Buying Decisions

Antimatter · Post by **Antimatter** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 5:08 pm

A couple things. First, I'm looking for a monitor. I want a 19" flat crt and I want it to be around $200. I've seen a few that fall into this category, but I'm not sure of their quality. I would like to have at least 1280x1024 resolution at 80hz. Also, what dot pitch would you recommend as a max (as in worst)?

Second, I need a video card. Again I'm looking for the best I can get for around $200. So far I've mainly been looking at Radeon 9500 pros and 9700 nonpros. Any suggestions on that?

Also, I probably won't be buying this stuff until mid-August, but I need it immediately then and I'm traveling until then, so I need to at least have an idea soon (by Wed really).

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 6:49 pm

The lower the dot pitch the better. Pick a price and get the best available monitor you can afford. I've seen a 19" flat screen .22 dot pitch CRT monitor for $199 in cash with a $50 rebate at Best Buy. I've also seen a 19" flat screen .20 dot pitch CRT monitor at Sam's Club for $182, so shop around. CompUSA and Circuit City also have good specials on monitors.

For $200, you might also consider the GeForce FX 5800; I believe some of them come with 256 MB of video memory. Again, when you're ready to pull the trigger on a purchase, buy the best video card you can afford.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 6:55 pm

Given up the jedi mind tricks, eh HLD. Nvidia and MSI no longer paying royalties or what?

For 200 bux, you'll get the video card you want. No questions there.

With a 200 dollar limit though on monitors, I don't know that you'll find a 1280 X 1024, 80 Hz refresh, with a low dot pitch. Sounds like you're up in the $350 range.

Recently, I bought a Viewsonic G90fb 19" flat screen. I think the dot pitch is .24, refresh 75 Hz, but it maxes out at 1152 X ??? resolution. Still, for $280, I'm awfully happy with it.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 9:05 pm

I planning to win the $240 million Powerball lottery this week, so I don't need MSI or nVidia's "finder's fee".

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 8:38 am

No no, I was planning on winning that.

::waves hand::

You don't want to buy a power ball ticket.