Cable mis-match between 2011 MacPro 2.8 QCX and Dell 27" U2713HM

[DigitalDiane]

I purchased a 27"Dell U2713HM monitor (to replace my Apple 30" HD Cinema display) and the DVI Cable does not match the plug-in on my 2011 MacPro 2.8 QCX tower.

My 30" HD display is a few years old and when I upgraded to the MacPro 2.8 I had to get an adapter. Well long story short the adapter went out and since I am self employed I needed a monitor so on the advice of Apple I purchased a 23" Dell S2340M to use while I waited the "6 weeks" for the new adapter to get here from China!

Now, just a few short months later the replacement adapter went out. So I switched over to the 23" Dell and researched larger Dell monitors. I found that the 27" U2713HM would work, especially for graphic design work, so I ordered it. It arrived today…and the DVI Cable does not match the port in the back of my MacPro.

My questions are: Has anyone else been where I am at now? If so, how did you resolve the problem? Is there a 3rd party cable that has the correct ends? Or, is there an adapter that will work between the two?

Help! I would really like to keep the 27" Dell because the kind of work that I do I have a bunch of windows open at the same time and 'really' need the bigger monitor.

My only other option for a larger monitor is an entirely new system with the Thunderbolt display (which does not work with my tower, already checked that out).

Thank you in advance…

 

[displaced]

Hi!

There are a few varieties of DVI connector - see this diagram.

If you can identify the type of DVI connector at both ends, then you should be able to pick up a cable -- they're all pretty standard and most are compatible (although dual-link vs single-link might limit the resolution that can be sent to the panel)

EDIT: Actually, I'm wondering if the adapter you had was indeed a dual-link adapter. Chances are, if you need that adapter for the 30" Apple display, then you'd also need it for the 27" Dell, since it'd probably require dual-link too.

 

[brand]

A dual ink DVI cable is required for both 2560 x 1440 and 2560 x 1600 resolutions.

 

[DigitalDiane]

Hi!

There are a few varieties of DVI connector - see this diagram.

If you can identify the type of DVI connector at both ends, then you should be able to pick up a cable -- they're all pretty standard and most are compatible (although dual-link vs single-link might limit the resolution that can be sent to the panel)

EDIT: Actually, I'm wondering if the adapter you had was indeed a dual-link adapter. Chances are, if you need that adapter for the 30" Apple display, then you'd also need it for the 27" Dell, since it'd probably require dual-link too.

Thank you ever so much for your reply. Your response triggered a memory of when I purchased my MacPro and how I needed an Apple adapter for the HD Cinema. (The adapter from China was needed when I upgraded my MacPro to the 2.8 QCX.) Anyway I plugged the Dell dual-link cable into the Apple adapter, plugged that into my MacPro, powered up my computer and 'Ta Dah' it works!!! And my new 27" Dell is running at 2560 x 1440 without having to install any drivers. Worked right out of the box. Hooray! And it's absolutely beautiful!!!

Again, thank you so much!!!!