Video Graphics Array, better known by its acronym VGA, is an old analog interface technology still utilized by many PC users today to connect their motherboards to their monitors.
Digital interface technology, like HDMI, is taking over as the primary media interface, as opposed to analog interface technology, which is fading out.
Despite analog interface technology beginning to fade out of the computer world, VGA ports are still included on many PC motherboards and digital interface ports such as the HDMI port.
There are a few reasons why these ports are still included on many of today’s motherboards.
At the same time, the inclusion of these ports on motherboards is also fading out as the technology has become chiefly outdated and inferior to digital interface technology.
Quick Navigation
1. Why Are VGA Ports Still Included On Some Motherboards?
VGA first made its appearance in 1987 and has been one of the most common analog interface standards since its release.
The port is commonly blue with fifteen tiny holes within for the pins of the VGA cable to connect with, along with two screws on the side.
The VGA port, an analog port, is included on many motherboards today, despite many PC enthusiasts and everyday users’ preference for digital interfaces, like HDMI.
VGA, along with other analog interface technology, is very limited when transferring data between its input, in this case, the motherboard, and output, the monitor.
This limitation on data transfer limits the video quality of VGA. Unlike digital technology, specifically the HDMI, VGA does not support audio.
Many businesses, especially office jobs and servers, that do not require great video and audio output use VGA displays for two reasons:
- Firstly, VGA monitors have been around for decades and have many companies operating today, so they started with this interface technology and are still using it.
- Secondly, when it comes to servers, VGA displays are low on system resource usage. The servers need all the system resources that they can get from the computer hardware without it being hindered by a taxing digital interface display that would not benefit a server. A server holds large amounts of data and is only used for data storing reasons.
Many old monitors use VGA interface technology to display video. VGA ports are included on motherboards to support these old VGA monitors still used by many today.
VGA ports on motherboards can also benefit PC enthusiasts who want a dual monitor setup.
Although high-definition digital interface monitors are the standard, they can be expensive.
So instead of you going out and getting another high-definition monitor for dual display, please test it out with your old VGA monitor first before deciding if an expensive high-definition monitor is necessary.
These VGA ports on motherboards are great for everyday users and PC enthusiasts who still want to use their old VGA monitors. They are also great for businesses and their servers.
2. Why Do Some Newer Motherboards Not Have VGA Ports?
Many newer motherboards have begun to fade out VGA ports, they instead just include digital interface ports like the HDMI.
HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface and acts as the standard digital replacement for analog technology such as the VGA.
Unlike VGA, HDMI can transmit uncompressed high-definition video and even audio from the motherboard’s input to the monitor’s output.
Although VGA does support the high-definition resolution, it is inferior in the quality of that resolution it outputs. VGA can only show up to 2K high-definition and is not the best quality as it is analog which transfers compressed data.
HDMI, unlike VGA, can output true high-definition resolutions and even ultra-high-definition resolutions such as 4K.
This video resolution quality is excellent for PC enthusiasts who very much want the best video resolution possible displayed on their monitors. As a bonus, it outputs uncompressed audio too.
High-definition resolution is a must for PC fanatics who enjoy next-gen gaming and do visual-focused work like graphic designing. An excellent high-definition resolution is essential for work like this, which focuses on the visual outcome.
The HDMI port looks like an oversized USB port, while the cable connector looks like a USB with nineteen pins. These pins transfer the uncompressed video and audio input from the motherboard or GPU to the output monitor.
To use the HDMI port is simply a matter of plugging the connector into the input and output end.
Although VGA ports are slowly fading out on motherboards, HDMI ports can be found on most motherboards.
Digital interface standard technology, like HDMI, is essential for PC fans, especially if you are a gamer or in a profession such as a graphic designer whose outcome is dependent on visual quality.
It is a shame that we may have to replace our old VGA monitors with more expensive high-definition monitors. But with this new digital technology, we are getting uncompressed high-quality audio and visual data outputted to our PC monitors.
Conclusion
If you need a motherboard for office work or servers, one with a VGA port is acceptable for your needs. VGA interface technology does not eat up much of your PC resources, like HDMI, and this is significant for tasks such as running servers that require all the resources they can get.
Then again, if you are a PC enthusiast or gamer, the lack of a VGA port will probably not be missed.
In this case, you would be looking to use digital interface technologies such as HDMI to get the most outstanding video and audio quality out of your motherboard.
VGA ports are still included on many motherboards for businesses and servers who need them.
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.