difference between DVI and VGA

[Webby]

Nope they both transmit a digital signal so they are in effect the same, just a different connector. Only advantage HDMI has is its ability to carry an audio signal as well as video.

However since you can get DVI to HDMI adapters (for ATI cards) which allow for audio throughput you must be able to transfer sound over DVI as well just nothing knows how to process it at the other end

[-Observer-]

That is reassuring! I have my HP w2408 that I wish to watch Blu-Ray movies on, but it's the non-HDMI version.

I know for HDMI, the quality of the cable can affect the quality of the display, does the same thing apply with DVI as I have a normal standard cable for my 24".

[NightshadowUK]

Cable quality only really comes into it when you have large lengths of wire, better cables don't cause the signal to degrade *as much* over distance.

We're talking cables over 5 metres here though...

[-Observer-]

Thanks Guys! Sorry for diverting from the initial topic...

[badass]

DVI is better than VGA in every way I can think of

Anything you had in mind?

D-Sub better on a CRT. DVI is better on a flat panel. Makes sense since D Sub was designed for CRT's and DVI was designed for flat panels really.

[vmong]

what about my last question??

[Webby]

I would be very much surprised if you could find a CRT monitor with a DVI-D interface (may find DVI-I where it is using the analogue part of the cable).

If you have a digital screen it really does just make sense to use a digital signal from the start

Vmong, I would expect your PSU can handle it as long as the is a PCIe slot what benefits will you see not sure really it may take some load off the processor during video playback but not sure if the 8400 did that or not everything else you mention integrated graphics are probably ok, if media is a big part of it perhaps a 3450 or 4350 from ATI would be more appropriate as they definitely support decoding of HD on board.

[vmong]

I would be very much surprised if you could find a CRT monitor with a DVI-D interface (may find DVI-I where it is using the analogue part of the cable).

If you have a digital screen it really does just make sense to use a digital signal from the start

Vmong, I would expect your PSU can handle it as long as the is a PCIe slot what benefits will you see not sure really it may take some load off the processor during video playback but not sure if the 8400 did that or not everything else you mention integrated graphics are probably ok, if media is a big part of it perhaps a 3450 or 4350 from ATI would be more appropriate as they definitely support decoding of HD on board.

thanks for reply,
well i just need an upgrade. i have a computer for gaming and other more demanding thing like premiere etc. just wanted the dell one to feel more like a media PC. can really hear the cpu fan going hardcore when i play a video!
i am only getting the 8400 because the guy i'm buying it from lives close to me and will let me test if out. i had previously bought one but it didnt even work.

i plugged it in and tried to power it up but nothing. maybe a faulty card??

[Webby]

If it is to take load of the CPU I would seriously consider the 3450 costs ~£25 and is designed around media, but hey if you can try before you buy as it were give the 8400 a shot nothing to loose

[vmong]

If it is to take load of the CPU I would seriously consider the 3450 costs ~£25 and is designed around media, but hey if you can try before you buy as it were give the 8400 a shot nothing to loose

just wondering, how would a new GFX card decrease the load from th CPU? i though that the onboard did all the graphics stuff?? (dumb question i know)
yeah im also getting the 8400 for £16 (is that a good price?)

[Pob255]

The 8400 and 8500 (although not the sound feed) do good video decodeing, was the only saveing grace of the 8500 and 8400 cards.
However I'd agree with webby, look at the 3450 and 4350 as they are better.

I'm not surprised that dvi can carry sound as well as a full (dual link) dvi-i cable can support 2 digital feeds and still carries 4 unused analog pins.

EDIT: as to not working, did you set the the pci-e as the primary output in the BIOS? if not it will still feed the monitor off the onboard graphics

[vmong]

The 8400 and 8500 (although not the sound feed) do good video decodeing, was the only saveing grace of the 8500 and 8400 cards.
However I'd agree with webby, look at the 3450 and 4350 as they are better.

I'm not surprised that dvi can carry sound as well as a full (dual link) dvi-i cable can support 2 digital feeds and still carries 4 unused analog pins.

EDIT: as to not working, did you set the the pci-e as the primary output in the BIOS? if not it will still feed the monitor off the onboard graphics

ill try that out now lol!

[Webby]

EDIT: as to not working, did you set the the pci-e as the primary output in the BIOS? if not it will still feed the monitor off the onboard graphics

But only if your motherboard isn't cleaver enough to swap it for you, some motherboards

You could buy a new 256MB 8400 for £20 so £16 may be a little steep but with no postage to pay maybe its not such a bad deal.

[vmong]

But only if your motherboard isn't cleaver enough to swap it for you, some motherboards

You could buy a new 256MB 8400 for £20 so £16 may be a little steep but with no postage to pay maybe its not such a bad deal.

just cant be bothered to go through the hassle of a refund if it doesnt work
if it doesnt work when im at the guys house then he said that i dont have to buy it.

so annoyed i thought that i had the problem solved. i just tried the other card i bought and nothing. i changed the thing from on board to something called PEG (PCI-e Graphics) and when i went to book up, the fan on the computer was just excessively loud. so it wasn't even booting as it usually goes a lot quieter when its actually finished booting.
i realized my computer gets sooo hot! the GFX card was pretty warm when i took it off. i put it on my lips (don't ask why!) my P4 has such a hige heat sink!!! and with that kind of heat im not surprised!¬

[Agent]

D-Sub better on a CRT. DVI is better on a flat panel. Makes sense since D Sub was designed for CRT's and DVI was designed for flat panels really.

Ermm, in what way is it "better"?

Can you name any CRT with a DVI input (digital that is, not DVI-A)? There would be no advantage in moving the DAC from the graphics card to the monitor. In fact, it would be counter productive in most cases as graphics cards generally have good DACs.

Even the excellent IBM P260 CRT with DVI is DVI-A.

You've lost me here badass

[Funkstar]

Is one of us reading that wrong Agent?

Badass is saying analogue is better on a CRT and digital is better on a LCD.

Isn't he?