Connector types for dual monitor video cards

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Am looking for a PCI Express x16 video card (for the mobo for an Athlon 64 x2
that I'm thinking buying - these mobos no longer have AGP, only PCI Express x16
it seems).

I also have dual monitors. So I'm looking for a dual monitor PCI Express x16
card.

My question. Why are so many of the more affordable cards (all?) configured
with 1 DVI connector and 1 VGA connector? And why are dual DVI connector cards
so much more expensive (something like between $100 and $200 for the former and
over $300 for that latter)?

I supposed one argument for the VGA connector is backwards compatability. But
on the other hand is it really so much more expensive for the manufacturer to
put in another DVI port? (that is, is having the mixed connector types less
expensive to build?).

Both my monitors are DVI. I can also convert from VGA to DVI in going from the
card to one of the two monitors, but another question: does lower the image
quality?

pat