Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!bcm!dimacs.rutgers.edu!dorm.rutgers.edu!medici From: medici@dorm.rutgers.edu (Mark Medici) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc Subject: Re: What's the pros and cons of fixed freq vs multisync monitors? Message-ID: Date: 20 Nov 90 22:41:53 GMT References: <1990Oct31.062915.438@shawn.uucp> Distribution: na Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Lines: 41 Fixed frequency monitors are seldom used anymore. Fixed "standard" monitors, however, are still useful. The difference is a fixed frequency monitor will handle only a single horizontal and vertical frequency. EGA, VGA and above require variable frequency monitors, though these are not generally referred to as "multisync" monitors. EGA requires 15.75kHz (or thereabouts) horizontal and 60Hz vertical sync frequencies. EGA uses 22kHz horizontal, but also needs 15.75kHz to display CGA compatible graphics (it steps down to the CGA spec). VGA monitors have a fixed horizontal frequency of about 31kHz, but a variable vertical frequency from 60 to 90Hz (if memory serves correctly). Most SuperVGA systems require 31kHz and 35kHz horizontal and 50 to 90Hz vertical frequencies. These are not normal ranges for single standard VGA monitors, but are for so called "multisync" monitors. Whether you need a multisync type monitor depends on what video card you are using now, or plan to use in the near future. Experience has proven (at least to me) that purchasing a multisync monitor as insurance for future compatibility is not a good investment. Monitor manufacturers do not drive the video standards -- IBM does with few exceptions (dispute this if you will, but first look at the history). Multisync monitors purchased in the EGA era did not do a good job of displaying VGA. The ones purchased early in the VGA era did not do a good job of displaying SVGA. I expect that the ones available now may do a good job at XGA, but probably not at whatever comes next (Super-XGA?). So my advice is to determine what graphics system you will be buying in the next 12 months (assuming you haven't already bought one) and select the lowest cost monitor that can clearly display that standard. Before you select your monitor, you should DEFINATELY go to a dealer or collegue that has one, and use it for a while. Do not rely on specifications, adds, or popularity when choosing your monitor. Your own eyes will tell you which one is best for your work. -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Medici/SysProg3 * Rutgers University/CCIS * medici@elbereth.rutgers.edu ----------------------------------------------------------------------------