Linux & Silicon Motion SM750: how good is it?

[DiTBho]

Products like Delock 95253 are very very expensive

Module Mini PCIe I / O PCIe full size DVI / VGA graphics adapter

This Mini PCIe adapter by Delock expands the PC by one DVI output port. To this interface can be connected e.g. a DVI display. By the help of the enclosed slot bracket the DVI port can be lead out.

Package content

    Mini PCIe module
    DVI adapter board
    Connection cable, length approx. 30 cm
    Slot bracket
    2x fixing screw
    Driver CD
    User manual

    Connector:
        External: 1x DVI-I (Dual Link) 24 + 5 female
        Internal: 1x Mini PCI Express, Rev. 1.1
    DVI port with screw nuts
    Interface: PCI Express
    Form factor: MiniPCIe full size
    Chipset: SM750
    Graphic memory: 16 MB DDR SDRAM
    Resolution up to 1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
    Supports simultaneous output to two displays
    Current consumption: approx. 740 mA
    MTBF: 1,425,435 hours
    Operating temperature: -20°C ~ 70°C
    Storage temperature: -20°C ~ 85°C
    Humidity: 5 ~ 95%
    Cable length incl. connector: approx. 30 cm

EUR 240

and it's not clear how good is the Linux support. Delock doesn't mention Linux in the list of supported OS, and Linux has the SM750 code (drivers/staging/sm750fb/sm750.c) in the staging drivers section

Code: [Select]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        bool "Staging drivers"
        ---help---
          This option allows you to select a number of drivers that are
          not of the "normal" kernel quality level.  These drivers are
          placed here in order to get a wider audience to make use of
          them.  Please note that these drivers are under heavy
          development, may or may not work, and may contain userspace
          interfaces that most likely will be changed in the near
          future.

          Using any of these drivers will taint your kernel which might
          affect support options from both the community, and various
          commercial support organizations.

          If you wish to work on these drivers, to help improve them, or
          to report problems you have with them, please see the
          drivers/staging/<driver_name>/TODO file to see what needs to be
          worked on, and who to contact.

Experience with Silicon Motion? Cheaper miniPCIe video devices? 

[DiTBho]

anyone? 

[PKTKS]

anyone? 

I won't trust these gizmos not even under windoozee.

Uc..  the current status of the so called "industry"  goes from a total messy zone to a complete crippled group of just 3/4 fabs.

Displays as of today - the opposite of yesterday dozen chip brands.. - are shrunk to just 2 brands (or 3 more or less).. 

And they go to bed with the OS makers or their shells..

So expect no drivers no source code no nothing..

soon these shit gizmos will just not work.
A simple driver "upgrade" should kill them all

They do not "hire" devels..  they just find some eager enough one to write a shitty piece of code for a working panacea..

Currently video driver status is going from BAD to really really bad...

wo options - unless you agree to buy everything again next year.. again
Paul

[NiHaoMike]

There are adapters to convert mini PCIe to full size PCIe, then just use whatever cheapest GPU you can find.

[DiTBho]

There are adapters to convert mini PCIe to full size PCIe, then just use whatever cheapest GPU you can find.

well, yes, but I have a small computer with a mini PCIe, and there is not so much space for a big GPU; also big GPUs consume a lot of electricity and this is constraint for me.

Any recommended "mini PCIe to full size PCIe" adapter? Brand? Model?

[evac]

If space/power are a constraint, would a USB display adapter work instead?
Supposedly, DisplayLink devices have some Linux support and are way cheaper than €240...

You will probably lose 3D/2D acceleration as it's not a full GPU, so it may not work for you.

[DiTBho]

Supposedly, DisplayLink devices have some Linux support and are way cheaper than €240...

Any link to these DisplayLink devices.
Also, is there support for non-x86 machines?
and does these DisplayLink-devices have a framebuffer internally?

[wraper]

You will probably lose 3D/2D acceleration as it's not a full GPU, so it may not work for you.

Actually you get more powerful graphics adapter in $50 USB dongles. And this thing does not have 3D capability.

[DiTBho]

any product name, link? Something I can search and analyze?

[wraper]

https://www.amazon.com/Wavlink-2048x1152-External-Projector-XP-Black/dp/B01CSG7TUC/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=DL-3500+usb&qid=1632823181&sr=8-5
For example this one with DisplayLink DL-3500 chipset, since Displaylink has Linux drivers.