Actually there are 6 kinds of DVI cables (Wikipedia image):
--Wikipedia, "DVI Connector types"
Oh, I see it is not showing the type labels due to the black background, and I cannot do anything about that, so here is the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DVI_Connector_Types.svg
And now there is a new one, "DVI M1-DA," which adds USB to the cable (the graphic does not show on black background); Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:M1-DA.svg
It has three more pins and is not backward compatible.
The flat blade area - 4 pins - are for analog, rarely used for LCD ("flat-panel") monitors.
The Asus OC key only passes DVI-D single link! If your monitor is not DVI-D single-link, when you plug in the OC key you will not get a picture.
Any good modern vid card will support all 5 versions of DVI, but you do need the right cable. Look at the socket on your monitor to determine, AND consult the manual. I say consult the manual bc you may have all the pin sockets on your monitor socket, but not all might be used. If you have all the pin sockets, then you can get a cable that supports more or all: DVI-I Dual-link - or DVI-D dual-link if you figure you will never need analog; and it should support all your future purchases too - assuming the new M1-DA version will never catch on. Otherwise, you would need to get just a cable of your type, and then it may not work on your next monitor. Most monitors come with a cable, but it never hurts to have a spare to test for possible cable problems in the case that your monitor quits working. Personally, I bought one 10' long for use when I tear the computer apart for whatever reason, and don't want the monitor to need to be closeby. It also gives me more room to slide (roll, I have HAF932) the computer out for quick access without disconnecting.
--Wikipedia, "DVI Connector types"Oh, I see it is not showing the type labels due to the black background, and I cannot do anything about that, so here is the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DVI_Connector_Types.svg
And now there is a new one, "DVI M1-DA," which adds USB to the cable (the graphic does not show on black background); Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:M1-DA.svg
It has three more pins and is not backward compatible.
The flat blade area - 4 pins - are for analog, rarely used for LCD ("flat-panel") monitors.
The Asus OC key only passes DVI-D single link! If your monitor is not DVI-D single-link, when you plug in the OC key you will not get a picture.
Any good modern vid card will support all 5 versions of DVI, but you do need the right cable. Look at the socket on your monitor to determine, AND consult the manual. I say consult the manual bc you may have all the pin sockets on your monitor socket, but not all might be used. If you have all the pin sockets, then you can get a cable that supports more or all: DVI-I Dual-link - or DVI-D dual-link if you figure you will never need analog; and it should support all your future purchases too - assuming the new M1-DA version will never catch on. Otherwise, you would need to get just a cable of your type, and then it may not work on your next monitor. Most monitors come with a cable, but it never hurts to have a spare to test for possible cable problems in the case that your monitor quits working. Personally, I bought one 10' long for use when I tear the computer apart for whatever reason, and don't want the monitor to need to be closeby. It also gives me more room to slide (roll, I have HAF932) the computer out for quick access without disconnecting.
i7-3930K; Asus RIVE; G.SKILL Ripjaws Z 4x4GB DDR3 1866; MSI 7870 2GD5/OC; Crucial M4 SSD 256GB;
Corsair 1000HX; Corsair H100, 4x Excalibur 120mm PWM CPU Fan p-p, AS5; SB X-Fi Titanium Fata1ity Pro;
Dell U2412m IPS 1920x1200; Cooler Master HAF 932 case; Tripp-Lite OMNIVS1500 UPS fully Line-interactive.
(EVGA site: )
And I have a second (wife's) computer, Eve.
Overclocking is useless to me if it is not rock stable.
Corsair 1000HX; Corsair H100, 4x Excalibur 120mm PWM CPU Fan p-p, AS5; SB X-Fi Titanium Fata1ity Pro;
Dell U2412m IPS 1920x1200; Cooler Master HAF 932 case; Tripp-Lite OMNIVS1500 UPS fully Line-interactive.
(EVGA site: )
And I have a second (wife's) computer, Eve.Overclocking is useless to me if it is not rock stable.
