Bandwidth issue. Can VGA carry 120 hz + 1920x1080 resolution?

[Cythx]

I wanted to give my dad a monitor however his computer only has a VGA connection.

The monitor in question is an Alienware AW2310, which only has a DVI input, so we needed to use an adapter, however it still didn't work. I initially thought the adapter might not of been functioning, but after looking at some stuff on tftcentral I am now thinking maybe my dad's computer just can't output enough bandwidth?

How can I solve this?

Will a cheap GPU do?

 

[Phoenixdancer]

cheap GPU will do it

 

[cmndr_andi]

It is correct that VGA does not have enough bandwidth to output 120Hz @1080p, but I think your problem is something else as well.

If you used a simple DVI-I to VGA adapter, then this won't work - as you are trying to input an analogue signal into a digital port (the DVI-D port on the monitor) without analogue to digital conversion.

As you suggest, the best option is to get a cheap graphics card with a DVI port. However, if your Dad's current card only has a VGA port - then it sounds like you are dealing with a rather old system. I suggest you check what motherboard his PC uses and what graphics connections it has (PCI-E, AGP, PCI), and this will inform which card to get.

 

[Cythx]

Thanks, why is a cheap GPU a better option than an VGA to DVI converter? My dad won't mind if it's a 60 hz signal, and since VGA can do 1920x1080 @ 60 hz, then wouldn't a VGA>DVI converter cable/adapter?

 

[Cythx]

Also what app can I use to check which mobo my dad's PC uses? Cpu-z?

edit: I think I found the model, it's a 0G1548 (http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=e...=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=687)

trying to find what connection it uses for PCI things now

 

[cmndr_andi]

Thanks, why is a cheap GPU a better option than an VGA to DVI converter? My dad won't mind if it's a 60 hz signal, and since VGA can do 1920x1080 @ 60 hz, then wouldn't a VGA>DVI converter cable/adapter?

You would need an active VGA to DVI converter for it to work - which would cost more than a cheap graphics card. Also with a converter, the image quality would be inferior to a pure DVI output from a GPU.

Also what app can I use to check which mobo my dad's PC uses? Cpu-z?

Yes, it should have the info you need in the "mainboard" tab, including what graphics interface it uses.

 

[Cythx]

Can anyone confirm the motherboard model 0G1548 uses PCI?

 

[cmndr_andi]

Can anyone confirm the motherboard model 0G1548 uses PCI?

Yes, that board appears to be PCI-only if its the "Dell 0G1548 Motherboard Socket 478 Video DDR IDE PCI".

As I mentioned in the other thread, you may want to consider selling the £400 alienware monitor and buying a higher quality monitor with a native VGA connection, like this one. It will cost less money in the end an look better.