Motherboard HDMI port

I had heard somewhere that the HDMI port that is connected to the motherboard is not to be used for connecting a monitor to. But would that really be a bad idea? I am thinking of hooking up a second monitor and I have only two HDMI ports on my DS Lumos tower, including the one with the motherboard.

It's possible and supposedly -- I say that as I haven't tried or otherwise confirmed -- acceptable now with Windows 10.

Windows 10 is gaining a new setting for power users with multiple GPUs | PC Gamer

However, there are gotchas.

Foremost, just because a motherboard has video output ports it doesn't guarantee they're functional. Not every CPU has an integrated graphics processor (iGPU). Indeed, most Intel Core CPUs do have an iGPU sub-component. Those with model numbers including an F suffix (e.g., 11400F) do not have graphics output capability. AMD is the opposite. Most of there CPUs do not, only those with a G suffix (e.g., 5600G) do include an iGPU -- AMD refers to these as APUs (accelerated processing units).

Even with the additional GPU management system in Windows 10, it's still not something most will recommend.

How to Enable Onboard VGA Output? | Asus

(If your system has a different brand of motherboard, you'll need to search for those instructions and/or check the user guide/manual.)

Because of the current situation, it's difficult to suggest the optimal/proper choice: purchase a graphics card with the desired/necessary amount of display outputs.

Edited by MrCheetah - 17 Sep 2021 at 6:55pm

Originally posted by Nomad1970 They do make Display Port to HDMI adapters.

Good call! My brain completely skipped over that (being the) possibility.

So it turns out I definitely have an HDMI port in my motherboard/GPU but when I tried to connect my monitor to it it simply didn't work (so I have to use the HDMI port with my graphics card).

I did see there are HDMI splitters for sale but do they work well with dual-4k monitors?

Originally posted by Nomad1970 I don't know about a splitter, your Graphics card should also have a Display Port or Mini Display Port. They make adapters for both of these to HDMI. I would not try to use a splitter.

I do have a display port, but it's already used for VR :)

There are also dvi-d to HDMI adapters. Your video card should have 3 output ports at least.

You are probably going to have the best results with a DisplayLink adapter. It's a box that plugs into an available USB 3.0 port and then provides a video signal to a monitor. There are several brands available and can provide the type of connection you need. (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.)

https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/small-office/faq