How difficult is it to get 2 video cards to work in Ubuntu?

[mrblotto]

Hello all,

I'm just messing around with Zorin OS 9. I'm really liking it so far. I've got the wifi to work, my network printer connected, netflix working At my work we started supporting 'nix about a year ago as well, so I figure it can only help me learn about it lol.

Anyhow, I've got a Gigabyte Mobo with an older E7500 C2D CPU and an Nvidia GTX 470 vid card. I'd like to see if I can install another vid card and actually get it to work, just to see if I can. I've got 2 monitors working so far via the 470. I just wanna mess around and see if I can get 3 or 4 working.........

I did try a few days ago. I followed a tutorial and it mentioned editing (or gpediting I guess lol) the xorg.conf file. After I did that the thing wouldn't boot up lmao. All part of the learning I reckon. I finally got it back by booting into a 'LiveCD' DVD and deleting the xorg.conf file.

At any rate, is it too difficult to do? Or is it even possible? The mobo only has 1 PCIe slot. Does it make a difference if I use a PCI vid card? I read somewhere that it's a bit easier if you use the same chipset for both (Nvidia/AMD). I do have another Nvidia PCI card I can install.

Thanx in advance. I'm really enjoying Zorin and it can only help me learn about Linux in general

 

[LCTSI]

You shouldn't really need to edit xorg, hotplug should be able to pick up new devices when they come up.

I would try to stay with the same chipset vendor across cards, as the management tools can make life a little easier.

 

[Red Squirrel]

The issue I found is that Linux does not do well with more than 2 monitors. So no point in having 2 video cards. They'll work, just no point to it. You cannot do multi monitor span across two video cards. Well there are some dirty work arounds, but it typically involves treating two monitors as one, which means you'll have stuff open right in the bezel, maximizing will use more than 1 monitor, etc... not really ideal. You can also do separate X sessions but that gets very flaky. I would get tons of random artifacts show up on the screen, my theme kept screwing up, and tons of other issues when I tried it. Been a while though so maybe things have improved.

I think I also recall reading that Linux Mint will do 3 monitors but it required a specific CPU. Sandy Bridge, I think. GPU probably matters too.

 

[mrblotto]

I ended up throwing in the towel, but thx all for the info