# DCI monitor to a vga computer.. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 12, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703 "2010-02-12T14:29:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/1 "2010-02-12T14:29:12Z")
Is this possible? My gf finally bought a new computer, a Dell Inspiron desktop. I am setting it up for her. I have an old monitor I am not using, a Gateway monitor with a DCI connector on it. The computer has a vga connection. I have seen DCI to VGA adapters, but do not wanna buy one until I get some knowledgeable advice. So. . .whadayathink?😃 ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/2 "2010-02-12T14:34:05Z")
Do you mean DCI, because I’ve never heard of a DCI connector on a monitor? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/3 "2010-02-12T14:49:01Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > Do you mean DCI, because I’ve never heard of a DCI connector on a monitor? Ooops. DVI. Sorry. Now you see why I need help.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/4 "2010-02-12T14:50:51Z")
VGA to DVI connector? [Here’s an adapter for a penny](http://www.amazon.com/Startech-Display-Adapter-Dvi-m-VGA-f/dp/B000067SOH) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/5 "2010-02-12T14:52:28Z")
> [@astro](#): > > VGA to DVI connector? [Here’s an adapter for a penny](http://www.amazon.com/Startech-Display-Adapter-Dvi-m-VGA-f/dp/B000067SOH) OK, I’ve seen those. Just wasn’t sure if it was to attach a vga monitor to a DVI computer connection or viceversa… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/6 "2010-02-12T14:53:03Z")
I have it going the other way…my new monitor only came with a VGA cord (although the monitor itself has both types of video-in), my new computer only has DVI on the graphics card. Luckily, I had a VGA-to-DVI adapter in a drawer here and it works very well. If I weren’t using it, I’d send it to you! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/7 "2010-02-12T14:53:07Z")
The adapters work fine. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/8 "2010-02-12T14:57:48Z")
Most DVI connectors provide VGA output (which is what the adapter does; it’s just a cable with a the two different connectors at each end). If you have a full-size DVI connector, you should be able to see if it does or not provides VGA: [Digital Visual Interface - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface#Connector) - the only variant that you can’t use is DVI-D. DVI-A, DVI-I and M1-DA are all ok. The laptop’s specs or manual _should_ also include this info. ETA: oops, messed it up. I thought you wanted to connect the other way around. Still, the info should be valid if you read it the other way round 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/9 "2010-02-12T15:04:33Z")
You can get a VGA to DVI connector. Be sure to get one that converts in the direction you want to go. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/10 "2010-02-12T15:33:24Z")
Will pick one up tonight. Thanks all! ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dci-monitor-to-a-vga-computer/528703/11 "2010-02-12T18:33:38Z")
A modern Dell desktop should have a HDMI connector as well as a VGA. What you need is a HDMI to DVI cable or adapter. Something like this: [http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c\_id=104&cp\_id=10419&cs\_id=1041902&p\_id=2080&seq=1&format=2](http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041902&p_id=2080&seq=1&format=2) or this: [http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c\_id=102&cp\_id=10231&cs\_id=1023104&p\_id=2404&seq=1&format=2](http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&cs_id=1023104&p_id=2404&seq=1&format=2) A VGA to DVI adapter is useless, since if the monitor was able to handle analog input, it would already have a VGA connector. Don’t be shocked if the cables are much more expensive in a brick and mortar store. Most cables in stores are marked up several hundred percent.