DVI-VGA Issue :: Is there anything wrong with this Sapphire Radeon 8500LE

[Nikster]

I bought this card a while back and with that also bought a standard DVI-VGA Adpater, but DVI side of the adapter seems to have 4 extra pins! OR there is something wrong with the component used on the Sapphire board. You can see it in the pictures.

I'm not familiar with DVI standards and this is what I could dig up for you guys.

Radeon 8500LE Board picture < Click on FRONT VIEW to view it clearly >
Sapphire Radeon 8500LE


This is what the DVI-VGA Adapter looks like.

Any suggestions on how to go dual VGA with this card?

Thanks in advance.

 

[John]

I have the exact card in my other system. It uses a dvi-d port (digital only, no dvi to vga adapter support) on the card instead of a dvi-d (digital and analog). Newegg sells the same card for 70.00 shipped fedex saver, and they also clearly state that you cannot use a dvi to vga adapter on this card.

If you want a dvi-d radeon 8500 series, get the radeon 9100.

 

[Nikster]

Can anyone give a combo for a

Radeon 9100 + DVI-VGA Adpater that will work together?

I'm still not sure if I'm getting the right stuff.

Thanks again

 

[Budman]

Humm.. very weird,I have the same card but it's a 128meg ver.

I have the same DVI-VGA adapter & my card has those extra 4 pins & it works perfectly using the adapter.

64 meg cards must be made differently because it works fine on mine.

 

[Blastman]

Originally posted by: Nikster

Any suggestions on how to go dual VGA with this card?

Thanks in advance.

I don't think Sapphire 8500LE/9100's support dual monitor displays...

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/6-value-roundup.html

RADEON 8500 graphics chip supports image output onto two displays due to ATI's brand HydroVision technology. But not all graphics cards based on this chip can work with two displays. The point is that RADEON 8500LE has an embedded transmitter for image transfer to a digital DVI-Out, but only one embedded RAMDAC. In order to provide picture output onto two displays at a time, a second RAMDAC should be installed next to the graphics chip (the soldering-up spot is marked by the red box in the snapshot below).

Not all manufacturers of RADEON 8500LE based cards prove the second external RAMDAC by their products, thus trying to save on costs. SAPPHIRE is no exception here. Therefore the card we tested didn't have the second RAMDAC and hence couldn't ensure output onto two displays, although it supported LCD displays through the DVI connector.

 

[0roo0roo]

ah thats what i thought. my retail 9000pro brags about its dual video capability etc😛 somehwat justifying its higher cost over saphire.

 

[Budman]

The link Blastman pointed to shows they used a 64meg Sapphire card,as I said before I am using the dvi-to vga adapter on my card & it works it's got 2nd ram dac on my 128meg card.


http://www.sapphiretech.com/vga/8500le.asp

1024-6149-50-SA (NTSC, W/ 2nd RAM DAC, 128MB, DVI, TV-Out)

 

[Nikster]

Conclusion:

My money on the 64MB got wasted. I think I will go ahead and buy a new card. I even tried chipping off the 4 pins in my adapter to see if it worked or not!

Guess, I need to buy a new card and an adapter.


Budman : Would you reccomend the 128MB version or would another (better?) card under $100 would do the trick?


Thanks for the help guys

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: Nikster
Conclusion:

My money on the 64MB got wasted. I think I will go ahead and buy a new card. I even tried chipping off the 4 pins in my adapter to see if it worked or not!

Guess, I need to buy a new card and an adapter.


Budman : Would you reccomend the 128MB version or would another (better?) card under $100 would do the trick?


Thanks for the help guys

Sorry I cant recommend any peticular card,I was just pointing out that not all 8500Le do no support that feature.

Probably a few other 8500le's card supports that feature too,next time look for those extra 4 pins on the card. 🙂

 

[Nikster]

Is anyone using a dual monitor CRT setup?

I've tried the Matrox but the card doesn't go well with my monitors. They are both Dell P991s

What ATI card can I use that will give performance comparable to a 8500?

I've posted my card for sale/trade in case anyone is interested 🙂