dual-link dvi support for 30" monitors

[xuxa]

I have a Dell 3008wfp monitor that runs at a maximum resolution of 2560x1600. I have a GeForce 7300GT video card that supposedly supports 2560x1600 dual-link dvi. I didn't have much luck with the "nv" driver so I'm trying the "nvidia" driver right now. But I get the following error in /var/log/Xorg.0.log:

(WW) NVIDIA(0): No valid modes for "2560x1600"; removing.

Is anyone out there using this resolution successfully under gnu/linux?

Kris

[Redeeman]

i am.. and with a dell 3008 aswell.

i dont know if your actual card supports duallink dvi, SOME of the 7xxx did, but that was depending on manufacturer..

you should post entire xorg log and xorg conf...

[xuxa]

Hello Redeeman! Thank you very much for the message. I'm glad to know someone out there has this working. :)

When I bought my particular graphics card, the specs indicated that it supported the higher resolution. (The "Specifications" tab on the right hand here -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130100 )

What graphics card are you using?

Below is my xorg.conf file, generated by the nvidia-xconfig command. Thanks again for your input Redeeman!

# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder58) Thu Jun 5 00:08:24 PDT 2008

# nvidia-settings: X configuration file generated by nvidia-settings
# nvidia-settings: version 1.0 (randy@juliet2) Sat May 12 15:23:12 PDT 2007

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
FontPath "unix/:7100"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"

# HorizSync source: edid, VertRefresh source: edid
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Unknown"
ModelName "Dell"
HorizSync 29.0 - 113.0
VertRefresh 49.0 - 86.0
ModeLine "2560x1600@60" 429.13 2560 2592 4216 4248 1600 1632 1648 1681
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
BoardName "GeForce 7300 GT"
EndSection
Section "Screen"

# Option "metamodes" "2560x1600@60" +0+0; "1600x1024 +0+0; 1024x768 +0+0; 800x600 +0+
0"
#Option "metamodes" "DFP-0: 2560×1600 +2560+0, DFP-1: 2560×1600 +0+0; DFP-0: 1280×800 +1280+0, D
FP-1: 1280×800 +0+0"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "2560x1600" "2560x1600" "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480
"
EndSubSection
EndSection

[jreeve0805]

Hey, I also have this working. It looks to me like you need to run the nvidia control panel and change the resolution that way.

When I did this with Fedora 5 I had to login as root, then click on: Applications->System_Tools->NVIDIA_X_server_settings then choose the X_server_display_configuration tab. You should get a graphical interface similar to the one in windows that will allow you to modify resolution and save your settings. (if you don't login as root your changes wont be saved)

This is assuming you have the NVIDIA driver installed properly. If the control panel opens and you see your video cards then you are good to go. If you have not installed the NVIDIA drivers and need help with that let me know...

You also MUST use the DVI output for Dual-Link. You cannot use the VGA cable.. but I am sure you are doing this considering the dell i have only has a DVI input.

I am using an EVGA 8600GT and a dell 3007whatever it is.

[xuxa]

Hello jreeve0805! Thank you so much for the input. I can run the nvidia-settings command from the command line and get the graphical configuration screen. It looks to be running properly and I can change my resolution settings. The problem is that the highest possible resolution allowed in this screen is 1920x1200. I believe this is the highest resolution possible over single-link DVI. I am using a DVI cable to connect the monitor to the video card. The cable has all the pins and was advertised as dual-link, but I have not tried another cable (though I'd be surprised if the nvidia-settings software knew what kind of cable one was using and automatically limited the available settings). The card I bought says it supports dual-link... So I'm at a loss as to why I can't turn up the resolution...

Thank you again for the input, jreeve0805. I'm glad to know others have this working. If I just can't seem to find the problem, I could always buy or borrow a different video card...

[jreeve0805]

You might be onto something with the cable. I just looked at the DVI cable that came with the Dell, it is much thicker and has more pins inside than these other DVI cables in the office. I just tried plugging in a regular DVI cable into the Dell 3007 and the image was all messed up, just a bunch of lines and colours so the type of cable is very important apparently.

As for the NVIDIA software knowing the Single Link / Dual link state, my control panel reports that GPU-0 is "DVI Connection Link: Dual" so it looks like it does know the cable attached or at least the monitor attached is a Dual link monitor.

Maybe I can attach a picture of it so you can compare.

http://www.crisys.com/img/Screenshot-3.jpg

[xuxa]

Thank you for the helpful screenshot, jreeve0805. I hadn't noticed that "DVI Connection Link" attribute. Mine indeed says "Single". I tried the cable that came with the monitor, clearly labeled as "Dual link DVI cable", but the nvidia-settings didn't change (still, "Single"). And I'm fairly certain that the other cable I have is dual-link too, since it also has all the pins...

I'm starting to wonder if maybe this graphics card really doesn't support the resolution it was advertised to... This is the link to the card I bought, where the specs clearly say "Dual link DVI supported: YES". http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130100

Or perhaps my monitor is too new to be well supported yet. I tried booting with knoppix and an ubuntu live installer CD but neither of them detected this monitor and properly set the resolution (both defaulted to 840x600 or something awful. :) I have the Dell 3008wfp. It's significantly different than the 3007wfp, since it has multiple inputs, but I don't know if that changes anything at all about how the software recognizes the monitor, etc...

I suppose another test would be to pull the card and install it in another machine with a different OS. I'm using Debian right now and could try Ubuntu or RedHat. The fact that the Ubuntu installer didn't recognize it immediately makes me think it's unlikely to work, but...

Any other ideas?

[jreeve0805]

I agree that if the cable has all the pins it is a Dual link cable. Here is a reference web site. http://www.datapro.net/products/dvi-d-dual-link-digital-cable.html

I generated an xorg.conf file for you and tested it out here. It is a combination of the settings I know are working, and the Device section / Screen section you posted. It uses are setting that allows the Nvidia control panel to set the resolution.

Backup your old xorg.conf and replace it with this one, reboot, and let me know if it works.

# xorg.conf file created for the 7300GT and dell 3008wfp.
#

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
FontPath "unix/:7100"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor Dell 30"
VendorName "DELL"
ModelName "3008WFP"
HorizSync 29.0 - 113.0
VertRefresh 49.0 - 86.0
ModeLine "2560x1600@60" 429.13 2560 2592 4216 4248 1600 1632 1648 1681
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
BoardName "GeForce 7300 GT"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor Dell 30"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "metamodes" "DFP: nvidia-auto-select +0+0"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "nvidia-auto-select"
EndSubSection
EndSection

[LenS]

Hi Xuxa, I checked the EVGA website for the card. While it does say it supports 2560x1600 it says nothing about Dual link DVI. http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/512-A8-N501-LR.pdf They stress 24hr customer service and support. It might be worth contacting them and finding out for sure:

Source: EVGA | default
Address : <http://www.evga.com/support/>! If you require immediate assistance, please contact our Customer Service at 888.880.EVGA (3842).

As far as Newegg and dual-link goes, this wouldn't be the first time they've gotten specs wrong.

Good Luck,
Len

[xuxa]

Hello LenS! Thank you very much for the input and for finding that PDF! It is indeed suspicious that the connection is listed as DVI-I. I called EVGA technical support at the number you found as well. They were very friendly but not able to completely answer the question. The support person was looking at the specs listed on their side and the max resolution for the card is given to be 2560x1600, but again there's no mention of dual link DVI support in any of the materials or on the product box.

I need to find someone else who has a 7300GT and see if theirs reports as single or dual-link dvi in the nvidia-settings program.

Thank you everyone for all the fantastic input! The phoronix forums are so helpful!

[xuxa]

Thank you so much for the xorg.conf file jReeve0805! That was above and beyond the call of duty! :)

I gave the xorg.conf file you sent me a whirl, and the result is almost the same as before. The screen defaults to 1920x1200, and I can't set it higher than that. In the nvidia-settings program, under "GPU-0 (Geforce 7300GT)" --> DFP-0 (Dell) tab, the DVI connection is still listed as "single". It also lists the monitor's native resolution as 1920x1200, so I think maybe the nvidia driver doesn't understand this monitor. It's relatively new to market (maybe 4 months?)...

Here are a few screenshots of the relevant bits of nvidia-settings.

http://onensemble.org/nvidia_settings_available_resolutions.jpg
http://onensemble.org/nvidia_settings_monitor_info.jpg

Thank you again for the input jReeve0805! I'm sorry this is proving to be such a bugger.

[xuxa]

Thinking that the problem is with the way the nvidia driver is detecting the monitor, I tried adding the following to the monitor section of my xorg.conf:

Option "IgnoreEDID"

No luck yet.

[jreeve0805]

Hey Xuxa,

Just found another thread where two other 7600GT owners report difficulty with 30" monitors, with no solutions. Bummer. Too bad the xorg file thing dident work. I was really excited about that doing the trick.

Here is the thread.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1322071&page=5

Might be time to buy another Video card. I would stay with NVIDIA but unfortunalty I have had bad luck with EVGA and will not recommenced them to anyone (especially the 7XXX series cards). In the last two years I have built 30 computers with EVGA 7xxx and 5xxx series cards. I have RMAed 16 of those video cards to date. Yes they have a good warranty but based on my experience I believe your 7300GT will be dead in less than 12 months due to a bad fan, blow capacitors or serial cancer. =)

[xuxa]

jreeve0805,

Thanks again for all the info. That thread was very helpful. Indeed... looks like I need another card to get full resolution. Unfortunately, I don't think any AGP cards will do it. Might be time for a motherboard upgrade as well... :)

In any case, thank you again so very much for all the input! It's been extremely helpful and educational!