selecting a video card

Question

I just installed my new E228WFP 22-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor, but my existing video card doesn't have a DVI connection and it doesn't support the UltraWide 1680x1050 native setting of this display.

So, I'm in shopping mode again for a new video card. My mobo only has an AGP slot for the video card, and my money tree has lost most of its foliage since the monitor purchase.

There are lots of inexpensive AGP cards out there with DVI-I connectors and 128M memory, but if they don't have a specific 1680x1050 resolution selection, should I stay away from them ?

what's the least expensive card I can consider ?

bobmac99 · Answer

I don't do alot (if any) gaming. Mostly just webpage development and DVD movies etc. I currently have a Nvidia GeForce4-MX420 32MB TN, which only has a VGA connection.. I'm hoping a new video card with a DVI-I connector will improve the image quality, and my understanding is that a video card that has a specific setting of/for exactly 1680x1050 will be better as well..

I have a couple of options I'm considering - any thoughts ?

1. a used ATI Radeon 9800 128M (not sure if XT or PRO) for $40.
2. a new Sapphire - ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Advantage 256M for $80.

Message Edited by bobmac99 on 01-30-200711:48 AM

SR45 · Answer

nVidia's 6200 card.  Not a gamers card, but will support the resolutions but you must have the proper 6200 driver for it to give you that resolutions.  Not hard to do.  Does not cost all that much from www.newegg.com.  Make sure you get the AGP version, and not the PCI nor PCI-Express versions   Which video card do you have now  ?  Might be able to install another driver to see if that helps.  Some have had some good luck with it....

ray_burnz · Answer

Speaking of video cards, I'm wondering if anyone can help me verify if my video card can support 1680x1050.
Its a Sapphire Radeon 9600 Pro Ultimate.
About 2 years old, I have the the latest windows updates and Radeon drivers.

bobmac99 · Answer

Nice thread hijack Ray - subject here is 'Selecting a video card' not 'configuring my existing video card'.. Here's an idea.. try control panel, settings, display, and see if that particular resolution works.

ray_burnz · Answer

No need to take it so personally Bob.
My intent was not to hijack the thread.
I wanted to keep the discussion going and possibly get an answer to a very much related question.

I am planning to buy a 2007WFP.
My situation is similar to yours (agp only motherboard, would like widescreen support from my video card but would consider a new one).
I couldn't find anything specifically saying my video card supported 1680x1050.
You spoke of ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Advantage 256M in your second post so I thought maybe if I chirped in with my Sapphire card we could both get a resolution to our similar problems.

I have looked through the list of supported resolutions you speak of but I have seen in the past that a specific resolution is not in the list until after you plug in a new monitor and install the monitor driver.

Mtnview · Answer

Hey Bobmac,   I would recommend one of these AGP cards 6600GT, 6800XT, 7600GT with 256mb memory.   They are kind of the mid-range best bang for the buck cards. They can be had at Newegg for $100-130us.   You would have to check the watts of your power supply though. It would be better to call New Egg direct or head to your local computer store and let them know the size of your power supply and let them recommend a video card. Some newer video cards require certain power plugin connectors and some should have a minimum wattage power supply to work stably.   They also would know if the resolution you want could be run comfortable by these cards.   Hope this helps Allan

Mtnview · Answer

Hey Bobmac,

In the ATI line of video cards in the $100-130 range there are the X800XT, X850XT and the one that Newegg has the X1650Pro

Some like ATI cards over Nvidia. Do a little research on which cards give the best picture and how much noise they make when they run.

I checked out what Dell sells with the E228WFP as their recommended PCI card and they were selling the nvidia 7300LE 256MB or the ATI X1300pro 256mb so I would assume that the AGP version in the 7300-7600 range or the ATI 1300-1650 range would run the resolutions required. I don't see that there is too much diff in price range so the higher series of either would be worth it. $85-130.

Allan

Message Edited by Mtnview on 02-01-2007 01:48 AM

SR45 · Answer

Inexpensive card he needed Mtnview.  The cards you recommended are about $100 and above.  The 6200 AGP slot card is well under $100 and if not a gamer, is about the best way to go

Mtnview · Answer

Yes SR, the 6200 should run the resolutions he wants if the lowest price is his only criteria. When I saw that he was considering a Sapphire 9600 for $80 I knew that he could get a much superior card for only $20 more, current generation Nvidia and ATI. That's all.   Regards, Allan

SR45 · Answer

:smileywink:  Agreed Mtnview

bobmac99 · Answer

thanks for all the pertinent feedback folks ! I did my homework, re-checked my funding, and went with the used ATI Radeon 9800. It seems my PC internals did not have a matching/sufficient power supply for some of the newer cards, which just added more hassle and cost to what I was trying to accomplish. Once I got all the dust bunnies off the fan of the used 9800, de-oxidized the contacts with a pencil eraser, and attached the power supply connector I did have inside the PC, it worked fine. Current version of XP even recognized the new hardware right away, downloaded an updated driver, and Bob's your Uncle.. This 9800 also has the 1680x1050 setting. Only other thing I'm trying to do is download and apply the Catalyst software program, but for now, things on my Dell 22' are crisp and clean. and wide, really wide. cheers.

Monitors

selecting a video card

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