EggXpert

I currently have an MSI P6N-SLI and cannot get 2 video cards to work (non-sli) for 3 displays.

What motherboard would be best for this? I'll be using Vista Enterprise 32-bit and 2 x Geforce 8600GT DVI cards....

 I want two 20" in vertical orientation on either side of a horizontal 24" monitor with the display spanned across all three.

Thanks!!

Palit 8600GT 1GB

XFX 7300GT

Gigabyte 7300LE

 I tried these different cards in combination of both PCI-E slots and the computer would not recognize the card in the 2nd PCI-E slot - even if it was the only card in the system. By 'recognize', I mean it would not show up in POST or in Windows nor would there be any display whatsoever with only a card in the 2nd slot.

 I have a duplicate system with the same motherboard - same results with that system. Obviously the MSI-P6N-SLI-Platinum is not designed to do this. wierd.

 That is why I am asking what motherboard would definitely work for non-SLI multicard display. I am ready to buy, just need a recommendation.

 Thanks!

Yes it is in non-sli mode - on both systems.

Anyone have a recommendation for a motherboard that will do this? Something preferably by ASUS,EVGA,MSI.....

Thanks.

Does anyone know of a chipset even that supports multiple PCI-E video cards? I want to have 3 displays active in Windows Vista.

The 680i and 780i chipsets look good with 3 pci-e slots but I'm worried I'll have the same problem. I can't find any posts or comments from someone who says they use three monitors for a windows desktop....

I just found this comment on the MSI P6N SLI Platinum on newegg.com:

 BEWARE - does not support 2xPCIe in non-sli mode!!!!
Pros: This board seems like a good quality piece. But, I had to write a 1-egg review because I was duped by the description. And I wanted to alert others.

Cons: The board *does not support* two PCI express cards in non-sli mode. I bought the board as a workstation, not as a gaming machine. I wanted to support 3 monitors off of 2 PCIe cards. I had to return this thing, and bought and ABIT IP35 pro instead, which works great for me.

So could you stop trying to troubleshoot this and recommend a board that would work for me?????

Thanks!!!

100-200

 I would prefer an Nvidia 700 series chipset.... I largely use Nvidia cards in my systems. The Intel P series looks good but I don't want crossfire and all the P4x boards that have 2x pci-e seem to have that :/

This looks like something that I would like.... I just find it hard to figure out if it truly supports 2 pci-e cards in non-sli mode.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

Both boards are about the same, but due to issues I've had with asus quality control inthe past year I suggest the EVGA.

Both will meet your specific needs however.