Sandy Bridge, VGA and 2560x1440

[kevinsbane]

I am considering a 27" 2560x1440 monitor. This monitor has dual-link DVI, HDMI and VGA. I'd like to be able to hook my laptop to it to run it at native resolution. My laptop only has displayport and VGA outputs. Is there a way to output a 2560x1440 signal to the monitor via VGA?

I could use a displayport-> dual link DVI adapter, but thats an additional $100 I'd rather not spend if I don't have to.

I understand that the max supported resolution of VGA is 2048 x 1536 @ 60hz, but the thing is that I don't need 60hz. I would rather drop refresh rates down to 50 or less if I can keep the resolution.

Is there any possible way to output a 2560x1440 signal to the monitor via VGA, using Intel HD 3000 graphics?

 

[Concillian]

Don't think you're going to be able to just lower the refresh like that. You'll have to buy software like powertune to create special profiles for resolution / refresh in windows.

I also don't think I'd buy a monitor right now without a DP. Monitors are usually around for 5 years or more, and notebooks are already dropping DVI... when you outgrow that special low refresh VGA, or get sick of having to re-do your custom monitor settings every time you reinstall, you're going to be buying a DP to DVI then anyway.

 

[kevinsbane]

Don't think you're going to be able to just lower the refresh like that. You'll have to buy software like powertune to create special profiles for resolution / refresh in windows.

I also don't think I'd buy a monitor right now without a DP. Monitors are usually around for 5 years or more, and notebooks are already dropping DVI... when you outgrow that special low refresh VGA, or get sick of having to re-do your custom monitor settings every time you reinstall, you're going to be buying a DP to DVI then anyway.

I personally agree with you; in fact my last 4 monitors that I've bought were displayport monitors. However, when the opportunity arises to get an 8bit IPS, 27" 2560x1440 for ~$450 arises, you have to consider your priorities