Assuring that the ASUS PB278Q Monitor Can Operate at 2560x1440 Resolution
 

The monitor that I had just died. I have ordered the Asus PB278Q as a replacement monitor. It has not yet arrived.

Currently, I am just using my on-board video. In tracking down the video specifications for the Core I7 processor, I ran across this post: Intel HD 4000 HDMI 2560x1440 resolution???. Basically, things are not that simple.

The back of the computer has a DVI port. According to the mother board manual it is a DVI-D connector. And based on the mother board user's guide the max resolution appears to be 1920x1200.

The Asus PB278Q monitor has: 1) DisplayPort port and 2) DualLink DVI

I was thinking that a DVI to DisplayPort Adapter attached to the computer DVI port could do the trick, but it would appear that the mother board video output would be the limiting factor.

That leaves three questions.

1. Would a DVI to DisplayPort adapter work to get full 2560x1440 resolution? (probably not)
2. Buy a video card? Recommendation? Galaxy GeForce GTX 760
3. Cancel the order and downsize to a 23" screen that would be compatible with the mother board 1920x1200 specs.

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I just placed a "cancel" request for the monitor to buy (:)) some time and get comments.

I would either go for option 2 and buy a cheap videocard.
Alternatively you can go for option 4. Buy a 27" monitor with 1920x1200 or 1920x1080 resolution.

I won't buy a 27" monitor at that resolution. The monitor that died was 24". I noticed that the 23" inch monitor (at 1920x1080) was "crisper" than the 24" monitor. A new option would be to buy another 23" monitor (this time an LED).

While you were responding, I canceled the order, at least in theory. Amazon has the Galaxy GeForce GTX 760 for $250. However, I don't know at this point in time if it is Linux compatible or even if it is a "good" card. Sigh, more research.

If you aren't into gaming this card (which is Linux compatible) will be pure overkill (and needs by the way a good PSU).
Of course it is up to you, but I have no problems at all with a 27" at 1920x1080.

No, I'm not into gaming. Would there be a cheaper recommendation for a Linux compatible video card?

As far as I can tell, all the current nVidia desktop GPUs support 2560x1600 digital.

Cheaper (and cooler running, less power hungry cards) that should work with most distros are- G210, GT520, GT610.

All the current AMD cards should support 2560x1600 digital as well. HD5450/6450/7450 are the cheap, low power cards.

Thanks. The "identification" of the Galaxy GeForce GTX 760 above was a random pick as a discussion starting point. I haven't had the time yet to follow-up with any research. I anticipate doing that tonight, after work.

I'm still interested in community feedback on what is essentially a personal choice.
1. Buy a 23" inch LED monitor.
2. Buy a 27" LED monitor plus a video card.

I'll save you a few minutes work then. :D

GTX 760-
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desk...specifications

GT610-
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desk...specifications

GT520-
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desk...specifications

G210-
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desk...specifications

There are other cards with a bit more gaming performance than the G210/GT520/GT610, but dont use anywhere near as much power as the GTX 760.

If you dont play games much or at all, you'd be better off with a cheaper cooler card IMO.

Thanks. I don't do gaming but with my vision I do need a screen with a braille option. :)

Thanks very much for the head's up. Made the research much easier.
This is quite inexpensive. Best of all, NO fan!!
ASUS GT610-2GD3-CSM

Slightly more expensive, also no fan, but would use more power.
ASUS GT630-SL-2GD3-L

Since there is a no fan video card option, it looks like I will go ahead and re-order the monitor and add a graphic card to the order.

Any preferences/issues?

GT610 is a rebranded GT520, you might find a GT520 cheaper. No real difference between the cards.

If you played games at all, I'd suggest the GT630. Since you dont, might as well get the GT610 (or GT520).

Are you using ubuntu 13.04? If so, or you are using something of similar age, GT610 should be fine. If you were using a slightly older distro, like ubuntu 12.04, I'd get a GT520, due to driver support.

*edit- sorry, I missed your 23'' vs 27'' + video card question.

I'd porbably go for the 27'' if you have not that great sight. :)

Ordered the Asus PB278Q and the ASUS GT630-SL-2GD3-L. Using Ubuntu 13.04. In a few days I'll find out if everything works as expected.

Thanks cascade9 and TobiSGD.

Good luck, hopefully it all goes smoothly.

Well there is good news and bad news. See Asus GT630-SL-2GD3-L Graphic Card Not Recognized (Ubuntu 13.04). The good news, the card does work. The bad news is that the card was not automatically recongized on Ubuntu on reboot and my attempts to resolve the situation wiped out the Ubuntu desktop, so I need to find out how to restore the desktop ontop of getting the card to work.

As a test, I installed the GT630-SL-2GD3-L card in another computer that already had the Linux Nvidea drivers installed. The card worked. It corectly identified the Asus PB278Q monitor which had a full resolution of 2560x1440. That implies that if the Nvidia drivers have been pre-loaded the Asus GT630-SL-2GD3-L card does work.

If you have access to a text console this should install and activate the Nvidia drivers:

#$&^#$% doh. I was hoping that it would go more smoothly than that. *crosses fingers that jockey does the trick*.

I'll leave your other thread for the moment, its sometimes useful being on the 'zero reply list'.

Tonight after I get home from work. Should I end up having to reinstall Ubuntu, what I will do is temporarily move the other Nvidia card to the computer. Well, the card does work. :rolleyes:

OK. I have my launcher/icons back. :D
How To Reset Compiz And Unity In Ubuntu 12.10 Or 13.04

I'm going to continue with the other thread since the Asus GT630-SL-2GD3-L Graphic Card does work, but is not yet recognized. Asus GT630-SL-2GD3-L Graphic Card Not Recognized (Ubuntu 13.04)

Don't mean to ignore you, I touched on the use of Jockey last night. Jockey, using the list option, reported the availability of a Nvidia driver ending in "304". I have not followed up on this yet as I am focusing on resolving the appearing/disappearing launcher/icons. Last night, I was able to get them to come-back with the motherboard's on-board video output. I'm continuing this tale-of-woe here: Asus GT630-SL-2GD3-L Graphic Card Not Recognized (Ubuntu 13.04)