Graphics Cards and Monitor Capatibility

[randy_myers3]

<p>I have chosen the Asus Strix-GTX 960 for my next video card. Does this card have good enough specs so as to allow me to make full use of the more pro monitors like the Nec Pa or the Eizo Coloredge series monitors? Please say yes, I don't want to go back to the drawing board for the video card but I just want to make sure that this card will not cripple the better monitors in some way.<br /><br />THANKS !<br>

<a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121913">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121913</a></p>

[randy_myers3]

<p>http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=asus+strix+gtx960&N=-1&isNodeId=1</p>

[randy_myers3]

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1115044&is=REG&Q=&A=details</p>

[EricM]

Windows can provide 10 bit data as long as the card can

do the same. That's what I'd research in a card.

[Wouter Willemse]

<p>If it's 10-bits colour you mean, then it's about the whole chain. Nvidia cards and drivers should allow 10-bits colour, you'll need a monitor which specifically has this ability, the operating system (windows 7 and later is fine), and the software (photoshop is fine). Miss any piece in the chain, and it's back to 8-bits colour depth.<br>

If it's just about being able to use those monitors - no reason why not. Monitor connections are standard and no different. At this point, DisplayPort is the best bet, but for lower resolutions good ol' DVI still works fine as well. The connectors aren't going to be an issue.</p>

[Wouter Willemse]

<p>Curiosity struck me, and in fact, 10-bits colour with that videocard might be a 'no': <a href="http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3011">http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3011</a>. Seems to be limited to the workstation-class and much more expensive Quadro cards.</p>

[randy_myers3]

<p>Oh GREAT ! I guess I'm going to have to look into this some more.</p>

<p>Thanks guys !</p>

[randy_myers3]

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[randy_myers3]

<p>Wouter,<br /><br /> Thanks for sending me in the right direction. Here is an article that really spells everything out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imagescience.com.au/kb/questions/152/10+Bit+Output+Support" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.imagescience.com.au/kb/questions/152/10+Bit+Output+Support</a><br /><br /> And here is my chat with Nvidia.<br /><br /><br /> [06:03:50 PM] Hi, my name is Asif. How may I help you?<br /> [06:05:27 PM] Randy Myers: I am buying a professional graphics monitor that is capable of 10 bits of color. I have chosen to buy the ASUS STRIX GTX 960 graphics card but I can't find the information anywhere as to whether or not this card is capable of outputting 10 bits. <br /> [06:07:49 PM] Asif: I apologize, but we recommend Quadro cards to go with 10-bit monitors for professional use.<br /> [06:07:56 PM] Asif: <a href="http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3011/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3011/</a><br /> [06:08:34 PM] Randy Myers: What is the least expensive card that supports 10 bit?<br /> [06:08:50 PM] Asif: May I know the make and model of your computer if this is a branded computer or the make and model of the motherboard if this is a custom built one?<br /> [06:09:33 PM] Randy Myers: Hold on while I find that information.<br /> [06:10:22 PM] Asif: Sure<br /> [06:12:19 PM] Randy Myers: asus x99-A LGA2011-vs Intel x99<br /> [06:12:52 PM] Randy Myers: It is being built custom this week.<br /> [06:15:15 PM] Asif: May I know what applications will you be working with?<br /> [06:16:06 PM] Randy Myers: Photoshop CS 5 now but I will very soon be upgrading to there subscription model which is called Photoshop CC<br /> [06:16:59 PM] Asif: Ok<br /> [06:17:20 PM] Asif: You can go for a Quadro K620 or a Quadro K2200<br /> [06:17:44 PM] Randy Myers: So those are the only choses?<br /> [06:18:40 PM] Asif: Since you asked for a least expensive card and that suffices your requirements, these are the best options<br /> [06:19:02 PM] Randy Myers: OK, what are the prices of those two cards?<br /> [06:20:31 PM] Asif: K620:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133560&cm_re=k620-_-14-133-560-_-Product" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133560&cm_re=k620-_-14-133-560-_-Product</a><br /><br /><br /> K2200:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133559&cm_re=k2200-_-14-133-559-_-Product" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133559&cm_re=k2200-_-14-133-559-_-Product</a><br /> [06:21:16 PM] Randy Myers: I can't click on those links without losing you. Can you type the prices?<br /> [06:22:48 PM] Asif: Sure Randy. Sorry about that<br /> [06:23:14 PM] Asif: K620:<br /> $159.99<br /><br /> K2200:<br /> $420.99<br /> [06:24:08 PM] Randy Myers: OK great. So, any OTHER of your cards that would support 10 bit output would be more expensive?<br /> [06:24:17 PM] Asif: Yes<br /> [06:24:49 PM] Randy Myers: So with one of those cards and with a 10 bit monitor, I will get 10 bit color?<br /> [06:25:56 PM] Asif: Sorry about that. You can also go for a Quadro K420 as well, but I would suggest the K620 as the K620 will perform better than the K420.<br /> [06:26:34 PM] Asif: K420:<br /> $112.99<br /> [06:26:50 PM] Asif: Yes, you can get 10-bit Grey Scale<br /> [06:28:22 PM] Randy Myers: OK, I'm not very tech savvy as you can probably tell. I DO know that the ASUS STRIX GTX 960 was a VERY good card that supported open GL and Open CL in Photoshop. Do those Quadro cards do the same thing and are they at LEAST as good at the 960?<br /> [06:29:37 PM] Asif: The Quadro cards does use OpenGL and OpenCL<br /> [06:29:56 PM] Asif: Also as advised these are the best cards to go for the 10-bit<br /> [06:30:33 PM] Randy Myers: OK, understood but do you know if I'm giving up any other functions to go with the Quadro cards?<br /> [06:33:38 PM] Asif: If you go with the GeForce cards, 10-bit Grey Scaling with OpenGL and OpenCL does not work.<br /> [06:34:04 PM] Asif: As advised above, the Quadro cards are recommended for professional purposes<br /> [06:34:34 PM] Randy Myers: OK, thanks. Will you be emailing a transcript of this chat to me?<br /> [06:35:29 PM] Asif: You will be receiving the chat transcript via email (<a href="mailto:Randy-Myers@comcast.net" rel="nofollow">Randy-Myers@comcast.net</a>) once the chat session ends. It is an automated process done by the server.<br /> [06:35:59 PM] Randy Myers: Thank you. That is all I need. You have been very helpful. Good night !<br /> [06:37:05 PM] Asif: You are welcome<br /><br /><br /> So Wouter. You were right.<br /><br />So, any of you folks out there who have bought a pro monitor with 10 bits color and just assumed that is what you were getting, you are wrong, unless you have specifically researched pro level graphics cards like Quadro that spell out the fact that they support 10 bit output, you're just getting 8 bits like every other Joe Schmoe.<br /><br />The only question that I have left is, if I do NOT buy a better card that supports 10 bits and I only get 8 bits, am I still going to be able to see the Adobe 1998 color space on my fancy new monitor??</p>

[EricM]

<blockquote>

<p>So, any of you folks out there who have bought a pro monitor with 10 bits color and just assumed that is what you were getting, you are wrong, unless you have specifically researched pro level graphics cards</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Yes. I guess my first contribution earlier today wasn't clear about this. Sorry.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The only question that I have left is, if I do NOT buy a better card that supports 10 bits and I only get 8 bits, am I still going to be able to see the Adobe 1998 color space on my fancy new monitor??</p>

</blockquote>

<p>If your fancy new monitor has Adobe RGB, then yes. You should be able to buy an older gpu that does 10 bit. It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest.</p>

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[randy_myers3]

<p>"You should be able to buy an older gpu that does 10 bit"<br>

So far, anything that I've found that supports 10 bits per color is either stupidly high priced OR, it does 10 bits at the expense of a whole lot of other things that I was looking for in a good graphics card.</p>

<p>This is getting crazy, I might as well just buy a cheaper monitor if I've got to jump through hoops to get the most out of a pro monitor. FRUSTRATING !</p>

[randy_myers3]

<p>OK, I just found out the main thing that I wanted to know. I do NOT need 10 bits per channel support to view the Adobe 1998 color space. The only advantage to 10 bits per channel is WAY more gradations of color which may help with the appearance of band in color gradients.<br /><br />I'm VERY glad to have found this out because in the little bit of research that I just did on graphics cards that DO support 10 bits per channel of color are much more expensive and in a lot of cases, I would be giving up other great things like SPEED !</p>

[EricM]

<blockquote>

<p>OK, I just found out the main thing that I wanted to know. I do NOT need 10 bits per channel support to view the Adobe 1998 color space.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Correct. And if you're only working in sRGB and have been using a 7 year old computer up until now, I think you'll be just fine with a $200 gpu in your new computer and a nice NEC monitor. It will be a nice upgrade that I'm sure you'll enjoy Randy </p>

[Wouter Willemse]

<p>Good thing tohave doublechecked with nvidia, as their knowledge base article is quite aged - and sharing the feedback here clearly much appreciated too, because I doubt you're the only one with this question.<br>

Not unlikely your old monitor is in fact just 5 or 6-bits; a good quality wide gamut 8-bit screen is nothing to be scoffed at. Sure 10-bits is nice to have, but 8-bits isn't too big a compromise really. Enjoy!</p>

[randy_myers3]

<p>Thanks guys !</p>

<p>I can finally rest my aching noggin with all of the decision making and just want for the new Photoshop monster to be built. </p>

[digitaldog]

<p>You don't really need a 10-bit card if you've got that nice high-bit display but why not if you can get it. Listen to Wouter here, he's got it right, you need all the items in the chain to be high bit if you wish a full high bit workflow, otherwise there are bit depth conversions. The OS, app, card and display path and system all have to support this. But it's not a big deal either, if you have a high bit display, even with wide gamut data, you're not going to see banding without great effort. <br>

Now how GPU might affect app's (and some <em>coming</em> down the pike you may use), that's a different question to ask yourself. You might want to consider the GPU's role a lot more than it's bit depth in that respect. </p>

[EricM]

<p>Did you buy your parts yet, Randy? I'd be keen to know rig you went with in the end. I hope you update that thread for us after your adventure. </p>

[randy_myers3]

<p>Eric,<br>

Yes, I will go put a stamp on that thread when all is said an done. I haven't yet decided between the Nec PA 242 W BK or the ColorEdge CS240. I'm kind of in a state of analysis paralysis at this point. I'm sure I will be thrilled. This loaner laptop that I'm using is a 2 core with 8 GB of ram and compared to my old system, I think I've died and gone to heaven. Can't wait to start using my new one with 6 cores and 16 GB of ram. Here's hopin' that it lasts me 7 years like the last one did.</p>

<p>Andrew,<br>

I'm banking on the fact that it's not all that big of a deal, like you said. When I thought it WAS a big deal, I mean like that I wouldn't even be able to use Adobe 1998 I was looking at the Quatro cards that DO support 10 per channel, there was a big trade off in speed and other functions in order to get the 10 bits, that is of course unless you spend an utterly ridiculous amount of money on one of the higher end Quatros.<br /><br />If some day down the road, I'm looking at the monitor and think, "man this image REALLY just doesn't look right without that 8 millionth color AND I win the lotto, I will reconsider. : -)</p>

 

[EricM]

<blockquote>

<p>So far, anything that I've found that supports 10 bits per color is either stupidly high priced OR, it does 10 bits at the expense of a whole lot of other things that I was looking for in a good graphics card.</p>

</blockquote>

<p> <br>

The nvidia quadro k600 series seems like a great card for $200. 2gb of DDR3, display port, 10 bit colour... </p>

[david_mclean]

An old thread but you can keep your GTX 960 in slot 2 and run a k620 in slot 1 for

10-bit display output only. I have a similar set up (GTX 780 6GB Strix) with a 4790K

and it works a treat. You can even choose which card to use for GPU acceleration

for each application but remember that not all apps are 10-bit capable.