Best way to connect a Dell 27" monitor to iMac

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Geektastic

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# 140792 20-Feb-2014 13:24

I have an iMac 27" (penultimate build) that supports dual monitor.

I have my 27" Dell hooked up in that role via a Mini Display Port to DVI adaptor.

That setup delivers poor resolution on the Dell.

The Dell also has Display Port and HDMI options.

There are cables available for MDP to DP and MDP to HDMI but I am unsure if there is a difference in the resolution support offered by each option.

Anyone know?

gzt

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# 991099 20-Feb-2014 13:44

I don't know. Does the resolution set for the second monitor on the computer match the native resolution of the monitor? Also, what is the native resolution (resolution specification) of the monitor?

gehenna

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# 991107 20-Feb-2014 13:46

Where possible go for DisplayPort to DisplayPort, so get yourself a MDP to DP cable.

gzt

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# 991110 20-Feb-2014 13:59

gehenna: Where possible go for DisplayPort to DisplayPort, so get yourself a MDP to DP cable.

I would also. But is there really a technical limitation in this particular case?

Wikipedia indicates DVI does support that resolution:*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface#Digital

..but could be conditions there attached to the sync method

*Edit: Making assumption for now that monitor native is same as 27" mac native.

jarledb

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# 991139 20-Feb-2014 14:20

You will need the Mini Display port to Dual DVI to get full resolution on the Dell. That is what I am using from my Macbook Air and to my 27" Dell with 2560 x 1440 resolution.

I have never been able to connect to the Dell screen with a regular Display port cable (have tried).

This is the dodiddy you want: http://store.apple.com/nz/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter

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gzt

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# 991166 20-Feb-2014 15:17

Ah yes. The higher resolutions specified on wikipedia are available only with dual link dvi. Nothing to do directly with sync method as I thought earlier.

Geektastic

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# 991255 20-Feb-2014 17:44

jarledb: You will need the Mini Display port to Dual DVI to get full resolution on the Dell. That is what I am using from my Macbook Air and to my 27" Dell with 2560 x 1440 resolution.

I have never been able to connect to the Dell screen with a regular Display port cable (have tried).

This is the dodiddy you want: http://store.apple.com/nz/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter

That's what I have now, but I can't get as high as the 2400 res (or thereabouts) I used to have with that monitor connected to a Mac Pro.

It offers only

1600 x 1200

1344 x 1008

1024 x 768

as options for the Dell and 2560 x 1440 on the iMac (which is more or less what I was getting on the Dell and what I want to get now on the Dell)

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# 991480 20-Feb-2014 23:11

I solved the problem.

There are two connectors - a mini display port to DVI and a mini display port to Dual Link DVI.

I need the latter to get full 2560 res. I have the former.

The downside is that Apple charge $160 for it!!

Zeon

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# 991489 20-Feb-2014 23:19

Guys, DVI is OOOOOLLLLDDDDD and has limited bandwidth. I think it can only just do 2560x1440 but it just doesn't have the bandwidth to do anything more.

We bought some Intel NUCs to connect to Dell 2560x1440 monitors and used a mini display port to display port female and then a display port cable. Think the adapters and cable were like $30 all up. Dynamix brand.

Dipslayport is the current best cable when it comes to raw bandwidth...