DVI ports...dual-link and single-link

[SirFelixCat]

I realize that most video cards come w/ a dual-link DVI port and a 2nd DVI port. The question I have is how can/do you determine if both ports are dual-DVI or if it's one dual and one single.


Thanks and I'll hang up and listen.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

I'm pretty sure that dual-link is just hooking up both DVI ports.

 

[SirFelixCat]

Originally posted by: BlueAcolyte
I'm pretty sure that dual-link is just hooking up both DVI ports.

This is incorrect.

Scroll 1/2 way down the page and you'll see DVI-I Dual Link.


I'm just not sure how to differentiate, on the video card itself, betwen DVI-I Single Link and DVI-I Dual Link.

 

[vj8usa]

Whoops, nevermind.

 

[SirFelixCat]

Guys throw me a bone here...I'm trying to buy the cheapest video card that I can that can run dual 30" monitors. There will be no gaming done on this rig, so I just need the ability to run both monitors.

TIA.

 

[adairusmc]

Just look for a max resolution of 2560x1600 - which requires a dual link port to work.

Something like this -should- work.

 

[yh125d]

http://www.playtool.com/pages/dvicompat/sldldvi.jpg

 

[SirFelixCat]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Just look for a max resolution of 2560x1600 - which requires a dual link port to work.

Something like this -should- work.

Originally posted by: yh125d
http://www.playtool.com/pages/dvicompat/sldldvi.jpg

Fellas, I guess I'm just not being clear here...


I need to run TWO (2) 30" MONITORS...NOT JUST ONE.

Dual-Link does not mean you hook up both ports...


And yh125d, how does that help me exactly? I need the video card to have 2 Dual DVI ports. Looking at a DVI cable doesn't really tell me what the video card has on it. A single-link plug can fit into a dual-link port, ya follow.


So anyone?

 

[SirFelixCat]

Bottom line, does anyone know how to determine if a video card has 2 Dual-DVI ports or a single dual-DVI port and a single, single-DVI port?

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: SirFelixCat
Bottom line, does anyone know how to determine if a video card has 2 Dual-DVI ports or a single dual-DVI port and a single, single-DVI port?

Just by looking at the ports on the card, I don't think it's possible, unless some of the pins are filled in (two colums in the middle missing means single link.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

The only sure way is to go to the manufacturers web page and look at the specs and see if it says, most do.

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: SirFelixCat
Bottom line, does anyone know how to determine if a video card has 2 Dual-DVI ports or a single dual-DVI port and a single, single-DVI port?

Bottom line, you are probably just going to have to buy a card and figure it out for yourself.

 

[SirFelixCat]

eVGA's site doesn't give that info in their specs, which I thought was odd.

I ended up calling eVGA and confirmed that the 9500GT does infact have dual, dual-link ports.

I just find it odd that this is not something readily available. Granted most people don't need to fun dual 30" monitors, but still...


Thanks all!

 

[n7]

It is indeed hard to find it in the specs...many of the manufacturers do not state whether both ports are dual link, or just one is.

All higher end current cards with two DVI will be dual link for both, but you don't need high end, which means an email or phone call when it's not listed is a wise idea.