Need help with properly enabling my GPU! Also consequently monitor problems :(

[hypernet.surfer04]

Hey guys. This is gonna be a bit lengthy but I want to explain everything that I've done and have been experiencing.

So I've recently gotten a new PC (that was assembled and had its OS installed at the PC shop), and I've been playing Dragon Age Inquisition for 2 days now, but I only just realized that my PC isn't even using my discrete GPU (which explains the crap performance). I didn't suspect that I've just been using onboard graphics all this time because I had checked the Device Manager a couple times before and saw my GPU as a recognized display adapter.

So naturally, I tried to fix this issue in several different ways. Most of these were ideas I got from a lot of google searches.

**Side note: Yes, my GPU is properly powered up and very much glowing.

First, I downloaded the latest driver update for my GPU and installed it.

Second, I realized that my monitor isn't even hooked into to my GPU, which is why I couldn't access the Nvidia Control Panel. Thing is, my monitor is VGA only, which is incompatible with my GPU's ports. And since I'm a poor college kid with no money for a new monitor, I just bought a VGA-DVI adapter and a VGA-HDMI one. Neither seemed to work; my monitor wouldn't get a signal.

Third, I hooked my monitor back into my mobo's VGA port and tried to disable my onboard graphics, the first time via the Device Manager (without uninstalling it), and the second via the BIOS menu (I set the primary display or whatever from CPU to PCIE). After both times, I tried using the adapters again, but no dice.

My fourth attempt was to tinker around in the BIOS menu a bit more. I messed things up though, and long story short, I had to take out the CMOS battery to undo the damage. Now I'm back to square one.

Basically the main problem is, after doing all this stuff, I can't get my monitor to get a signal when it's connected into my GPU. And therefore, I can't take proper advantage of my graphics card.

And of course, here are all my specs in case they're all needed:

Windows 10 x64
Intel i7 7700 3.60 Ghz
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6gbs
Asus Prime B250m-a
8gb Ballistix Sport Gaming Memory (I know, not that much 🙁 )
FSP HyperK 700W PSU

Hope someone can help. Thanks in advance!

 

[ArchitSahu]

My first response is get an HDMI cable. That should solve most of your problems.

 

[hypernet.surfer04]

My first response is get an HDMI cable. That should solve most of your problems.

You mean like this?
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71tjt9-E8bL._SY355_.jpg

Hmm... would it even work though? I've just read up on vga-hdmi adapters and apparently they're just no good. What would be the difference between a cord like this and the adapter that I bought?

 

[ArchitSahu]

Oh, nevermind, I did not read the part where you said the monitor is VGA only.

You cannot plug the cable into the motherboard and disable the onboard graphics and expect the GPU to kick in, it needs to be connected to the GPU directly.

I am surprised the adapters do not work. However, try with the cable you have linked.

The cord may work because it is one unit, the adapter may not because it may be a loose connection, faulty.