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geekhack Marketplace => Classifieds => Topic started by: ed_avis on Thu, 22 March 2012, 06:53:15

Title: PCI Nvidia card with two dual-link DVI outputs
Post by: ed_avis on Thu, 22 March 2012, 06:53:15

I'm looking for a video card for my Dell M90 laptop with dock.  (I know an eGPU is possible but I would prefer to use the dock I have.)  The requirements are

- PCI bus (not PCI Express).
- Nvidia chipset (so it can use the same driver as the onboard video).
- Needs two DVI outputs, each one being dual-link DVI.
- Performance is not important, as long as it is recent enough to be supported by current Nvidia drivers it will be fine.

I already have a stash of Quadro 440 PCI-bus cards but I do not have the necessary cables for them - and I believe that while they are capable of generating four single-link DVI outputs, they cannot produce dual-link signals.  If anyone knows to the contrary please enlighten me!  And I already have video cards (both Nvidia and Radeon) with reasonable muscle and twin dual-link outputs, but they are PCI Express not PCI.

Title: PCI Nvidia card with two dual-link DVI outputs
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Thu, 22 March 2012, 07:12:59

Is there even such thing? DVI is pretty new, relative to PCI interface.

Title: PCI Nvidia card with two dual-link DVI outputs
Post by: ed_avis on Thu, 22 March 2012, 08:57:02

DVI is old and there are plenty of PCI video cards with DVI output (or some connector such as DMS59 with a DVI splitter cable).

Dual-link DVI is newer.  I believe there are Radeon cards with PCI bus and twin dual-link (though I haven't seen a particular model number), and Matrox seemingly carried on making PCI cards after everyone else gave up, but I am seeking a Nvidia-based card.

Title: PCI Nvidia card with two dual-link DVI outputs
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Thu, 22 March 2012, 09:59:41

I am pretty sure there is no such card from nvidia. One dual link sure, but not 2. Can you do dvi and hdmi? GT520 I think is the most up to date pci card, and it only have 1 dvi.

I have an 8400GS pci, but it only have 1 dvi and 1 hdmi too.

Title: PCI Nvidia card with two dual-link DVI outputs
Post by: Tennobanzai on Thu, 22 March 2012, 22:44:36

Quote from: lysol;553531

I am pretty sure there is no such card from nvidia. One dual link sure, but not 2. Can you do dvi and hdmi? GT520 I think is the most up to date pci card, and it only have 1 dvi.

I have an 8400GS pci, but it only have 1 dvi and 1 hdmi too.

I know they make dual DMS59 cards but I've only seen them come with PCI express

Title: PCI Nvidia card with two dual-link DVI outputs
Post by: Wildcard on Fri, 23 March 2012, 00:21:20

I'm assuming you want to use the dual-links to drive 2 large monitors?

I believe you can use two single links for this purpose, just have to specify that in your setup. Have you checked the manual for these Quadros for supported resolutions?

Title: PCI Nvidia card with two dual-link DVI outputs
Post by: ed_avis on Fri, 23 March 2012, 03:31:00

Quote from: Tennobanzai;554216

I know they make dual DMS59 cards but I've only seen them come with PCI express

I have some old Quadro cards with dual DMS59 (or dual LFH-60) but I believe that even with the right breakout cable you can only get 4x single-link DVI, not 2x dual-link.

It is indeed possible to drive each monitor with two single-link DVI connections instead of one dual-link.  But to do that I would have to unplug the adaptor cards I currently have fitted to the monitors.  It would be more convenient to get dual-link outputs from both my desktop and laptop.