Computers & Electronics

DVI to VGA Adapter

  • Last Updated:
  • Apr 16th, 2014 9:59 am
Tags:
None
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 31, 2008
13011 posts
3095 upvotes
Toronto

DVI to VGA Adapter

Hi,

I was wondering if I can just get a simple $10 adapter to convert 'down' to VGA?

I bought a new Desktop, which has a DVI output video card. I'm going to use my old VGA monitor. The guy at Canada Computers told me I had to get some kind of powered unit due to some circuitry issue.

I know converting 'Up' is an issue, but can converting 'Down' just be done with a simple adaptor?
12 replies
Deal Addict
Jan 18, 2013
3026 posts
1670 upvotes
B.C.
at1212b wrote: I bought a new Desktop, which has a DVI output video card. I'm going to use my old VGA monitor. The guy at Canada Computers told me I had to get some kind of powered unit due to some circuitry issue.
The guy at CC was right.

Does the video card have DVI-a outputs? They send analog on the extra pins and then all you need is a dvi-vga adaptor. Otherwise you're SOL and better off buying a new monitor since any active convertor is probably going to be pretty expensive.

What kind of video card is it?
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 31, 2008
13011 posts
3095 upvotes
Toronto
lennyandcarl wrote: The guy at CC was right.

Does the video card have DVI-a outputs? They send analog on the extra pins and then all you need is a dvi-vga adaptor. Otherwise you're SOL and better off buying a new monitor since any active convertor is probably going to be pretty expensive.

What kind of video card is it?
I have this one:

Nvidia GeForce 8400GS DVI Graphics

The back of the computer looks like this:

[IMG]http://img.canadacomputers.com/Products ... /62021.jpg[/IMG]

The regular VGA port is not 'configured' and therefore does not work.
Deal Addict
Jan 18, 2013
3026 posts
1670 upvotes
B.C.
Whats the exact make and model number of the video card? When I google "NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS DVI" I get about a million different results.
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
May 11, 2009
8554 posts
5570 upvotes
Trudostan
lennyandcarl wrote: The guy at CC was right.

Does the video card have DVI-a outputs? They send analog on the extra pins and then all you need is a dvi-vga adaptor. Otherwise you're SOL and better off buying a new monitor since any active convertor is probably going to be pretty expensive.

What kind of video card is it?
Incorrect, pure DVi-A is rare, but if you have DVI-I (common) you are safe.

OP, does the DVI connector have 4 holes around the horizontal long pin slot on the side (first and second picture below)? I'm assuming it does, most video cards have at least one DVI port that can do analog. From the age of your card I would expect it to have DVI-I.

[IMG]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... es.svg.png[/IMG]
SAMSUNG SUCKS! NO SSD WARRANTY IN CANADA > https://forums.redflagdeals.com/has-any ... d-2098075/
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 31, 2008
13011 posts
3095 upvotes
Toronto
It's actually one of those refurbished Canada Computer desktops. So I really don't know what exact model the vid card is as no instructions were provided outside of the specs provided by the website.

Here is a pic of it:

[IMG]http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x48 ... 8/94lb.jpg[/IMG]
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 31, 2008
13011 posts
3095 upvotes
Toronto
Actually, I also just realized one of my monitors has the DVD-D (Dual Link) input.
Deal Addict
May 26, 2002
1908 posts
491 upvotes
That connector is a common connector for half height video cards (usually comes with SFF PC's from Dell, HP, etc) to allow dual display because there physically isn't enough room to put two DVI connectors on a half height slot. It's a Y-adapter that has either two regular DVI or VGA connectors on the other end so you can connect monitor to. I have a ton of these Y-adapters both DVI and VGA you can have for free if you want to come pick it up.

[IMG]http://partsurfer.hp.com/media/photos/285380-001.jpg[/IMG]

-LeeBear
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
May 11, 2009
8554 posts
5570 upvotes
Trudostan
LeeBear wrote: That connector is a common connector for half height video cards (usually comes with SFF PC's from Dell, HP, etc) to allow dual display because there physically isn't enough room to put two DVI connectors on a half height slot. It's a Y-adapter that has either two regular DVI or VGA connectors on the other end so you can connect monitor to. I have a ton of these Y-adapters both DVI and VGA you can have for free if you want to come pick it up.

[IMG]http://partsurfer.hp.com/media/photos/285380-001.jpg[/IMG]

-LeeBear
^This. That Y-Adapter likely has at least one DVI-I connector. At least the ones I've seen attatched to Core 2-era Dells have it.

Also you said there is a VGA port but it is unavailable. That is because the 8400GS is installed and the integrated video is automatically disabled. If you desperately need the use of a VGA monitor, you can pull that 8400GS card out and the machine should default to the integrated video. The 8400GS is not a strong video card, but it is almost always better than onboard integrated graphics, you'll be taking a performance hit in 3D and graphics accelerated applications.
SAMSUNG SUCKS! NO SSD WARRANTY IN CANADA > https://forums.redflagdeals.com/has-any ... d-2098075/
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 31, 2008
13011 posts
3095 upvotes
Toronto
LeeBear wrote: That connector is a common connector for half height video cards (usually comes with SFF PC's from Dell, HP, etc) to allow dual display because there physically isn't enough room to put two DVI connectors on a half height slot. It's a Y-adapter that has either two regular DVI or VGA connectors on the other end so you can connect monitor to. I have a ton of these Y-adapters both DVI and VGA you can have for free if you want to come pick it up.

[IMG]http://partsurfer.hp.com/media/photos/285380-001.jpg[/IMG]

-LeeBear
Yea? Where abouts are you located? Cools, thanks for the info.. at the very least, I know now which one to get.
Deal Expert
User avatar
Jun 27, 2004
15218 posts
4405 upvotes
Vancouver.bc.ca
Just want to say that you guys rock, answering a fellow RFDers question and helping out the dude with the appropriate adapter.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 31, 2008
13011 posts
3095 upvotes
Toronto
rabbit wrote: Just want to say that you guys rock, answering a fellow RFDers question and helping out the dude with the appropriate adapter.
Yes, I'm really thankful for the help from the respondents here. I could have been going in circles for awhile lol
Deal Addict
Jan 13, 2009
1567 posts
192 upvotes
Oakville
at1212b wrote: Here is a pic of it:
Thats DMS-59
***** adapter, but pretty common on professional videocards (nvidia quadro, ati fire) even today.
Usually used with Y-splitter, either to two DVI, or to two VGA.

Top

Thread Information

There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)