $50) and most of my system has at least an open PCI slot.

I posted a similar question at boinc.berkley.com which I will either delete or cross reference back to this discussion. The CUDA details here seemed to be a little richer.

Thanks!

Gary

I vaguely remember to have read about the need for a (dummy) monitor to be plugged to each card.

Gruß,
Gundolf

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Computer sind nicht alles im Leben. (Kleiner Scherz)

SETI@home classic workunits 3,758
SETI@home classic CPU time 66,520 hours

I posted a similar question at boinc.berkley.com which I will either delete or cross reference back to this discussion.

You won't be able to delete it there. I can, though... ;-)

Anyway, try to extend your desktop to the other video card. This overcomes the problem of getting a dummy VGA 'card' on XP. Vista's drivers are already updated to work around this. The Nvidia developers are aware of the problem and will some day soon release a fix.

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Thanks for the details! And please, if you have time, delete my 'other' thread too.

Gary

You're welcome. On second thoughts, I'll leave the thread at the BOINC forums in place as it may still be of use to other people.

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Under the tasks tab you will see a CUDA task running for each GPU enabled. Yes, you must use a dummy plug or second display on your second video card, and in display settings, extend your desktop to the second monitor. Google making a dummy plug. I made one for my second video card in less than five minutes with a few resistors I picked up at Radio Shack and the DVI to VGA adapter that came with my video card.

Not everyone is technically challenged or has good soldering iron skills. And a warning should be given that you can severely damage the videocard if you don't know what you're doing exactly.

But as I have said, the Nvidia developers are aware of the problem and are looking into a fix with the drivers.

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