Using a 30 inch Cinema with a Dell Computer -

Okay. Let me make sure I understand this. You're saying that without the dual-link DVI I can get my program to fill the screen but only at 1280 X 800? If I get the DVI I will get the resolution at 2560 X 1600 and it will fill my screen?

I do have the screen hooked up now and at 1280 X 800 it fits the entire screen but is pixellated.

Is my understanding correct?

Thank you.

I should add that I already have the display connected to my Dell through the DVI Port and the display is working as intended. I'm being told the DVI Port is the lowest quality connector to a Dell and perhaps this is the problem? I have a video and graphic card that is supposed to support this correctly.

My video card is a 4550 ATI Radeo HD with 2 port DVI. Dell is now producing video cards in the 7000 series. Do we believe my video card cannnot support this screen correctly?

Maybe this additional information will help answer the question.

Here is the answer I found. I think I answered my own question:

Apple Cinema Display (30-inch DVI) has 1280 x 800 as the maximum available resolution

When you connect an Apple Cinema Display (30-inch DVI) to one of the products noted below, you may find that the highest available resolution is 1280 x 800, even though the optimum resolution for the display is 2560 x 1600. The maximum resolution available when this display is connected to a single-link DVI port is 1280 x 800; you must connect the display to a dual-link DVI port to access the higher resolutions available to the display.

If this occurs, make sure that you are using a compatible video card or built-in port that provides dual-link support. Compatible video cards must include a dual-link DVI port. When using a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, you must use a dual-link compatible adapter. Refer to the table below for compatibility information.

Older products not listed in this article may not provide a dual-link DVI connection and may not be able to support the Apple Cinema Display (30-inch DVI) at its native resolution (2560 x 1600). Such products will be limited to the maximum resolution available with a single-link DVI connection for this product, which is 1280 x 800 (half of the 2560 x 1600 native resolution). Displays that are not manufactured by Apple that require a dual-link DVI connection will similarly be limited to half the maximum resolution when used with a single-link DVI connection.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3571

I will get a dual link video card and instal it and then it should work correctly.

Given all of the above my question now becomes can I get some sort of adaptor to make my current video card worth as a dual link providing me the highest resolution? Or, must I upgrade my video card to the dual link?

Malcolm, I don't much about video cards and displays so I'm wondering if you happen to know the answer to the above question?