[stormy]

I remember reading somewhere that you can combine Vpro and SI together for dual monitor output. Is this easy to do? Im wondering whether this is plug and play or whether a lot of configuration is required. If anyone has some links for me I'd appreciate it, thanks.

[bjames]

As far as im aware, you can combine GFX boards from the same family only, SI's and SE's are from the MARDIGRAS family. Below are examples;

SI + SI
SSI + SI
MXI + SI
SE + SE
etc

The V series "ODYSSEY" VPRO gfx boards can not be combined with a MARDIGRAS board.

[callahan]

You can definitely dual-head with a VPro graphics card and a SI/SE (but only a SI/SE -- no other MGRAS cards will physically fit). It's not without minor quirks, but it works surprisingly well.

See my thread here. http://forums.irixnet.org/thread-848.html

[Irinikus]

Why would you want to do this, as the ODYSSY board will outperform the MARDIGRAS board by far? Why not just install a DCD?

[Trippynet]

Maybe it depends on what you have kicking around, plus the associated costs? DCDs cost a lot more than SI/SE cards, and if you don't need the faster 3D performance on both screens, it can be a cheaper option I guess...

[stormy]

Thanks for all the info guys. Of course it would be nice to have a DCD but they seem rare and expensive. Where as I can find an SI board a lot easier for reasonable prices.

[callahan]

SI/SE cards are everywhere. Lots of folks have spares laying around and, if you don't, you can buy one on eBay any day for $85 or so.

You can't run OpenGL on the 2nd monitor anyway (with this set-up), so the performance difference is a non-issue. But for just adding screen real estate for terminal windows and such, who cares?