I'm using KDE on Arch with an unusual multi-GPU setup: an NVIDIA RTX 2060 with an HDMI-connected LCD that I overclock from 60 Hz to 115 Hz, plus an older AMD HD 8350 that provides native VGA and DVI outputs. The VGA-connected CRT has no EDID pin, so under X11 I manually configure display modes with xrandr. I regularly switch the CRT between resolutions such as 640×480 at 160 Hz, 1600×1200 at 76 Hz, and several modes in between for retro gaming and testing 4:3 and multi-monitor support.
I'm concerned about KDE eventually becoming Wayland-only. The AMD card is old, the CRT cannot report its EDID information, and I need custom resolutions and refresh rates. Can Wayland and KDE handle this hardware and workflow, possibly through custom display-mode tools such as kscreen-doctor or kscreenctl? If not, are there practical alternatives besides staying on KDE X11 or switching desktop environments?
3 Answers
A modern display with a 4:3 mode could be an alternative, and software can sometimes correct aspect-ratio handling automatically. However, that does not replace a CRT for everyone: CRTs can provide very low latency, excellent blacks, native low-resolution modes, and flexible resolutions without interpolation. Given that you use the CRT for both retro gaming and testing, keeping an X11 session or a separate older Plasma installation may be more realistic than replacing it.
Custom modes should be possible through KDE’s display-management tools. On newer Plasma versions, try `kscreenctl`; on Plasma 6.7 and earlier, the command is generally `kscreen-doctor`. These tools can configure modes for individual outputs, so missing EDID information does not automatically make the CRT unusable. The real question is whether the old AMD driver and the specific VGA output expose all of those high-refresh custom modes correctly under Wayland.
You may not need to move away from KDE immediately. If the newer Plasma release drops something you rely on, an older Plasma version can remain a practical option for quite a while, especially if you do not need the latest features. That gives you time to test Wayland without losing your current X11 setup right away.
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