New monitor and graphics card

[BigGlenn]

Afternoon all,

As the thread title suggests, I am looking to upgrade my monitor (currently 1280x1024 19inch) and then probably my graphics card (512MB 8800GT) will need replacing as well
Due to the distinct lack of funds this will have to take place over the space of a couple of months so I was trying to decide which to look at replacing first...

I am guessing it would be better to replace the monitor first as this would give me the best indication as to whether or not I can live with the current card - unless anyone can come up with a good reason to replace the card first...?

The monitor I have been considering is the Dell SP2309W - http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...hs1&sku=193757

This would be very useful with the resolution for the kind of work that I need to do (having multiple windows open at the same time side by side) without running dual screens like I do in the office at work as I don't have the space to add another monitor on my desk at home

My question then, is whether or not I can live with the frame-rates for the few games that I tend to play (CS:S, the Orange Box games, etc) as I am guessing that to play at the higher resolution I will have to drop some of the settings

So if the 8800GT won't cut it, what would you good people recommend??? Would either the 4870 or GTX260 be a reasonable card for the money?

Thanks

[scaryjim]

I can't get that page at Dell to open, but I assume (being 23") that the monitor has a native res of 1920 x 1200? Based on some previous Hexus reviews of 8800GTs, and given the age of CS:S, I reckon your 8800GT will make a fairly good fist of things even at the monitor's native res - it should maintain between 30 and 60fps at a guess, which is between "acceptable" and "desirable" performance! I'd definitely get the monitor first and give it a pop with your 8800GT.

Assuming you decide you can't live with the frame rates it renders, a HD4850 or 4870 should provide adequate performance in your current games, and it might also be worth looking at the new GeForce GTS 250 (when it comes to market later this year) - yes, most people are slating it for just being a rebadged 9800GTX+, but it has power and thermal enhancements (it runs *much* cooler than a 4850) and should be in the same price range - £100 to £150. If you decide you might want to pick up some newer games to play too, then I'd advise a GTX 260 or the Sapphire 4850 X2 as good options in the £200 - £250ish price range

[BigGlenn]

I can't get that page at Dell to open, but I assume (being 23") that the monitor has a native res of 1920 x 1200?

Thanks for the reply,

Not sure why the page wouldn't open, but it doesn't want to open for me now either?

Hopefully this Novatech link will work... http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...tml?dll-sp2309

The monitor in question is one with a high resolution - 2048 x 1152, hence why I am assuming that I will need to replace the graphics card as well

I hadn't considered the 4850X2 but I will check that out as well thanks

Guess I could have some decisions to make depending on what is available when I finally decide on the card....

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The other alternative is the HD4870!!

It is currently £145 for the 512mb version and £170 for the 1gb version at Novatech:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/d...%204870&d=

The cheapest GTX260(216 shader version) is £192:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/d...s=gtx%20260&d=

The Dell monitor has around the same number of total pixels as a 1920X1200 display.

[vincent.m]

somewhat related question, will having a better gfx card mean better video quality?? or is it strictly gaming? i mean the source of video being a downloaded episode of something (eztv,greys anatomy)

[BigGlenn]

I had put the 4870 in my original post Cat, but thanks for pointing it out....

Being slightly lazy here (as well as not really keeping an eye on price trends or new tech) but are there any expected price cuts in the next few months at all? Just wondering whether to take the plunge and maybe get the card first at those prices if there aren't any drops potentially looming over things??

In the meantime I will also be keeping an eye on the Dell site for the monitor to see if they do some of the ridiculous offers that seem to crop up every once in a while *keeps fingers crossed*

Decisions..... decisions..... lol

[alex98uk]

It can mean better video quality, but that is more down to the software it can run to decode the video stream.

You might notice some image quality increases though.

[matty-hodgson]

i'd say get the monitor first.
have you seen this though? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158908

same resolution as the Dell, but £80 cheaper

the 8800GT should cope with most games if you turn the eye candy down a touch.
and should save you some cash too

EDIT:

[shbris]

^^ generally, any discrete graphics card will be able to handle downloaded video content as it was intended. even built in graphics would be fine up to high resolutions, so yeh anyhting is fine!

[Zak33]

I agree with Matty Hodge up there.. that monitor is nice and the saving can be held back for a new card in a few months, IF you need it.

[Pob255]

I'm impressed we've not had the usale round of very high end card sugestions for that high a res and the number of "try your current 8800gt first" sugestions.
I approve get monitor, try it with the 8800gt then consider if you need a new card.

it might also be worth looking at the new GeForce GTS 250 (when it comes to market later this year) - yes, most people are slating it for just being a rebadged 9800GTX+, but it has power and thermal enhancements (it runs *much* cooler than a 4850) and should be in the same price range - £100 to £150.

Umm hate to say it but the 9800gtx+ also has power and heat reduction enhancements unless they are dropping it more.
I have the older 9800gtx it idles at 60c and load is 72c (with the fan on auto, which I never hear)
The main down side is the two power connectors, not that they are needed. but the card make loud bleeping if it's not got both power connectors pluged in.
I'm not saying it's a bad card because it's not

IF you do decide you need more graphics power with the current priceings and that high a res I'd say look at the 4870 1gb.
but get the monitor first and then see if you're still happy with the 8800gt, it's still a very good card.

[BigGlenn]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, and, like Pob mentioned, thanks for not just suggesting the high end cards as well

Might just see if I can squeeze that Samsung monitor out of the finances for this month

[Webby]

The GTS250 is better again than the 9800GTX+ in terms of power consumption, it also has a shorter PCB and only requires a single PCIE power connector In fact I actually think it is deserving of a new name to differentiate it from the 9800GTX+ yes it is not significantly better performance wise but still a very different kettle of fish see the Hexus review for more details.

Back on topic I agree with most people here new monitor first then the graphics card if you need to that Samsung is a great deal as long as you don't mind having a VGA input from what Matty has experienced though it doesn't seem to be a significant issue with that monitor. Oh it also uses the same panel as the Dell (both made by Samsung) so you are basically paying for extra connectivity and the Dell warranty (and styling). Up to you I guess.

[vincent.m]

where could one see th epower comsumptions charts of nvidia cards?

[Webby]

As a rough guide look here remember that is the whole system not just the graphics card.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/P...0_2_GB/27.html

I'm not sure why the GTS 250 is so power hungry in this review, I wouldn't have thought the extra memory was that mough more power hungry or maybe it was non-optimised drivers.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The problem is that the GTS250 is still an overclocked 9800GTX+ with reduced power consumption. To rename it as an entirely new series is still a bit misleading with regards to its performance. What if a company like Palit produced a lower powered version of the 9800GTX+ for example?? Can Palit "invent" a new series then??

I personally think that the series name should only apply to the actual graphics chip itself and NOT the rest of the graphics card!!

The whole 8800GTS to 9800GTX to 9800GTX+ to GTS250 renaming is a big con!! The only major difference is the process change from 65nm to 55nm which is not such a big deal. It was bad enough with the HD3*** series but at least ATI made larger changes(on top of the process shrink) such as the addition of DX10.1,UVD to the higher end parts and 256 bit memory access to the graphics chip.