How to determine external video card max resolution?

[sduser]

Hi! I have a VGN-SZ470N with two video cards. I want to buy 27'' monitor and connect it to an external card.
The specification do not specify a maximum resolution of that video card, but it's name is specified - Intel ® GMA 950.
I managed to find that GMA 950 card supports resolution up to 2048x1536.

So I have question: if I buy a 27'' monitor that supports resolution of 2048x1536, then will it works on an external video card with this resolution?

I really do not want to spend the money and be surprised that this resolution is not supported. I doubt just because my laptop is 4 years old.

Thanks for your help!

[S.Prime]

I tried looking into this and really could not get an definite answer.
if the chipset supports that resolution then it should work.
you might get better performance switching to "speed" mode, ie: making it use the nvidia chipset.
the only thing i can think of is to have a look through the owners thread:

~Sony SZ Owners Lounge~

[irishsumo]

Hi sduser, the SZ has the Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics which is Intel's own onboard graphics processor, which can only handle extremely light work, but there is also a far more powerful Nvidia 7400 as well which is a low-end dedicated graphics card which should be able to handle an external monitor like that, as long as you aren't doing anything too intensive. Flick the switch beside the power button to "Speed" to use the Nvidia card, though you will probably find the Intel "Stamina" unit can handle that monitor for simple things like office tasks.

It could be worth taking the laptop into the shop and asking the salesman if you can see if it can be hooked up to the screen for a test drive! The worst thing they can say is "no"!

[sduser]

Guys, thanks for your help! How do I see in the "SZ Owners Lounge" there is no one mention of my model. Apparently I have to take my laptop to the shop.

[S.Prime]

Guys, thanks for your help! How do I see in the "SZ Owners Lounge" there is no one mention of my model.

huh? its right here, all 122 pages:

~Sony SZ Owners Lounge~

the main sony owners lounge is here:
Sony Owners' Lounge Forum

[lovelaptops]

I really do not want to spend the money and be surprised that this resolution is not supported. I doubt just because my laptop is 4 years old.

Thanks for your help!

I think you nailed it with this comment. Let me put it to you gently: your laptop will NOT support anything remotely close to that resolution. It is very old and neither the Intel nor the nVidia card will suport anything remotely close to a modern 2048x1536 27" monitor and you WILL definitely be surprised, but not in a good way. No way, nothing remotely close. Don't know what that Intel statement about supporting 2048X1536 could have meant - it does actually say that! - but no way, not ever, not in this lifetime. Sorry. Save your money. Even the Sony Z won't support that resolution, and it costs over $3,000! Better to find out now.

[S.Prime]

really? because I only have a SR and I have easily connected mine to a 1920x monitor and 52" tv. pic

or are you specifically referring to a vga analog connector?

[Данило]

FullHD (1920x1080) is usually what graphics cards can easily go to for quite a few years now. However, this is less than 66% of the pixels that need to be shuffled around compared to 2048x1536.

Also, most 27" screens actually have a 2560x1440 resolution, which full HD is only 56% of. So, be careful if you want to get it, I have only seen full HD ones (which should work) or the above resolution so far, so unless you go the sync-hacking route, you should not expect them to work.

[onimod]

My SZ used to run 1920x1200 from the dock DVI-DVI.
I'd be surprised if a 27" monitor worked.
Surely there is an answer in the SZ thread somewhere?

[Ashers]

I think you nailed it with this comment. Let me put it to you gently: your laptop will NOT support anything remotely close to that resolution. It is very old and neither the Intel nor the nVidia card will suport anything remotely close to a modern 2048x1536 27" monitor and you WILL definitely be surprised, but not in a good way. No way, nothing remotely close. Don't know what that Intel statement about supporting 2048X1536 could have meant - it does actually say that! - but no way, not ever, not in this lifetime. Sorry. Save your money. Even the Sony Z won't support that resolution, and it costs over $3,000! Better to find out now.

Eh? Years ago, you had CRT monitors with 2048x1536 running perfectly fine off a VGA connector. This resolution is not new! If the card says that it supports the resolution, then I would expect it to work with a VGA cable.