Hello All,

Well, I've gone and bought an SGI monitor. Now I need some advice.

If I've understood correctly what I've read about the additional hardware needed to run these monitors in a PJ application, the Number 9 video cards are not really an option because 1) the AGP card is 3.3v and would need an old mobo to run it and 2) the PCI card would result is blurred or stuttering images. (I've looked at the specs of some mobos with Universal AGP slots and they specifically indicate that 3.3 v cards will not work.)

That leaves me with the choice of a Pix-Link/Multilink or the EP-1600/GFX-1600 PCI card.

Does anyone out there know of advantages or disadvantages of the Multilink or PCI card in a PJ project? They are similarly priced, so that is not really a factor.

Or, if I'm wrong about the Number 9 cards, please let me know.

Thanks,
g3

I use the GFX1600, since I can connect any video card with a DVI-out on it.

Thanks,

buckyball

PS - search the forums for my handle and you'll find my thread on stripping the 1600SW and my PJ build.

bb

It's been a while since I've researched this as I was in the same position as you when I bought my 1600SW display, so I hope I am correct.

The Multilink adapter, being the most expensive of the bunch, is IMO far superior to the rest. Both the PIX-Link, and the GFX1600 will only convert DVI-D for use with the LCD, with no analog option. The Multilink adapter has a DVI-I connector, and accepts both digital and analog (just use a VGA-DVI adapter) signals. The Multilink adapter also has a nice on-screen display with many options. The PIX-Link does have an OSD, but I don't know what options are available, and the GFX1600 definitely does not. The GFX1600 just has a couple switches on the board allowing you to slightly vary brightness and contrast. Any other screen adjustments must be done in software using your video card drivers.

Hope this helps you choose the right option. If you're eBay shopping, the PIX-Link has been for sale for quite some time be the same seller at a rather high price of USD$200. The Multilink adapter shows up from time to time so keep checking every week or so, and the GFX1600 is quite rare.

Hmm..just notices the original post over a year old...