Picking a Video Card for 2560x1600 30" Monitor

[isildur1]

I am a complete noob with video cards, so please help me out here.

I just bought this 30 inch monitor, maximum resolution 2560x1600, (http://www.amazon.com/UltraSharp-U3011-2560-1600-1000/dp/B0046TX0VC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327112934&sr=1-1) to go along with this 27 inch monitor, maximum resolution 1920x1080, (http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VA2702W-27-Inch-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B0041G633W/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327113052&sr=1-1) I already had.

The highest resolution I can get from the 30 inch monitor at the moment is 1600x1200. I have been able to get maximum resolution on my 27 inch with the video card I currently have (the integrated graphics card that comes with the Intel 2500k processor). I have in the past been able to run two 27 inch monitors at the same time with this card. One monitor was connected to the DVI port of my PC, the other one to the HDMI port.

I'm looking to have these two monitors side by side at maximum resolution. Since I'm a noob at these things can someone lead me to a good video card to get? The monitors will not be used for games, just for watching movies and doing work. So I'm not looking for anything too expensive.

Thanks.

 

[refillable]

Seems like you should install the monitor's drivers. Try it first before doing anything.

 

[lunyone]

I'd consider this:
$85 - $15 MIR = $70!
SAPPHIRE 100326DDR3L Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

It does state at Intel's website here. That the CPU supports up to 2560 x 1600, not sure if that means you can do 2 screens on that resolution, but should definitely be good for 1 monitor at that resolution.

 

[saratj1]

check your cable it needs to be a double link dvi cable, just something to check

 

[lunyone]

check your cable it needs to be a double link dvi cable, just something to check

Yeah I forgot that too, because I think you need to have the Double DVI cable in order to get the higher resolution.
"WHAT ARE SINGLE AND DUAL LINKS ?

The Digital formats are available in DVI-D Single-Link and Dual-Link as well as DVI-I Single-Link and Dual-Link format connectors. These DVI cables send information using a digital information format called TMDS (transition minimized differential signaling). Single link cables use one TMDS 165Mhz transmitter, while dual links use two. The dual link DVI pins effectively double the power of transmission and provide an increase of speed and signal quality; i.e. a DVI single link 60-Hz LCD can display a resolution of 1920 x 1200, while a DVI dual link can display a resolution of 2560 x 1600."

Here's the link to the quote above.

 

[inzone]

If you are getting a new video card then you want to get one with more then 1gb of vram as you will need the extra vram for the higher resolution. What is your budget for getting the new video card.

 

[lunyone]

If you are getting a new video card then you want to get one with more then 1gb of vram as you will need the extra vram for the higher resolution. What is your budget for getting the new video card.

Here is 1 review that shows there isn't much difference when gaming (which is more than the OP is going to be doing), so I'm not sure a 2 gb GPU in this case is really going to matter much.

Just Google: "1gb video card vs 2gb" and make your own determination about 1 gb vs. 2 gb video cards.

 

[esrever]

well a cheap card should be able to do this off 1 card. Something in the $80 range would be enough.