Video card questions...

[gonelifting]

I am now realizing I need a good video card to take advantage of a new monitor I'm getting. I don't really want to spend $400-$500 on one, will these choices be enough from Dell?

128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory[subtract $40]


****I ordered this one**** 256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory[Included in Price]


256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800[add $180 or $5/month2]

Enhanced Graphics

256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX[add $590 or $17/month2]





Should I upgrade to the nVidia GeForce 6800 for another $180? Don't ask me what I want it for. I have no idea, I just don't want a nice monitor without it's full potential being used.

Here's the monitor.... I'm upgrading from the 20 inch non-widescreen to 24-WS.

http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buy...ode=&core=2&page=1&lgnode=&lgsearch=dell_2405

 

[Ish]

I don't see why the card you ordered won't work fine. What do you think the problem will be?

 

[gonelifting]

I've been reading your monitor is only as good as the video card... or something like that. Would a jump to the Nvida card be a noticable improvement given the 1900X1200 capacity of the 24 inch monitor? I don't want to upgrade to the other monitor and not have it's full advantages.

I placed the order yesterday from Dell. Not sure if I could even change it now, I wanted to make sure I wanted the change before I called them.

 

[Ish]

It looks like both cards do 1920x1080 resolution at a decent refresh rate. Usually, you are going to notice the better video card on games only. I don't think you'll be able to justify a better card for 2d performance. You would see a difference on 3d applications, though. Are you a gamer, or just using this for regular pc work? I have a 24 inch NEC at work, and I have a shitty geforce 5250 running it. It's maybe a 50$ card. It looks fine in 2d, but games aren't the best.

 

[blut wump]

If you're not into "cutting edge" 3D games then the only things which might differentiate modern graphics cards, if you're using Windows, is the amount of ram and whether you can send the signal to a TV. You've gone for one with 256megs and TV capability and the chances are that you'll never use the TV aspect.

Good choice, stick with it.

 

[gonelifting]

No, not a gamer but I plan on keeping this for many years. I'm not one to "upgrade" so I would like to buy a "good" one and forget it type thing...

Thanks for the replies. After reading that, I'm thinking it would'nt really be worth the extra $180...

Now I'm thinking of not even upgrading from the 20 inch to 24WS monitor. Any opionons on this? It's only $185 fot the upgrade. I can't pass that up. lol

I'm off to the Electronics store and maybe get a side by side comparison of monitors that would make my decision. Opinions welcome, either way.

 

[blut wump]

Re the monitors, I reckon it's mostly down to whether you plan to watch DVDs on the thing. If you just want more screen real-estate, it can make more sense to have two large monitors than a single monster-large one. I'm not a fan of wide-screen.

Decide when you see them.

 

[ohashi]

 

[gonelifting]

Thanks! I got 2G of Ram with this new PC. I ordered it from Dell yesterday so I won't "see it" until it gets here...

I just got back from BestBuy Electronics and took a look at the monitors. HOLY SHIT 20inches is BIG!!! There were only 19 inch monitors there and they were big, so my 20 inch would be more than enough. I won't get the 24 inch, but it IS a better quality monitor (not just the size is different...1000/1 contrast ratio... Brighter... component inputs...response time...) for $185 I thought it may be worth it. I won't even bother after seeing the 19 inchers at the store...

I'll also keep the video card now. Thanks again!

 

[blut wump]

I hope you enjoy it.