GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

What kind of DVI-to-VGA adapters used to come bundled with graphics cards?

Man, it’s such a waste to pair a monitor like that with a card like yours. I honestly think you’d see a massive difference if you switched over to an IPS panel—there are plenty of them under $333 right now. You’d definitely be better off 🙂 provided you have the cash to spare.

Could you maybe recommend something, even just for Photoshop, so we don't drift too far off-topic here? Honestly, the one I'm using right now—my LG Flatron W2241S—is actually doing alright for me. If I do end up grabbing a new one, the main thing is that it absolutely has to have the right connector for my graphics card... because I've had a nightmare trying to track down an adapter or a cable that actually works for this setup.

Whenever I think about Markan, I just can't deal with these kinds of questions anymore 😬

Timothy Kim60 said:those DVI-to-VGA adapters that used to come in the box with graphics cards

As far as I know, that only works if you have a DVI-I port. Otherwise, you’re gonna need a converter. Dealing with the exact same headache on my R9 290...🤷

It’s pretty straightforward—just figure out which port matches your cable...then you just pick the right VGA adapter.

Lawrence Reed3 said:Maybe recommend something for Photoshop so we don't drift too far off-topic here. Personally, the one I have works fine—an LG Flatron W2241S. If you go for a new one, just make sure it has the right connectors for your card. I can't find an adapter or cable for this setup anywhere.

Look, that's a really old monitor with a TN panel, and if I recall correctly, it's stuck at 1680x1050 resolution. You're pairing a super outdated screen where Full HD isn't even the native resolution with a GPU from $1000 that people actually use for light 4K gaming 🙂 It doesn't quite add up, does it? 😬 At the very least, you could grab OVAKO something like this. It's dirt cheap, uses a VA matrix, and is obviously Full HD. Or maybe OVAKO something with an IPS panel. At least then you'll actually be able to use the potential of your graphics card. Running an R9 390 at 1680x1050... what a waste 😁

He’ll probably need a converter if he's stuck with just DVI, but since he hasn't specified his exact setup, I can't be certain. That said, I know a GTX 970 typically comes equipped with DVI.

That being said, using that card for a monitor like that is total overkill—it isn't even Full HD. A GPU like that really belongs in the 1440p sweet spot, or perhaps even 4K if you're playing less demanding titles or don't mind cranking down the settings.

analogtiger19 said:Honestly, once I think back to Mark~~>> , I just can't deal with these kinds of questions anymore! 😬

So, I was actually over at Best Buy this morning and they told me they didn't have this in stock. But now I see they do! Maybe that'll help things out—fingers crossed.

Adam Moore3 said:So, look—that’s a really old monitor with a TN panel, and if I remember correctly, it's running at 1680x1050 resolution. Basically, you're working with a super dated screen where Full HD isn't even its native resolution—especially when you pair it up with a card like that... $1000 I wonder which people actually use these setups even for some occasional 4K gaming? 🙂 Things aren't quite adding up here, are they? I mean, it feels like something is just a little bit off—maybe even a bit mismatched! 😬 Bare minimum! Like this! You could definitely pick that up! It’s such a steal—plus, it has a VA panel, so you're getting Full HD too. Or... maybe not? I guess it depends! Alright, let's get this going! So, about that IPS panel... at least you'll actually be able to make decent use of your GPU's potential! I mean, running an R9 390 at 1680x1050? Man, what a waste—it's honestly such a shame! 😁

I was checking out that BenQ, but honestly—I ended up dropping pretty much everything I had on an MSI build instead! So, I guess I’ll just have to wait a little bit before I can finally grab a new monitor.

Look, you’ll survive with that monitor, but I only suggested the upgrade because it's such a waste to pair a beast of a GPU with an old screen at a resolution lower than Full HD. Like Adam Moore3 mentioned, most people are running that card at 2560x1440, whereas you're still stuck at 1680x1050. That's why it's mostly 🙂

Just save up some cash and grab a new monitor. Like others have already pointed out, it doesn't really make sense to be running such a powerful graphics card at such a "low resolution"—I mean, you really need at least 1080p to actually make use of that hardware.

Exactly, that’s what I was going for!
@ Timothy Kim60—just so you know, my graphics card only has digital outputs.
I actually just finished chatting with a guy over at Best Buy, and he mentioned that since my ports are all digital, I could hook up the monitor using either the DisplayPort or the HDMI port—which basically means I'll probably need to pick up some adapters, maybe an HDMI-to-VGA or a DP-to-VGA one, I guess.

Lawrence Reed3 said:Exactly, that was my plan all along.
@ Timothy Kim60, my graphics card only has digital outputs.
I just spoke with a guy at the Best Buy in Chicago, and he mentioned I could hook up the monitor via DisplayPort or HDMI, which means I'll just need some adapters like an HDMI to VGA or a DP to VGA.

Good grief, why is there so much confusion over this? Your monitor only has a VGA input—no DVI and no HDMI. Modern cards don't have VGA anymore; they use DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort. You either need a new monitor 😬 or a "DVI/HDMI/DP to VGA adapter." Basically, one side is VGA and the other side needs to match one of those three so you can plug the monitor (which is VGA) into the adapter, and then plug the adapter into the card. That's it. 🙂

Adam Moore3 said:Good grief, why is there so much confusion about this? — I mean, seriously! Your monitor only has a VGA port; it doesn't even have DVI or HDMI. On the flip side, your graphics card doesn't support VGA at all—it’s strictly DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort. So, I guess you're basically looking at needing a new monitor if you want things to actually work! 😬 So, I'm thinking maybe just a "DVI/HDMI/DP to VGA adapter"? Basically, one side would be VGA and the other could be any one of those three—that way I can just plug my monitor (which uses VGA) into the adapter, then stick the adapter straight into the graphics card. That should do the trick, right? Simple as that! 🙂

Sorry about that—things are finally starting to click for me! I guess I was just a little confused at first about how everything worked, so I definitely got mixed up. My bad!

https://www.google.com/search?q=vga+to+dvi

This should be exactly what you're looking for—simple as that.

Oh boy, here we go again... 🤣
Alright, let me break this down for you with a bit of a deep dive.
VGA - purely analog signal
DVI-A - strictly analog signal
DVI-D - strictly digital signal
DVI-I - handles both analog and digital signals
HDMI - purely digital
DisplayPort - purely digital

See, the thing is—your monitor can only receive an analog signal, so that’s exactly what you need to feed it. If your graphics card is putting out a digital signal instead, you’re going to need a converter to bridge that gap. Now, if your card happens to have a DVI-A or a DVI-I port, you can just use a passive adapter—which is great because they're super cheap since they don't actually "convert" anything; they just reroute the pins to pass that analog signal through. But in any other scenario? You'll need one of those slightly pricier adapters that actually does the heavy lifting of converting digital to analog (probably around $10-$15).
So, my advice is to double-check whether your graphics card features a DVI-I connector or a DVI-D one. If it’s DVI-I, you're in luck—just head over to $10 and grab a simple passive DVI/VGA adapter. If it isn't, then you'll specifically need a DVI-D/VGA, HDMI/VGA, or DP/VGA adapter. Just keep in mind those types actually perform signal conversion, which is why they aren't quite as budget-friendly. I'd budget about $43 depending on where you decide to shop.

If you happen to have an N/A:

DisplayPort Output: 1
DL-DVI-D Output: 2
HDMI Output: 1

http://cdn.agilitycms.com/xfx/MediaG...90P-8DF6_3.JPG

Since this specific model only features digital ports, I guess you'll need a converter, which might run you upwards of $20.

Jonathan Mendoza17 said:Man, here we go again! 🤣
Alright, let me break this down for you.
VGA - analog signal only
DVI-A - analog signal only
DVI-D - digital signal only
DVI-I - both analog and digital signals
HDMI - digital only
DisplayPort - digital only

See, your monitor can only take an analog signal, so that's what you've gotta feed it. If your graphics card is putting out a digital signal, you're going to need a converter to actually change that signal over. Now, if your card happens to have a DVI-A or DVI-I port, a cheap passive adapter works just fine—it doesn't actually convert anything, it just reshuffles the pins, which is why it's so inexpensive. But in any other scenario? You'll need a slightly pricier active adapter that actually converts the digital signal into analog (probably around $10-$15).
So, you really ought to double-check whether your card has a DVI-I or a DVI-D connector. If it’s DVI-I, you can just grab a passive DVI/VGA adapter on $10. But if it isn't, then you'll need a DVI-D/VGA, HDMI/VGA, or DP/VGA adapter—those ones act as converters, which is why they cost more. I'd budget about $43 depending on where you shop.

Thanks so much, that was a super clear explanation!
My card actually has a DVI-D port, based on the link in the post above. Man, things would be so much easier if it were different.
So, does that mean this one, this one or maybe this one?

My suggestion? Just give the guy a direct link to what he actually needs to buy and for heaven's sake, stop writing entire damn essays. 😁