Ways to Choose the Right Cable for Connecting Your Monitor to Your Computer

When trying to connect a monitor to your computer, you may be frustrated with choosing a suitable cable. It can be a confusing process since numerous types of lines are available, and they can have complicated names like DVI, DisplayPort, and HDMI.

Fortunately, it does not need to be that difficult. You will probably only need one cable to complete the connection between your monitor and computer, but which one should you choose? You want to think about a few things before making your final decision.

The idea is to know the functionalities of each cable and the benefits and the cost of each line. The following is an overview of common ways to choose a suitable connectivity cable for your monitor and computer.

What You Should Know about Cables Before Deciding

Before you decide on a computer cable, arm yourself with a couple of pieces of information. First, you should know the type of input that your monitor has. If unsure, check the manual with your monitor.

Alternatively, look for a sticker or label on the back of your monitor that indicates where the inputs are. You also want to know what type of input your computer has. You can find this information in your computer’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website.

You may also want to know the length of time it takes to complete the connection between your monitor and computer. You can find the duration details of the connection on the cable’s description.

Check Cable Quality

The first thing to check is that the cable got marked with the proper standard. There are many standards for cables, such as the 16/3 cable (AWG) and the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE).

These standards will tell you how thick the cable is and how much current it can carry. Next, you want to ensure that the cable has suitable quality materials. You can do this by feeling the cable itself. If the cable feels thin or flimsy, it is probably not made of the best materials.

Check the Material

The cable material will distinguish between a suitable and bad cable. Look at its fabric. Cable material can be copper, twisted pair, or fiber optic.

Remember that thicker wires are better than thinner wires in the same category. Cables made of copper are the most common type used today. Copper is also the best conductor of electricity.

Moreover, copper is flexible enough to stretch and bend, excellent for connecting hardware in indoor and outdoor applications. Cables made of copper are great for wired internet connections and Ethernet connections. Copper is also a durable cable that can last for years.

Cable Length

If you intend to connect devices a short distance apart, do not worry too much about the length of the cable. The length of the cable becomes relevant if you want to connect a monitor positioned a little further from your computer.

Many cables are 6 feet long. But if you want to connect your devices at a distance, you need a longer one. Cable length is significant because the farther away your devices are, the more resistance there will be in the cable.

It can slow down the transmission of data. If you want to ensure that data transfer is as quickly and efficiently as possible, ensure that the cable is as long as possible.

Cable Thickness

Cable thickness (AWG or American Wire Gauge) determines the quality of connectivity you get. The lower the gauge, the thicker the cable. Cable thickness is essential for two reasons;

First, thicker cables are more durable and can withstand more use. Second, they can carry more current. They are ideal for devices that need more power. Thinner cables cannot handle as much power. Choose a thicker cable if you use devices that need much power, such as high-end gaming systems.

Cable Performance Standards: Knowing Your Network Speed

You are not alone if you have ever wondered why cables have different speeds. The speed of a cable refers to how much information can travel through the cable at any given time. The higher the speed, the faster the data can travel. Cable speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps).

A standard ethernet cable is rated for 10/100 Mbps. What does this mean? The cable can transmit up to 100 megabits of data each second. What does this have to do with cable speed? Data travels from your computer (the source) to the modem (the destination). If you have a laptop with a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port and you have a network cable rated for 10/100 Mbps, the data will flow at the highest possible speed.

Conclusion

Choosing a suitable cable for connecting your monitor to your computer can be tricky. You want to ensure you get a cable compatible with your device, long enough to reach the devices you want to connect. Whether you use an HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA cable, it is essential to read the product description before making your final decision. This information will help you understand the cable's features and how it works.