Using 2 or more displays on a workstation without adding a GPU

[misterright1]

How can I use two or more displays on a workstation without adding a GPU , I've been thinking about testing if USB to HDMI/Display port adapters would work, I'm not sure but I think those register themselves as separate graphics cards. Or perhaps there's some virtual display trickery I can do.
I know Aster makes like a monitor that is duplicated so I don't know how well it would mix and work.

[misterright1]

Contacted support via e-mail, according to them the USB HDMI/VGA cards should work if they contain a Displaylink or Frescologic chip.

[Dustin21]

Does Aster easily recognize the USB adapter as a completely separate 'place' from the main GPU screens?

[vicentewilson]

USB to HDMI/DisplayPort adapters (like DisplayLink) do work by creating a virtual display and sending compressed video over USB, so that's a viable option. Before that, check if your CPU has integrated graphics and if your motherboard has multiple display outputs; that's often the best solution.
sports games

[nytwordlehints]

Yes, USB-to-HDMI/DisplayPort adapters (like those using DisplayLink chips) can add extra displays without a GPU. They connect via USB and use software drivers to emulate additional graphics outputs, supporting up to 4-6 monitors depending on your setup. Ensure your workstation's CPU (e.g., Intel with Quick Sync or AMD) handles the load, as they rely on system resources.

For virtual displays, tools like Windows' Virtual Display Driver or Linux's Xrandr can create "dummy" monitors, but they're software-only and limited to remote access (e.g., RDP).

ASTER is for multi-user PC sharing, not ideal for mixing physical displays—stick to DisplayLink for simplicity. Test compatibility first.

[Masterson12]

Whoa, cramming multiple displays onto a single machine without a proper graphics card? That's some serious MacGyver-level IT wizardry! Seems like a tricky balancing act between processor load and screen real estate. Reminds me of that time I tried to run two virtual machines concurrently on a potato of a laptop, the thing practically melted. Resources were stretched thinner than pizza dough. We, as enthusiastic drift hunters, know the importance of optimization.

[Maggierolan]

Has anyone tried using USB to HDMI adapters for multiple displays without a dedicated GPU? I actually did this on my old office PC! I used two adapters, and while it wasn't great for gaming, it was perfect for extending my workspace with documents and spreadsheets. It worked fine for basic desktop tasks.

[StacyFarrell]

Okay, so more monitors, less GPU? Interesting conundrum! My brain immediately goes to duct tape and optimism. Alternatively, maybe these USB adapters are the secret sauce. I'm picturing a glorious multi-screen command center fueled by sheer ingenuity. Speaking of ingenuity, once I was stuck coding a particularly nasty algorithm and felt like I was playing a really bad Slither io game, constantly getting cut off and restarted, endlessly tweaking the damn thing to avoid logical pitfalls. It took forever to untangle.