VGA vs. DVI

Was wondering if using DVI rather than VGA to attach my monitor to the PC would really make a difference? Many other posts I have seen people say they don't not see a major difference. I have a Core i5 processor but have integrated graphics.

VGA means you have to manually "tune" your monitor for best alignment and sharpness for the image across the screen. I't s huge PITA, the auto adjustment rarely works that great. WIth DVI the image is perfectly alighned pixel by pixel with no work on your part at all. Also there is less potential for interfereance and color issues caused by the analog cable.

There are other advantages too such as complete color control from your computer and your video card correctly identifying legal video modes etc... (Assuming your monitors BIOS is not crap)

If your monitor has DVI input, then there is usually no question but to use it

I have two identical LCD monitors on my PC, one on DVI and one on VGA. I can't see a difference. I wear glasses and I'm partially color blind though so I might not be the best person to ask. I believe DVI is supposed to be the superior connector/standard.

In my case, I have always got better text clarity (by just a bit) when using DVI as compared to VGA. Otherwise generally in today's modern monitors, using vga should not make any difference. Of course DVI has its advantages as stated by fseal above.

depends on the quality of the monitor. My LG's and Samsung screens look identical with VGA and DVI, I am currently using VGA on my right screen using a Display Port to VGA Adapter, and my left screen I use when working on other PC's using the VGA port (DVI port is used for my triple screen setup in my sig)

If you don't do a side by side comparison with VGA and DVI, then VGA may look fine for you, but if you have DVI available, might as well use it since it is digital.

btw, auto alignment work fine using VGA on both of my monitors.

DVI is equivalent to HDMI. However, DVI was supposed to be the latest and greatest which of course has already been replaced by HDMI. Kind of like the transition from cd's to mp3's... there was a brief moment of "minidisks" or BluRay vs. HD DVD's. Like the posts have said before ... if you have, then why not use it?
The deciding factor when it comes to your viewing pleasure will always come down to your monitor and graphics card/adapter. I hope this has at least helped a little!

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The biggest advantage to DVI vs VGA it that it's all digital and not analog like VGA. Which means better resolution options to choose from. With a VGA connection the resolution has a set limit and you can not go beyond that. With a DVI connection you can.

and then there's this too:

Intel and AMD sign death warrant for VGA port

If you have the option I would just go with the DVI, for all the reason everyone has already pointed out.

Also, far as DVI vs HDMI, they are identical (Video-wise).

The only difference is, HDMI can carry audio as well, where as DVI can not.

So if your Video source and Audio source is going to the same location (I/E a monitor w/built in speakers) then HDMI would be worth considering as only 1 cable is needed.

Otherwise, DVI will be the same minus the audio.

bassfisher6522 said:

The biggest advantage to DVI vs VGA it that it's all digital and not analog like VGA. Which means better resolution options to choose from. With a VGA connection the resolution has a set limit and you can not go beyond that. With a DVI connection you can.

Click to expand...

I may sound like I'm nit picking, but DVI isn't all digital. DVI-I has analog and digital. DVI-D is just digital. And believe it or not, DVI-A is analog only. You'll find DVI-I mostly on video cards. Thats why you can put a DVI to VGA adapter on them. The DVI-D shows up on monitors. And I have no idea what the DVI-A are used for.

But yes the big advantage is larger screen resolutions than VGA can provide, especially with DVI dual link.

The way I see it, VGA is a holdover from the days of CRT monitors. Manufacturers put it on a video card so you could use your old CRT. And it showed up on early flat panel screens so you could use your old video card that may only have a VGA out. Now you'd be hard pressed to find a video card that doesn't have a DVI connector on it, and any decent sized monitor has a DVI input on it. Ditching the VGA signal on a video card gets rid of all the circuitry required to generate the analog signal and gets rid of a potential source of noise of interference with other components. It makes video card design easier so i can see why they would want to ditch it.

I never really thought about it, or noticed, untill this discussion but ...

Seems some newer GPUs have already ditched the VGA connector altogether.
Take a look at Sapphires 6870 and 6950 for example.


Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100314-2SR Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102914

Just DVI, HDMI, and Mini Display Ports

Some of the ones with DVI and no VGA come with a DVI to VGA adapter in the box. I've got two or three in my parts drawer that came with video cards I've bought over the years.