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Quick DVI vs. VGA (Dsub) input question

G

geepondy

Member
My friend is getting a new flat panel monitor (not sure of the brand). If she is happy with her VGA output connection only onboard video, is there any reason to buy a discreet video card just for a DVI output? In other words, is there a realistic difference in image quality between the two? I've only ever used DVI on my flat panel monitor myself.
 
Should be fine using onboard if VGA is satisfactory.
Better to make sure you get a monitor with VGA and DVI input though (some of the really cheap ones are VGA only) just because that way she can use DVI if desired.

There is a difference, but if she doesn't know she probably won't notice any issues.
 
There is a huge difference, I can tell if a monitor is on VGA/DVI in about 2 seconds, the most telling part is text which is more defined and less 'fuzzy' on DVI (and no I'm not embelishing). Part of the reason why I know this is Nvidia does not support my monitor at native res+refresh rate (tried modding the drivers etc, long story- my 4870X2 was perfect with DVI) and I was forced to use a VGA connection for it to work. I could tell immediately on my 24" LCD. If you can find a discrete card real cheap then I'd suggest you go for it, but don't spend more than $20.
 
No, as I mentioned in another post, I will just give and install my 7600GT for her then if the difference is that discernible. I/she is still not sure what she will get for a monitor. She is on a TN budget but I had her convinced to get the Dell 2209WA but apparently (from hard forums), you can't get it for the low $200's anymore by speaking to a Dell rep.
 
geepondy said:
My friend is getting a new flat panel monitor (not sure of the brand). If she is happy with her VGA output connection only onboard video, is there any reason to buy a discreet video card just for a DVI output? In other words, is there a realistic difference in image quality between the two? I've only ever used DVI on my flat panel monitor myself.
Click to expand...

If the screen is 17" or above, I'd strongly recommend getting a cheap discrete card for DVI output. VGA has a noticeable blur to the image that becomes very apparent in side-by-side comparisons. This is especially visible on older LCD's and bigger screens (as well as larger dot pitches).
 
It actually depends a lot on the monitor's controller and length of the VGA cable on how the VGA is going to look, it's possible for it to be as crisp as DVI.
 
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