Editing IBM PS/2 (section)

===Graphics===
Most of the initial range of PS/2 models were equipped with a new [[frame buffer]] known as the [[Video Graphics Array]], or VGA for short. This effectively replaced the previous [[Enhanced Graphics Adapter|EGA]] standard.{{r|byte198706}} VGA increased graphics memory to 256&nbsp;KB and provided for resolutions of 640×480 with 16 colors, and {{resx|320×200}} with 256 colors. VGA also provided a palette of [[List of monochrome and RGB color formats#18-bit RGB|262,144 colors]] (as opposed to the EGA palette of 64 colors). The [[IBM 8514]] and later [[Extended Graphics Array|XGA]] [[computer display standard]]s were also introduced on the PS/2 line.

Key monitors and their maximum resolutions:
*8504: 12-inch, {{resx|640×480}}, 60&nbsp;Hz [[non-interlaced]], 1991, monochrome
*8507: 19-inch, {{resx|1024×768}}, 43.5&nbsp;Hz [[interlaced]], 1988, monochrome
*8511: 14-inch, {{resx|640×480}}, 60&nbsp;Hz [[non-interlaced]], 1987
*8512: 14-inch, {{resx|640×480}}, 60&nbsp;Hz [[non-interlaced]], 1987
*8513: 12-inch, {{resx|640×480}}, 60&nbsp;Hz [[non-interlaced]], 1987
*8514: 16-inch, {{resx|1024×768}}, 43.5&nbsp;Hz [[interlaced]], 1987
*8515: 14-inch, {{resx|1024×768}}, 43.5&nbsp;Hz [[interlaced]], 1991
*8516: 14-inch, {{resx|1024×768}}, 43.5&nbsp;Hz [[interlaced]], 1991
*8518: 14-inch, {{resx|640×480}}, 75&nbsp;Hz [[non-interlaced]], 1992
*9515: 14-inch, {{resx|1024×768}}, 43.5&nbsp;Hz [[interlaced]], 1992
*9517: 16-inch, {{resx|1280×1024}}, 53&nbsp;Hz [[interlaced]], 1991
*9518: 14-inch, {{resx|640×480}}, [[non-interlaced]], 1992
*38F4737: 10-inch, {{resx|640×480}}, [[non-interlaced]], 1989, amber monochrome plasma screen; this display was exclusive to models P70 and P75

In truth, all XGA {{resx|1024×768}} monitors are multimode, as XGA works as an add-on card to a built-in VGA and transparently passes the VGA signal through when not operating in a high-resolution mode. All of the listed 85xx displays can therefore sync 640×480 at 60&nbsp;Hz (or {{resx|720×400}} at 70&nbsp;Hz) in addition to any higher mode they may also be capable of. This however is not true of the 95xx models (and some unlisted 85xx's), which are specialist workstation displays designed for use with the XGA-2 or Image Adapter/A cards, and whose fixed frequencies all exceed that of basic VGA – the lowest of their commonly available modes instead being {{resx|640×480}} at 75&nbsp;Hz, if not something much higher still. It is also worth noting that these were still merely dual- or "multiple-frequency" monitors, not variable-frequency (also known as multisync); in particular, despite running happily at {{resx|640×480}}, {{resx|720×400}} and {{resx|1024×768}}, an (e.g.) 8514 cannot sync the otherwise common intermediate {{resx|800×600}} SVGA resolution, even at the relatively low 50 to 56&nbsp;Hz refresh rates initially used.

Although the design of these adapters did not become an industry standard as VGA did, their {{resx|1024×768}} pixel resolution was subsequently widely adopted as a standard by other manufacturers, and XGA became a synonym for this screen resolution. The only exceptions were the bottom-rung 8086-based Model 25 and 30, which had a cut-down version of VGA referred to as [[Multi-Color Graphics Array|MCGA]]; the 286 models came with VGA. This supported CGA graphics modes, VGA {{resx|320×200}} 256 color and {{resx|640×480}} monochrome mode, but not EGA or color {{resx|640×480}}.

[[File:MCA IBM XGA-2.jpg|thumb|MCA IBM XGA-2 graphics card]]

====VGA video connector====
All of the new PS/2 graphics systems (whether MCGA, VGA, 8514, or later XGA) used a 15-pin [[D-sub]] connector for video out. This used analog RGB signals, rather than four or six digital color signals as on previous CGA and EGA monitors. The digital signals limited the color gamut to a fixed 16- or 64-color palette with no room for expansion.  In contrast, any color depth (bits per primary) can be encoded into the analog RGB signals so the color gamut can be increased arbitrarily by using wider (more bits per sample) [[digital-to-analog converter|DACs]] and a more sensitive monitor. The connector was also compatible with analog grayscale displays. Unlike earlier systems such as [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter|MDA]] and [[Hercules Graphics Card|Hercules]], this was transparent to software, so all programs supporting the new standards could run unmodified whichever type of display was attached. On the other hand, whether the display was color or monochrome was undetectable to software, so selection between application displays optimized for color or monochrome, in applications that supported both, required user intervention. These grayscale displays were relatively inexpensive during the first few years the PS/2 was available, and they were very commonly purchased with lower-end models.

The [[VGA connector]] became the de facto standard for connecting monitors and projectors on both PC and non-PC hardware over the course of the early 1990s, replacing a variety of earlier connectors.