late 2008 unibody dual-link DVI-D compatible?

[Potatochobit]

hello

I am thinking about buying a 30" monitor
maybe a Dell U3011

but can the macbook pro GPU handle it?
I think its a crappy 9600M GT

the monitor says it needs dual-link DVI-D compatible graphics card
I have a mini dvi to regular size one already, but how does dual link work?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You get the MDP to Dual-Link DVI adapter from Apple or Monoprice.

Mini DisplayPort (MDP) / Thunderbolt

Mini DisplayPort is the current digital standard on all current Macs to transfer video to an external display or TV. It has been introduced in 10/2008 with the release of the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros and has gradually been adopted on all other Macs.
MDP is capable of transmitting video, and since 2010, audio too. MDP is a miniaturised version of DisplayPort. It is also license free and can support resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, which Mini DVI and Micro DVI are not able to do.
Since 2011, all Macs come with a Thunderbolt port, which is meant for fast data transfer and also as means to connect to an external display device to mirror or extend the Mac's screen.

To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP): Introducing Thunderbolt​

MDP adapters can be bought online from:

MDP to VGA adapter from Apple
MDP to DVI adapter from Apple
MDP to Dual-Link-DVI adapter from Apple

Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support adapter from the Apple Online Store

Mini DisplayPort + USB to Dual-Link DVI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter from Monoprice
Mini Displayport Male and USB Male/Toslink Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter from Monoprice
Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter from Monoprice - *NOTE* Will only support 2 channel stereo. Will not support 5.1 Dolby Surround like the above adapter.

Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to DVI Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cables from Monoprice​

Also of interest: "What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?"
​

 

[Potatochobit]

Thanx!

Im looking at the link you posted
the mono price MDP to Dual-Link DVI does not seem to have a USB input like the official mac one
do I need that for anything related to the monitor?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Thanx!

Im looking at the link you posted
the mono price MDP to Dual-Link DVI does not seem to have a USB input like the official mac one
do I need that for anything related to the monitor?

It does have a USB cable attached to it for the USB hub on the backside, though it has no USB port on the adapter like the Apple one.
It is called "Mini DisplayPort | Thunderbolt + USB to Dual-Link DVI Adapter"

 

[Potatochobit]

thanx for the help

Ive decided that instead of one 30" display
I am going to order two 24" displays 1920x1200 Dell U2410

do I need a third adapter/splitter to connect two DVI sources to the MDP?
or is this not possible?

 

[alphaod]

No need any adapter. Just buy a miniDisplayPort to regular DisplayPort cable. The Dell U3011 has a DisplayPort input.

You cannot connect two monitors to your computer.

 

[iLukeJoseph]

I thought one of the selling points behind display port was that you could daisy-chain?

 

[alphaod]

I thought one of the selling points behind display port was that you could daisy-chain?

No, the selling point of Thunderbolt is you can daisy chain, but that requires buying a Thunderbolt monitor, which is limited to one model only: the Apple Thunderbolt Display, but you can only daisy chain on a 15" or 17" MacBook Pro (the 13" you are limited to 2 monitors, be it 2 external displays or the built-in display with an external).

The OP's computer does not have Thunderbolt, so therefore this is a moot point.