That article, makes it sound like a particular driver had an issue.
And a later driver (169.56) fixed it.
*******
The spec here for the card (NVS 290 with DMS59 faceplate connector),
says max res is 2048 x 1536 at 75 Hz. That would be achieved over
VGA. You'd need a DMS59 to dual VGA, to get at the VGA signals
(VGA = RGBHV, three colors, two sync signals). So the "analog"
side of the connector, offers the best resolution option in
this case.
http://www.cnet.com/graphics-cards/nvidia-quadro-nvs-290/4505-8902_7-32742876.html
The pinout for DMS59, shows enough signals for two DVI-I connectors.
Each DVI-I has a single link DVI-D pinout and a VGA pinout. You could
connect a DMS59 to dual VGA or a DMS59 to dual DVI-D for example.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DMS59_pinout.svg
The single link limitation, when using a digital DVI-D connection, is
addressed here. The best resolution you can get over a single link
DVI, is 1920x1200. So you would be able to connect your
Dell monitor (which is 1920x1080) via using a reduced blanking mode.
(That's what the RB letters stand for.) A DVI single link interface
can go up to 165MHz pixel clock (which equates to 1650Mbaud on RGB
digital color signals). When you adjust the resolution in the display
control panel, it changes the digital clock signal on the cable.
165MHz is as high as it will go. In the example, it's running at
154MHz, and still has a little room left, but there's no "standard"
resolution value to use up there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvi
WUXGA (1,920 × 1,200) @ 60 Hz with CVT-RB blanking (154 MHz)
So I'd say you don't have too much to worry about.
If your existing Dell had VGA input for an analog video signal,
you could always try a VGA Y cable on the DMS59. (Or if the Y cable
is actually dual DVI-I, you use a DVI-I to VGA passive dongle.)
But a more popular connection these days, is DVI, and it could be
that is what is already on there as the Y cable. A Y with two DVI on it.
In which case, limit yourself to a monitor at 1920x1080 or 1920x1200.
As long as there isn't a problem cooking up a reduced blanking mode
setting to do it, it should work OK.
None of this had anything to do with a second monitor not working.
That was some kind of driver bug.
If you were to stick an Apple 30" Cinema display on there, that
would require a DVI "dual link" connector. Or perhaps some
fancy late-spec HDMI or something. But your single link DVI,
or even the slightly higher resolution VGA, would not
be a good pairing for a 30 inch Cinema display like that.
You probably won't be able to match the Dell monitor exactly,
because they run out of the original panels after a few months,
and the design gets changed to substitute something else.
Chances are, the same model of monitor is no longer for sale.
You'd be lucky, if the original type of IPS panel was
still in the thing. IPS is constantly being "improved"
by the boffins, and has a new name every time you go to
buy another one. All that work is necessary, to keep driving
the price of them down. They used to be astronomically expensive.
If you want to use a Samsung monitor, no problem. Just keep
an eye on the native resolution. If you own a 1920x1080, then
chances are, owning another 1920x1080 should work out for you.
Your original monitor is IPS, with wide viewing angle (intensity
doesn't change much as you move your head). A second IPS monitor
would be nice. A much cheaper TN panel, like some $150 LCD monitor,
might not be a good mix, because then one monitor supports plenty of
viewing point movement, and the other monitor (TN) does not.
Summary:
1) No evidence of an issue (so far)
2) Identify the cable type provided with the card. It could be
DMS59 to dual VGA. DMS59 to dual DVI-D (meaning digital only).
Or DMS59 to dual DVI-I. If you slap a DVI-I to VGA adapter
on the end of a DVI-I, you get VGA that way. The only reason
for checking the cable, is to see if you're limited on options.
(Some earlier DMS59 card interfaces, had only one option on
connectors on the end of the cable.)
3) Buy a monitor at 1920x1080 or 1920x1200. LCDs generally run
60Hz without flicking issues. If you like the look of the
current monitor, get another one with IPS panel. Usually they're
a bit more expensive than a TN panel monitor, and the viewing
angle is around 178 degrees (out of a max possible of 180 degrees).
I know if I go to this site, and select 1920x1200 resolution in the
monitor section, a high percentage will be IPS. This will give you some
idea of the "name of the week" nature of IPS. For example, one company
is offering a P-IPS panel.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=
Some monitors there list:
D-Sub: 1
DVI: 1
and D-Sub is VGA. The DVI would be DVI-D on the monitor end, and a
DVI-I cable should work with it.
If I select 1920x1080 in their search engine, I know I'll be wading
through mountains of "TN dreck". A high percentage with be twisted
nematic, with a poorer viewing angle.
If I sort them from highest to lowest price, I know the IPS ones are
expensive, and I can work my way down the price list. This is an
example of a relatively expensive NEC monitor ($518). There are a
total of 278 monitors at 1920x1080, so lots more to scroll through.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824002562
HTH,
Paul
