Technical white paper - Three-display support with the HP Compaq Elite 8300 Ultra-slim Desktop PC

2
Introduction
The HP Compaq Elite 8300 Ultra-slim Desktop PC provides connections for up to three displays with two digital
DisplayPort connectors and one analog VGA display connector on the system’s rear I/O panel (Figure 1). This document
provides details regarding the capabilities and limitations for supporting three displays.
Figure 1: Rear view of the HP Compaq Elite 8300 Ultra-slim Desktop PC in desktop orientation.
The HP Compaq Elite 8300 Ultra-slim Desktop features Intel HD graphics as part of its standard feature set. For
increased graphics performance, a discrete Mobile PCI Express Module (MXM) graphics solution can be added. The
presence or absence of the discrete MXM graphics solution effects how three displays are supported.
Support for three displays without MXM graphics
In general, three displays are supported if the two displays driven by the DisplayPort outputs are connected using either
a DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cable or an HP DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter. The third display is driven by the system’s
analog VGA port.
Enabling three displays
The Intel hardware and drivers allocate internal resources in the order in which displays are activated. Any display that
can support a resolution higher than 1920x1200@60Hz should be enabled first with the resolution to 1920x1200@60Hz
or lower before enabling lower-resolution displays.
Limitations with three displays
While Intel’s 3
rd
generation Core processors and supporting chipsets provide support for three displays, the following
limitations do apply.
Processor limitations
With no MXM graphics installed, three-display operation is only supported when using 3
rd
generation Intel Core
processors. Other processor models, including Intel’s 2
nd
generation Core processors and all Pentium and Celeron
branded parts, will drive only two displays, although any two of the three connections can be used with either processor
family.Three displays are supported when MXM graphics is installed in a system using any processor family.
Operating system limitations
Support for three displays is not possible with systems running the Microsoft Windows XP operating system due to
limitations inherent in the operating system. Windows XP only allows for the support of two displays from one graphics
controller.
DisplayPort #2
(bottom)
DisplayPort #1
(top)
VGA display
connector