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.