ubuntu 2 x AMD GFX cards, 3 x Monitors + Xinerama Laggy

[centras]

Hi there,

I have setup 2 x GFX cards, 3 x Monitors + Xinerama on my computer to be able to extend them 3 monitors as one, but I found out that xinerama wont work with compositor and due to that graphics are laggy on my machine whent transitioning screen from one to the other etc. Once xinerama is disabled it works smoothly but what is the point in three monitors if you cant use them as one?

I would like to find out whether its is possible to fix this issue somehow? I have been stuck with this problem for some time now. If anyone knows anything any answer would be appreciated?

Best Regards

[centras]

Cmon guys anyone, or am i stuck forever with this ********?

[bobbyallen9292]

I don't know if you have gotten this fixed or not. It took me a bout 2 months to find this and it's now book marked for me in cloud http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1999966

[jp734]

I pretty much have the same setup like you. Two AMD video card with 3 monitors and xinerama on. The only thing I can think of is using the latest version of xrandr. Version 1.4, I think. I heard it supports two graphics card. Haven't tried it yet though.

[bobbyallen9292]

This is what helped me


I only get 2 screens working.

I have 2 Nvidia GTX 560 TI and 3 monitors.
I added this because this is what it tells me how the monitors are called.

sudo nvidia-xconfig --base-mosaic --metamodes="GPU-0.CRT-1: 1920x1080+0+0, GPU-0.DFP-0: 1920x1080+1920+0, GPU-1.DFP-0: 1920x1020+3840+0"


As I do thius in the Terminal I get this.

emiel@Xubuntu-pc:~$ sudo nvidia-xconfig --base-mosaic --metamodes="GPU-0.CRT-1: 1920x1080+0+0, GPU-0.DFP-0: 1920x1080+1920+0, GPU-1.DFP-0: 1920x1020+3840+0"
[sudo] password for emiel:

WARNING: Unable to locate/open X configuration file.

Option "BaseMosaic" "True" added to Screen "Screen0".
New X configuration file written to '/etc/X11/xorg.conf'

emiel@Xubuntu-pc:~$



Than as I reboot I get only one monitor and as I put that on I get only that one working but not the other monitor working.

I have after reboot only 2 monitors working.

THis is my xorg.conf file.

# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 304.43 (buildmeister@swio-display-x86-rhel47-13) Sun Aug 19 21:19:28 PDT 2012

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0"
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
# generated from default
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
# generated from default
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Unknown"
HorizSync 28.0 - 33.0
VertRefresh 43.0 - 72.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Device0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Device0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "BaseMosaic" "True"
Option "MetaModes" "GPU-0.CRT-1: 1920x1080+0+0, GPU-0.DFP-0: 1920x1080+1920+0, GPU-1.DFP-0: 1920x1020+3840+0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection



How can I get my 3rd monitor working?
Has someone a working xorg.conf file for me? I use 2 Nvidia GTX 560 ti 2gb cards.




the highlighted/italic/underlined section helped me get my it working perfectly for me.

this is what my xorg.conf file looks like


Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
Option "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Acer P236H"
HorizSync 31.0 - 83.0
VertRefresh 56.0 - 76.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Device0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
BoardName "GeForce 8800 GT"
BusID "PCI:3:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"

# Removed Option "MetaModes" "GPU-0.DFP-0: 1920x1080+0+0, GPU-1.DFP-0: 1920x1080+1920+0"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Device0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "BaseMosaic" "True"
Option "Stereo" "0"
Option "metamodes" "1920x1080 +0+0, 1920x1080 +1920+0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

As you can see the meta mode shows i have two graphic cards GPU-0.DFP-0: 1920x1080+0+0, GPU-1.DFP-0: 1920x1080+1920+0 the DFP is my monitors. If you disable xinerama then you get full 3D support for desktop effects. like deskcube, wobbly windows transparency ect.... Xrandr wouldn't work with two my two monitor setup and having xinerama enable it disabled xrandr so i searched and searched and this is the only thing that had helped me get it to use full 3d support. with this setup you just have to modify the metamode to get all three desktops into one.

post your xorg.conf code and maybe i could help you out.

Edit: I just looked in my Nvidia settings i no longer have an xinerama option.

[bobbyallen9292]

may also try this for more help http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-1514796.html or here http://blog.linuxacademy.com/linux/ubuntu-and-multiple-monitors-amd-edition/

[centras]

Thank you guy, I thought im stuck with this issue. You sometimes think why is it not supported yet, its been a while like that... Will be trying soon, will keep you posted how it goes.

Thanks once again :]

[centras]

hi, there again i Was unablke to adapt Nvdidia example to my AMD card
anyone knows how to setup for AMD?

Below is my xorg.conf file.


Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "aticonfig Layout"
Screen 0 "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0" 0 0
Screen "aticonfig-Screen[0]-1" RightOf "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0"
Screen "aticonfig-Screen[1]-0" RightOf "aticonfig-Screen[0]-1"
Screen "aticonfig-Screen[1]-1" RightOf "aticonfig-Screen[1]-0"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "on"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-0"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-1"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[1]-0"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[1]-1"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:11:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]-1"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:11:0:0"
Screen 1
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[1]-0"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:12:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[1]-1"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:12:0:0"
Screen 1
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]-1"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]-1"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-1"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[1]-0"
Device "aticonfig-Device[1]-0"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[1]-0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[1]-1"
Device "aticonfig-Device[1]-1"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[1]-1"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

[jp734]

If you only have 3 monitors, remove one from your server layout. Also, try putting the virtual option on your main screen subsection display. That's the only difference between your xorg.conf and mine. I am using three 1280x1024 monitors so my virtual is 3840x1024

[centras]

Can you share your xorg.conf? also youre using xrand 1.4 like you said?

[jp734]

I can post it when I get back home this weekend.

[bobbyallen9292]

found this here it gives you an example how to add "virtual" to your conf. http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Xorg_RandR_1.2

[centras]

I guess I will need to rewrite my xorg.conf file to add virtual, because now i am not sure which i line do i add virtual to. because all the screens are separated.

[bobbyallen9292]

im pretty sure you would add it to your main screen conf but not absolutely sure one that. Im assuming that it would look something like this for display 0 or 1


SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
# ADD A VIRTUAL LINE TO PROVIDE FOR THE LARGEST SCREENS YOU WILL HOTPLUG
Virtual 2048 2048

Assuming your resolution is set to 1920x1080 for all monitors. I'm guessing it should look something like this


SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
Virtual 5760 1020

or something like this.



Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Virtual 5760 1020
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

explanation of where i came up with that solution to add to your main screen..
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/xorg-conf-explanation-of-viewport-and-virtual-858373/

[jp734]

here's the copy of my xorg.conf file.

#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
################ D E V I C E S E C T I O N ####################################
#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "Monitor-CRT1" "0-CRT1"
Option "Monitor-CRT2" "0-CRT2"
Option "NoAccel" "Off"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "amdcccle-Device[4]-0"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "Monitor-CRT2" "1-CRT2"
Option "NoAccel" "Off"
BusID "PCI:4:0:0"
EndSection

#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
################ M O N I T O R S E C T I O N ####################################
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "0-CRT1"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
Option "PreferredMode" "1280x1024"
Option "TargetRefresh" "60"
Option "Position" "0 0"
Option "Rotate" "normal"
Option "Disable" "false"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "0-CRT2"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
Option "PreferredMode" "1280x1024"
Option "TargetRefresh" "60"
Option "Position" "1280 0"
Option "Rotate" "normal"
Option "Disable" "false"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "1-CRT2"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
Option "PreferredMode" "1280x1024"
Option "TargetRefresh" "75"
Option "Position" "0 0"
Option "Rotate" "normal"
Option "Disable" "false"
EndSection

#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
################ S C R E E N S E C T I O N ####################################
#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
Monitor "0-CRT1"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Virtual 3840 3840
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen1"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
Monitor "0-CRT2"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 1281 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen2"
Device "amdcccle-Device[4]-0"
Monitor "1-CRT2"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 2561 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
################ M O D U L E S A N D F L A G S ###############################
#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section "Module"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "on"
EndSection

#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
################ S E R V E R L A Y O U T ####################################
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "aticonfig Layout"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
Screen "Screen1" LeftOf "Screen0"
Screen "Screen2" RightOf "Screen0"
EndSection

[centras]

Hi there, fellas

i tried suggestions above in my pursuit to achirving xineram off in order to have 3d acceleration so that i can run my online 3d apps, generated images come off as white screen while xinerama is on.

jp734 (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=583901) thank you for your efforts but your example is not relevant due to xinerama on... I tried virtual screen with viewports set for all three screen but that did not help to achieve xinerama off and all three screens as one for AMD card.

Anyone else knowsaanythingm god why is this so hard....

:(((((((



Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "aticonfig Layout"
Screen 0 "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0" 0 0
Screen "aticonfig-Screen[0]-1" RightOf "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0"
Screen "aticonfig-Screen[1]-0" RightOf "aticonfig-Screen[0]-1"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-0"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-1"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[1]-0"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection


Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:11:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]-1"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:11:0:0"
Screen 1
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[1]-0"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:12:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]-0"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]-0"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-0"
Virtual 5760 1020
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]-1"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]-1"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]-1"
Viewport 1920 0
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[1]-0"
Device "aticonfig-Device[1]-0"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[1]-0"
DefaultDepth 24
Viewport 3960 0
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

[centras]

does anyone know anything about using xrandr or eyefinity? in this situation without xinerama...

[QIII]

If you have a supported card and driver, Eyefinity works by default -- per card. You don't have to do anything in that case to get Eyefinity to work. I use three monitors off a single card which supports Eyefinity with the current driver and get a single desktop across all three monitors without resorting to xrandr or anything other than the Catalyst Control Center.

You may not be able to get it to work properly across multiple cards, and it won't work in any case if Eyefiity is not supported for that card and driver.

As for why this has to be so hard, you'd have to ask AMD/ATI.

[jp734]

what I've heard is that xrandr version 1.4 supports dual card. Havent tried as distro only came with 1.3.