Need some answers for building my first PC

[astromashy]

Hi,
I have a few questions about building my first PC.
Firstly, If my motherboard has built in graphics and I buy a separate graphics card will it automatically use the Graphics card I have added myself or will it use the built in graphics on the motherboard?
What is the standard connection used for connecting a pc to a monitor. (I have been using mac so I have never needed to know this)

 

[Effeectt]

Q1 Answer : Most motherboards should unless you have 2 separate GPU's

Q2 Answer : Most people use HDMI, DVI and VGA outputs on monitors

 

[ubercake]

Most motherboards will automatically allow you to connect your separate graphics card to a monitor without any BIOS configuration change. With a modern BIOS, it is extremely rare if you have to do anything special for this to work.

A DVI cable is often used to connect the monitor to the PC if you have separate PC speakers. If you plan to use a monitor's speakers and the resolution is 1920x1080 or less, an HDMI cable is often used as it carries the sound and video to the monitor.

In some cases, people using the monitor's speakers will use the DVI cable for video and separate 3.5mm connector cable (usually comes with the monitor) from the PC's rear audio out to the monitor for sound.

Both DVI and HDMI carry a digital video signal. DVI connectors are often white, but I've seen them in black as well.

VGA is a common connection still found on laptops, motherboards and sound cards that can also carry analog HD video, but seems to appear less and less. VGA connections are usually blue and require the digital video to be converted to analog. Some people say this affects the video quality, but I've never noticed a difference. I prefer using the DVI cable or HDMI for digital video just to keep the video purely digital and to avoid any timing issues which may occur during a conversion from digital to analog.