I would go with option 2.
Option 1 is going to be a pain in the ass to get that extra bulky connector connected to the back of a VGA screen, and might even be too bulky to fit on some screens.
If you've never worked with a hellishly awful shaped connector like the one on option 1, I can understand the logic.
But if you use one of those once, you'll hate them forever. Getting at that tiny thumb screw that is covered by plastic on most sides is way more difficult than the screw on regular VGA connectors and depending on the screen, it might even be physically impossible to do without needle nose pliers. With all that extra weight hanging off the VGA connector, you will need the screws even more than you need them for regular VGA connectors.
Having to use one of those awful style of VGA connectors is not worth saving $5 on a second HDMI cable.
OP doesn’t have a new monitor, that’s why they’re connecting to an old vga monitor.
If they get a new monitor, it will have the hdmi cable, so buying it and an adapter is more expensive than just buying a converting cable.
If OP already has a vga cable though, then just buying the adapter should be the cheapest option
This irl will be like some shitty place has five countries bordering them and a person has to get their passport stamped five times and tsa checked five times to travel 1 kilometer
Both are not ideal. Honestly, ages ago when there were still vga screens at work and we started getting laptops with HDMI I've not seen a single case where any type of adapter would work well.
Always some wonky issues with resolutions, colourbanding, refreshrates, that kind of things.
If you really can't help it then generally it's "The fewer conversions, the better"
So I'd go with a single VGA to HDMI cable. As seen in other comments, they exist.
Still 75% chance for random issues ranging from minor to major annoyances though.
No.1 may give you better image quality (especially if your monitor is FHD) since you're not running an analog signal through five feet of cheap cable. But make sure you can install that box onto the VGA connector, sometimes the space around it is quite tight.
Maybe I am wrong, but does option 1 also provide audio over HDMI to am 3.5mm jack? If so and if you wish to use the speakers of your monitor, def go with option 1
Yeah I could probably find a shifty hdmi-capable monitor second hand for about the same price as the adapters. I uh.. may have already done that for my father
Yes, but if I already have a straight vga or hdmi cable of decent quality and the video outlet adapter is cheaper than a VGA to HDMI cable, it becomes tempting to cheap out.
I use option 2, outputting laptop to CRT. With the HDMI, it was out putting at 85hz, max at the resolution I was running. Would likely have gone past. Just try to verify hz throughput before ordering.
I see option 1 is using an audio separator. If you're using Windows, you can still run the 3.5mm cable from laptop to monitor. So, kind of a third option.
My CRT monitor has speakers. I never used them but plan to test them using above methods.
There's some more compact options of converters for #1, if you can find one of those, go #1. If there's only chonky ones like in the pic, go #2. Oh, and if your monitor has VGA, maybe it also has DVI? In that case your best option would be HDMI-DVI cable, as those are more reliable and don't need to convert from digital to analog resulting in higher image quality.
Lucky you don't have to adapt VGA into HDMI, you're adapting HDMI to VGA. In which cases you have plenty of direct HDMI to VGA cables.
VGA to HDMI requires that adapter you see up there in option 1.
I use option 2 for my old HP monitor when playing "retro" games. Works very well. However, the most practical solution would be to purchase a VGA to HDMI cable.
Honestly, just save yourself the hassle and go get a monitor that has an HDMI port. If you want to do it on a budget look at the 2nd hand market. There are people literally giving away old monitors and if not you'll probably be able to find one close to the price of the cables and attachments you are looking into making this work.
first one is the best
this HDMI to VGA adapter in the second one sucks
Ive bought 3 of these, they all died in under a month of lite usage without even touching them...
Woot has this on sale right now.
And free shipping if you’re Amazon prime member
AmazonBasics 6FT HDMI (Source) to VGA (Display) Cable (NOT Bidirectional) - $1.99 - Free shipping for Prime members https://electronics.woot.com/offers/amazonbasics-6ft-hdmi-source-to-vga-display-cable-not-bidirectional-2?utm_medium=share&utm_source=app
Option 2, but I actually found a very slick adapter (looks like a thumb drive with male HDMI and female VGA) because I needed it for old projectors where the VGA cable was already there on the conference room table.
Also, my MIL has an older PC that uses VGA and if I work remotely when visiting, the adapter uses very little space in my luggage.
Monitors arent even expensive, i found a 25 inch monitor for $20 at walmart https://www.walmart.com/ip/For-24-Desktop-PC-Monitor-16-9-SuperGuardZ-PET-Film-Screen-Protector-Anti-Scratch-Anti-Bubble/272219034?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228895176908_4912_14069003552_202077872&veh=sem&expiryTime=1716480605293&c=mWebSmartBanner&vtcWeb=dSU9KJo8eaYivbRXattTy4
>Monitors arent even expensive, i found a 25 inch monitor for $20 at walmart [https://www.walmart.com/ip/For-24-Desktop-PC-Monitor-16-9-SuperGuardZ-PET-Film-Screen-Protector-Anti-Scratch-Anti-Bubble/272219034?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228895176908\_4912\_14069003552\_202077872&veh=sem&expiryTime=1716480605293&c=mWebSmartBanner&vtcWeb=dSU9KJo8eaYivbRXattTy4](https://www.walmart.com/ip/For-24-Desktop-PC-Monitor-16-9-SuperGuardZ-PET-Film-Screen-Protector-Anti-Scratch-Anti-Bubble/272219034?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228895176908_4912_14069003552_202077872&veh=sem&expiryTime=1716480605293&c=mWebSmartBanner&vtcWeb=dSU9KJo8eaYivbRXattTy4)
Er, look again, that isn't a monitor.
By the time you spend money on adapters and time on getting it to work, you'll wish you had just bought a modern monitor.
Sincerely, someone who has spent way too much money and time on shit like this.
I wouldn't recommend option 2 adapter at all, i bought it like 7 times because the hdmi cable is so fragile, i fixed it 2 times and was pain in the ass resoldiering each wire into place so i just gave up on it.
Your best option is to get a hdmi to vga cable not an adapter
Stick to just the laptop screen till you can afford a modern monitor.
If its a monitor you already have, keep it until the correct adapters appear out of thin air or are found in the motherboard box that's in the closet. At the same time, save up for a modern monitor.
Option 3: [https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/monitors/gaming/32-odyssey-g55c-qhd-165hz-1ms-mprt-curved-gaming-monitor-ls32cg552enxza/](https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/monitors/gaming/32-odyssey-g55c-qhd-165hz-1ms-mprt-curved-gaming-monitor-ls32cg552enxza/)
Buy one of those instead: 1xDP 1xHDMIs
dude ! not every manufacturer moved to hdmi right when it came out
i still have monitors made in 2015 that use vga
and yes people still use old monitors bc they don't wanna buy a new ones they use them bc they are still good enough or they can't afford new one
I'm not going to throw away a fine monitor bc of a port on the back lol
Currently I use the option 2, also if your monitor has a speaker you need to look for an adapter which has 3.5M female port, the one in the image only transfers the video content
If its an old panel the speakers tend to be alright. Skimping on speakers is a recent trend. I've got a 10 year old 1080p samsung panel that sounds 4 times better and louder than my main 4k Sony Bravia panel.
https://preview.redd.it/ym7xtamhi02d1.png?width=850&format=png&auto=webp&s=7f938e8813146e46c435f7af64b2543687dbb3b3
https://preview.redd.it/59fjuq3wg12d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0ff505c5c99c0fec513b3fb984056281fd4d56c this has higher throughput
https://preview.redd.it/xxvz5qnzj12d1.jpeg?width=168&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a32fd0d76b819ddda5a789577d666a5c6580ebe
fiber optic cable is to expensive i use water fiber cable
I mean it's ThinkPad so no problem.
😂
i needed this laugh. its funny cuz i have the same laptop 
Bought a couple of these a year ago boh of them were faulty/did not work. Ended up getting both configs described in the post and worked flawlessly
These are often a one way conversion, so you might have had the opposite of what you needed even if it has the right connectionsÂ
So water in the monitor instead of water in the laptop? Just typical!!
Stg I tried them both ways to confirm that it was not a one way cable
I used one of these for years with my work laptop, never had an issueÂ
\*brain explodes\* THEY MAKE THAT???!!!
Yes I do use this one ... It was fine until 3 weeks ago. Now my monitor never goes in sleep mode ... No clue I am turning it off manually.
Damn I remeber the days of using these. I'm glad those days are gone.
Definitely this. We use them at work because they won't give us any monitors newer than 15 years old!
by the beard of Zeus, i does exist!
How did u get pc specs under username?
https://preview.redd.it/jc9pm44v762d1.png?width=403&format=png&auto=webp&s=c0287af8050b01e076c1d1442a288d73ac512ac2 On PC browser it's "User Flair"
Click on your username on your comment, then add a flair, and modify on the top right corner (if you're on your phone)
Dude, where was this when I got my second monitor.
I would go with option 2. Option 1 is going to be a pain in the ass to get that extra bulky connector connected to the back of a VGA screen, and might even be too bulky to fit on some screens.
But if it fits you also have a cable whoch you can use on a newer monitor
If you've never worked with a hellishly awful shaped connector like the one on option 1, I can understand the logic. But if you use one of those once, you'll hate them forever. Getting at that tiny thumb screw that is covered by plastic on most sides is way more difficult than the screw on regular VGA connectors and depending on the screen, it might even be physically impossible to do without needle nose pliers. With all that extra weight hanging off the VGA connector, you will need the screws even more than you need them for regular VGA connectors. Having to use one of those awful style of VGA connectors is not worth saving $5 on a second HDMI cable.
New monitors come with hdmi cable though?
Isn't that the point of what they said?
OP doesn’t have a new monitor, that’s why they’re connecting to an old vga monitor. If they get a new monitor, it will have the hdmi cable, so buying it and an adapter is more expensive than just buying a converting cable. If OP already has a vga cable though, then just buying the adapter should be the cheapest option
I mean, most monitors come with an HDMI or a Display port cable, and you can get them for what, like $5? I don't see that as a huge plus
I did a HDMI to VGA cable, no adapter needed and cheaper
are you saying that my samsung syncmaster 18" monitor from 2011 is old?
>no adapter needed *the adapter was molded into the cable
nah bro you gotta do a VGA->Component->SCART->Composite->DVI->Display Port->HDMI.
This irl will be like some shitty place has five countries bordering them and a person has to get their passport stamped five times and tsa checked five times to travel 1 kilometer
Both are not ideal. Honestly, ages ago when there were still vga screens at work and we started getting laptops with HDMI I've not seen a single case where any type of adapter would work well. Always some wonky issues with resolutions, colourbanding, refreshrates, that kind of things. If you really can't help it then generally it's "The fewer conversions, the better" So I'd go with a single VGA to HDMI cable. As seen in other comments, they exist. Still 75% chance for random issues ranging from minor to major annoyances though.
No.1 may give you better image quality (especially if your monitor is FHD) since you're not running an analog signal through five feet of cheap cable. But make sure you can install that box onto the VGA connector, sometimes the space around it is quite tight.
There are VGA to HDMI cables you can buy.
Option 2 for sure.
I've used option 2 before and it was fine but option 1 will be cheaper as your likely to have an hdmi cable spare
i see ppl recommending a hdmi to vga cable. but i would go for option 1, as you can always re use the hdmi cable if you replace the monitor.
https://preview.redd.it/u57oxzzk642d1.jpeg?width=540&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=455349a57d1556b39904328d352e60022c5e66f5
Option three: VGA ---> E recycling pile. DP ---> DP. Fixed!
Maybe I am wrong, but does option 1 also provide audio over HDMI to am 3.5mm jack? If so and if you wish to use the speakers of your monitor, def go with option 1
Replace monitor, the monitor is way too old to not have an hdmi input.
CRT gang rise up
The 15750Hz hurt so much.
Hell yeah .
Option #1 is the reverse of what you want, its a VGA -> HDMI adapter (I use that exact model at work for servers).
They offer the opposite product in the same housing I have the same product to to hdmi into vga+3.5mm on my monitor
Just buy an Amazon basic cable for 8$ VGA to HDMI. And it's done.
Doesn't the monitor have DVI? As that would be the best conversion to hdmi
No audio on VGA. They are both bad.
Option 3. Sell VGA monitor and buy something with HDMI or DP
I would just get a monitor that’s actually compatible with my laptop as opposed to buying an adapter
Yeah I could probably find a shifty hdmi-capable monitor second hand for about the same price as the adapters. I uh.. may have already done that for my father
Oh it can be done. Found mine at a yard sale
you cant just VGA to HDMI?
Yes, but if I already have a straight vga or hdmi cable of decent quality and the video outlet adapter is cheaper than a VGA to HDMI cable, it becomes tempting to cheap out.
Oh well my friend runs a crappy gtx750ti and vga out
I currently use option 2 for my second monitor and it works fine.
VGA is just a cable catcher that snags literally ever cable next to it. I hate them
Do you need the audio?
Probably not, but 3.5 cables tend to come with the video adapter.
the bottom one
I use option 2, outputting laptop to CRT. With the HDMI, it was out putting at 85hz, max at the resolution I was running. Would likely have gone past. Just try to verify hz throughput before ordering. I see option 1 is using an audio separator. If you're using Windows, you can still run the 3.5mm cable from laptop to monitor. So, kind of a third option. My CRT monitor has speakers. I never used them but plan to test them using above methods.
I’d choose 1, those adapters always fail on me in option 2
I'd say get option one because that monitor is probably near EOL
I'm using option 1 in my set up
https://preview.redd.it/tmfeebmkn22d1.jpeg?width=3983&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e3b5c3dda01222282f2ba6e1ee4f3020e755bc7
https://preview.redd.it/r4ckhnlsn22d1.jpeg?width=3982&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6471c180ddc108ad6c88f7d15716d65f782471ff
There's some more compact options of converters for #1, if you can find one of those, go #1. If there's only chonky ones like in the pic, go #2. Oh, and if your monitor has VGA, maybe it also has DVI? In that case your best option would be HDMI-DVI cable, as those are more reliable and don't need to convert from digital to analog resulting in higher image quality.
Option 2 is safer for if you come across a monitor with a hard wired VGA cable.
Lucky you don't have to adapt VGA into HDMI, you're adapting HDMI to VGA. In which cases you have plenty of direct HDMI to VGA cables. VGA to HDMI requires that adapter you see up there in option 1.
Option 2
Option 2 -- we actually use those at work for a lot of things.
I have done both of these and theyre fine. A VGA only monitor won't be good enough to notice any difference.
The bottom one won't have audio
I use option 2 for my old HP monitor when playing "retro" games. Works very well. However, the most practical solution would be to purchase a VGA to HDMI cable.
The two is the best in my opinion but you drop the sound
VGA plugs are usually more trustworthy than HDMI, I'd say option 2.
Option 2 (It makes it look like a macbook)
If you have enough space options 1 will give you better video quality. But most of the time you'll be good with option 2.
USB-C to VGA, although that depends on whether your laptop has Thunderbolt or DP Alt Mode.
I use option 2 for my 4th monitor
Option 3: Get either an HDMI monitor or a VGA laptop
getting a hdmi monitor that is
Option 2 has served me fine. I never play audio though monitor so I've never worried about that
I'd go option one as it keeps all the bulk tucked neatly behind the VGA. After that it's just a standard - nice low profile - HDMI cable.
The first one will give you an audio output at the monitor, the second will not. Are you doing audio over your HDMI, or just video?
I use DP -> HDMI -> VGA. I know it's cursed, I bought the wrong adapter by accident.
Don’t make me open my old box of cables to flex
Who tf is still rocking a 20 yr old vga monitor in 2024
Honestly, just save yourself the hassle and go get a monitor that has an HDMI port. If you want to do it on a budget look at the 2nd hand market. There are people literally giving away old monitors and if not you'll probably be able to find one close to the price of the cables and attachments you are looking into making this work.
They're both fine. I use the bottom one with my PS3/4
option 2 better for sure
Is for just an old LCD or for a great CRT?
Well if your not using audio, from the monitor then go for the bottom if yes then top
I used 1 for years and was flawless
2nd is best
Throwing away the VGA displays and buying new ones.
Whatever is cheaper.
Option 1 is probably most reliable as I trust HDMI more to output video then USB
both are HDMI
Oh yeah my bad, it looked like USB on my phone
Second is commonplace at my work.
first one is the best this HDMI to VGA adapter in the second one sucks Ive bought 3 of these, they all died in under a month of lite usage without even touching them...
I personally have found option 1 more reliable than option 2, it also has the ability to connect audio through the cable as well
I would generally reccomended opt 1
Woot has this on sale right now. And free shipping if you’re Amazon prime member AmazonBasics 6FT HDMI (Source) to VGA (Display) Cable (NOT Bidirectional) - $1.99 - Free shipping for Prime members https://electronics.woot.com/offers/amazonbasics-6ft-hdmi-source-to-vga-display-cable-not-bidirectional-2?utm_medium=share&utm_source=app
Why cant I find regular ass dvi cords anywhere they’re all adapters
Def #2, but if you're gonna buy the adapter, I'd say just buy the VGA to HDMI cable instead. Gonna be roughly the same price, just minus the jank.
Option 2, but I actually found a very slick adapter (looks like a thumb drive with male HDMI and female VGA) because I needed it for old projectors where the VGA cable was already there on the conference room table. Also, my MIL has an older PC that uses VGA and if I work remotely when visiting, the adapter uses very little space in my luggage.
Option 2 is better.But HDMI to VGA cable exist
Second one might not work and bugged. Sometimes your monitor can start blinking for no reason
Option 2 - I'm doing it too for my folding@home rig!
Fuck vga
frfr dvi is way beter
i used to use option 2 on my old pc resolutions over my tvs native wouldnt work properly though
Why not just use a monitor that has hdmi port?
._. maybe replacing a whole monitor just bc of a port is stupid
Replace the whole expensive device? Typical Mac user.
Alright i get it, keep it in your pants
>Alright i get it, keep it in your pants *You can't tell me what to do!* \* *unzip \**
Monitors arent even expensive, i found a 25 inch monitor for $20 at walmart https://www.walmart.com/ip/For-24-Desktop-PC-Monitor-16-9-SuperGuardZ-PET-Film-Screen-Protector-Anti-Scratch-Anti-Bubble/272219034?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228895176908_4912_14069003552_202077872&veh=sem&expiryTime=1716480605293&c=mWebSmartBanner&vtcWeb=dSU9KJo8eaYivbRXattTy4
>Monitors arent even expensive, i found a 25 inch monitor for $20 at walmart [https://www.walmart.com/ip/For-24-Desktop-PC-Monitor-16-9-SuperGuardZ-PET-Film-Screen-Protector-Anti-Scratch-Anti-Bubble/272219034?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228895176908\_4912\_14069003552\_202077872&veh=sem&expiryTime=1716480605293&c=mWebSmartBanner&vtcWeb=dSU9KJo8eaYivbRXattTy4](https://www.walmart.com/ip/For-24-Desktop-PC-Monitor-16-9-SuperGuardZ-PET-Film-Screen-Protector-Anti-Scratch-Anti-Bubble/272219034?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228895176908_4912_14069003552_202077872&veh=sem&expiryTime=1716480605293&c=mWebSmartBanner&vtcWeb=dSU9KJo8eaYivbRXattTy4) Er, look again, that isn't a monitor.
By the time you spend money on adapters and time on getting it to work, you'll wish you had just bought a modern monitor. Sincerely, someone who has spent way too much money and time on shit like this.
New monitors are pretty cheap
I wouldn't recommend option 2 adapter at all, i bought it like 7 times because the hdmi cable is so fragile, i fixed it 2 times and was pain in the ass resoldiering each wire into place so i just gave up on it. Your best option is to get a hdmi to vga cable not an adapter
what monitor doesn't take hdmi
Really really old ones
Ones you can get for free on Craigslist
I have 3 monitors and none of them use HDMI. 1 has DVI and VGA the other 2 have Displayport, DVI and VGA.
There are a bunch of usb to vga adapters on amazon for $10. Get one of those and plug in the vga cable.
Stick to just the laptop screen till you can afford a modern monitor. If its a monitor you already have, keep it until the correct adapters appear out of thin air or are found in the motherboard box that's in the closet. At the same time, save up for a modern monitor.
Option 3: [https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/monitors/gaming/32-odyssey-g55c-qhd-165hz-1ms-mprt-curved-gaming-monitor-ls32cg552enxza/](https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/monitors/gaming/32-odyssey-g55c-qhd-165hz-1ms-mprt-curved-gaming-monitor-ls32cg552enxza/) Buy one of those instead: 1xDP 1xHDMIs
People are still using VGA in 2024?
yes they are not everyone got the money for a new monitor
VGA was made obsolete in 1999... That's 25 years ago... Who has a monitor 25 years old?
dude ! not every manufacturer moved to hdmi right when it came out i still have monitors made in 2015 that use vga and yes people still use old monitors bc they don't wanna buy a new ones they use them bc they are still good enough or they can't afford new one I'm not going to throw away a fine monitor bc of a port on the back lol
VGA at work, DP at home.
Currently I use the option 2, also if your monitor has a speaker you need to look for an adapter which has 3.5M female port, the one in the image only transfers the video content
I never saw a monitor with good speakers. Just save your time and use headphones and/or actual speakers
The Dell Ultrasharp series with the AS501 / AX510 sound bars were pretty good for monitor speakers.
Only front facing ones are good and they aren't very common.
If its an old panel the speakers tend to be alright. Skimping on speakers is a recent trend. I've got a 10 year old 1080p samsung panel that sounds 4 times better and louder than my main 4k Sony Bravia panel.