The present invention provides a method and system for coordinating graphics processing units in a single computing system. A method is disclosed which allows for the construction of a list of shared display modes that may be employed by both of the graphics processing units to render an output in a display device. By creating the list of shared commonly supportable display modes, the output displayed in the display device may advantageously provide a consistent graphical experience persisting through the use of alternate graphics processing units in the system. One method builds a list of shared display modes by compiling a list from a GPU specific base mode list and dynamic display modes acquired from an attached display device. Another method provides the ability to generate graphical output configurations according to a user-selected display mode that persists when alternate graphics processing units in the system are used to generate graphical output.