VGA or Video Graphics Display is a video controller that you can use to max out the display or resolution of a standard computer display. With many people looking to extend the current display of their computers, many are confused if its maximum resolution can support 1080p and 4k formats. Our team of technical experts will clear your doubts in this article.
VGA Maximum Resolution
VGA has come a long way since its introduction in 1987. Although it is not commonly used as HDMI or DVI due to its analog nature and outdated standards, it still has its place in the display world, especially amongst those looking for a cheaper secondary display.
Connecting to a larger external monitor or TV seems ideal to make your movie watching more immersive. But, first, you need to check the number of ports on your computer and then determine the kind of resolution you want. Does it have HDMI, VGA, or DVI ports?
1080p Content
The standard VGA max resolution used to be 640×480, but these days, VGA can support 1080p content, which is 1920×1080 resolution. However, at higher resolutions, VGA’s quality begins to drop because of the limited signal source and quality of the cable. So, if you are looking at going beyond 1080p with a VGA cable, our technical experts do not recommend it.
2560x1440 Content
VGA cables don’t support 2560×1440 resolutions. Resolutions this high require more video bandwidth, which VGA cables can’t offer. Using VGA cables for content this high will result in lower display quality, interference, signal cut-outs, etc.
Resolutions like this need a dual-link format DVI connector, DisplayPort, or HDMI.
4K Content
VGA doesn’t support 4K content because of the same limiting hardware and analog signals. VGA resolution is capped at 2048×1536, which many consider not to be true High Definition. On the other hand, the 4K resolution is 3840×2160.
The best cables for handling higher resolutions, such as 4K, are HDMI and DVI.
Ideal Resolution for VGA
As our technical engineers pointed out earlier, the ideal resolution for VGA is 640×480. However, it can boost the resolution up to 1920×1080, but you should be wary of the signal source and the cable. These two affect the clarity of the display.
Refresh Rate Capacity
The ideal refresh rate capacity of VGA is 60 Hz at 1080p. You won’t be able to push beyond 60 Hz at 1080p with a VGA cable due to the analog signals. Hardware these days use digital, so to decode the resolution, it would have to convert digital to an analog signal source.
In the process of the conversion, quality images will be lost. This is the reason why VGA can’t go beyond 1080p content.
Some VGA cables are rated at 85 Hz, but that’s on 800×600 and not 1080p [1].
VGA Compared to Other Connections
Apart from VGA, other connections you can use to boost the resolution and display quality of your computer are HDMI and DVI. Unlike VGA, HDMI and DVI used digital signals. Let’s compare VGA to these connections in detail below.
VGA or HDMI
VGA is limited to certain resolutions, as already discussed in this post. HDMI, on the other hand, can support higher resolutions, such as 4K at higher refresh rates. It can also carry high-quality audio, all in the same cable, making it more convenient to use than VGA.
Suppose you have a VGA monitor or video card and would like to convert the display to HDMI, you can get a VGA to HDMI converter. This will change the VGA resolution from your computer to the HDMI display on your TV or monitor.
VGA or DVI
DVI or Digital Visual Interface is newer than VGA and HDMI. It offers a more distinct display with super clearer pictures than VGA. Like HDMI, DVI can also carry high-quality audio and support higher resolutions too.
However, the difference between DVI and HDMI is that DVI can carry both analog and digital signals on the same cable. DVI connectors can support a resolution up to 1920×1200 for single-link format and 2560×1600 for dual-link formats.
Unlike VGA, you can plug a DVI cable without restarting the computer.
Conclusion
VGA may be outdated in this current age, but it still has its usefulness. If you are on a budget, using it as a secondary display isn’t a bad idea. VGA max resolutions can support up to 1080p at 60 Hz, but not 4K. If you need a higher resolution, our engineers recommend upgrading to HDMI or DVI. They guarantee a true display.
If you are looking for the ideal cable for your room setup, we have the following pages for you:
