Low profile Dual Link DVI Quick Question

[Pdog]

Hi Peeps,

I currently own a Dell 2405FPW which has a DVI Port, my brother is giving me his Dell 22" monitor (I am not sure on the model but it has a DVI input)

I need a new low profile graphics card to support these two monitors.

Can anyone recommend a decent passive low profile graphics card?

I don't play games, I just run multiple VM's.

The Dell 2405FPW is very old now and looking at the specification it only has a single dvi-d connection, so in theory I would connect the dual link DVI lead to the graphics card, the DVI cable supplied with the monitor to the dual link cable and then the monitor?

Cheers

P

 

[Pdog]

After a bit more research I am even more confused

In simple terms I have two monitors both with DVI connections, how do I connect them to a Graphics card that has a single Dual Link DVI-D connection?

 

[Sin_Chase]

After a bit more research I am even more confused

In simple terms I have two monitors both with DVI connections, how do I connect them to a Graphics card that has a single Dual Link DVI-D connection?

You do not.

Dual Link refers to the available bandwidth, not the amount of monitors it can connect to.

Some specialist cards support multiple monitors from a single port with breakout cables but these are bespoke solutions.

You require a GPU with multiple output ports. Be it 2 x DVI, or 1 x DVI and 1 x VGA or any mixture of ports your monitors support.

You can also convert DVI to VGA on a DVI-I port.

DVI-D is DIGITAL ONLY. You cannot convert this to analogue.
DVI-I is Digital and Analogue and supports the conversion to an analogue signal/connection (VGA D-SUB)

To connect monitors with DVI ports only you will require a GPU with 2 x DVI-I/D connectors. or a mixture of both (Both I and D will support digital monitors)

You could also get a card with Display Port or HDMI and convert to DVI although this should probably be a last resort as it presents additional complexity/compatibility concerns and extra cost. You might struggle to find a card with 2 x DVI natively however (At least ones outside of the 'Professional/Business' sector where you usually get gouged on price) but you will certainly be able to find cards with at least 1 DVI and either Display port or HDMI.

This + an HDMI > DVI converter would be cheap, low profile and passive and should not present any compatibility concerns (HDMI is backwards compatible with DVI-I/D, however, without any audio support)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-271-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=168

Your other option is to install two cards with DVI ports on but this somewhat negates the whole low profile point and it's likely just easier to convert HDMI/DP.

 

[Orcvader]

+1 to the 5450. You can also find a cable like this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-018-OK&groupid=1929&catid=1753&subcat=

There should be cheaper HDMI to DVI cables around the web somewhere.

 

[Pdog]

Thanks to both of you for the replies.

My current onboard graphics only has HDMI (and VGA) I am currently using a HDMI to DVI convertor to the Dell 2405FPW.

So in theory if I went ahead with this card:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-271-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=168

I could use the native Dual Link DVI-I connection to the Dell 2208WFP DVI-D connection

I could use the HDMI to DVI-D convertor to connect the Dell 2405FPW DVI-D Connection

PS Is there any difference between:

Dual-Link DVI-I & Dual DVI-I

I was looking at this card:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-025-KF&groupid=701&catid=1914


Just to confirm can a "dual DVI-I" connect natively to a "single DVI-D"?

 

[Sin_Chase]

DVI-I contains analogue pin-outs.
DVI-D contains only digital ones.

Dual Link DVI-I/D will Natively connect to either Single or Dual Link DVI-D monitors however you will need to use the correct cable for your monitor. (A single link DVI-D cable will be fine assuming you do not need Dual Link connectivity, the likes of 3D/120Hz etc)

The Dual DVI-I of the GT610 is indeed Dual LINK DVI-I. That cooler looks taller than single slot however so keep that in mind.

 

[Pdog]

Thanks sin_chase for the clarification.

I dont need or have a monitor capable of 3D.

I just need to decide which card to go for now.