New gfx card has no DVI socket when box says it supports DVI

john_s_2

I just bought this gfx card:

http://www.inno3d.com/products/GRAPHIC_card/gf_fx/5200.htm

The box says, it supports monitors with DVI, and the page I linked to says it outputs DVI. The picture of the box is the same as my box although I've got two extra stickers that say "DDR 128MB (64BIT) TV" and "AGP 8X".

But on opening the box it only has a D-Sub output! (And S Video.)

I'm inclined to think I've got the wrong end of the stick somewhere as I'm a complete dunce when it comes to hardware.

The box was plastic wrapped and I bought it from Maplin so I don't suspect for one minute that the card inside is the wrong one. I specifically checked with the assistant that it had DVI output.

Is it a case of needing a lead with a dsub plug at one end, and a DVI at the other? I thought it was one or the other? My daughter's PC came with a DVI gfx card pre-installed, and that has a blue dsub socket, and a white DVI socket. My new card only has the blue socket.

I've tried a quick Google but nothing concrete (that my limited knowledge can understand).

Obviously I've not unwrapped the actual card and will take it back to the shop for a refund/exchange/explanation if I can't get a definitive answer on here.

I'm a bit frustrated as I also bought myself a shiny 19" 1440x900 monitor, which required the gfx card update in the first place. So I can't try it out yet :-(

fwor

Is it possible that under the D-sub connector, there's a DVI to D-sub adapter, which can be detached? - just a thought, as that's how the D-sub out on one of my cards is implemented...

Paparika

No DVI adapter in the box?

john_s_2

Thanks for swift responses. There's nothing else in the box except the install CD and an S Video Lead (double checked the bag that's in).

I'm reluctant to open the bag the card is in (it has a sticker on the flap) but it doesn't look to me like it's an adapter/detachable.

I'm more inclined to think there's been a mistake in the packing or something. I found a couple of reviews of this card and show pictures of it. The pictures show it to be a full height card, while my one is only half height:

http://www.3dvelocity.com/reviews/fx5200/fx5200_1.htm

http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/VGA/Inno3D_FX-5200/pg_2.htm

geewhiz

If you look on the maplin site they have 3 versions of this card but only one says it supports DVI, does this match the price you paid ?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=fx5200&source=15&SD=Y

Hopefully it will be their error as they are a nightmare to return anything if the plastic packaging has been opened.

john_s_2

It was £40 so it doesn't match any of those. Although if I'm reading it right, only the £30 one outputs DVI?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=223892&doy=28m4#overview

That said, the picture of that only shows a dsub socket. It looks very similar to mine (although I've only viewed it through the plastic wallet it's in).

I'm pretty sure this is the card:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ITAG=FAQ&ModuleNo=217695&doy=28m4#faq

And among the FAQs is this:

Q) i see this only has a vga port (not dvi) however it says it is vga and dvi. do you need a vga to dvi adapter to use the dvi output? - keith farrell
A) the item has a DVI connection along with an adapter to VGA (pictures are for illustration purposes only).

So I would expect to see a DVI socket, with an adapter in the box for dsub. Would I be correct with that assumption? I'm assuming you can go from DVI to dsub, but not the other way? (I think it's actually VGA, not dsub?)

I bought it in-store (The Strand) and specifically asked if it output DVI. Not that I can prove that now of course.

they are a nightmare to return anything if the plastic packaging has been opened.

And I'm a nightmare if I get dicked around. Grrr...

I'm sure it will all be OK :-)

Edit: I took the plunge and removed the card from the wallet. It definitely isn't a dsub to DVI adapter. It also has a sticker with the correct model number on it. I'll post back after lunch tomorrow to let you know how it went. *sigh*

(The really frustrating this is I don't have a DVI cable yet so I was only going to use it with VGA tonight. But I appreciate that I absolutely must not use it if I intend to return it.)

Inactive

Maplin sure know how to charge, you can get a far better card ( same make ) for less than half that money at eBuyer, and it has both connectors.;)

john_s_2

OK, I've just got into work after finding Maplin open at this ungodly hour.

They exchanged it OK - and were prepared to refund - so I paid an extra tenner (good grief) for this:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=218169&doy=29m4

Apparently where it says DVI on the box (it has 'optional' in brackets) it means that using an adapter it can be plugged into a DVI monitor. I find that absolutely astounding! I mean, using an adapter, most things can be plugged into most things, surely! (Well, you know what I mean. I'd hardly describe it as a feature.)

I'm obviously not the only person who was misled by this product description as both the assistant I spoke to yesterday, and their website FAQ page (see my previous post) said this card outputs DVI.
_________________________

With reference to the previous poster... I should have just taken the refund and sourced one cheaper elsewhere. But I just want to get this sorted now. Hands up that I have completely overpaid. I'll just accept that it's my own small contribution to improving liquidity in the UK economy ;-)

BillScarab

My only advie would be not to buy coimputer components in Maplin. ive never seen anything there that wasn't overpriced. You can usually get things cheaper from places like ebuyer even paying for next day delivery.