Monitor Question

[Nytro]

Hi, I have about a 2 year old computer.. only thing new is I upped the RAM some. I was using the 17 inch monitor that came with it, and everything was fine. Just recently I bought a 22 inch LCD monitor, and whenever I'm surfing the internet and everything it's great, but when I start playing games it gets all choppy, even when I change the resolution. I guess my question is do I need to get a new video card or whatever since this monitor is better than the one it came with? Here's my new monitor: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2549197&CatId=2775

Thanks in advance

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

Hi, I have about a 2 year old computer.. only thing new is I upped the RAM some. I was using the 17 inch monitor that came with it, and everything was fine. Just recently I bought a 22 inch LCD monitor, and whenever I'm surfing the internet and everything it's great, but when I start playing games it gets all choppy, even when I change the resolution. I guess my question is do I need to get a new video card or whatever since this monitor is better than the one it came with? Here's my new monitor: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2549197&CatId=2775

Thanks in advance

I have the exact same monitor.

Yeah i think you need a better vid card. What's your current vid card?

 

[Nytro]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2467310&CatId=1560

even if I was to get a new one I would have no idea what to get.. I guess I have around 150 dollars to spend, you have an idea of what to get?

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

Actually, what's your processor (and speed) and what game are you playing?

I think processor counts. Your vid card looks pretty decent from my POV.

 

[Nytro]

Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.00 GHz

And I'm playing Lineage 2, but with my old monitor it worked perfectly

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

hmm...ok i don't know then, sorry. sounds like a good set up... were u using a CRT monitor?

 

[Nytro]

yea hp pavilion mx704

 

[ShooterMcMarco]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2467310&CatId=1560

even if I was to get a new one I would have no idea what to get.. I guess I have around 150 dollars to spend, you have an idea of what to get?

evga 8600 gts for 149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

 

[fishuuuuu]

I think your problem is that with an increase in monitor size you probably increased your in-game resolution which your older GPU isn't probably taking to very well.

Which GPU do you have? I am willing to suggest the next best cost-efficient (read cheap) upgrade that will get the job done. If you're not looking to buy another graphics card the next logical thing to do would be to revert your resolution to the original size, but this will cause stretching in the display and may appear unsatisfactory.

 

[Breakaz54z]

IMO, I think you should get a better video card. For 150 dollars, you can get a very good video card for that price. I suggest looking on newegg.com and reading the reviews, very useful. The processor you have can definitely handle a better video card. How much RAM do you have? Do you know the speed?

 

[MTXR]

If its choppy usually your vid card can't handle the resolution or eye candy you have turned on for your game. Get a new vid card to enhance play. Otherwise lower your resolution and turn off the eye candy to see if it helps. Yes its gonna look like crap.

 

[fishuuuuu]

Just noticed that you posted which video card you have. I recommend EVGA's GeForce 7600GT. You can find it at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062. If you are still intending to go higher you might as well save up and get EVGA's GeForce 8800GTS 320MB instead of it's crippled cousin the 8600.

For all the other posters it's not necessary to break the bank and get an 8xxx series card to play Lineage 2 at MAX display and graphics, after all it's not R6Vegas he's trying to play here.

 

[Breakaz54z]

Just noticed that you posted which video card you have. I recommend EVGA's GeForce 7600GT. You can find it at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062. If you are still intending to go higher you might as well save up and get EVGA's GeForce 8800GTS 320MB instead of it's crippled cousin the 8600.

For all the other posters it's not necessary to break the bank and get an 8xxx series card to play Lineage 2 at MAX display and graphics, after all it's not R6Vegas he's trying to play here.

Awesome card. I have the 7600GS. Though I think if he'd want to, he can go way better than the 7600 at this point since his processor can handle it.

 

[diredesire]

Yeah, the X300 isn't exactly a great performer. It's a revamped chip that is closely based off a GPU that was made nearly a decade ago. Their low end stuff isn't ever really very ground breaking... Like other posters have said, it is most probable that your monitor upgrade means your resolution is now higher in game. This boost in rendering demand means more demand on your GPU, which is the overwhelming weak point in your system ATM. A P4 3.0 isn't exactly screaming by standards nowadays, but it is a solid performer, and should have no trouble if you have a stand out graphics card.

Any budget midrange card should give you a very, very impressive boost. a 7600/8600 series would do you fine.

Do note, however, that you'll be limited to an AGP bus. The most you can hope for on a budget is probably something in the ATi 9600/9800 series. These aren't exactly powerhouses by "todays" standards, but will probably give you a very noticeable boost. AGP is more or less dead. I haven't checked prices lately, but you can probably get something in the X800/X850 etc (and also the nVidia equivalent) range for about ~$100 (i'd guess, I'm too lazy to go look)

 

[fishuuuuu]

Yeah, the X300 isn't exactly a great performer. It's a revamped chip that is closely based off a GPU that was made nearly a decade ago. Their low end stuff isn't ever really very ground breaking... Like other posters have said, it is most probable that your monitor upgrade means your resolution is now higher in game. This boost in rendering demand means more demand on your GPU, which is the overwhelming weak point in your system ATM. A P4 3.0 isn't exactly screaming by standards nowadays, but it is a solid performer, and should have no trouble if you have a stand out graphics card.

Any budget midrange card should give you a very, very impressive boost. a 7600/8600 series would do you fine.

Do note, however, that you'll be limited to an AGP bus. The most you can hope for on a budget is probably something in the ATi 9600/9800 series. These aren't exactly powerhouses by "todays" standards, but will probably give you a very noticeable boost. AGP is more or less dead. I haven't checked prices lately, but you can probably get something in the X800/X850 etc (and also the nVidia equivalent) range for about ~$100 (i'd guess, I'm too lazy to go look)

Why would he be limited to AGP? I thought I saw that the X300 was fitted in a PCI-Express slot? If it is AGP only go with his suggestion otherwise go with the 7600GT for ~100$ after shipping and rebates from Newegg.com.

 

[diredesire]

Why would he be limited to AGP? I thought I saw that the X300 was fitted in a PCI-Express slot? If it is AGP only go with his suggestion otherwise go with the 7600GT for ~100$ after shipping and rebates from Newegg.com.

You are right. I read "AGP" for some reason. Probably because I need to sleep, but I leave for a job opp tomorrow morning