Intel 530 graphics with dual HDMI monitors?

[Karl in NY]

Just bought a Dell mini-tower, with WIN10 and Intel i5 (6th gen. Skylake CPU). Tower does not have speparate GPU, as I plan on at least trying the Intel 530 graphics first. Tower has one HDMI video output, and two Displayport outputs, and I want to run two ASUS 1080p displays. The monitors have only DVI and HDMI inputs.

What is needed to use these with the new computer? Particularly, what cable type and/or adapters are needed, as I have never dealt with Displayport before.

 

[Ecky]

You can get a display port to HDMI adapter.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Displayport to HDMI

https://smile.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Plated-DisplayPort-Adapter/dp/B005H3I38Q/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1473456865&sr=1-6&keywords=displayport+to+hdmi

 

[Karl in NY]

Appreciate the replies...comments on AMZN refer to these adapters as being available in 2012...I had no idea that Displayport began even earlier than that. This is my first desktop with anything beyond HDMI, but it looks like Displayport had few early adopters by both computer and monitor manufacturers.

I'm also surprised that Intel 530 graphics provides only one HDMI output, yet two Displayport outputs, or, maybe that's just a Dell Optiplex decision.

One further question: the Displayport to HDMI adapters appear to be available in what is described as "passive" and "active"...any major differences between the two? Looks like my home office setup will need 8-foot HDMI cables from the adapter to the monitors, if that makes a difference, or, I suppose I could use a Displayport extension cable before transitioning to shorter HDMI cables, if it makes a difference?

BTW, the dual monitors will be used in "extended" mode rather than "mirroring...Since retiring 4 years ago from an IT-intensive environment, I have obviously fallen behind...despite having 100,000+ desktops on our network (state employment) we were all still running WIN XP 4 years ago, due to budget problems.

Great site here, and though just joining in able to post, have been lurking for years...

I see this use of Intel 530 integrated graphics to be just a trial venture, hoping to avoid spending hundreds of dollars for a GPU card, especially until 4K drops in price. But, I'm not into gaming or video editing, so it may work out with 16GB of RAM. Was also surprised that the Optiplex 7040 only supports 32GB Ram on 64-bit WIN 10 Pro motherboard, when the OS supports 512GB. I made lots of compromises when configuring this system, all cost-driven.

 

[Rogue Leader]

That was just a Dell decision. As for active vs passive I'm not sure however we use these same adaptors at work and they work fine. I don't think it would matter whether you use a display port extension or HDMI. In the end it will be limited by HDMI's limits, may as well go with the cheaper one.

 

[Karl in NY]

I've done some poking around re: active vs. passive adapters, and this link provides a good explanation:

www.startech.com/faq/DisplayPort_Converter_DP_Multi_Mode

My two Displayports on the Optiplex 7040 are only marked with a "P" inside a white half-circle, with no ++ marks, leading me to assume they are not Displayport Dual-Mode, and thus require the active adapter.

Seems odd that latest-generation i5 chip with Intel 530 integrated graphics doesn't support the latest DP protocol., but it is what it is.

The Dell configuration summary only lists the ports as "20-pin Displayport"

 

[Rogue Leader]

Good find. Its likely the motherboard that is the cause of that lack of support, not necessarily the processor.

 

[Karl in NY]

Many negative reviews on almost all active DP to HDMI adapters, generally either complete failure after several months, or more commonly, the housing splitting, or the Displayports lock-button failing, often ruining the female DP socket.

I ended-up ordering active adapters (and long HDMI cables) from Monoprice, one of few sources that provide full tech. specs. for the devices, such as max. resolution, max frame rate, and what versions of both DP and HDMI were supported. Plus, the housings were polycarbonate (Lexan), a very strong plastic. Adapters were only about $15.

Dell is providing less and less documentation for their enterprise Optiplex line, not even a user-manual on CD...guess that people who order that tier are IP support people, which I'm certainly not. All the protocols are changing so fast, I have not been able to keep informed, whether DP, USB, HDMI, and even 802.11 WiFi...have to research every purchase, and so much documentation is lacking on products. Leaves me feeling like I'm a dinosaur...

I appreciate the help here, and expect to be returning as I become baffled by other topics.

 

[Rogue Leader]

No prob, anytime. Yes Dell likes to make everything less and less user friendly. So you need to just buy a new one instead of upgrade or fix it. Apple style

 

[Karl in NY]

Well, I finally found a .pdf Owner's Manual online for the Optiplex 7040 mini-tower...mainly covers adding/replacing components. Very lacking in the specifications area.

I've been staying with Optiplex, mostly for somewhat upgraded components over consumer-tier, and ease of service. Plus, familiarity, having worked for NYS for decades, and that's all they buy.

This model made some questionable decisions, that could not be over-rided during configuration of options...a single HDMI port, no DVI outputs available, inclusion of an unidentified legacy serial port (RS232?). Plus with WIN 10, some of my hardware lacks drivers, like my big-bucks slide/negative scanner, but at least a 3rd-party is offering a driver for $45. Once set-up, I'll try compatibility mode, or whatever it is now called in WIN 10...

I'm expecting a steep learning-curve...I was an XP "power-user" before retiring 4 years ago, when NYS hadn't yet even migrated to WIN 7, due to being almost bankrupt, a big deal when there are hundreds of thousands of desktops on one network, including licenses, installs, and user re-training costs. I ordered both the Win 10 "For Dummies" and "Missing Manual" books, to avoid taking a class. "Missing Manual" seems to assume competence with WIN 7/8, which I lack.

Don't presume dinosaurs are extinct...I'm living proof.