woodcutter

I've just bought a Dell 3008 monitor. I'm currently running it form a Dell 17 Studio laptop. The graphics card is a Mobility Radeon HD 3650 (512). The "maximum reported resolution" shown on Catalyst is 1920X1200 but the monitor is capable of 2560X1600. It's currently connected VGA.

Maybe someone could answer my queries

1. Is 1920X1200 the maximum the graphics card will run at, or would an update to the driver improve this?

2. If I use the HDMI connction will there be any image improvement?

Please note my usage is for Photoshop editing and I have no interest in gaming. The monitor will used on my desktop when I get back to the UK.

Mac Daddy

Hi there and welcome to DH !!

I don't have the HD3650 but checking quickly on the ATI site with an external monitor you should be able to set up to 2048x1536 for resolution.

There is also a note:
So a driver update or configuration change may help here is the ATI page I got the info from:
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3600 Series - Specifications

Hope this helps

EDIT: HDMI won't make a difference for resolutions

__________________
"My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Zardon

The only way to get 2560x1600 is via dual link dvi out - Single link cables use one TMDS 165Mhz transmitter, while dual links use two. The dual link DVI pins effectively double the power of transmission and provide an increase of speed and signal quality; i.e. a DVI single link 60-Hz LCD can display a resolution of 1920 x 1200, while a DVI dual link can display a resolution of 2560 x 1600.

You are probably limited to 1920x1200 by the internal chip on the card anyway. VGA has no hope of getting 2560 and the quality is poor as its analog.

HDMI is a digital signal out and you are using VGA which is analog, a somewhat dated interface in 2009. So yes you would notice benefits to quality on a variety of levels. You still won't get 2560x1600 however.

The best signal you can give the 3008 however is dual link dvi in via a dedicated video card - this means you would get the native resolution of 2560x1600 rather than a scaled 1920x1200 - also remember to use the DVI cable Dell supply with the screen to get 2560x1600. That said you are lucky, in that the 3008 has good scaling. I would definitely stop using VGA however and get onto a digital signal.

woodcutter

Thanks Mac Daddy and Zardon for your responses. My HDMI cable arrived today and that has sigificantly improved the display.

My laptop doesn't have DVI conncetion only VGA or HDMI so the dual link DVI option is a non runner. I haven't downloaded a new driver yet because I don't think it make any difference. Looks like I'm stuck with 1920x1200 when connected to the laptop.
Its still pretty good though!

Mac Daddy

You are most welcome mate and thanks to Zardon for the response as well. I don't think the new driver will make a difference as Z mentioned you need additional hardware for the resolution you want.

Can't win em all but stick around mate

__________________
"My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen