How can we help you?

Sign in

How can we help you?

START A SUPPORT REQUEST

HardSoft Computers Support /Common Computer FAQ's /Commonly asked questions

Computer Cable types and descriptions
With so many types of cables, it’s hard to find a singular source of information that highlights the important
differences between them all. Here’s an overview of the most common computer cable types you’ll encounter
when dealing with computers.

1. VGA Cable
Also known as D-sub cable, analog video cable

Connect one end to: computer monitor, television (PC input port)

Connect other end to: VGA port on computer (see image below)

2. DVI Cable

Connect one end to: computer monitor

Connect other end to: DVI port on computer (see image below)

However there are 2 types of DVI, DVI-I and DVI-D.

DVI-D does not have the extra pins around the long pin, this is also a pure digital signal over DVI-I.
3. HDMI Cable

Connect one end to: computer monitor, television

Connect other end to: HDMI port on computer (see image below)

Note: If you're hooking up a television to your computer, then we would recommend that you use a HDMI cable as your PC cable
connection since it is able to transmit both display and sound - So you can not only use your TV screen as a monitor, but also
make use of your TV speakers to play PC audio.

4. PS/2 Cable

Connect one end to: PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse

Connect other end to: PS/2 ports on computer (see image below)

• Purple PS/2 port: keyboard

• Green PS/2 port: mouse

5. Ethernet Cable
Also known as RJ-45 cable
Connect one end to: router, network switch

Connect other end to: Ethernet port on computer (see image below)

6. 3.5mm Audio Cable

Also known as phone connector (since 3.5mm jacks are often found on mobile phones too)

Connect one end to: computer speakers, 3.5mm headphones, 3.5mm microphone

Connect other end to: audio ports on computer (see image below use Green socket)

• Green audio port: computer speakers or headphones

• Pink audio port: microphone
• Blue audio port: MP3 player, CD player, DVD player, turntable, electric guitar etc (line-in port to play and record sounds from
the above devices)

7. USB Cable
For USB computer cable connections, there are two popular formats: USB 2.0 and the newer USB 3.0

How to tell USB 2.0 and 3.0 cables apart: USB 3.0 cables have a blue tip, and sometimes you can find a SS "Super Speed" label on
it.

Since USB was intended to be the one computer cable connection to replace them all, it's no surprise that the possible uses for a
USB port are quite mind-blowing. For this computer cable guide, we have listed its more common uses below:

Connect one end to: USB device

• Storage devices: USB flash drive, external hard drive, external optical drive
• Input devices: USB keyboard (wired and wireless), USB mouse (wired and wireless), webcam, scanner, gamepad
• Output devices: printer, all-in-one office machine, USB speaker
• Wireless adapters: network (Wi-Fi) adapter, bluetooth adapter, 3G adapter
• Data (and charging) cable for mobile devices such as mobile phone, tablet, MP3 player

Connect other end to: USB ports on computer (see image below)

How to tell USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports apart: USB 2.0 ports have black tips while USB 3.0 ports come with blue tips. See image below:

USB 3.0 is backwards-compatible... meaning that you can connect a USB 2.0 device to a USB 3.0 port and vice versa (but the USB
3.0 devices hooked up to a USB 2.0 port will perform at lowered rates)

There are also USB cables which connect new external backup drives (see below), these are described as USB-A to Micro-B

8. Computer Power Cord (Kettle Plug)

Connect one end to: AC power socket

Connect other end to: power supply unit (see image below), computer monitor

Note: Always turn off your power supply unit (with the 1-0 switch at the back) before connecting a power cord to it.

9. ThunderBolt/USB-C

Mostly seen on laptops and Apple Macs these cables are high speed and are capable of carrying Data, video and other
information.

There are 2 current types of Thunderbolt, the older version Thunderbolt 2 is seen below but this can also be confused with Mini
Display ports as they look identical and only visual difference is the picture beside the port. Thunderbolt 2 (left) has a lightning
Display ports as they look identical and only visual difference is the picture beside the port. Thunderbolt 2 (left) has a lightning
symbol and carries Data and video.

The Mini Display Port (right) will only carry Video.

And Thunderbolt 3 also known as USB-C on Apple Macs.

10. Display Port

Display Port is the best to use if you require a fast, high-resolution image.
The cable has better quality over HDMI and is the best option if you have this interface.

Related articles
macOS Catalina - How to grant access to TeamViewer on your Mac

Computer or Application has Frozen

How to backup BitLocker Drive Encryption Recovery Key in Windows 10

How to transfer your Old Apple Mac's data onto your new Apple Mac
How to transfer your Old Apple Mac's data onto your new Apple Mac

Microsoft Office 365 Licences

How to troubleshoot a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

Restoring backup files from Aomei Backupper

cables input interface

Helpful?

Scott harrington  Tweet  Share

Posted 5 years ago
Updated 3 years ago

Comments

Comments are disabled for this article