Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

What kind of cable do I need?

Jan 20, 2011 5:46AM PST

I suppose I should begin this by saying I have no real idea what I'm doing, but I suppose that goes without saying as I am posting in this forum.
I recently purchased a Velocity Micro Holiday Edition (link:http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/velocity-micro-vector-holiday/4505-3118_7-34328119.html?tag=rnav) and a Samsung PX2370 monitor (link:http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/samsung-px2370/4505-3174_7-34048108-2.html?tag=rvwBody).
To my chagrin, the cables that came with the monitor do not connect with the computer. A quick search of Google told me that I needed to get a DVI-I dual link cable, but I'm not sure if I should just get a converter of some kind. Also, it appears as though both the computer and the monitor would accept an HDMI cable. Is that a replacement for a DVI cable, and it is a good idea to buy one?
Thanks for any help you can give me. I really want to buy the right thing the first time, and I really want my computer to work.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Since this display is 1080p
Jan 20, 2011 5:57AM PST
- Collapse -
Just to clarify...
Jan 20, 2011 6:02AM PST

So if I were to buy the HDMI cable, that's all I would need for my monitor and my PC to connect?

- Collapse -
That's what I use
Jan 20, 2011 6:06AM PST

With a similar not exactly your model video card. I wonder if you have a HDMI cable in your house you can try it out with?
Bob

- Collapse -
I'm afraid I don't have an HDMI cable
Jan 20, 2011 6:10AM PST

However, my video card is different than the standard one that comes with the computer. I have an 1 GB ATI Radeon HD 6850. Does that change anything?

- Collapse -
Of course.
Jan 20, 2011 6:16AM PST

Since I can't know what you have if you don't tell my answers are now void.

You might use one of the cables I noted but only you know what your card is and what outputs it has. I found too many ATI 6850s to hazard a guess here.

At least the cables are not budget busters.
Bob