E172FP monitor and Ge Force FX 5200

Question

I ordered my computer few months ago, it came with a free upgrade to a 17' flat panel monitor, I chose few upgrades. One of them was to add a Ge Force FX 5200 video card. But there were no cables with it, the only cable I have is the 15 pin that came with the monitor.   Q-1 where have all the connectors gone? (DVI, S/video...)   Q-2 isn't it better to connect my LCD monitor using a digital connection to the graphics card? If so, why didn't Dell provide it?   Q-3 Is it just better to get the base model computer and upgrade later, by purchasing components from direct manufacturer? (ie. nVIDA in the case of the video card, because they give you all necessary cables and connectors)   Thank you.

DELL-Jesse L · Answer

pixelmaster, Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum. This monitor is not a Digital Monitor. That is why no Digital cable came with the monitor.

mike470 · Answer

Hi pixelmaster

I agree with Jesse, This E172FP 17inch monitor is a Analogue with blue caple, there is no white cable for DVI. This is good monitor and its design is simple and easy to use and works with any video cards. The DVI digital all it does is improve the picture quality.
With Analogue you can do more when it comes to adjust in main menu but DVI does have a few limits when adjusting in the main menu.

How ever, Dell do have 1704FP Ultrasharp that does have Analogue and DVI cables. So you can exchange it but may pay a bit more for it.

mike470

Message Edited by mike470 on 02-28-2005 03:59 PM

pixelmaster · Answer

Thanks for the reply,   I understand that the monitor is Analogue, but the VIDEO card...!! I added a video card that has a TV out and dual monitor capabilities so I can use them, now that I want to use those capabilities I realize that I need special cables and connectors that I have to pay extra for, whereas if I had bought the video card from any other source than Dell, I would have those cables at hand.   Doesn't it seem unfair? It's like going to a buffet, paying to get in, look at all the food and realize that if you want a plate you should pay for it, oh and if you want a fork, you should pay for it too. I know, strange example! But it's the same principle.   So what do you guys think?   This is starting to tick me off actually, hmmm I need to express my concerns to customer care. Off to send an e-mail. grrrrrrr

DELL-Jesse L · Answer

pixelmaster, You get the digital cables if you buy a digital monitor not a digital video card.

mike470 · Answer

Hi pixelmaster

Well pixelmaster, You can go and buy the cables you want but you have a Analogue 17inch monitor. The only suggesting I can make is since you have a video card that have dual monitor capabilities, you can buy a second monitor or exchange the monitor you got for the one you want that has TV capabilities. If you can go on the Dell website and find the monitor or go to a computer shop and look around ask a few questions. Dell has a 21 day return so you can call cumstomer service and chat to find out if they can help.

mike470

pixelmaster · Answer

Why is everybody focusing on Question #2, when the main concern is the fact that the video card doesn't come with the necessary cables to use its capabilities. I know that's the way DELL does it, but it doesn't mean that's the right way to do it.   I bought that video card for a reason, or maybe I should say I was sold that video card for a reason, two reasons actually (dual monitor and TV out) . Anyway, I was able to explain that to Customer Care and , I got DELL to send me the necessary components at no charge.   So, digital monitor or not. 15', 17', or even 46' .....It boils down to the video card and what I bought it for.

Monitors

E172FP monitor and Ge Force FX 5200

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