30" Display, Linux, NVIDIA Quadro4 900 XGL

Question

Hey all,
I'm trying to drive my new 30" Cinema Display with a Quadro4 900 XGL under linux, and I'm struggling. Currently, I can get 1280x800 by using a modeline that I found in this group (I think), but I would like 2048x1280. The max resolution for this card is reported to be 2048x1536, so I don't expect to be able to get the max monitor resolution of 2560x1600.
Can anyone help with the modeline settings for 2048x1536?
Many thanks in advance.
Dan Hartman

Answer 1

Dan,
Dual DVI isn't the same as dual link. Each DVI connection can actually have two separate channels - most cards and monitors only need a single channel, but the ACD 30" and other extremely high res monitors can use a second channel.
If you've got AGP, the most affordable solution is the PNY 6600GT AGP 128 (<$200) -- you need the US version which has two DVI connectors, apparently the European version only has 1 DVI connector and it is single link. You won't find any mention of dual-link on the box, or on PNY's website for the card, but myself and others have it and use it successfully with the ACD 30. Still, to be safe I'd buy from a place that you can return to if necessary.
Other options include ATI high end card (I think its the FIRE GL X3, but not sure offhand), the high end nvidia cards (Quadro 3000), or the Matrox Parhelia DL. The Matrox is the cheapest (~$500 i think), but it has vastly inferior 3D performance when compared to the ATI/nv offerings. While all of these are more expensive than the PNY 6600, they are officially dual-link cards and you could yell at the companies if they don't work.
Thats all the ones I know of - the rest are all PCIE -- for example, nv7800 cards all seem to have dual link.