Video Cards and TFT screens
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Video Cards and TFT screens
I am in the mood to spend a little bit of money - particularly on a new monitor. Generally looking to spice up what I consider to be a very stable platform.
Main requirement is a new TFT monitor - my old Dell 17 inch CRT has served me well but is showing its age after 7 years. There's a dry joint in there somewhere but I lack the enthusiasm these days to open things up and fix. If it's kept on and warm there's no problem !
Current System :
CRT
ell D1028L
Video Card : Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller (onboard)
Chipset : Intel 82865G/PE/P, 82848P DRAM Controller / Host-Hub Interface
Physical Memory : 496 Mb DDR-SDRAM
Processor : Intel Pentium 4
Frequency : 2394 MHz
Requirements :
I'd like to go for another 17inch display.
It has to be a TFT display - don't want another CRT
I'll consider moving away from the onboard graphics if it will give me any benefit -
PC is not used for games, perfectly happy
with the onboard graphics.
Don't want built-in speakers or TV functionality - have all that externally and wired to PC.
So I guess my questions are ;
What recommendations for a 17" TFT screeen ?
Is it worth moving away from the on-board video (I think not) ?
Worth buying another stick of DRAM (system performance is perfectly adequate) ?
Wireless is something I am considering - another thread I think.
Any other general recommendations ?
Thank you in anticpation of the learned responses
LL34
Main requirement is a new TFT monitor - my old Dell 17 inch CRT has served me well but is showing its age after 7 years. There's a dry joint in there somewhere but I lack the enthusiasm these days to open things up and fix. If it's kept on and warm there's no problem !
Current System :
CRT
ell D1028LVideo Card : Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller (onboard)
Chipset : Intel 82865G/PE/P, 82848P DRAM Controller / Host-Hub Interface
Physical Memory : 496 Mb DDR-SDRAM
Processor : Intel Pentium 4
Frequency : 2394 MHz
Requirements :
I'd like to go for another 17inch display.
It has to be a TFT display - don't want another CRT
I'll consider moving away from the onboard graphics if it will give me any benefit -
PC is not used for games, perfectly happy
with the onboard graphics.
Don't want built-in speakers or TV functionality - have all that externally and wired to PC.
So I guess my questions are ;
What recommendations for a 17" TFT screeen ?
Is it worth moving away from the on-board video (I think not) ?
Worth buying another stick of DRAM (system performance is perfectly adequate) ?
Wireless is something I am considering - another thread I think.
Any other general recommendations ?
Thank you in anticpation of the learned responses
LL34
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Lost_luggage34,
A 17" TFT will give you about the same viewing space as a 19" CRT. The Native Res of a 17" is 1280 x 1024. If that is too small for your eyes, I would think about getting the 19" CRT and saving the money.
Since you have Onboard Video, you will not have a DVI Connector. I would recommend the NEC/Mitsubishi MultiSync LCD 1760V. It has a 16ms Response time and a very good quality picture.
The full specs are:
Take Care,
Richard
A 17" TFT will give you about the same viewing space as a 19" CRT. The Native Res of a 17" is 1280 x 1024. If that is too small for your eyes, I would think about getting the 19" CRT and saving the money.
Since you have Onboard Video, you will not have a DVI Connector. I would recommend the NEC/Mitsubishi MultiSync LCD 1760V. It has a 16ms Response time and a very good quality picture.
The full specs are:
Panel Type: TFT Active Matrix LCD
Native Resolution: SXGA 1280x1024
Pixel Pitch: 0.264 mm
Brightness: 260 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 450:1
Response Time: 16 ms
View Angle: 140° / 140° (Horizontal / Vertical)
Input Connectors: 15-pin mini D-SUB
Features: TILT: 35°, SWIVEL: 140°
Dimensions & Weight: 14.7" x 15.1" x 7.7" (WxHxD) / 12.8 lbs.
Manufacturer's Warranty / Phone No.: 3 Year Parts, Labor and backlight
Native Resolution: SXGA 1280x1024
Pixel Pitch: 0.264 mm
Brightness: 260 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 450:1
Response Time: 16 ms
View Angle: 140° / 140° (Horizontal / Vertical)
Input Connectors: 15-pin mini D-SUB
Features: TILT: 35°, SWIVEL: 140°
Dimensions & Weight: 14.7" x 15.1" x 7.7" (WxHxD) / 12.8 lbs.
Manufacturer's Warranty / Phone No.: 3 Year Parts, Labor and backlight
Richard
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If you do get a video card with a DVI connector and a LCD monitor with DVI input, you'll get a better image. Most cheap video cards like the Radeon 9x00 and GeforceFX 5200 have both a standard VGA and a DVI connection. The best way to judge a monitor though is to go out and look at one in person.
I have looked at those NEC monitors, and they are nice though...
Just curious, how do you get 496MB of RAM? I didn't think that configuration was possible.
goates
I have looked at those NEC monitors, and they are nice though...
Just curious, how do you get 496MB of RAM? I didn't think that configuration was possible.
goates
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goates,
512Mb - 16Mb shared for Onboard Video is 496Mb left to run his system. (But that is just a guess.)
The NEC Monitor with just the VGA Connector still gives a great picture. It is crisp and bright.
Take Care,
Richard
P.S. Ever since the GeForce4 Ti\'s first hit the market, Dual Video with at least one being a DVI became standard for Vid Cards.
512Mb - 16Mb shared for Onboard Video is 496Mb left to run his system. (But that is just a guess.)
The NEC Monitor with just the VGA Connector still gives a great picture. It is crisp and bright.
Take Care,
Richard
P.S. Ever since the GeForce4 Ti\'s first hit the market, Dual Video with at least one being a DVI became standard for Vid Cards.
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Thanks chaps -
Yes, as always Richard has the nail on the head - one 512Mb stick with some taken away for the onboard video.
Neither of you have actually steered me in any particular direction. 19" would be great Richard - can't quite justify the spend (Oh hang on - don't have one of those wife things !!!) maybe then.
But seriously I really do want to go TFT - 17" CRT is what I have currently. Still works well, would like to save power and have more desktop space, and I am sure 7 years on, resolution must be better ? My eyesight is fine - still exceeds a Class I so no requirements there !
But would a video card vs. the onboard video make a difference. ? I will be driving TV video through it in the future via a PCI TV card - done this before with this CRT and it was fine.
I reckon my shopping list will just be a new PCI TV card and another stick of DRAM.
Sometimes you chaps are just too smart for me !!!
PS. Richard - How do u get along with the SATA drives you run ? I looked high and low for them last year when I bought this M/B. I had to buy this M/B as an emergency. SATA drives were like rocking horse
. When I mentioned them in the store and 10,000RPM they looked at me rather oddly !!
Yes, as always Richard has the nail on the head - one 512Mb stick with some taken away for the onboard video.
Neither of you have actually steered me in any particular direction. 19" would be great Richard - can't quite justify the spend (Oh hang on - don't have one of those wife things !!!) maybe then.
But seriously I really do want to go TFT - 17" CRT is what I have currently. Still works well, would like to save power and have more desktop space, and I am sure 7 years on, resolution must be better ? My eyesight is fine - still exceeds a Class I so no requirements there !
But would a video card vs. the onboard video make a difference. ? I will be driving TV video through it in the future via a PCI TV card - done this before with this CRT and it was fine.
I reckon my shopping list will just be a new PCI TV card and another stick of DRAM.
Sometimes you chaps are just too smart for me !!!
PS. Richard - How do u get along with the SATA drives you run ? I looked high and low for them last year when I bought this M/B. I had to buy this M/B as an emergency. SATA drives were like rocking horse
. When I mentioned them in the store and 10,000RPM they looked at me rather oddly !!
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Lost_luggage34,
A 17" TFT with Onboard Video will still look great. Even when you pump TV though the PCI Card to the TFT, you will not have any problems viewing it.
As a rule, a 17" TFT lets you see the full 17" Diagonal, while a 19" CRT will only let you see just short of 18" Diagonal. So a 17" TFT is very close to a 19" CRT. The 19" CRT is cheaper than the 17" TFT but will take up a lot more room on your desk.
Either option comes with trade offs, you just have to figure which trade offs work best for you.
Take Care,
Richard
A 17" TFT with Onboard Video will still look great. Even when you pump TV though the PCI Card to the TFT, you will not have any problems viewing it.
As a rule, a 17" TFT lets you see the full 17" Diagonal, while a 19" CRT will only let you see just short of 18" Diagonal. So a 17" TFT is very close to a 19" CRT. The 19" CRT is cheaper than the 17" TFT but will take up a lot more room on your desk.
Either option comes with trade offs, you just have to figure which trade offs work best for you.
Take Care,
Richard
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For what it is worth I have a Samsung SyncMaster 172T and it is lovely. Has DVI (which I use) and VGA inputs. Ergonomically looks cool as well.
Details here.
Only 25 ms response time but I have had no problems at all.
Oggin
Details here.
Only 25 ms response time but I have had no problems at all.
Oggin
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Richard,
As always - very sensible advice.
Present the facts and you do great. The advice here is second to none. I like to add my bit ( apologies for the pun)
But neither of you have actually answered my question ?
Is the resolution of a TFT screen an issue ?
What is the 16 Ms figure ? - is it important ?
More comments please ?
As always - very sensible advice.
Present the facts and you do great. The advice here is second to none. I like to add my bit ( apologies for the pun)
But neither of you have actually answered my question ?
Is the resolution of a TFT screen an issue ?
What is the 16 Ms figure ? - is it important ?
More comments please ?
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Lost_luggage34,
That is the hazards of bouncing between multiple threads. From the other thread which I replied to you:
Take Care,
Richard
That is the hazards of bouncing between multiple threads. From the other thread which I replied to you:
That is the time it takes for the Pixel to Energize, De-energize, or Switch Colours. The faster the Response time, the less Ghosting you get on the screen.
TFTs with show Response times will give you a headache any time you have fast action on the screen. (Which can be something as simple as scrolling down a document or webpage.)
TFTs with show Response times will give you a headache any time you have fast action on the screen. (Which can be something as simple as scrolling down a document or webpage.)
Richard
