Video card to run dual monitors at 2560x1440

[Einz]

So my google fu is failing me, so to AT forums I come. I recently picked up one of those Korean 27" monitors, and I was wondering what video card I would need to run 2 of them (the monitor only has DVI input). I understand that having a card with 2x dual-link DVI would be ideal. How about 1x DVI/1x HDMI with a HDMI to DVI adapter/cable? Or 1x DVI/1x display port with DP to DVI adapter/cable? There seems to be a lot of contradicting information around... Thanks for the help!

 

[paperwastage]

you'll need DVI-D dual link to run at full resolution

do you need gaming? or just to drive this for regular windows (non-gaming) use?

most likely, you can't use HDMI (most HDMI implementations are at 1.2a that go only up to 1200p... the standard of 1.4 allows enough for driving those monitors, but most likely the video cards don't implement them)

if you really need to, displayport works, but you'll need a $80 cable that converts active displayport to dual-link DVI (the $30 cable is only single-link DVI)... passive displayport->dual link DVI should work, but I dont ever recall seeing them

 

[Einz]

you'll need DVI-D dual link to run at full resolution

do you need gaming? or just to drive this for regular windows (non-gaming) use?

Hmm, eventhough some of the HDMI specs say they support that resolution? Is the problem that there isn't a HDMI to dual link DVI adapter? This would just be regular Windows.

 

[paperwastage]

Hmm, eventhough some of the HDMI specs say they support that resolution? Is the problem that there isn't a HDMI to dual link DVI adapter? This would just be regular Windows.

sry, was just updating my post.. might want to read my prev post too

the problem with HDMI is that most TVs use HDMI, while most monitors use DVI (exceptions i know blah blah blah)

therefore, most HDMI implementations only go up to 1900x1200... i don't recall any HDMI -> Dual link adapters (even though they're just pin-head conversions), as most HDMI are usually limited to 1200p input or output.. most likely would work, but who knows?

 

[Einz]

sry, was just updating my post.. might want to read my prev post too

the problem with HDMI is that most TVs use HDMI, while most monitors use DVI (exceptions i know blah blah blah)

therefore, most HDMI implementations only go up to 1900x1200... i don't recall any HDMI -> Dual link adapters (even though they're just pin-head conversions), as most HDMI are usually limited to 1200p input or output

Makes sense, that's what I was afraid of. 2x DVI here I come, thanks again!

 

[paperwastage]

Makes sense, that's what I was afraid of. 2x DVI here I come, thanks again!

well, you could look at the video card, look at the specs, see if the HDMI output is limited at 1200p or not... if not, find an adapter, try it?

i believe most new nvidia cards come with 2 dual link DVIs..

eg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130788

should work... under $50

 

[RussianSensation]

GT430 is $40 and supports dual dual-link DVI (i.e., 2x 2560x1600 monitors).

 

[Destiny]

The most ideal is to run one with dual-link DVI-D... for the second 2560x1440p Monitor make sure it has a displayport input so you only need to get a displayport cable.

Because having to purchase an expensive "Active" adapter just negates the lower priced Korean monitors anyways.

 

[Einz]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll probably pick up one of the super cheap cards.
Destiny - those Active adapters are expensive as f*ck. That being said, 2x Korean monitors are enough savings even over the Microcenter one that I'll probably stick with the DVI only ones (who can resist at $280 shipped?)

 

[joe_H]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll probably pick up one of the super cheap cards.
Destiny - those Active adapters are expensive as f*ck. That being said, 2x Korean monitors are enough savings even over the Microcenter one that I'll probably stick with the DVI only ones (who can resist at $280 shipped?)

I have two Shimian Lites. Picked up a HD7950 to drive them. I originally used DVI on the primary, and an DP to active DVI converter for the second. My idle temps were in the 50s, so I returned the converter and picked up a HD5450 for $20 after rebate to run the second. No problems so far, and the card now idles in the high 30s.

 

[dokindo]

Been searching for answers on how to run a setup with 3 of these Korean monitors at 2560x1440.

So it seems quite easy to run 2 with the GT430 (nongaming).

What would be the lowest cost approach to run 3 of these?

 

[jacktesterson]

Probably something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161387

On cheaper GPU side, you will probably need a card with 2 dual link DVI's and a Display port.

You can either buy one Korean monitor with DP, or buy an adaptor ($30 ish on ebay)

 

[Anubis]

i run 2 of the shimian QH270s off of a 7950, one runs off the standard DL-DVI port the 2nd runs off the display port using an ACTIVE Display port to DL-DVI adapter. the adapters run ~100$ which i would not say is "expensive as f*ck" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00

as for gaming i have no issues with this rez for what i play/played since i got them. SS3, MP3, D3, GW2, WOW

 

[Einz]

i run 2 of the shimian QH270s off of a 7950, one runs off the standard DL-DVI port the 2nd runs off the display port using an ACTIVE Display port to DL-DVI adapter. the adapters run ~100$ which i would not say is "expensive as f*ck" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00

as for gaming i have no issues with this rez for what i play/played since i got them. SS3, MP3, D3, GW2, WOW

Do you have the same idle temp issue as joe H? While $100 isn't that much in the grand scheme of things, it is when I'm used to like $5 passive DVI/HDMI adapters

 

[Anubis]

im not sure id call it an issue, every card ive ever had has idled in the 40s, before i got the 7950 i ran dual 6870 with dual 24 inch monitors running 1920*1200 and my temps were in the 40s idle, and 1 of those 6870s would hit 90C when gaming - stupid stock cooler design

TBH ive never understood how reviewers get idle temps in the 20s unless they are testing them in a freezer. it hits mid 60s-low 70s when playing GW2 at max settings, which is prob the most graphically intense game i currently play

 

[jaydee]

i run 2 of the shimian QH270s off of a 7950, one runs off the standard DL-DVI port the 2nd runs off the display port using an ACTIVE Display port to DL-DVI adapter. the adapters run ~100$ which i would not say is "expensive as f*ck" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00

as for gaming i have no issues with this rez for what i play/played since i got them. SS3, MP3, D3, GW2, WOW

I thought the high end 7xxx series cards from AMD supported the true HDMI 1.4a spec, and thus were able to display 1440p over the HDMI?

 

[joe_H]

im not sure id call it an issue, every card ive ever had has idled in the 40s, before i got the 7950 i ran dual 6870 with dual 24 inch monitors running 1920*1200 and my temps were in the 40s idle, and 1 of those 6870s would hit 90C when gaming - stupid stock cooler design

TBH ive never understood how reviewers get idle temps in the 20s unless they are testing them in a freezer. it hits mid 60s-low 70s when playing GW2 at max settings, which is prob the most graphically intense game i currently play

My 7950 idles at around 38C because it downclocks to 150/300. When I run two monitors off the card, the memory clock can't downclock and runs at 1250 causing the idle temps to be around 53C. From researching the issue, it appears the both AMD and Nvidia disables memory downclocking in order to keep the refresh rates matched on both monitors and avoid a tearing effect. I do hit low 70s when playing a game at 1440p.

 

[Anubis]

I thought the high end 7xxx series cards from AMD supported the true HDMI 1.4a spec, and thus were able to display 1440p over the HDMI?

they might but the shimians only have a DL-DVI imput, so you have to use an adapter and IIRC you cant do HDMI-DL-DVI and have it work, it has to be DisplayPort

 

[Anubis]

My 7950 idles at around 38C because it downclocks to 150/300. When I run two monitors off the card, the memory clock can't downclock and runs at 1250 causing the idle temps to be around 53C. From researching the issue, it appears the both AMD and Nvidia disables memory downclocking in order to keep the refresh rates matched on both monitors and avoid a tearing effect. I do hit low 70s when playing a game at 1440p.

humm i didnt know the memory didnt down clock, ill check mine when im home because TBH i dont know whats its doing, i know part of it downclocks but i thought both did, either way is well within tolerances so i dont worry about the temps

 

[jaydee]

they might but the shimians only have a DL-DVI imput, so you have to use an adapter and IIRC you cant do HDMI-DL-DVI and have it work, it has to be DisplayPort

Well I'm assuming that if the HDMI spec can support the same high resolution as the DL-DVI and they are electrically equivalent, that a HDMI 1.4a spec'd cable should be adequate with an adapter (or an HDMI to DVI cable). But I guess I'm only basing that off "it makes sense it would work like that", nothing concrete.

Hmm... it looks like on monoprice that all the DVI to HDMI cables only support single-link. Pity.

 

[Einz]

Well I'm assuming that if the HDMI spec can support the same high resolution as the DL-DVI and they are electrically equivalent, that a HDMI 1.4a spec'd cable should be adequate with an adapter (or an HDMI to DVI cable). But I guess I'm only basing that off "it makes sense it would work like that", nothing concrete.

Hmm... it looks like on monoprice that all the DVI to HDMI cables only support single-link. Pity.

That's pretty much my experience. Most of the adapters are single link, and it wasn't immediately obvious that the dual link ones I found were electrically dual link.
http://www.amazon.com/Professional-C.../dp/B002JCQVW8