Can my CPU handle the resolution of my monitor?

Makes no sense at all. A 24" inch monitor runs at 1900X1080 resolution, which just about any modern video card or even Integrated Graphics Processor should have no trouble outputting. The CPU doesn't come into play at all. Have you tried both the onboard graphics and a discrete video card?

Yeah, he's talking out a hole in his nether regions.

Even decade old rigs are more than capable of running a 24" screen.

Yeah, even if you're running it off of the integrated graphics, it should work just fine. The CPU itself has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Your friend is lacking in knowlege. (There. How's that for being polite?) What kind of problems were you experiencing?

Okay I thought that might be BS. I tried all the ports.

When I turn on the machine and connect it to the monitor it gives me a message along the lines of 'could not connect.'

Ignore your friend.

Performance is mainly determined how powerful the graphic card is if you are talking about playing games. The faster the graphics card, the better the performance, unless your CPU is so slow that it limits the graphics card. The i5 will not limit the graphics card.

If the problem is that nothing is being displayed on the 24" monitor, then it could be a faulty graphics card, monitor, the cable connecting the monitor to the PC, or one of the graphics port whether it is the PC or the monitor.

Do you have an actual graphics card? Or are you relying on the Core i5's integrated graphic core?

It's best to list your PC's specs.

PNY GTX 560

Corsair something PSU

ASUS Z77 Mobo

Corsair rip jaws 8gb

I'm pretty sure its the cable or something. Both the monitor and the graphics have been tested and work

Is this a new build? Pre-built? Discrete graphics card or integrated? How are you connecting... HDMI, DVI, VGA?

New build with a graphics card. DVI.

I would breadboard the system with just CPU/HSF, graphics card, memory, PSU, monitor. Short the 2 pins the pwr sw plugs into to start. If you don't get an image with a known-good card, I would RMA the board.

Just out of curiosity....

Are the PCIE connectors for the GTX 560 plugged in?

Okay I'll try that out, thanks.

Yes everything is plugged in.

Have you tried removing the graphics card and plugging into the on-board display ports?

I have but to no avail.