Electrical Path of MB-mounted HDMI Connector

[EdMcCauley1959]

My Graphics card and MB each have only a single HDMI Connector. Is the MB-mounted HDMI Connector attached "directly" to the PCIe slots? If so, can the MB HDMI connector be considered the same as a 2nd GraphicsCard-mounted HDMI connector?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated,

Tom

[Halcyon]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "considered to be the same"?

The onboard HDMI is typically connected to the integrated graphics capability of the CPU. It's fine for basic tasks but its performance and capabilities will be limited. An external GPU is almost always necessary for anyone who plays games, or requires multiple monitor support.

[EdMcCauley1959]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "considered to be the same"?

The onboard HDMI is typically connected to the integrated graphics capability of the CPU. It's fine for basic tasks but its performance and capabilities will be limited. An external GPU is almost always necessary for anyone who plays games, or requires multiple monitor support.

Are you saying that the MB-connected HDMI is *only* connected to the MB *on-board* Graphics Card?

Also, when I click on Post or Preview the site requires that I first solve a Captcha, and then it takes me back to the Homepage where I have to find the correct Forum then scroll down to my post. It too me 5 tries to post a reply to my first question, and 3 tries to post this one!

[squadchannel]

ports on the motherboard are connected to the GPU on the motherboard.
ports on the graphics card are connected to the GPU.

These ports are not shared. They are completely independent.

Are you saying that the MB-connected HDMI is *only* connected to the MB *on-board* Graphics Card?

yes.

Whether you can use the port on the motherboard depends on your computer.
Usually, the graphics card on the PCIe slot takes priority, and the GPU on the motherboard is disabled.
If the BIOS has a setting to enable the GPU on the motherboard, meaning you can use both GPUs simultaneously, it should work. Or it might already be enabled.

[EdMcCauley1959]

ports on the motherboard are connected to the GPU on the motherboard.
ports on the graphics card are connected to the GPU.

These ports are not shared. They are completely independent.

Are you saying that the MB-connected HDMI is *only* connected to the MB *on-board* Graphics Card?

yes.

This is my 10th try to Reply. When I click Reply or Quote I have to click on a Captcha which succeeds, but takes me back to the Homepage. So I find this forum, scroll down, open the message, type my response, hit post or preview, and I have to click on a Captcha which succeeds, and back to the Homepage I go... After finding and opening this thread my response is not displayed. Although I have selected and copied the entire reply, when I paste it none of my reply remains.

Thanks for the reply SquadChannel - I had no idea the MB HDMI only connected to the MB GPU. My *not yet installed* ASUS Crossfire X870E Hero Manual does not mention any Onboard GPU, but apparently it has one although it's probably not much of a powerhouse.

Presumably, The MB HDMI is connected to the MB Audio chip. If so, then can I plug my TV into my nVidia Graphics Card HDMI connector, and my Home Theater Surround Sound system and have the 7.1 Surround Sound that the MB Audio has? I'm not saying this would be the best way to do it, but would it work?

Tom

[abeyer]

Thanks for the reply SquadChannel - I had no idea the MB HDMI only connected to the MB GPU. My *not yet installed* ASUS Crossfire X870E Hero Manual does not mention any Onboard GPU, but apparently it has one although it's probably not much of a powerhouse.

I don't know anything about that particular model, but to my knowledge all modern motherboards like this have support for an onboard GPU, but don't include it. It's there to support a GPU that's included in the processor, so you need to also have a processor that includes it installed.

[EdMcCauley1959]

Thanks for the reply SquadChannel - I had no idea the MB HDMI only connected to the MB GPU. My *not yet installed* ASUS Crossfire X870E Hero Manual does not mention any Onboard GPU, but apparently it has one although it's probably not much of a powerhouse.

I don't know anything about that particular model, but to my knowledge all modern motherboards like this have support for an onboard GPU, but don't include it. It's there to support a GPU that's included in the processor, so you need to also have a processor that includes it installed.

Thanks Abeyer.

The specs for my AMD Ryzen 9 CPU state Graphics capabilities: AMD Radeon, 2 cores, 2200Mhz; so it definitely has something. Maybe just enough to set up the system.

[wraper]

Depending on CPU installed, motherboard HDMI may be inactive if it has no built-in GPU in CPU. PCI-E interface has nothing except PCI-E data lanes and power.

[Whales]

It is _sometimes_ possible to use the integrated motherboard video output as if it were a video output on the dedicated graphics card.  It depends on the drivers & firmware of the devices involved.  I am not aware of any consistent terminology to describe this feature or how to check if it will work before buying parts.

Some people game on mining-only graphics cards (no video output connectors) using these methods, but I've heard that it sometimes also requires modified graphics drivers.

EDIT: Oh no, Linus Tech Tips video.  Things might have changed since then, not sure:

[Haenk]

Presumably, The MB HDMI is connected to the MB Audio chip. If so, then can I plug my TV into my nVidia Graphics Card HDMI connector, and my Home Theater Surround Sound system and have the 7.1 Surround Sound that the MB Audio has? I'm not saying this would be the best way to do it, but would it work?

It is *not* connected. Like "at all".
Those are two separate devices.
But technically, you could use video from HDMI and set audio output to onboard audio, that should be no problem. (Other than maybe a minor audio delay, likely you can ignore it).

[EdMcCauley1959]

Presumably, The MB HDMI is connected to the MB Audio chip. If so, then can I plug my TV into my nVidia Graphics Card HDMI connector, and my Home Theater Surround Sound system and have the 7.1 Surround Sound that the MB Audio has? I'm not saying this would be the best way to do it, but would it work?

It is *not* connected. Like "at all".
Those are two separate devices.

HDMI carries Audio and Video. So if there is no connection between the MB HDMI and the MB Audio chip, what is the Audio source to the HDMI when the *onboard* GPU is used - does the CPU also supply Audio to the HDMI connector? If so, the MB Audio chip only supplies Audio when a Graphics Card is mounted?

But technically, you could use video from HDMI and set audio output to onboard audio, that should be no problem. (Other than maybe a minor audio delay, likely you can ignore it).

So, if I don't change (the BIOS?) what is the Audio source for the MB HDMI connector?

[wraper]

HDMI carries Audio and Video. So if there is no connection between the MB HDMI and the MB Audio chip, what is the Audio source to the HDMI when the *onboard* GPU is used - does the CPU also supply Audio to the HDMI connector? If so, the MB Audio chip only supplies Audio when a Graphics Card is mounted?

GPU is just another self sufficient audio device by itself. It does not need/use motherboard audio at all. It's not any different than motherboard's audio codec IC that sits on PCI-E bus as much as PC is concerned.

[Halcyon]

This is my 10th try to Reply. When I click Reply or Quote I have to click on a Captcha which succeeds, but takes me back to the Homepage.

I'll look into this.

[gnif]

This is my 10th try to Reply. When I click Reply or Quote I have to click on a Captcha which succeeds, but takes me back to the Homepage.

I'll look into this.

This bug was solved yesterday completely.

[Haenk]

So, if I don't change (the BIOS?) what is the Audio source for the MB HDMI connector?

The HDMI-audio is embedded in the HDMI data stream.
So essentially the CPU generates digital audio data and delivers it to the graphics card *and* your onboard audio device (which is a DAC, digital-to-analog-converter) at the same time.
The graphics card will then generate a picture stream and embed the digital audio data into that stream.
Since the audio source is digital and controlled by the CPU, there might be control options in the BIOS or operating system.

[EdMcCauley1959]

This is my 10th try to Reply. When I click Reply or Quote I have to click on a Captcha which succeeds, but takes me back to the Homepage.

I'll look into this.

This bug was solved yesterday completely.

The problem was that my VPN was not staying turned off. Whenever I turn it on the problem recurs.

[EdMcCauley1959]

So, if I don't change (the BIOS?) what is the Audio source for the MB HDMI connector?

The HDMI-audio is embedded in the HDMI data stream.
So essentially the CPU generates digital audio data and delivers it to the graphics card *and* your onboard audio device (which is a DAC, digital-to-analog-converter) at the same time.
The graphics card will then generate a picture stream and embed the digital audio data into that stream.
Since the audio source is digital and controlled by the CPU, there might be control options in the BIOS or operating system.

OK, thanks.

Does the MB HDMI connector continue to put out a signal even when a Graphics Card is inserted into the MB?

[Haenk]

Does the MB HDMI connector continue to put out a signal even when a Graphics Card is inserted into the MB?

First - you need a CPU with integrated graphics (APU), No APU - no onboard HDMI output.
The pluggable graphics card (GPU) is an independent separate device - you can use both at the same time, outputting different content. Or the same content (mirroring). That`s up to you.
Usually, at least for gaming, you want to use your GPU, as it is a lot faster than your APU. For a "one monitor"-setup, you then disable the APU in BIOS (one screen less to take care of for the CPU); sometimes the BIOS sets the APU as "primary display" and outputs your bootscreen or desktop onto that device, that`s not what you want with only one monitor.
If you are running multiple displays, put the demanding tasks on the GPU, use the APU for non-graphic-intense content.
(However modern APUs are quite capable, so light gaming and certainly every office task is perfectly fine with these, no GPU required...)

[EdMcCauley1959]

Does the MB HDMI connector continue to put out a signal even when a Graphics Card is inserted into the MB?

First - you need a CPU with integrated graphics (APU), No APU - no onboard HDMI output.

I just looked it up - my Ryzen 9 9950X3D has an AMD Radeon RDNA 2 Graphics integrated GPU.

The pluggable graphics card (GPU) is an independent separate device - you can use both at the same time, outputting different content. Or the same content (mirroring). That`s up to you.
Usually, at least for gaming, you want to use your GPU, as it is a lot faster than your APU. For a "one monitor"-setup, you then disable the APU in BIOS (one screen less to take care of for the CPU); sometimes the BIOS sets the APU as "primary display" and outputs your bootscreen or desktop onto that device, that`s not what you want with only one monitor.

I'm building a Gaming Computer for my son. At the moment he'll be using a a single monitor, so I will definitely disable the APU in BIOS, and set the nVidia card as the "primary display".

Thanks for the thorough explanation,

Tom