Reddit mentions of StarTech.com DVI-D to VGA Active Adapter Converter Cable - 1080p - DVI to VGA Converter Box (DVI2VGAE)

thats because DVI-I supports analog too, and VGA is analog.

DVI-D is purely digital, which needs an active converter to analog for VGA. eg. https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI-D-Active-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS (no idea if this is actually a good one or not, its just an example here)

edit: also, do you nneed to convert from DVI-D signal to VGA, or VGA to DVI-D? the adapters rarely work in both ways.

edit2: as for latency, I'd assume all conversions introduce a latency of some sort. As for how noticeable it is, I can't say.

You'll probably have to just pair a spider with an active adapter. Yes a passive adapter won't work, but active should.

something like: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS

You can use an adapter for the dvi-i port.
The white one on the bottom in the pic.

You have to use a converter for the dvi-d port.
The black one on top in the pic.

The dvi-i port is integrated digital and analog.
It already outputs an analog signal.
You can use a plain adapter here.
One should come with your card.

The dvi-d port only outputs a digital signal.
That output needs separate hardware to convert(not adapt) the digital signal to an analog format.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00C93JQXS/

I assume your monitors are 15pin vga.

You need an active adapter.

Like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS

What you'll need is an 'active' dvi to vga converter. Search amazon for these and you should find loads - buy the most popular one. Example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Active-Adapter-Converter-1920x1200/dp/B00C93JQXS/

You may need an active adapter, not a passive one since you're converting a digital (DVI) signal to analog (VGA). They're a bit more pricy, but it's for a reason.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI-D-Active-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS

You either need to buy a new monitor or get an active adapter to be able to use a VGA cable, like this one.

i'm sorry, i was originally referring to which model GPU

but the adapter you bought is referred to as a PASSIVE adapter...i honestly hate that they allow these things to be sold since they don't work

HERE is a link to an ACTIVE DVI-D to VGA adapter, the active adapters require power to function, this particular one draws power from a separate included USB cable, that's how it converts digital signal to analog correctly

> how do i activate it?

That's not what I mean by "active". What you've got there is a passive adapter and if you do indeed have a DVI-D connector, you're going to need to buy an active one instead.

You can put a simple Passive DVI-VGA adapter (The ones that they usually include with the Card) on the DVI-I for one of your VGA monitors but you'll need an Active adapter for either the Displayport or DVI-D to connect the 2nd VGA monitor, something like this or this

edit. fixed 2nd link

You're probably hooking up your monitor to your motherboard so you're using integrated graphics. You have to plug the monitor cable into the GPU.

To use VGA you'll have to buy an active DVI to VGA adapter like this one https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS

So first we need to know exactly what connector the GPU has. Please identify the connector from this chart as some of the connectors are unable to do analog output.

You state that it's a DVI-D output, which doesn't have the necessary analog pins as per this image

so unless you have a DVI-I or a DVI-A on your motherboard, you will then have to get an active digital to analog converter such as one of these

You'll need a different video card, or a different monitor. Or I suppose an active converter, like this https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS, although I've never used one.

That will not work for OP. The vast majority of HDMI devices (Including the 290X) output only digital video, whereas VGA is analog. That's why OP needs an active adapter, not just a passive cable. The 290X appears to not have any analog outputs at all, so an active adapter like this is necessary.

Actually I think I got it now. This is what I need? https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C93JQXS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2OAJ7377F756P&psc=1

Your DVI ports are DVI-D and don't support passive adapters to VGA as they are missing some pins. If you want to connect a VGA monitor you will have to buy an active adapter DVI-D to VGA or HDMI to VGA or DisplayPort to VGA.

Are you sure you're using a proper active DVI-D to VGA adaptor? If not, there's your problem - DVI-D doesn't provide the VGA signals required by a passive adaptor.

A DVI-D cable won't help unless the monitor also has DVI. Look for something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS/ref=pd_sim_pc_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0MJZMFFZT811ZETH35EK

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS?th=1

Would this work?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-DVI-D-Active-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482697138&sr=8-1&keywords=StarTech.com+DVI2VGAE+1920x1200+DVI-D+to+VGA+Active+Adapter+Converter+Cable

Also, how much performance would I lose if I chose to use this?
Like, would it be disgustingly bad or would there just be a slight almost unnoticeable decrease in performance?

Agreed, but that would not stop and active conversion of DVI-D to VGA surely? pricey though... https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-DVI-D-Active-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Gold-Plated-Active-Adapter/dp/B00879DM56/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420732525&sr=8-3&keywords=hdmi+to+vga

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Plated-DisplayPort-Adapter/dp/B005H3Q56I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420732554&sr=8-1&keywords=displayport+to+vga

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420732603&sr=8-1&keywords=dvi+to+vga+active

Have a look at AMD's R9 390 cards. These are the newest GPU's around the same price point as a GTX 970. The R9 390 only has DVI-D, in which case you can't use a simple connector like you stated, you'd need something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS

The monitor only has VGA? No DVI or Displayport?

They do have active adapters to go from DVI-D to VGA. Something like this. It might be time for a new monitor though.

You can get active adapters for about $25, much less than a new monitor.

So I did a bit of looking around and it looks like there is no way to convert VGA to DVI-D with a basic adapter. Normal adapters won't convert signals and since DVI-D is a digital signal and VGA is analog signal it doesn't do anything. Any normal adapter that says VGA to DVI-D is a scam or mislabeled. I didn't even know that before now as I never messed with DVI or VGA much.

Are there any other connection types on the monitor? No DVI of any kind? HDMI? Display port?

If it truly is just VGA then you'll need an adapter that can convert signals from analog to digital like this one, bit expensive just for an adapter but if that's your only option, and you only have VGA from the monitor and nothing else, it's at least cheaper than buying a new monitor.

This isn't that expensive:

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS

EDIT: not expensive relative to the cost of a new monitor that is.

passive is just wires to wires. Active has a small processor/ electrical component that is powered and manipulating the signal. In this case turning a digital signal into a analog one.

pictures of signals!


What is your primary monitor, can it take anything over than VGA?

EDIT: you pay slightly more for active adaptors but this should do the trick.

Something like this

If you want to link your existing monitor to a 10 series NVidia GPU, you're just going to have to budget for something like this. That's just the way it is.

FTFY

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C93JQXS

There are 2 types of DVI, DVI-I and DVI-D. DVI-I has 4 extra pins that can carry an analogue signal, and a built in converter. DVI-D doesn't listen for analogue signals, it's digital only. You need something like this to convert the signal from analogue to digital.

would this cable work? https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS

Also how would I set this up with a dual monitor display? sorry for late reply I had wisdom teeth removed

You could try an active converter instead. It'll be pricier though.

Like this one: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS ?

but why spend so much money for such a shitty image quality?
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DVI2VGAE-1920x1200-Adapter-Converter/dp/B00C93JQXS