A GPU for two u2711 [frustation inside]

[GleaM]

Hi people.

I'm trying to find a suitable GPU for my needs to buy for my new PC that would allow me to connect both of my DELL u2711 and run them at their native resolution: 2560x1440. I am not looking for a powerful 3D GPU card because I'm not a gamer anymore, and I just need big screen space to work.

Some years ago I was really into HW and knew more or less everything (for domestic use) in detail, but I've been out of play for the last years and I really find myself outdated regarding hardware knowledge. This leads me to absolute ignorance when it comes to the new (so-to-speak) DVI-D and Display Port connections, multi-monitors setups, etc... and I'm kind of going crazy here (even thou I've been learning a lot for the last week).

My objective is to set up and extended desktop (no need for horizontal span) for my monitors, using one single graphic card. Because I really don't need 3D power, I was thinking that a low/mid range VGA would suit me, maybe a Geforce 610/640 or some ATI 77xx. But the "connecting both monitors to one graphic card" issue is driving me crazy. Because u2711's resolution is higher 1920x1080, I am obviously forced to use DVI-D and/or Display Port so I need a graphic card with enough display connectors.

Up to this point I think - Oh well, I guess I could connect both monitors to the "chosen" VGA either with:

1. 2 DVI-D connectors.
2. 1 DVI-D and 1 Display Port.
3. 2 Display Ports.

Then I see that many VGAs come with miniDP connectors, so I guess I would need to purchase a MiniDP-to-DP cable for than, in case I'm using a VGA with that display connector. Anyway, afterwards I start to wonder if it is really possible to use option #2, because low/mid VGAs do not come with a lot of display connectors, and I would like to confirm in advance if the card I'm acquiring would allow me to connect both monitors without any problem. I am not new searching the web but, man! is finding clear info about this a pain in the ace

Anyway, looking for some info I start to read about Display Port 1.2 and daisy-chaining the monitors, which sounds great because if that's possible, I just need a VGA with a DP 1.2 connector, and that does not limit the offer as much. But I also read that daisy-chain it is not supported by my u2711 (because they just have one DP port), but I just don't know

So, I'm kinda going crazy here, mainly due to the fact that I've been off for some time, and therefore I'm standing ignorant at this momment :thumbsdown:

The PC I'm getting is an Ivy Bridge 3550 with 8 GBs of RAM, Gigabyte H77-D3H, a couple of SSD HD's and a SATA one and an Antec 300 Ultimate Gaming case and I am going to use it to work (I write, review and edit content) so, as I said, I don't need huge 3D power. I will watch some movies and listen to some MP3 also, but that's about it.

So, could anyone give me a hand here? Which VGA would you guys pick for this PC config and my needs if you were in my skin? How would you connect both u2711 to that VGA?

I would really appreciate the help. Thanks for making it this far

Cheers.

PS: I'm not a native english-spoken person, so please excuse me if some of this brick reads funny

 

[Bull Dog]

What you need is a video card with either 2x Dual-Link DVI connectors or a combination of Dual-Link DVI and Display Port outputs.

I have a Dell U2711 myself and on my Radeon 7970 I am using one of these Accell miniDP to DP adapter to convert from miniDP to Display Port.

The other option for miniDP to DP is a cable like this Accell Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable


I think the most foolproof solution would be to find a video card with two miniDP connectors and then get the miniDP to DP cable/adapter of your choice.

The cheapest video card on Newegg with two miniDP appears to be this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131460

I hope this helps.

 

[borisvodofsky]

Dual Link DVI is better, and completely hassle free unlike display port.

 

[sgrinavi]

Dual Link DVI is better, and completely hassle free unlike display port.

Plug and go is a hassle?

 

[Lonyo]

Part 1) Motherboard manufacturers are stupid/cheap. While the integrated Ivybridge GPUs should be able to power two 2560x1440 monitors, it doesn't seem like any motherboard support it (requires dual link DVI and/or DP, most motherboards have single link and/or one DP).

Part 2) You could get a different motherboard and run one monitor from the DP port on the different motherboard, using the integrated GPU and get a graphics card which has DP/DL-DVI and do it that way.
Or you can just get almost any card with DP and/or dual link DVI and it will work fine to power both monitors, and there is zero hassle with either connection type.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-281-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-268-SP

There don't seem to be any similarly priced NV cards, they all seem to be DVI + HDMI + VGA for some reason, so the cheapest card which would run both monitors would end up being closer to £100.
If you want to go for integrated GPU + card, then any card would do pretty much, as long as it has dual link DVI. However, you would need to pick a different motherboard which has either DL-DVI or Displayport output, as your chosen motherboard does not.
Cheapest graphics card options:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-155-OK&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-264-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=

Cheapest H77 motherboard with DP: (Z77 are also more expensive)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-519-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2265

The cheaper option would be a different motherboard + cheap graphics card, as that would be £112 vs £150 for your current mobo choice + graphics card for both monitors.

 

[Destiny]

@OP

What is your budget for a video card?

 

[GleaM]

Hi!

First of all, I really appreciate your help here, I just wanted to say that first

What you need is a video card with either 2x Dual-Link DVI connectors or a combination of Dual-Link DVI and Display Port outputs.

I have a Dell U2711 myself and on my Radeon 7970 I am using one of these Accell miniDP to DP adapter to convert from miniDP to Display Port.

The other option for miniDP to DP is a cable like this Accell Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable


I think the most foolproof solution would be to find a video card with two miniDP connectors and then get the miniDP to DP cable/adapter of your choice.

The cheapest video card on Newegg with two miniDP appears to be this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131460

I hope this helps.

Hi Bull Dog.

Reading that a combo of DVI-D + DP would work (and seing that Lonyo confims it afterwards) is very pleasant

Thank you for the cable-adapter links, that really helps, because I had in mind prior to writing this thread a couple of 7770 (Sapphire or Gigabyte
a bit more inclined to the latter, but still in doubt) and now I can get a clearer picture.

Anyway I still think that those cards are above my needs considering their 3D power, but now that I know that I could use a card with DVI-D and DP, using each ports my monitors, I think the option range broadens.

Dual Link DVI is better, and completely hassle free unlike display port.

Hi borisvodofsky.

How so?

I understand that with DVI-D I don't have to deal with adapters, but afaik, DP is able to manage 30 bit depth color (Deep Color) while DVI-D cannot. Not that I care about this difference, because even if my u2711 can handle 30 bits, I'm not getting a FirePro or a Quaddro card, and I'm not going to work with photo editing or 2D design. Such a shame having that option at hand and not use it, but I have enough work atm

Part 1) Motherboard manufacturers are stupid/cheap. While the integrated Ivybridge GPUs should be able to power two 2560x1440 monitors, it doesn't seem like any motherboard support it (requires dual link DVI and/or DP, most motherboards have single link and/or one DP).

Part 2) You could get a different motherboard and run one monitor from the DP port on the different motherboard, using the integrated GPU and get a graphics card which has DP/DL-DVI and do it that way.
Or you can just get almost any card with DP and/or dual link DVI and it will work fine to power both monitors, and there is zero hassle with either connection type.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-281-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-268-SP

There don't seem to be any similarly priced NV cards, they all seem to be DVI + HDMI + VGA for some reason, so the cheapest card which would run both monitors would end up being closer to £100.
If you want to go for integrated GPU + card, then any card would do pretty much, as long as it has dual link DVI. However, you would need to pick a different motherboard which has either DL-DVI or Displayport output, as your chosen motherboard does not.
Cheapest graphics card options:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-155-OK&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-264-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=

Cheapest H77 motherboard with DP: (Z77 are also more expensive)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-519-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2265

The cheaper option would be a different motherboard + cheap graphics card, as that would be £112 vs £150 for your current mobo choice + graphics card for both monitors.

Hi Lonyo!

I definetely agree with part 1. The first thing I thought was to use the integrated GPU to do the job. I would have gone to a 3570K for that, probably. I think it would have been worth it (HD4000 is way better than HD2500). But then I saw what MB manufactures equip as display connectors on their MBs, and I was really brought down.

It just seems ilogical, and the only reason that I find reasonable for this situation to be as it is, might be that people with multi-monitor setups are also people with high-end GPU demands, so MB manufacturers might not think that they a market target if the include those ports on their MBs. It's just my guess. Anyway I think I am just an exception

For part 2, I really, really have to thank you for the detailed explanations and the options. For the MB with DP port, I think you meant this one, but reading everything that you have so kindly detailed, I get the point and now I think I see the whole picture, which it feels like a tiny golden success =)

@OP

What is your budget for a video card?

Hi Destiny.

Money is not an issue in this case, which means that if I needed to buy a £200 VGA for this, I would. The thing is that I just want to be sure that I am buying a right setup. Something that fulfills my needs and, money-wise, will last. But I don't want to end up buting something that exceeds my needs simply because that would work. I am the kind of person that hates to do so, therefore, I'm a total pain

Anyway, I'll think about the different options that I see here. Now, at least, I know which ones there are!

I might end up buying a 77xx because I more or less like the idea of getting "newest" technology (even if it is mid/low end) considering its "life-expectancy", but I will sleep over it anyway.

Thanks again guys.