D-sub or DVI? (noob question?)

Boycey

Boycey

Boycey

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13 Jul 2005
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Aside from the obvious answer that DVI should technically give a better quality picture on a decent display, is there any compelling reason why I should spend the extra money on a new display with DVI input rather than just D-sub?

I have an existing 17" LCD which has both inputs, and I'm looking to get a second display as I need extra 'screen real estate' as they say (I have to compile a lot of information for my work and I'm intending to have my report on one screen, with browsers, Acrobat etc on the other).

Now, I'm looking at getting maybe a 19" widescreen to keep the height of the two displays fairly constant; my graphics card has one DVI-out and one D-sub, so one of the displays will be relegated to D-sub, and my initial thoughts are that because I'll also be gaming to some extent, the widescreen will be my primary display. This would suggest, to me, that the widescreen should ideally be connected via DVI; however, going back to the opening question, getting one with DVI input means more money.

As I'm not a hardcore gamer, do I need to have the new display on DVI? Is there any functional difference between the two (in terms of how they handle switching screen res for games etc)?

Thoughts please?

Al

P.s. before anyone suggests bigger displays etc, desk space is at a slight premium so I've pretty much decided on that aspect already!
 
I remember when I went from VGA to DVI I was totally thrilled. The image was a lot crisper, colours were sharper and there were no scan lines or flickering images at all. Definitely try to use DVI if you can.
VGA is old. Antique, you don't need it. Use DVI with your main monitor and VGA with the second one.
 
Saltank said:
I remember when I went from VGA to DVI I was totally thrilled. The image was a lot crisper, colours were sharper and there were no scan lines or flickering images at all. Definitely try to use DVI if you can.
VGA is old. Antique, you don't need it. Use DVI with your main monitor and VGA with the second one.
Click to expand...

I've been using DVI on my existing display for years anyway, so I'm used to how it looks; from what you say, it definitely makes sense to go DVI on the new one. After all, I want to be able to see every detail as I batter a Combine's head with my crowbar... :D I'm hoping that because I'll only be using the old display as a secondary one and not for any games etc the downgrade in quality won't overly matter...

simbady said:
I find DVI only looks a lot better on a big screen on a 17" there not too much difference.
Click to expand...

I had read something similar elsewhere, and as the display I'm intending to buy isn't, effectively, any bigger (just wider!) it sounds like I won't have much problem anyway.

On balance, I'll probably go for something with DVI, thinking also about future-proofing - who knows whether by the time I next upgrade my graphics (which realistically will mean complete overhaul of motherboard etc as I'm still on PCI/AGP rather than PCI-E) there will still be cards supporting VGA? The advantage of buying this for my work PC is that I'm buying ex vat, so can get something a little more expensive.

Thanks both!
 
Most video cards only have DVI. Some have HDMI out. In the future they'll start to only have DisplayPort. So if you upgrade just make sure you have DVI as it's around for at least a few more years!
 
Most video cards with only DVI still output an analog signal, so you can still output to a VGA connection using an adapter.
 
I just switched over from VGA to DVI since my new video card supports it. I'm using an Acer 22" LCD. Wow, what a difference! No more flickering, the text is much sharper, and the color contrast seems to be better. I'm very surprised and impressed with the difference. :cool:
 
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