Hi all, My current GPU (XFX HD 5770) has 2 DVI outputs which I am using to run my 2 VGA monitors via 2 DVI>VGA connectors. I am currently planning on upgrading to a HD 7950, and I wanted to know about DVI-D and how it works with VGA. All of the GPU cards I've seen that have 2 DVI o/p state that one is DVI-S and the other is DVI-D. Whats the difference and how do they interact with VGA?? Or should I abandon 2 DVI ports and use mini-display ports instead. Assuming that connectors are suitable & available. All/most of the connectors I've found online are mac branded at ~£20+. But I assume they'll work>?
most new cards only do VGA over 1 DVI nowadays mate I would think that the mini display are digital only
I think my HD 5830 outputs to two monitors using vga cables. Thats using DVI -VGA adaptors that come with the GPU.
I have the xfx 7950 and it is basically 2 dvi ports and with slightly different pin holes in them. One is clearly labelled vga though. Have you considered hdmi?
Both my monitors are quite old now, so don't have HDMI on them, only VGA. I don't really want to have to buy 2 new monitors as part of this upgrade if I can avoid it. There are minidisplay > VGA cables available, but I'm relectant to splash the cash on a new GPU and then have to fork out again for new monitors if the cable/converter doesn't work. http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/17470...tml?_$ja=tsid:11518|cat:17470340|prd:17470340 But again - it looks like its for mac. But is there any difference between Mac & PC mini display ports??? Any more ideas anyone?
Are you running VGA monitor(s) from your card? Are you able to try the other DVI (not labelled VGA) and see if it works?
Eh? DVI-S doesn't exist. DVI-D is digital only in both single and dual-link forms. DVI-I and DVI-A both support analogue output for VGA. MiniDisplayPort adapters will work fine, even if they are sold for Mac due to the simple fact that MDP is an industry standard that Apple are fully behind (in fact, they invented the MDP port, but the DisplayPort standard from VESA is the key and MDP became part of the DisplayPort 1.2 standard). However you may find that you need to buy an active adapter (depending on your card), which is one that contains some circuitry/chips to do a digital-analogue conversion, rather than a dumb MDP-VGA adapter.
Yes I am running vga and the vga lavelled dvi port works but the other isn't comptible, as I mentioned they have different pin arrangements. I have just ordered 1 new monitor though so will be moving to hdmi or display port, same problem as you, the one I have is ancient.
Thanks for the explanation Cei. That has cleared things up for me. Am I right in thinking then that the analogue signal is being sent though the 4 pins surrounding the long horizontal pin on the LHS of your pictures?
Yes, you're spot on - and the horizontal pin in-between them is also ever slightly different on them as well.
As for the adapter, I use one of these Apple mini display port to VGA adapters to connect my Dell XPS 15 laptop to the spare VGA port on my monitor and it works fine running at 1920x1080.
