Video cards: Do DVI adapters reduce picture quality?

[Rip The Jacker]

Hey all,

I wanna buy a new video card, and most of the newer cards have 2 DVI ports. Like this one:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/25/14150140027pq.jpg

Now, I don't have a DVI monitor (?), and would need a VGA port. Almost all cards with DVI ports come with DVI to VGA adapters (far right):

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/2610/14150140055ga.jpg

If I use the DVI to VGA adapter for my monitor, will it reduce the quality of the picture at all? Is it worth it? Or am I better off getting a video card with a VGA port on it? Like this one (left):

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8061/14150132020cx.jpg

So...

Use the DVI adapter? Or buy a video card with a VGA slot on it?

[Seedler]

No, I don't think visual quality is reduced when simply using a VGA adapter on a DVI port.

It should be safe for you to go with a dual-DVI port gfx card.

[ApacNTS]

my card has dual dvi's and the picture is just fine with the converter's that came with it. dont see any problems at all.

[lynx]

Max resolution is 2.6 Megapixels at 60Hz (about 1860x1400). Above that the DVI interface starts using a second channel which can't be integrated into the adapter.

However, the 5 connectors at the end (4 pins and a slot) also carry the analog signal.

[Rip The Jacker]

Max resolution is 2.6 Megapixels at 60Hz (about 1860x1400). Above that the DVI interface starts using a second channel which can't be integrated into the adapter.

However, the 5 connectors at the end (4 pins and a slot) also carry the analog signal.
I'm sorry dude, but um... what are you saying exactly?

Is it going to look just great? Or should I buy a card with a VGA slot?

=/

[lynx]

The end 5 connectors (4 pins and a slot) carry the analog signal and this is what is converted on the vga adapter. There is no loss or conversion of information so the picture is just as good.

The rest was really just saying that you may not get the card's maximum resolution on an analog signal. If you bought the card to get very high resolution (above 2.6Megapixels) then you are going to be disappointed, but that's a limitation of the analog signal and would still apply if you bought a card with a VGA connector, and since your monitor has a VGA connector it wouldn't be able to handle it anyway.

[harrycary]

in a nutshell, it will look the same using either type of video card.

an external convertor isn't much different then what occurs on a card with both types. the convertor though may be more susceptible to interference.

my .02¢

[Virtualbody1234]

The video performance will be the same with the adapter.

Also the chance of interference is very low because the adapter is shielded.

[Seedler]

It doesn't matter much for you really.

You could very well go with either, you prob won't use 2 DVI monitors anyways.

[Rip The Jacker]

Great, thanks! Sorry for the late reply, but thanks for the info guys.

I ended up buying one that had a DVI and VGA port, I was just curious anyway.

:)