Dual-link DVI vs. Single-link DVI
In addition to the fact that DVI can be adapted to transmit a purely digital DVI-D signal or a combination of analog and digital DVI-I, there are two different versions that differ in data throughput. The original version is called single-link, and you can get by with it on all Full HD monitors at the standard 60Hz refresh rate. The dual-link version doubles the bandwidth and can be used for resolutions such as 2,560 × 1,440 at 60 Hz.
Single-link DVI Resolution Examples
- 1,366 × 768 px (HD) at 85 Hz
- 1,920 × 1,080 px (Full HD) at 60 Hz
- 1,920 × 1,200 px (WUXGA) at 60 Hz
- 2,560 × 1,440 px (QHD/WQHD) at 30 Hz
Dual-link DVI Resolution Examples
- 1,920 × 1,080 px (Full HD) at 120 Hz (theoretically also 144 Hz, but here DisplayPort is more reliable)
- 1,920 × 1,200 px (WUXGA) at 120 Hz
- 2,560 × 1,440 px (QHD/WQHD) at 60 Hz
- 3,840 × 2,160 px (4K) at 30 Hz
iOnce upon a time, there was DVI-A that transmitted only analog signals, but it hasn't been used for at least ten (maybe twenty) years, so it is not included in the article.
