Monitor/Video Card Question

Question

Within the next month or so I plan on purchasing a DELL Dimension 8300 system to primarily be used for video/DVD editing, digital photos, and web page development.

As far as a monitor goes, I plan on going with either the DELL Ultrasharp 1703FP or 1901FP. I also plan on utilizing the DVI connection.

So my question is what video card would be suitable with either of these monitors to be used for the purposes described. I'm considering the following thoughts:

1) Would the 128MB NVIDIA Ge Force FX 5200 be sufficient? Have there ever been issues with pairing this video card up with either of these monitors?

2) Would upgrading to the 128MB DDR ATI RADEON 9800 Pro be worth the extra $140?

3) It's hard to beat the price for either of these DELL monitors it seems, but what are your thoughts on SAMSUNG monitors?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Sincerely,
ZENABI

Joe Average · Answer

Are you going to be capturing and encoding any video? If you are and don't already have the hardware you might want to consider the 9800 PRO all in wonder. Same thing as the 9800 PRO, but has video capture and encoding hardware. As far as Samsung vs Dell goes I agree with Anandtech.com. Price dependent Dell wins (I have a 2001FP). I looked long and hard at the Samsung 213T, but decided on Dell to save nearly $500. Price independent Samsung gets the nod. Anandtech.com says the 213T has better color and clarity. Just not $500 better IMHO. However, Anandtech.com does say the Dell gets the nod with respect to gaming performance!

warpdrive · Answer

If you don't do analog capture, the FX5200 is way more than enough. Unless you play games, the Radeon 9800 would be wasted as the extra cost goes into the 3D processor, and you will have a noiser system since they use a more powerful cooling system (some FX5200's supplied with Dell's are fanless). If you do analog capture, then ATI All-in-Wonder solution would allow you to connect up an analog source such as cable, satellite or VCR to do capture.

I use my system for video/photo editing and web page editing, and I run a 2001FP with a secondary 171FPb. The 2001FP's native 1600x1200 resolution is great for imaging software like photoshop that has lots of toolbars and palettes.

Either the 1703 or 1901 is a decent choice, I'd go for the 19 if you expect your monitor to be placed farther away from you

rps3394 · Answer

You should review the posts on the 1800FP stuck in DVI Power Save Mode thread. Alot of users have been reporting problems with the FX5200 DVI output. The common theme is that it (the DVI connection) goes dead anywhere from straight out of the box to a few months afterwards. The only solution so far is to use the analog output. Replacement FX5200's and replacement flat panels haven't resolved the issue.

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