Is it theoretically possible to achieve 60HZ signal at a resolition of 2560×1600 from a mini DisplayPort > DVI-D adapter?
I ask this because I have tried THREE adapters one $8, one $15 and one $32 and all three promised to go into resolutions of up to 4K @30HZ, and the latter promised explicitly to support 2560×1600 @60HZ, but when I connect these adapters on my eizo sx3031w or cg 303w (both 2560×1600 native) both adapters give the same signal error on both displays on their input 1 (which is a dual link input) and on the second input (which is a single link) I get a 1920×1200 signal. Why doesn't it work?
The monitors support the native resolution 2560×1600 ONLY on their dual link input1.
An 11-year-old DVI Nvidia card drives both monitors at 2560×1600 without a fuss, and the mini PC with mini DisplayPort drives my other Acer 4K @60hz, so both the monitors and computer work normally.
How can I convert mini DisplayPort >> DVI-D 2560×1600 @60HZ ?
A different but related topic on 1920×1200 but it's clear that that is a very easy thing to achieve nowadays! The difficult step is 2560×1600 @60Hz conversion, apparently.
Best Answer
To support that high resolution even without converting it from mini Display Port you need a Dual Link DVI adapter cable. Essentially the resolution is so high the graphics card and the display, also the cable in between must support Dual Link DVI. Chances are that the display already comes with a compatible cable and most 5 year old graphics cards have it too.
To answer your question: To get from mini display port to dual link DVI-D you can go with an unpowered one.
To get from mini display port to dual link DVI-I you most likely need an powered adapter, one that also uses power from a USB port to power the conversion. Apple sells one but I've heard they tend to die after a year or two.
Main difference is that DVI-I can output analog while DVI-D is exclusively digital, has fewer pins.
To be sure get the cheapest powered option below.
Try this one for powered dual link DVI
Cheapest option: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6904 (it is mini displayport to DVI-D make sure you have the right cable)
https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Dual-Link-Adapter-Support-CAC-1051/dp/B00SOXO592
https://www.amazon.com/Accell-B087B-007B-UltraAV-DisplayPort-Dual-Link/dp/B00856WJH8
Try this one for unpowered dual link DVI (might not work)
https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-FOINNEX-Thunderbolt-Converter-Multi-screen/dp/B01GYC24H4
https://www.amazon.com/VisionTek-DisplayPort-DVI-D-Active-Adapter/dp/B00DYRQXNO