monitor and graphics card connections compatibility

After attempting to understand the connections for graphics cards and monitors, I've got a few questions and am looking for input/insight and maybe some good old technical descriptions from those in the know.

The graphics card in my system (EVGA GeForce GTS 450 1 GB; http://www.evga.com/pr​oducts/pdf/01G-P3-1450.pdf ) has two Dual-Link DVI-I ports and a mini-HDMI 1.4a port. The monitor I'm interested in has specs of 2xDVI-D and 1xDisplayPort (NEC multisync PA271W-BK-SV; http://www.necdisplay.​com …70-4c6a-a511-6d39c54f61bd). The monitor comes with a DVI-D to DVI-D (dual link DVI) cable according to the online User Manual.

If the Dual-link DVI-I and DVI-D (Dual-link?) ports are different (and they are, right?), are they still compatible? Will the provided cable connect them? My system builder told me that the DVI to DVI commonality would provide the connection compatibility but I'm still unsure why that is if one is DVI-I and the other is DVI-D. I think I understand that the dual-link feature allows for the maximum resolution capability of the monitor at 2560 x 1440. I'm sure there is a technical explanation that has eluded me about DVI-I vs DVI-D.

I've seen drawings of the cable ends/ports for each the dual-link DVI-I and dual-link DVI-D and they do look different. I've read a few articles and am spinning my wheels.

Some of the other NEC monitors offer DVI-I, VGA, DVI-D (HDCP), and the DisplayPort. I would like to get a better understanding of what each is best for as far as intended use, and compatibility with graphics cards' ports.

Also, what is a mini-HDMI 1.4a port use for?

If you can provide the answer, some input, or point me to other resources or links for this topic, I would be much obliged. Nancy

DVI-I and DVI-D cables are different. There are additional pins on the DVI-I cable and a different ground bar. These enable both digital and analog signals. You may not be able to use a DVI-I cable and connect it to a DVI-D port.

Now, you should be able to use the cables that come with the NEC monitor and use them to connect to your video card. It will look like this:

PC (DVI-I connector) > Cable (DVI-D cables) > Monitor (DVI-D connector)

So in other words you can use a DVI-D cable for BOTH DVI formats, but a DVD-I cable may not work with a DVD-I connections.

A quick browse found this:

http://www.cablestogo.​com …igital-video-dvi-hdmi.asp

Another link: http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/dvi-cables.html

In2Photos, I've been reading the links. It's starting to sink in. Thanks for the straight forward replies - you gave an answer in three different ways and that reallly helped.

flanny wrote in post #11422239
After attempting to understand the connections for graphics cards and monitors, I've got a few questions and am looking for input/insight and maybe some good old technical descriptions from those in the know.

The graphics card in my system (EVGA GeForce GTS 450 1 GB; http://www.evga.com/pr​oducts/pdf/01G-P3-1450.pdf ) has two Dual-Link DVI-I ports and a mini-HDMI 1.4a port. The monitor I'm interested in has specs of 2xDVI-D and 1xDisplayPort (NEC multisync PA271W-BK-SV; http://www.necdisplay.​com …70-4c6a-a511-6d39c54f61bd). The monitor comes with a DVI-D to DVI-D (dual link DVI) cable according to the online User Manual.

If the Dual-link DVI-I and DVI-D (Dual-link?) ports are different (and they are, right?), are they still compatible? Will the provided cable connect them? My system builder told me that the DVI to DVI commonality would provide the connection compatibility but I'm still unsure why that is if one is DVI-I and the other is DVI-D. I think I understand that the dual-link feature allows for the maximum resolution capability of the monitor at 2560 x 1440. I'm sure there is a technical explanation that has eluded me about DVI-I vs DVI-D.

I've seen drawings of the cable ends/ports for each the dual-link DVI-I and dual-link DVI-D and they do look different. I've read a few articles and am spinning my wheels.

Some of the other NEC monitors offer DVI-I, VGA, DVI-D (HDCP), and the DisplayPort. I would like to get a better understanding of what each is best for as far as intended use, and compatibility with graphics cards' ports.

Also, what is a mini-HDMI 1.4a port use for?

If you can provide the answer, some input, or point me to other resources or links for this topic, I would be much obliged. Nancy

HDMI is well, HDMI and will output an HD image and sound to your TV - though you will probably need to make a connection from your audio on the motherboard to your video card to use it. HDMI 1.4 essentially allows two way communication on the HDMI cable, 3D and higher resolution than HDMI 1.3. and provides an audio path from your TV to your receiver, in case your TV can recieve e.g., Netflix or whatever.