How to Identify the Integrated Video Port on a Dell Desktop Computer

Table of Contents:

1. How to identify the integrated video port on your desktop computer
2. How to identify the video ports on a dedicated graphics card fitted in your desktop computer

How to identify the integrated video port on your desktop computer

Every type of port and connector is identifiable by both it is color and it is shape. It is useful to be able to visually identify the various ports and connectors you see on your computer. The following link shows a guide with pictures of every port and connector on a Dell computer. (The guide has a section that deals with video and graphics ports. For example: Everything from legacy ports, through Video Graphics Adapter (VGA), Digital Video Interface (DVI), DisplayPort (DP), High-Definition Multi-Media Interface (HDMI) to the latest Thunderbolt ports.) See the guide for referencing when identifying what the different ports and connectors are:

• A Guide to the External Ports and Connectors on a Dell Computer

The next step is to identify which ports are physically part of your devices motherboard. (This includes the integrated video port.) The motherboard gathers all the input and output ports directly connected to it into a rectangular strip on the back of your computer.

Look at the rectangle that is the back view of your computer. Whether the device stands upright (vertical) or flat (horizontal) on the desk, the motherboard runs along the long axis of your devices rectangular back. As do the strip of ports that project out from the motherboard and are accessible from the rear of the desktop computer.

Dell also provides a Quick Start Guide for all Dell computers. This guide shows a diagram with all the ports and important features on your device. The diagram is marked with legends and numbers that relate to a list that shows what each marked part is. You can download this guide from the following link. (Remember to either enter the service tag or select the model type of the computer you want the guide to.)

• Dell/Support Site: Manuals

By understanding that when your device is standing upright or on its side that the motherboard is orientated along the long axis of your computer. By employing the visual guide provided, you can identify any additional graphics ports and which port is integrated to the motherboard.

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How to identify the video ports on a dedicated graphics card fitted in your desktop computer

A dedicated graphics card with its powerful GPU and dedicated Video memory is a common upgrade to many desktops. Newer cards connect using the Peripheral Component Interface express (PCIe)) port while older cards use the Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)) port.

Dedicated video cards can upgrade your device to the best possible graphics output. It can be confusing to determine which ports and connectors are going to be the best ones for you to use. (The common rule is to use the most recent type of port that your display and card both support. This is because as newer ports and standards are developed they add features and functions that older ports cannot support. Graphics technology is in a state of constant improvement as new standards come out.)

You can identify the different ports by checking what they look like and matching them to known port types. The following link shows a visual guide to every port and connector on a Dell computer. Use this guide as a reference when identifying what the different ports are:

• A Guide to the External Ports and Connectors on a Dell Computer

You can use the following links to find out more about the benefits and limitations of the various video ports available:

• What Are the Differences Between the White Digital DVI and Blue Analog VGA Ports on My Dell Graphics Adapter?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the DisplayPort on a Dell Computer
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the HDMI port on a Dell Computer
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Thunderbolt ports on a Dell Computer

Look at the rectangle that is the back view of your device. The expansion slots run along the short axis of the rectangular back of your computer, as does any card fitted to an expansion slot. No matter whether the chassis is upright or on its side, you follow the short axis to identify expansion slots and added on dedicated cards.

The Dell Quickstart guide mentioned in the first section helps you to identify where the expansion slots on your particular computer are located.

In particular, remember that if the port is on a card, then it can be removed from the device. The integrated GPU is part of the motherboard and cannot be removed, but it can be disabled in the BIOS. (Remember what our recommended best practices are when removing or fitting any parts to your computer.)

• Safety precautions when working with electrical equipment

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