This is a stupid question

[OnTheRoccs]

But can I use a GPU without plugging in a HDMI or VGA Cables into it?

[Average Nerd]

2 minutes ago, OnTheRoccs said:

But can I use a GPU without plugging in a HDMI or VGA Cables into it?

Depends on what you're doing with it. What would your usecase be?

[OnTheRoccs]

1 minute ago, Average Nerd said:

Depends on what you're doing with it. What would your usecase be?

Gaming

[Average Nerd]

Just now, OnTheRoccs said:

Gaming

And why wouldn't you just plug into the GPU directly?

[DoctorNick]

Just now, OnTheRoccs said:

Gaming

So you got a GPU without any ports? Like Nvidia Tesla? If no, then it makes no sense

[OnTheRoccs]

2 minutes ago, Average Nerd said:

And why wouldn't you just plug into the GPU directly?

I just need to know if I have to in a gaming sense

[Average Nerd]

Just now, OnTheRoccs said:

I just need to know if I have to in a gaming sense

If the GPU has display outputs, there is no reason not to use them. If it doesn't, that's a different story. What GPU do you have?

[PDifolco]

1 minute ago, OnTheRoccs said:

I just need to know if I have to in a gaming sense

In order to use the GPU for gaming you've to plug your monitor to it indeed, unless you use some remote gaming software 

[OnTheRoccs]

Ok, I'm looking for a Graphics card for a Opitplex 7020 SFF

[Tegneren]

I believe it is possible to use the motherboard display out ports as a pass-through for a dedicated GPU, but its a bit janky, and unless you have a GPU without any display out ports I dont see any point in doing that

[OnTheRoccs]

5 minutes ago, Tegneren said:

I believe it is possible to use the motherboard display out ports as a pass-through for a dedicated GPU, but its a bit janky, and unless you have a GPU without any display out ports I dont see any point in doing that

So if i'm using a Lenovo GeForce GT 730 2 GB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Low Profile Video Card I need to install 2 HDMI into my dell moniters

[DoctorNick]

15 minutes ago, OnTheRoccs said:

So if i'm using a Lenovo GeForce GT 730 2 GB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Low Profile Video Card I need to install 2 HDMI into my dell moniters

Yes then 1 monitor can run directly from HDMI, the other needs an adaptor from DVI-D (single link). Good luck trying to play any modern games on this card

[jaslion]

29 minutes ago, OnTheRoccs said:

So if i'm using a Lenovo GeForce GT 730 2 GB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Low Profile Video Card I need to install 2 HDMI into my dell moniters

On another note. This is not a gaming gpu. Never has been never will. Its a display adapter as in its only real purpose 10 years ago was extra monitor outputs and ok video acceleration.

 

It had a hard time playing games in 2014 and well it wont even launch new ones today.

 

So dont get this gpu for gaming. It cant do it except for quite old stuff.

 

 

[Wh0_Am_1]

To answer OP's original question clearly:

Yes you can, some games may not play friendly with this, but generally you can, do note though that you WILL lose performance due to overhead, AND WILL put additional load on whichever GPU is acting as the display out put, if it is not fast enough (it most likely is though) it CAN lead to stutter dropped frames, and myriad of other issues. You can also go tell windows in settings (sometimes) which programs can use which GPU as well when they can use it (based on power profiles)