A workstation-grade motherboard, like one that features X299 or TRX40 chipsets, is capable of handling four or more NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards. Dual graphics cards also require a desktop enclosure that is big enough to hold the additional hardware, and a power supply capable of handling the two cards. If you are not playing video games or using two monitors with your computer, you will not see any improvements to your systems performance from running dual graphics cards.

Even with two top-tier graphics cards, the lower-end CPU may limit how much data your computer system provides for dual graphics cards. As with everything, there are some drawbacks that arise from running more than one GPU card. If you are a researcher, a video editor, or you have some other app that requires massive processing power, having more GPUs running your job much quicker than depending on a single card.

Running complex AI simulations, using advanced 3D modeling software, or running current games at ultra-high resolutions, for instance, typically requires more computing power than what a single GPU can deliver. For these specific performance requirements, both NVIDIA and AMD are offering solutions in which users can integrate and use multiple GPUs simultaneously on their systems, in order to meet the higher compute demands of demanding games or software applications. The answer is, most PC motherboards are capable of supporting up to six GPUs simultaneously, depending on the specific motherboard and GPU model.

Now, on this Motherboard, I could run an AMD Crossfire, or have two AMD graphics cards installed — since AMD GPUs can run on the X4 slot — but I cannot have two NVIDIA graphics cards installed. Now, for your motherboard to support two NVIDIA graphics cards in SLI mode, you have to have two PCIe x16 slots that are able to operate at x8/x8. We cannot tell you what is going to work for you, but I would almost always rather stick to one strong card rather than dual cards in SLI or Crossfire.

Using two (or more) video cards in tandem — known as SLI for NVIDIA cards, and Crossfire for AMD cards — can give you better performance, sometimes for less money than you would spend for a comparable single-card solution. In short, using two video cards may require a bit more care and tuning from your side, be it due to compatibility issues, heat, or simply dealing with micro-stuttering. If you know that you would greatly benefit from the increased 3D performance multiple cards provide, then by all means, go for it.

If you are a gamer, you want to have a good video card in your gaming setup that delivers quality graphics. While gamers run just a single graphics card in their systems, using the PCI Express bifurcation, it is possible to run multiple graphics cards at x16 speeds in one system. The graphics cards also need to be connected together using the bridge connector, usually included in either the card or motherboard, and SLI/Crossfire functionality needs to be enabled on the graphics drivers control panel too (we will show how in the next section).

We cannot tell what is going to be good for you, but I am almost always looking to get one strong single card over the duals on the SLI or crossfire. Using two (or more) video cards in tandem — known as SLI for NVIDIA cards, and Crossfire for AMD cards — can give you better performance, sometimes for less money than you would spend for a comparable single-card solution. While both ATI and Nvidia offer lower-priced cards with double-card capabilities, you could be spending as much for a single card that has the same or better performance than the two low-priced GPUs.

By having a dual-card graphics system, you can, in many titles, achieve significantly better performance than having just one, flagship GPU. The main advantage to having dual graphics cards is increased performance for video games.

If you are not playing video games, or using two monitors with your computer, then you will not experience any system performance improvements from running dual graphics cards. Some games might show reduced performance over the single graphics card configuration. Instead of seeing an improvement in graphics performance from your rig, some dual-GPU cards can actually end up performing worse than their single-GPU counterparts. The only times that multiple graphics cards makes sense is when users stand to benefit from improved 3D performance.

In a perfect world, using multiple graphics cards should improve performance. Installing two or more graphics cards working together provides better performance for video, 3D, and gaming than using one graphics card alone. This multi-GPU configuration provides enhanced performance while working in conjunction, delivering enhanced performance for higher-resolution games.

While there are compatibility issues associated with running multi-GPU configurations (discussed later), SLI will enable the use of anywhere from two to four cards simultaneously. Using SLI, up to 4 graphics cards can be connected, where workload is spread across them all for effective performance.

If you are a researcher, a video editor, or you have some other app that requires massive processing power, then having more GPUs running your job much quicker than depending on a single card. There are a few workstation rendering farm setups out there that make using multiple GPUs almost additive, but most regular PC users (including video editors, graphic designers, streamers, and gamers) will only see tiny benefits from adding a second GPU. When you do find a game or program that actually does improve performance by stacking multiple GPUs together, you will find that you have found your way to an advantage over last generations flagship cards.

The one scenario in which you will be using more than one GPU is if you are pairing two of the highest performing GPUs in order to address a very specific performance need — for example, a complicated 3D render, running physics modeling engines for engineers, or gaming at extreme resolutions and or refresh rates. Also, there are cases when running two middle-of-the-road cards in SLI or Crossfire will equal and even surpass performance from top-tier GPUs. Comparable performance is also possible with the purchase of just one top-tier card, and this performance is unlikely to be affected by SLI/Crossfire, or by games not supporting it correctly.

While AMD and Nvidia offer cards at a lower price point that have the ability to double up, you could be spending just as much for a card that performs as well, or better, as a pair of low-end GPUs. Using two (or more) video cards in tandem–known as SLI for Nvidia cards, and Crossfire for AMD cards–can give you better performance, sometimes for less money than you would spend for a comparable single-card solution. At the same time, if you are unwilling to spend extra money getting your system set up for work, and you are unwilling to deal with games or software that do not support SLI or Crossfire, you may be better off going with a higher-end single video card, like a Titan X. Comparable performance is also attainable with the purchase of a high-end single card, and this performance is unlikely to be affected by SLI/Crossfire or a game that does not support it correctly.

We cannot tell you what is going to be right for you, but I would almost always look to get a powerful single card over dual cards in SLI or Crossfire. Yes, it is still possible to go with two graphics cards, even if your motherboard does not come with Nvidia SLI or AMD Crossfire. Unless you are playing video games or using two monitors with your PC, you will not get any boost to system performance from running dual graphics cards. Even with two top-tier graphics cards, the lower-end CPU may limit how much data your computer system provides for dual graphics cards.

Instead of seeing the graphics performance improve in your setup, some dual-GPU cards may end up performing worse than their single-GPU counterparts. In theory, having more graphics cards sharing the load of handling frames means that your system could produce frames faster, but as you will see later on in this article, multiple-GPU setups do not provide a linear performance increase (although, in some games, dual GPUs can yield nearly double the performance, on an average frame rate basis). For games that actually do support SLI, scaling generally falls below the 200% expected of two identical GPUs, and the recently introduced Scan-Line Interface by 3Dfx is susceptible to microstuttering (particularly with alternate frame rendering modes) and other performance issues that are not present with single-GPU rendering. Installing two or more graphics cards working cooperatively provides better performance in video, 3D, and gaming than using one graphics card.

This multi-GPU configuration provides enhanced performance while working in conjunction, delivering enhanced performance for higher-resolution games. Regardless of the higher-resolution graphics and higher FPS, a dual-GPU configuration may prove to be considerably more beneficial in other areas. Personally, I would recommend not using dual GPU setups, at least if you only intend on using them exclusively for gaming, not additionally for video editing. What makes the AMD Radeon HD 7990 unique is that you can still use it in a dual-GPU setup.

It is pretty obvious why choosing between an AMD GPU versus Nvidia GPU matters, but when you start picking a particular brand, it is not so obvious. AMD and Nvidia hardware is so similar that it simply does not matter which you purchase. Even if you do not think it matters which GPU maker you pick, the difference in pricing between AMD and Nvidia might make you rethink that. For certain GPU models, this really does make a difference, but for most scenarios, if you are spending over $50 more for another brand, then it is just not worth the effort.

All different card manufacturers source their GPUs from the same places, NVIDIA and AMD. All the different card manufacturers have the same place where they get the graphics cards. The differences between brands of the same graphics cards are just companies putting chips onto PCBs. The memory brands may differ among cards, typically, Hynix or Samsung are the desired chips.

Sometimes these reference-design cards are sold direct from Nvidia (or, less frequently, AMD). Depending on the graphics chip in question, these board partners might sell their own, custom-branded versions of the reference cards (following the designs and specifications established by AMD or Nvidia), or they would make their own bespoke products, featuring different fan designs, minor overclocking done at the factory, or features like LED-based ambient lighting. Meanwhile, both AMD and NVIDIA ship their PCB (printed circuit board) designs out to third-party companies specializing in making video cards, such as XFX, ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, Sapphire, Evga, and many others. You see, although NVIDIA and AMD sell their chips directly to electronics manufacturers to be included in all sorts of things, ranging from laptops and desktops, gaming consoles, cell phones, and even cars, they also sell to third-party graphics card manufacturers like EVGA or Sapphire.

That is, NVIDIA and AMD make and sell GPUs to companies, which are then free to customise any of the above aspects of a graphics card however they want, without changing the GPU itself at all. If two cards in the same NVIDIA or AMD product line are the same model, can fit into your PCs chassis, and connect to your motherboard, then there will not be any major differences in the way that they render your games. The standard AMD and NVIDIA cooler designs are not going to give you the best possible performance that can come out of the GPU chips that are used, particularly if you are just looking at the market for single graphics cards, and you do not want the blower setup. In terms of gaming performance, the Nvidia GPU is probably a better choice, but you also cannot go wrong with the AMD card.

Sometimes the brand makes little difference, and while they are the same brand, some people end up with cards that are harder to overclock, and are stronger than others.

While the exact amount of storage required by gaming PCs depends on each users unique needs and requirements, 1TB storage is enough for most gamers. A 1TB SSD is more than sufficient for gaming needs for an average gamer. A 1TB HDD is generally recommended storage for gaming PCs. The storage capacity of 1TB is considered to be the best for gaming PCs.

If you are using cloud storage, and you are not streaming or downloading a lot of games, then a 500GB-1TB capacity hard drive is sufficient. For moderate games, 1TB, or in extreme cases, a 2TB SSD, is enough to meet the needs of installing games and saving original game files. If you are into downloading lots of games, and having several games installed simultaneously, then a 2TB HDD is best. If you play only contemporary games, and buy new ones often, a 2TB hard drive could get filled over an extended period.

If you install many games to a 1TB disk, they may take forever to download all the games. As a result, you will have to increase the capacity of the storage in order to hold more games without having to download a game each time you want to play. If you have a large number of games to install, then at least 1TB of solid-state drives are required, otherwise, you are backing up games that you will want to play in the future.

If games are the only app that you mostly want to fill up the storage, 1TB SSD is enough. If you think you are a bit of a hobbyist gamer, someone that sticks to a single game for an extended period of time, then 1TB SSD is more than sufficient. If you are planning on using your PC solely to play games, and you are not keeping media files on it is storage, then a 1TB drive is sufficient.

In other words, how much storage, SSD or hard drive, you will need depends on how many games or programs you want to install on your PC. If you are planning to play games once in a while, and therefore likely to require less than ten games installed on your PC at any given time, a 512GB storage device should suffice. The amount of storage you will need for your system is completely subjective. With an average game installation file size range being between 20-50GB, you should be okay with a 1TB storage device if you plan to install less than 20 games at any given time.

If your SSD is 1TB, you could dedicate 256GB for your system, another 256GB to gaming usage, and 512GB for installing several games at an equivalent capacity. If you are not ready to pay the full price for a 1TB SSD for your gaming computer, you can still benefit from SSD drives, and have ample storage space for all of your games and media files, using a hybrid storage setup using both SSD and HDD storage. The necessity is due to modern games becoming bigger and demanding more and more storage. This 1TB is also preferred by many gamers because it offers sufficient storage to hold games, media files, and screen recordings from various game sessions.