How do you connect a monitor to a desktop?
What do you need?
- A desktop
- A monitor
- The right connection cables
- Outlets and / or extension cords
Do you want to connect the monitor to a laptop? Read our advice here:
How does it work?
Before you purchase a monitor, it's smart to check the connectors of your desktop. That way, you're sure they have the same connectors and which cables you need. This prevents a hassle when the connectors end up being different. You can connect the monitor and desktop with a cable and power both the desktop and monitor via the socket.
How do you know which connectors your desktop has?
Did you purchase a desktop that isn't suitable for games? It often has a VGA or HDMI connector. Gaming models more often have a DisplayPort and/or DVI connector because of the dedicated video card. You can see what all these connectors look like on the image on this page.
How do you connect the monitor?
Take the suitable cable and connect it to the right port. It's not certain that a cable is included with the monitor these days, so check this. Next, look for the same connector on the back of your PC and connect the cable to this. Finally, connect the monitor to a power socket and start the desktop and monitor. You should now see an image on your monitor if the PC is on.
