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saronno

Member

Registered: 2009-10-02

Posts: 219

discrete ATI + integrated intel ... 3 or 4 monitor setup

I'am planning to add a third and maybe a fourth monitor on my desktop.
From what I see it's a big mess.
I have a ATI HD5450 and a ivy bridge intel processor with integrated graphics.
The motherboard has three output: DVI (only digital), VGA and HDMI.
The discrete card has three output: DVI (analog or digital), VGA and HDMI. But you can use just two simultaneously.

I have two acer 17" monitor with just the VGA port.
I have also a samsung t220hd with HDMI, VGA, DVI, ecc ..

Usually I have a dual head setup using the discrete card  with catalyst driver (two acer VGA monitor).

Looking aroud I saw a lot of possibility but in the end is always a mess:

1 - Same X server: I got a DRM conflict.
2 - Two X server. Of course you can't move application from one to the other.
3 - Hybrid .... I don't know if it can be useful.
4 - Switch from catalyst to open source drivers .... worse performance but how much worse? Advantages?

What I am asking is not a setup .... but a more clear vision to what can I do with advantages and disadvantages.
Keep in mind that Ideally I just want to use all the monitors at the same time on the same X and acceleration ...
but since It seems very difficult, I could evaluate other setups.

TIA.

saronno

Member

Registered: 2009-10-02

Posts: 219

Re: discrete ATI + integrated intel ... 3 or 4 monitor setup

No luck.
It seems that this kind of setup is pretty rare ...

saronno

Member

Registered: 2009-10-02

Posts: 219

Re: discrete ATI + integrated intel ... 3 or 4 monitor setup

I dont' understand. It seems that with radeon driver it possibile to use all the head (HDMI, DVI, VGA) at the same time.
From what I read here and there this should be true only for the version with displayport.
Anyway ... it a shame redeon foss driver can use all the heads and catalyst can't.