Coyo
2014-07-26 21:09:21 UTC
I want multiple displays, as many as 24 heads, and a single OpenGL
application spanning all of them as though they were one display. Is
this possible with current Linux support?
I want to know because I want to put together a Linux gaming rig.
It'll have custom refrigeration and independent power and everything,
but it has to run Linux and it has to run at full capabilities. I want
to be 100% sure it'll work before I plop down all that money.
AMD has cooked up something called Eyefinity and has been pushing this
proprietary tech over YouTube and its own website, but this confuses
me. Hasn't Linux been doing this for years?
I've heard mixed reports. Some say that one OpenGL application can
trivially use multiple monitors in Xinerama mode, while others say
that OpenGL acceleration will only work on the primary display, though
non-OpenGL applications can occupy other monitors.
The way AMD marketed Eyefinity seems to make the assumption that
OpenGL applications previously could not span more than one display.
It is also assumed that previously, multiple GPUs in CrossfireX or SLI
mode were not supported with Xinerama.
I'm aware that support for this in the radeonsi and nouveau open
source drivers are nonexistant, but what about the propietary drivers?
I've done some research, but I figured asking wouldn't hurt.
I was taught that there was no such thing as a dumb question.
Freenode's attitude flies in the face of that, linking people who
actually put in an effort to http://lmgtfy.com/ which is very
insulting. Kinda reminds me of Rick Burns Your Company's Computer Guy.
There's a reason no one likes him.
Anyway, I thought I'd ask because I'm getting conflicting reports. I
don't want to sink tens of thousands of dollars into a Linux gaming
box if the fundemental design completely fails to function.
Will multiple displays, multiple GPUs, single OpenGL application work
on Linux?
Thank you very much for your time and patience with me. Any time and
patience you spend on me is greatly appreciated.
application spanning all of them as though they were one display. Is
this possible with current Linux support?
I want to know because I want to put together a Linux gaming rig.
It'll have custom refrigeration and independent power and everything,
but it has to run Linux and it has to run at full capabilities. I want
to be 100% sure it'll work before I plop down all that money.
AMD has cooked up something called Eyefinity and has been pushing this
proprietary tech over YouTube and its own website, but this confuses
me. Hasn't Linux been doing this for years?
I've heard mixed reports. Some say that one OpenGL application can
trivially use multiple monitors in Xinerama mode, while others say
that OpenGL acceleration will only work on the primary display, though
non-OpenGL applications can occupy other monitors.
The way AMD marketed Eyefinity seems to make the assumption that
OpenGL applications previously could not span more than one display.
It is also assumed that previously, multiple GPUs in CrossfireX or SLI
mode were not supported with Xinerama.
I'm aware that support for this in the radeonsi and nouveau open
source drivers are nonexistant, but what about the propietary drivers?
I've done some research, but I figured asking wouldn't hurt.
I was taught that there was no such thing as a dumb question.
Freenode's attitude flies in the face of that, linking people who
actually put in an effort to http://lmgtfy.com/ which is very
insulting. Kinda reminds me of Rick Burns Your Company's Computer Guy.
There's a reason no one likes him.
Anyway, I thought I'd ask because I'm getting conflicting reports. I
don't want to sink tens of thousands of dollars into a Linux gaming
box if the fundemental design completely fails to function.
Will multiple displays, multiple GPUs, single OpenGL application work
on Linux?
Thank you very much for your time and patience with me. Any time and
patience you spend on me is greatly appreciated.