OT: Need Advice Regarding Video Card

Jay Gladwell wrote on 8/31/2007, 7:00 AM

I posted earlier that my old CRT monitor (for my non-editing computer) is pooping out on me. I've ordered a Samsung 24" LCD. The problem I'm having is determining which video card would best support the new monitor (without breaking the bank).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

daryl wrote on 8/31/2007, 7:06 AM

I have been an Nvidia user for a long time, very dependable. I just saw a new model yesterday, it was an 8500 GS, with 512 M ram, and supports DirectX 10, best part, $150.00. I currently use a 7600 GS with 512, the extra ram will power 3D, games etc. better than some more expensive models I've tried that come with 256 M.

Coursedesign wrote on 8/31/2007, 8:11 AM

Amen on the nVidia cards, which have the best Windows drivers today.

Jay, just curious why you ordered the Samsung 24" when you could have gotten the consistently much better reviewed Westinghouse for less money?

I was so happy with my first Westinghouse 24" LCD I ordered a second one for $399AR + $69.99 for a warranty extension to 3 years.

I have seen the Samsung 24" (which would fit in well with my stable of Samsung LCDs in use), and it's quite good but I was irritated by the way the color rendition changed when I moved my head in front of the screen.

That doesn't happen with the Westinghouse, where the image is consistent across nearly 180 degrees horizontally and a large amount vertically.

Jay Gladwell wrote on 8/31/2007, 8:14 AM

I was able to "see" the Samsung in use, whereas I couldn't "see" the Westinghouse. If I can't "see" the item(s) I'm considering, I don't buy it. I've been burned too many times under that scenario.

Besides, the two aren't totally equal (not comparing apples to apples). For example, the Samsung has a far greater constrast ratio -- 3000:1.

Coursedesign wrote on 8/31/2007, 9:29 AM

I agree with you about wanting to see products like this, both to see the image and to make sure that what's pressed against my face all day isn't too ugly.

In the case of the Westinghouse, think black piano finish. It looks quite elegant actually.

I also found the contrast ratio to be superb.

Perhaps surprisingly, 3,000:1 or 1,000:1 won't necessarily look different, because there is a lot of specsmanship going on.

Same thing with response time (where gamers complain the Samsung is slow even though it's spec'ed at 5ms GTG), and brightness measurements in particular.

The Westinghouse has a separate Black Level control which adjusts the backlighting of the LCD panel, while the White Level adjusts the signal to the panel (as the single Brightness does on most monitors). This makes it much easier to get a good calibration.

Speaking of apples and oranges, the Samsung doesn't have HDCP. This means it cannot be used for playback of BD or HD DVD media, and may also prevent playback of other protected media found online.

Jay Gladwell wrote on 9/24/2007, 6:26 AM

Bjorn, in the for-what-it's-worth department, the Samsung does have HDCP.

MH_Stevens wrote on 9/24/2007, 12:34 PM

If you want nVidia then for best graphical application performance you need the Quadros not the GeForce. Adobe recommends the 5500FX and up.

blink3times wrote on 9/24/2007, 3:25 PM

I've got ATI 1950 pro now... it's okay, but the software for my older Nvidia card was better. I'll go back to Nvidia next time I'm in the need for a new card.

4eyes wrote on 9/24/2007, 4:28 PM

Yes, the software for the older Nvidia cards is nice. My other cards are the GeForce6600GT HD card(s), AGP8X. Those cards with the original drivers playback great on HDTV's.

Before you do look at Nvidia again there are some differences between XP & Vista drivers.
The familar full screen overlay for the 2nd monitor isn't available on the 8xxxx series of cards. Video playback on the 2nd monitor depends on the playback software & if it's using hardware accelleration or hardware de-interlacing. Usually if either one of those is active playback on the 2nd monitor doesn't work, or can lock the machine. Vegas had no problem using the 2nd monitor for previewing.
NView which is installed for XP isn't available yet for Vista, so customizing desktops is limited for Vista. Yes the Nvidia 8600GTS is fast, but I miss the features that were in the 6600 series.
I was actually disappointed with the 8600GTS in some ways and returned it, mainly because I paid to much money for it. It is a fast card, but I'm not a gamer & wasn't impressed with the HDTV connectivity. My ATI works better for HDTV connections.