New system, to dual or single GPU...

Hi,

I have started building my new system and have 2 Samsung 24" 244T lcds.
The system is gonna have eitehr 2 Nvidia 8800GTX cards.
According to Nvidia 1 8800 GTX will not be able to drive both 24" lcds at their native resolution of 1920x1200, as 1 card can only display a max of 2560x1600, which is less that 2x1920 x 1200.

My question is if I can run the 8800GTXs in SLI anmd drive both 24" at 1920x1200 or do I have to use them as 2 single 8800 GTXs where each drives a 24" lcd?

Belgarath

Where do you get this info from? By the looks of it, it might depend on the model, but you can get GTXs that will support 2 dual-link DVI ports, i.e. being able to drive 2 displays at 2560x1600 which is more than enough for your needs, and besides I think you only need single-link DVI to run 1920x1200, so you shouldn't have a problem whichever one you buy. The fact the max res is 2560 shouldn't stop it from running 2x 1920s as far as I know.

as far as i know the sli mode on the cards disable all but one dvi port. but dont quote me on that

Quote:

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Originally Posted by master811

Where do you get this info from? By the looks of it, it might depend on the model, but you can get GTXs that will support 2 dual-link DVI ports, i.e. being able to drive 2 displays at 2560x1600 which is more than enough for your needs, and besides I think you only need single-link DVI to run 1920x1200, so you shouldn't have a problem whichever one you buy. The fact the max res is 2560 shouldn't stop it from running 2x 1920s as far as I know.

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I get the info straight from the nvidia 8800 specs website: http://www.nvidia.com/page/8800_tech_specs.html

Quote: "Two dual-link DVI outputs for digital flat panel display resolutions up to 2560x1600"
I understand this as the combined resolution of 2 displays can be a max of 1560x1600.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alsenior

as far as i know the sli mode on the cards disable all but one dvi port. but dont quote me on that

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I always thought the DVI ports ion one of thje SLI cards were disabled, but am not sure either :-)

Upon searching the Nvidia knowledge Base I found the following:
max sli resolution

However, they have no info on dual 1920x1200 displays on a single 8800GTX on the knowledge base, therefore I submitted the question to nvidia tech too.

Belgarath

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Belgarath

I get the info straight from the nvidia 8800 specs website: http://www.nvidia.com/page/8800_tech_specs.html

Quote: "Two dual-link DVI outputs for digital flat panel display resolutions up to 2560x1600"
I understand this as the combined resolution of 2 displays can be a max of 1560x1600.

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I am fairly sure it means you can run 2x 2560x1600 displays, it would defeat the point of having 2x dual-links otherwise.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Belgarath

I get the info straight from the nvidia 8800 specs website: http://www.nvidia.com/page/8800_tech_specs.html

Quote: "Two dual-link DVI outputs for digital flat panel display resolutions up to 2560x1600"
I understand this as the combined resolution of 2 displays can be a max of 1560x1600.

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That means the DFP resolution of *EACH* display, not both combined.

Running two displays at 1900x1200 will not be a problem. As said above, that will be the max resolution for each port.

when it comes to games it might be a different matter. Not many support dual monitors.