Dell 3007WFP and BFG 7800GTX 512?

[Machine2006]

Ok. Like many people, I'm drooling over the new Dell 3007WFP. It's expensive, but it's not the price that's really holding me back right now. It's whether or not I can actually use one if I buy it.

I have a BFG 7800GTX 512 and it appears to have two Dual Link DVI-I outputs so I think I'm ok there. But I notice from the tech specs for the card it only supports resolutions up to 2048x1536.

One of the big selling points for me on the Dell 3007WFP is the 2560x1600 resolution. I want to play games with all the goods cranked up at that resolution (I will be doing some desktop work as well, but that's besides the point). My thoughts are the BFG 7800GTX 512 is probably powerful enough to handle it except for the resolution limitations.

Forgive the stupid question, but is it correct I wouldn't be able to get the full resolution of the Dell 3007WFP using my BFG 7800GTX 512 or are the rules changed when using the Dual Link?

It kind of sucks to buy a top of the line card and find it's still a limiting factor. I'd hate to switch cards at this point as it's still fairly new. What cards do support 2560x1600 and have the power to do a good job on games at that resolution?

 

[JackBurton]

I'd get the X1900XT now. It's cheaper, performs better and supports dual link also (2560x1600 res).

 

[Machine2006]

I'm trying to avoid buying a new card since I just bought the BFG 7800GTX 512 and it wasn't cheap. I looked up X1900XT on www.newegg.com and for the 4 models they had listed, they all showed max resolution of 2048x1536. I went to ATI's website and tried to find the resolution...no go. Why are the manufacturers not prominently featuring the supported resolutions any more? That's one of the main things I look for when buying a video card.

 

[NeezyDeezy]

well, I guess they assume people know the max resolution of a single dvi link, and that if two are provided its twice that

I completely agree with you though, they should be very clear

 

[SynthDude2001]

2048x1536 might just be the maximum analog resolution. The card's specs should list clearly whether one or both of the DVI outputs is dual link, and if it's unclear then you could always contact the company directly for clarification. If it does have a dual link output, then you should be able to use 2560x1600 just fine (now getting playable framerates on any game made within the last 3 years at that resolution is another issue entirely...)

 

[Matthias99]

It supports the resolution (although IIRC most 7800-class cards only have *one* dual-link DVI output, while the X1800/X1900s have two).

The 2048x1536 limit is for VGA output; Dual-link DVI can go higher. Admittedly, the specs listed on many websites are very unclear.

Edit: Yeah. What they said.

 

[Machine2006]

Ok. So maybe I *CAN* use my BFG 7800 GTX 512 to get the higher resolutions. Anyone know where I can find the maximum Dual Link DVI resolution for that card? Thanks much for the help everyone. My wallet doesn't thank you but I do. =)

 

[yomafire]

Originally posted by: Machine2006
Ok. So maybe I *CAN* use my BFG 7800 GTX 512 to get the higher resolutions. Anyone know where I can find the maximum Dual Link DVI resolution for that card? Thanks much for the help everyone. My wallet doesn't thank you but I do. =)

I just got my 30 incher today....man its beautiful. Im running 7800 gt and it supports it no problem. But I heard that only 81.98 nvidia drivers work for it

My 7800 gt handles games failrly well too

GL and BUY IT! I got it for 1599 CAN What a deal eh!

 

[Machine2006]

Are you canadian or living in the US and just ordered from Canada? I've never done that before. Any problems with that such as customs?

Also, you were able to get 2560x1600?

 

[Machine2006]

I'm still trying to find some confirmation on max Dual DVI resolution for 7800 GTX. I can't believe I can't find this information anywhere on the web!!! Is there some reason the manufactures don't publish this any place?!

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Machine2006
I'm still trying to find some confirmation on max Dual DVI resolution for 7800 GTX. I can't believe I can't find this information anywhere on the web!!! Is there some reason the manufactures don't publish this any place?!

It's the same for any Dual-Link DVI card... since regular DVI can do 1600x1200@60Hz, I would imagine Dual-Link DVI can do at least double that, assuming the drivers and the rest of the hardware can support it.

I can't see anybody possibly putting out a display (in the next few years, at least) that couldn't be driven by Dual-Link DVI, as it would need some sort of custom solution to actually display anything.

 

[imported_Doughboy]

call BFG or call Dell they should be able to tell you which hardware is compatible. I'd try BFG first. I've always heard that 'second' connector on the 7800 will support dual link 30" resolutions 2560x1600.

 

[imported_obsidian]

Originally posted by: NeezyDeezy
well, I guess they assume people know the max resolution of a single dvi link, and that if two are provided its twice that

I completely agree with you though, they should be very clear

The problem is this isn't at all how it works. Each individual DVI port could be either dual or single link.

 

[Machine2006]

Ok. Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[zanta]

yomafire,

Have you noticed any ghosting with your monitor and are you still using the same video card? I'm thinking of purchasing this monitor to be used with a single x1900xtx. I've always used Dell p1130 Sony Trinitron monitors CRT and have wanted to go with LCD for a while, but heard problems with ghosting and image quality.

Thanks