As I would like to put a 3dfx card (pref. Voodoo4 4500 PCI or Voodoo5 5500 PCI) of mine into my current system, until I have time to put my 3dfx rig together (which will have to unfortunately be slated to next year to due to heavy final year university work  :() would it be possible to hook up my monitor to two graphics cards at the same time?

My monitor is currently running off my Radeon's DVI port (with the CRT-DVI adapter on the end).  If I could find an adapter cable that could split the signal between a DVI connector and a CRT connector, that would save me having to keep switching the cable round every time I wanted to choose between the Radeon and the Voodoo.

Here's an image I drew to make more sense of what I mean:

http://www.jstorey.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/splitter%20schematic.gif

Do these splitter cables exist?  What I would be looking for is one that would connect to my CRT connector on my monitor cable, and would output with another CRT connector but also a DVI connector as well.

Wishful thinking?

You can get a KVM which will do exactly that, but i'm not sure if there are switch-cables that do it :s

KVM Switch?   ???

Google perhaps.

Had a look, and DO'H!

Should have realised that already!  We use these at work!  ;D Hehe.

I just thought there could have been an easier way such as a Y-Cable splitter which would then allow me to switch between the two using a software app.

Oh well.  Cheers anyway.

Here's something I found:

http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/sv211micro.html

This is what I meant. Something like this, but omitting the PS/2 connectors, of course.  :)

That looks mighty cuter than the last KVM that iv'e seen

[square metal box with a stove-like switch, back in 97' or so in my school's computer lab thing.. lol]

Hmm...cables are O.K. - but I prefer boxes. ;)

@DenisF is probably referring to something like THIS... ::)

http://www.cablesnmor.com/video-switch-box.html

Which is what I plan to get once my PCI V5500 arrives... ;D

(Maplin U.K. sells something similar) ::)

THIS one is cooler - all digital! 8)

http://www.cablesnmor.com/vga-switch-box.html

I might even think about an import... ;)

And now, some eBay links for the manual version... ;)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45341&item=6706170639&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45341&item=6708491098&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45341&item=6707054103&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

Okay, that'll do! :P

yeh i was talkin about those, goddamn did that bring some bad youth memories or what

Okay, my MAC V5500 PCI arrived TODAY! ;D 8)

So I've got my DUAL video card system up and flyin'! ;)

(Add one V5500 and one Radeon 9700Pro - mix vigorously - and enjoy! Heheheh!) ;D

Here's the 'recipe' with Pro's and Con's... ::)

INGREDIENTS
==========

Your PC (whatever it may be) with it's 'normal' GFX card... :D

One PCI V5500 (PC or re-flashed MAC card) ;D

One MANUAL KVM for monitor switching (see my last post) - auto KVM's are no good as BOTH cards are active at the same time. ::)

Two Male-Male VGA cables (preferably high quality). ;)

RECIPE
=====

Put your V5500 in your PC and install the drivers (you can install 3Dfx tools if you want...but we'll get to that later) :P

O.K., now plug your monitor into the central port of the KVM (usually marked I/O) ;)

Plug the 1st VGA cable into your MAIN GFX card and then into the LEFT KVM port (usually marked A) ;)

Plug the 2nd VGA cable into your V5500 GFX card and then into the RIGHT KVM port (usually marked B) ;)

There ya' go! ALL DONE! :D

PRO's 8)
====

Hardware GLiDE support!
You've got a Voodoo in your case!
A SECOND desktop...useful!

CON's :'(
====

No 3Dfx tools (they just DON'T work!)
You have to keep switching screens...
The MAC V5500 uses a 'non-standard' DVI socket (MAC DVI probably...)

There ya' go people - all the details laid out plain! :D

Now go KICK A$$ in U.T.! 8)

==EDIT==

Almost forgot... ::)

Obviously, you'll have to install the drivers for your V5500 when setting this up. (Your Radeon should be fully installed...) :P

Once this is done, go to 'Display Properties' and to 'settings'... ;)

...click on the SECOND monitor (should say V5500) and then click the box 'extend my desktop onto this monitor' to ACTIVATE video output from the V5500. ;D

That's all folks! 8)

wrote on 08.10.04 at 01:32:23:

yeh i was talkin about those, goddamn did that bring some bad youth memories or what

Yes, these do look quite the antique don't they?  I remember going to my first computer fair a few years back now, and remember seeing these. They look as if they had been brought to the fair for the past 20 years.  :D

Still they do the job, but they look quite ugly in my highly fashionable PC cupboard!  ;D

Paul, thanks for the recipe.  I would have asked for this sooner or later, so thanks for reading my mind! ;D

Did you have any trouble installing the V5's 3dfx drivers after your Radeon's presence already being there?

No driver conflicts or software side affects?

Also, which V5 drivers did you use?

Is it possible to switch between the two cards (for the time being until I get a switch box) by just removing the monitor cable from one card, and plugging it onto another?  While the PC (and the two graphics cards) are powered up?  ???

How will the PC know which card I am currently using?  Or does it need to know?

e.g. using the Radeon 9500 PRO, then I change the cable over to run a 3dfx game.  Will the game still run?

Paul,

I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45341&item=6715089622

Will this do the same job as the old antique switch boxes?

Allo matey! ;)

Okay, Q&A time... :D

First off congrats on the V5500 MAC, I spotted you a while back... 8)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5128892662&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Second - nope there are absolutely NO driver conflicts!(although I haven't yet tried ALL of the games on my system...) :P

I used the Amigamerlin 3.1 - soon going to update to the recent 3.1r1 ;D

It is possible to switch between the cards by unplugging the monitor cable - even when the machine is powered. :D

As for 'which card' to use - most games will have a setup (like U.T.) that will let you choose this... :P

Hmm...that mini KVM 'should' work - but you'd have to think of an 'awkward' keyboard combo. to switch screens with...I prefer the old switchboxes - it's manual, but it WORKS! ::)

==EDIT==

This post has been corrected, see my later post for details... ::)

wrote on 17.10.04 at 07:48:43:

First off congrats on the V5500 MAC, I spotted you a while back... 8) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5128892662&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Yeah, I need a temp 3dfx card to play my retro games.  I can't be bothered waiting around until I build my 3dfx rig.  Like I said, I won't have time this year with being in my final year at uni.


Quote:

I used the Amigamerlin 3.1 - soon going to update to the recent 3.1r2 ;D

Will they include the 3dfx Tools?  Should I install the 3dfx Tools if they do?


Quote:

As for 'which card' to use - most games will have a setup (like U.T.) that will let you choose this... :P

What about the games that don't?



Quote:

Hmm...that mini KVM 'should' work - but you'd have to think of an 'awkward' keyboard combo. to switch screens with...I prefer the old switchboxes - it's manual, but it WORKS! ::)

I think it's just a case of connecting my keyb/mouse to the switcher instead of the computer.

Okay, the 'original' Amigamerlin 3.1 DO include the 3Dfx tools, whereas the 3.1r1 is just a driver update (so you need both). ::)

I don't think you'll need the tools, as they are inaccessible anyhow... :(

Hmm...come to think of it games 'should' use the GFX card assigned to the FIRST monitor on your PC - so most games will use your Radeon, unless you tell them otherwise... :P

Heh, a bit obvious...your keyboard and mouse HAVE to go to the switcher for this type of KVM to work! ;)

==EDIT==

Corrected my mistake about the Amigamerlin driver version No.'s...thanks Patience! :-*

Cool.  ;D Thanks paulpsomiadis for the KVM tips and the card presedence.  Thanks Patience for the driver tips.  I'll be sure to grab a copy of the full update.