Question Need two GPU/graphics boards with DVD-DL (dual link)

[Stringtheory]

This is probably an unusual requirement: I have 5 networked systems that are used for scientific research. Specs for the faster ones look like gaming machines, but I don't do any gaming.
Here's the tricky part: They are all interconnected to a single 8-port KVM that supports DVD-Dual Link (2650 x 1600). That's so I don't need to crane around for four large screens.

I need to find two lower end GPUs that will just be running internet traffic and file transfers. But for compatibility, I still need DVD-DL at 2560 x 1600. I checked the recommended buyers' guides here, but pricing seems way off. If GTX 1650 and 1660 Supers were only $200, I'd do that (despite the waste of horsepower).

Does anything come to mind? I've probably got some 750 Ti's and such around somewhere, but I thought it would be good to get more modern GPUs.

 

[hotaru.hino]

The video card market is a huge mess right now. Though instead of trying to find a video card with the specific ports, why not use adapters to get what you want? There are DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0 to dual link DVI adapters around.

 

[Stringtheory]

It really does seem like the GPU market is turbulent. I thought that it had settled, but I hadn't kept tabs for a while.

Thanks for your suggestion re converters. I was considering that. But the KVM manufacturer said there may be problems in doing that. Signal timing, I'd guess.

I'll probably be going with at least one or two 3090's for the new workstations, and I don't think any of them have DVI any longer. So I was going to employ the same strategy there as well--A utilitarian non-gaming type GPU with DVI-DL just for connecting to the KVM. It seems a shame to waste a slot.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Thanks for your suggestion re converters. I was considering that. But the KVM manufacturer said there may be problems in doing that. Signal timing, I'd guess.

You can always buy one from Amazon or something and if it doesn't work, return it. But I don't see how this would really be a problem per se.

Alternatively if your machines are hooked up to the network and you're using Windows, you can always try a network based KM switcher like Synergy (unless you were hoping to use one set of everything for everything)

 

[Stringtheory]

Yeah, I thought about getting a couple older 750 Ti's from Amazon/Ebay, until I saw the promising reviews on Tom's that mentioned newer low end boards that would more likely maintain drivers over age. Prices I've seen are nowhere near the estimates in the articles though.

Re OS: All machines are dual-boot Linux and Windows. As you probably know, neural networks and most scientific apps are Linux. But there are times when I need to run Windows, so...both Linux and Windows drivers need to run reliably on every machine. That's also a reason to look at newer hardware.

Re KVM: This is not just a software-based screen switcher. It's hardware, and it switches all IO, like keyboards and mice, as well as the video output routing. Since that happens in hardware, independent of the OS, I don't need to worry about whether I'm running Linux and Windows on any given machine.

I'll try to take a closer look at GTX 1650's and 1660's before buying one of the older NVidias. But I haven't kept up on models, so I don't know what I'm getting into.

 

[Stringtheory]

PS: Re: "The video card market is a huge mess right now ." That seems like an understatement. Low-end cards are also out of stock, so this doesn't look like it's purely a bitcoin thing.

Even EVGA has taken a plunge. Used to be that I'd just buy the nearest EVGA GPU or power supply (which used to be Super Flower). Now they're farming out supplies to cheaper manufacturers, and their once top-notch tech support seems to be the latest victim of their cost-cutting. After a long hold, I just reached someone who knew way less than anyone on this forum.

It's tough to tell who the better vendors are now.