Re: [PLUG] Choosing an nVidia card
I need to be looking at nVidia cards that are PCI Express x 16 and have a DVI-D output. Anything else that I need to know? Not really, you could look for two DVI outs for a little more flexability. And/or HDMI outputs, which are similar enough to DVI-D that adapters are cheap. PCH has a 6.5' HDMI to DVI-D cable currently selling for $3.50. PCIe x1 is not only 16X slower than x16, new ones are way spendy so used ones are probably scarce as hen's teeth. Happy hunting, NealS ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Choosing an nVidia card
On 10/20/2011 10:33 PM, Derek Loree wrote: On Wed, 2011-10-19 at 13:55 -0700, Richard C. Steffens wrote: ... Unfortunately Free Geek didn't have any nVidia cards yesterday so I'm now looking for that upgrade. ... Anything else that I need to know? Not really, you could look for two DVI outs for a little more flexability. Second question: Is it possible to use both the on-board video and the PCI Express at the same time (going to different monitors, of course)? I can't vouch for that particular board, but I have gotten Intel Motherboards to run both on-board and PCI-express video at the same time. With two on the PCI-express slot, you could do three at once. That raises another question: If the nVidia card has a 15-pin VGA output and a DVI output, are those for separate monitors or are they just two different ways to get to one monitor out of the card? ... Good Luck, Thanks! -- Regards, Dick Steffens ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Choosing an nVidia card
On Fri, 21 Oct 2011, Richard C. Steffens wrote: That raises another question: If the nVidia card has a 15-pin VGA output and a DVI output, are those for separate monitors or are they just two different ways to get to one monitor out of the card? Dick, They're two different output formats. Not all monitors support DVI (as I discovered with my replacement 19 Hamms-G wide screen). You can run a capable monitor with either. The DVI is brighter and has a sharper image. As Galen told me, once you switch from VGA to DVI you won't want to return. Rich ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Choosing an nVidia card
On 10/21/2011 12:01 AM, Neal wrote: I need to be looking at nVidia cards that are PCI Express x 16 and have a DVI-D output. Anything else that I need to know? Not really, you could look for two DVI outs for a little more flexability. And/or HDMI outputs, which are similar enough to DVI-D that adapters are cheap. PCH has a 6.5' HDMI to DVI-D cable currently selling for $3.50. PCIe x1 is not only 16X slower than x16, new ones are way spendy so used ones are probably scarce as hen's teeth. I suspected something about them being slower. I didn't think about them being more expensive. I shouldn't be surprised, though, since it works that way with hard drives -- a new 500 GB SATA drive is cheaper than a new 320 GB old style drive. I haven't tried Craig's list, yet, but I have looked at ENU and at a gamer's supply place out near me, NWCA. They have a BFG GEFORCE210 PCIe 512MB VIDEO CARD http://www.nwca.com/product.asp?pf_id=IO-V90313 And their cords are in the $10-12 range. After I verify that I have enough power supply to support it I'm leaning towards that card because they're only a few miles away. Happy hunting, Thanks! -- Regards, Dick Steffens ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Choosing an nVidia card
On 10/21/2011 07:38 AM, Rich Shepard wrote: On Fri, 21 Oct 2011, Richard C. Steffens wrote: That raises another question: If the nVidia card has a 15-pin VGA output and a DVI output, are those for separate monitors or are they just two different ways to get to one monitor out of the card? Dick, They're two different output formats. Meaning two electrical connections for the same image? Derek's comment regarding a card with two DVI outputs suggests two separate images. Not all monitors support DVI (as I discovered with my replacement 19 Hamms-G wide screen). You can run a capable monitor with either. The DVI is brighter and has a sharper image. As Galen told me, once you switch from VGA to DVI you won't want to return. I am expecting that. I'm hoping to still use the Samsung monitor I bought from you several years ago as the second monitor. Now that you mention it though, I'll probably be somewhat disappointed with it if it's signal doesn't come from the nVidia card since that's what is in the box I bought from you at the same time. That's been a really nice, clear image. It is an AGP card, though, an this new motherboard doesn't have an AGP slot. -- Regards, Dick Steffens ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Choosing an nVidia card
On Fri, 21 Oct 2011, Richard C. Steffens wrote: Meaning two electrical connections for the same image? Derek's comment regarding a card with two DVI outputs suggests two separate images. Dick, As far as I know, they're the same image. My guess is that a card with two ports of the same type are designed to feed two monitors; with one of each type one monitor. Rich ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Choosing an nVidia card
On Wed, Oct 19, 2011 at 01:55:57PM -0700, Richard C. Steffens wrote: snip The motherboard includes an Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 900, 224MB Max. dynamically allocated shared video memory. It also has One PCI Express x16 slot and One PCI Express x 1 slot. My old machine had an AGP slot into which my old nVidia card went. The x16 slot is typically used for a PCIe video card. I have a leftover NVidia PCIe card with 2 DVI outputs (from FreeGeek) if you still need one. You should be able to use the PCIe and the on-board video at the same time. ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Choosing an nVidia card
On Oct 21, 2011, at 7:47 AM, Richard C. Steffens wrote: Meaning two electrical connections for the same image? Derek's comment regarding a card with two DVI outputs suggests two separate images. That depends on the card. Some will drive two different monitors at the same time, with different images. Others, only one port is active at a time. It should be in the specs of the card as to what they do. Since you are looking at a new (to you at least) card, I'd go with a dual DVI, which would almost always be to drive two monitors with different images. The expanded real estate of a dual screen setup is hard to give up once you've experienced it. Incidentally, the difference between an HDMI and a DVI output, besides the shape of the connector, is that HDMI includes the sound signals. That's why adapters from HDMI to DVI are so inexpensive. Russell Johnson r...@dimstar.net ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Choosing an nVidia card
On Wed, 2011-10-19 at 13:55 -0700, Richard C. Steffens wrote: My desktop machine croaked on Sunday. On Tuesday I visited that fine emporium of well priced, used equipment -- The Free Geek Thrift Store -- and acquired a new machine. It has most of what I wanted, and I upgraded most of the rest. The Sony VAIO box includes: Intel D915GRO motherboard Pentium 4 3.00 GHz 4 GB RAM 500 GB SATA hard drive Ubuntu 10.04 is up and running. Unfortunately Free Geek didn't have any nVidia cards yesterday so I'm now looking for that upgrade. The motherboard includes an Intel Graphic Media Accelerator 900, 224MB Max. dynamically allocated shared video memory. It also has One PCI Express x16 slot and One PCI Express x 1 slot. My old machine had an AGP slot into which my old nVidia card went. I have not kept up with video card technology so I'm not sure on what to focus as I look through the nVidia options. I'm guessing that PCI Express x 16 is better than x 1. Beyond that the only other thing that may be important is that I also got a ViewSonic VG2030wm monitor that has both an analog input and a DVI-D input. From that I'm assuming that I need to be looking at nVidia cards that are PCI Express x 16 and have a DVI-D output. Anything else that I need to know? Not really, you could look for two DVI outs for a little more flexability. Second question: Is it possible to use both the on-board video and the PCI Express at the same time (going to different monitors, of course)? I can't vouch for that particular board, but I have gotten Intel Motherboards to run both on-board and PCI-express video at the same time. With two on the PCI-express slot, you could do three at once. Thanks for all advice, tips, pointers, etc. Good Luck, Derek Loree ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug