Is the 172T compatible with any standard VGA card, e.g. the Matrox G450?

I've already looked at samsungusa.com. The input type specification does
not specifically say "VGA", but I need to know for sure whether it is the
same thing or not.

Hello atr,

Thanks for the question.

I searched Samsung 172T and found specs listed at Samsung Electronics
Hong Kong at http://www.samsungelectronics.com.hk/monitor/lcd/172t.html
. Here they show the following pertinent specifications:

   
Frequency 

Horizontal Rate 30-81 KHz 
Vertical Rate 56-75 Hz 
Maximum Pixel Rate 135 MHz 
 
Resolution 

Maximum 1280 x 1024 
 
Color 

Maximum 16.2M Colors 

The Matrox G450 video card found at
http://www.matrox.com/mga/products/mill_g450/features.cfm shows that
it is more than capable of driving the Samsung 172T to its maximum
resolution, color depth and refresh rates.

As a matter of fact, the G450 is not only very advanced and capable 2D
and 3D video card, but is also a dual head video card capable of
powering TWO monitors in a variety of display configurations including
a distributed desktop, zooming in on photo work on one monitor while
maintaining a standard view on the other, sending full screen DVD to a
separate TV monitor and several other modes.

The Samsung LCD panel has both analog and digital inputs and so will
work with a variety of video cards. Since the maximum resolution of
this monitor is 1280 x 1024, many mid-range video cards will support
this monitor at its maximum performance.

I believe that when you say "VGA" and that you did not find it
mentioned on the Samsung site, you might be referring to the type of
connector used with VGA cards and monitors, which is an analog 15 pin
D-Sub connector and is available on this monitor (as is a DVI digital
input as well). However, VGA technically means a resolution of 640 x
480 pixels and while this monitor will support a resolution that low,
you would not be taking advantage of its capabilities. Most users of
this monitor will want to run it at a resolution of either 800x600 -
called SVGA (Super VGA) or 1024 x 768 - called XGA, depending on their
need and personal preference.The Samsung is capable of 1280x1024
maximum resolution which is called SXGA.

In my personal experience, I have always found type and objects at
1280 x 1024 a little small for a 17" monitor and have felt more
comfortable with the viewing size at 1024 x 768. However, 20 or 21"
monitors seem very well suited to a resolution of 1280 x 1024. It is a
personal choice.

All of that being said, you will have no problem running this monitor
with a Matrox G450 or any quality video card that offer a resolution
choices of at least 1024x768 and color depths of 16 million colors.

I trust this has answered your question, however if anything above is
unclear, please do ask for clarification.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

Search terms: Samsung 172T 
              Matrox G450

Great answer for a $2 question!