DVI to VGA Adapter

[AndyM]

I'm thinking of going for a dual display PCI Express card but I can't decide on VGA or DVI. I only have VGA monitors at this time but with the flat panels dropping in price so fast I may jump in at some point. If I bought a DVI out only card, is there a way to convert to VGA cable? TIA.

[ComputerNut]

Yep, DVI to VGA adapters are widely available. Heck, even ATi provides one for cards which have both DVI and VGA ports (so if you have 2 VGA monitors, you can still connect both of them to the card). Plus you should be able to get these adapters at many computer and electronic stores.

HTH,
CN

[jeeter2]

My vidio card (PNY 6600GT AGP) came with 2 DVI ports as well as 2 DVI to VGA adapters and Svideo connecter.

I would get a card with 2 DVI ports before VGA, You also get a better picture with DVI.

[AndyM]

Thanks guys for such quick replies. Now how bout another...I have onboard video, and this is just an office machine(no gaming, no vid editing), so I was wondering if I really need to get a dual head or just another card for an extra video out to supplement the integrated video? I hear the dual is less problematic. Any thoughts?

[jeeter2]

You cant run both use the onboard video or use a video card but not both.

[ComputerNut]

Yeah, i would recommend getting a dual card. first off, I'm not 100% sure if you can run onboard and a video card simultaneously. And even if you could, you would have video port with good performance power (card), and one with crappy peformance power (onboard). Plus it would also eliminate any confilcts that may occur.

HTH,
CN

[AndyM]

OK, I thought I'd read or heard that. Will shop for a good dual head PCI Express card and probably go for the Dual DVI. Thanks for your help.

[glc]

Originally Posted by jeeter2 You cant run both use the onboard video or use a video card but not both.

Yes you can - if the video card is standard PCI. Installing a PCI Express or an AGP card will disable the onboard video, installing a PCI card will not.

A dual head card is still the best way to do it, less hassles. If you want the maximum flexibility, get a dual DVI card with VGA adapters for now.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...150-090&depa=0

That's the cheapest dual DVI PCI Express card at Newegg, and it comes with one DVI to VGA adapter. Here's another adapter:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...999-201&depa=0

Even that card is overkill for an office machine, but if you want dual DVI, it's the cheapest game in town.

[AndyM]

OK, thanks, then I think I am again mistaken. I've been looking at PCI Express cards that have one VGA and one DVI. Is that not a dual head card? They are a bit cheaper than the dual DVI.

[glc]

Yes it is a dual head card, but you cannot connect two DVI monitors to it - only two VGA's or one each. This is why I said *for maximum flexibility* get dual DVI, in case you want to put two DVI's on it later.

[AndyM]

Thanks glc, that was basically my question, whether both ports were live on the combo cards. An opinion please? Are you finding a large benefit to DVI over analog in office application? If so, what is it? Also, do you think PCI Express X16 will stay around a while? Between my home and office computers, I've got at least 3 different video slots, with no interchangeability. Would be nice to have PCI Express X16 stick around a while so I can re-use the video cards produced from whenever I upgrade my gaming rig.

[glc]

To me, there is a noticeable difference between VGA and DVI in all applications. DVI is sharper and requires no monitor control tweaking. If you are considering LCD monitors, DVI is the only way to fly in my opinion, and they should be run at native resolution.

I see no reason why PCI-E 16 would not be with us for a while, it's not a transitional technology. Look how long AGP has been around now.