DVI connection max res

[ninjikiran]

I have a BFG Geforce 6800 GT OC. I would like to know how I can find the max resolution the dvi port can handle.... I heard that the dvi is limited to a lower max resolution then what the video card can support via VGA. The official site does not seem to have the information I need. I know nothing about the whole DVI port thing so sue me if its an inaccurate question.

 

[PC eye]

"According to the DVI specification, a TMDS link may operate at up to 165MHz. A single 10-bit TMDS link offers 1.65Gbps of bandwidth which is enough for a 1920 x 1080 resolution refreshed at 60Hz on a digital flat panel. The maximum resolution depends on the amount of bandwidth required to display the resolution as well as the efficiency of the device it's being sent to. This is beyond the scope of this article but it's worth noting that there are differences between the maximum attainable resolutions on various display technologies.

In order to keep the specification as flexible as possible, a second TMDS link may be used. This link must operate at the same frequency as the primary link, meaning that in order to obtain 2Gbps of bandwidth each link must operate at 100MHz (100MHz x 2 x 10-bits).

It is mainly because of its high-bandwidth abilities that DVI was the standard that emerged victorious among all of the competing solutions." http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=1577&p=2

"Dual Link Dual Link DVI supports 2x165 MHz (2048x1536 at 60 Hz, 1920x1080 at 85 Hz). A dual link implementation utilizes all 24 of the available pins.
Single Link Single Link DVI supports a maximum bandwidth of 165 MHz (1920x1080 at 60 Hz, 1280x1024 at 85Hz). A single link implementation utilizes 12 of the 24 available pins." http://www.ddwg.org/dviinfo.asp

One reviews lists "Highest DVI output up to 1600x1200 resolution" as what is supported on that model card. http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/inno3d_geforce_6800/index.shtml

 

[ninjikiran]

thanks for the info.
So basically I wouldnt be able to support the native resolution of
1680x1050 using my video card through DVI output. If I opt to use vga over dvi what might I loose out on quality wise?.

 

[PC eye]

Dvi would be great for HDTV when the improvements are seen. The newer models like the NVidia driven 7900 GT and ATI X1900 XTX would see a much better output as a prinary when using the dvi over the standard svga. For gaming you would want to use the svga for sure. The dvi makes using a TV or some other alternate from either crt or lcd monitors possible.

Once you start pushing high resolutions the support(power, signal strength, quality) has to be there to avoid pixel loss and color distortion and a number of things. That will effect both to some degree. Dvi does offer a guaranteed fps rate over composite/analog however. It's great for playback from digital sources like camcorders, pvrs, and other sources. For gaming though you will want the svga.