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submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world

This is a super interesting project, and the video is really well presented and explained, if you prefer that format.

I think this method could be brought even further by using 'thin clients' (a cheap laptop or used office mini-PC), making it possible to access the main gaming rig from any room in the house as long as you have access to a good network speed.

Utilizing a 'dummy' HDMI or Displayport stick, which simulates a monitor for the GPU, you could then remote into the gaming rig from a thin client-like PC through Moonlight/Sunlight, allowing you to use it as a fully fledged gaming or workstation PC.

If anyone decides to go that route, be aware that AMD GPU's have pretty notoriously bad encoders, so I'd recommend sticking with Nvidia (Pascal/1000 series or newer) or Intel GPU's/Integrated Graphics (6th generation 6000 series or newer) for the Host machine. It's a little less important for the client, I think.

EDIT: AMD did actually improve their encoders in recent years, starting with the Raven Ridge integrated graphics APUs, and the first generation Navi cards (RX 5700 onward, the lower end cards don't have it).

top 13 comments
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[-] Artopal@lemmy.ml 19 points 2 weeks ago

Wasn't UNIX (and thus Linux) all about multi seat like since the seventies?

[-] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 22 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Yes, but mixing in 3D hardware acceleration was apparently quite difficult to achieve until systemd came along to make it somewhat painless.

[-] someacnt@sh.itjust.works 13 points 2 weeks ago

Somehow, thin clients sound like Mainframe 2, electric boogaloo

[-] TeamAssimilation@infosec.pub 9 points 2 weeks ago

Home PCs are so powerful these days that a return to thin clients makes sense in many use cases.

[-] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 7 points 2 weeks ago

I will admit I became a bit giddy at the prospect of using a beefy Linux rig like it's 1971, as our Lord and Saviors Dennis Richie & Ken Thompson intended. 😌

[-] nullPointer@programming.dev 4 points 2 weeks ago

The Gibson making a comeback.

[-] Trainguyrom@reddthat.com 9 points 2 weeks ago

This is actually a project on my to-do list for my kids. Sucks that each seat can't share a framebuffer (otherwise multiple GPUs would be entirely optional) but to get 2 decent gaming experiences out of a cheap used PC plus an extra GPU is pretty sweet

[-] NewNewAugustEast@lemmy.zip 8 points 2 weeks ago

You used to not need Moonlight or something like that with linux. We just ssh XForward the application to the client. (well technically they server, but that gets confusing).

[-] KRAW@linux.community 14 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

And technically you can still do that, but it's super laggy. Playing a game through X11 forwarding would be horrendous

[-] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 4 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah, it was designed for X content. It is unbeatable getting seamless integration of regular (non 3D) over anything better than a 48 kbps connection.

[-] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

You still can, as far as I know! It's just that I don't think X would have the throughput for games. I recently learned about that functionality in a Cathode Ray Dude video, where he shows how it even got ported to Windows 3.11!

[-] aBundleOfFerrets@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

You don’t need a dummy plug on linux. You can just ask the kernel to spawn any fake display you want. (Yes, even on NVIDIA)

[-] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 5 points 2 weeks ago

You have a typo, let me fix it:

2 gamers, 1 cup

this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2025
263 points (100.0% liked)

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