PC Monitor Question

[Buckeyefan 1]

I just picked up a new widescreen monitor, and am finding out my pc doesn't have the optimal resolution of this new unit of 1680x1050 - a very odd resoltion. It's an Acer AL2223W 22" widescreen. It was on sale at BB for $189, which seemed like a nice deal on a 22" with 5ms response time, 800:1 contrast ratio, very good reviews online, etc...

The closest I have is 1600x1200 on this older PowerSpec PC. I've never upgraded the video card. The lesser resolutions look even worse.

I'm going from an Olevia 20" LCD with 800x600 resolution, non wide screen that I put in my kids room since they have a computer and cable. I had to get rid of their old CRT - it was a piece of junk. The text was perfect on the Olevia, and photos were not distorted (stretched).

I'm obviously disappointed in the fuzzy text, but is to be expected without the proper resolution. I thought it would be better, being only 80 x 150 pixels off. I guess the 1200 is more than this monitor can handle.

Any advice? I'm running Windows XP Home now, and have the Vista upgrade. I doubt that will do anything with the resolution I need though, of 1680x1050. Do I need a new videocard? I don't play games, just work with a lot of text, excel, email, ... What's the least expensive card I can get away with, and where online is the best place to buy them? Or, should I return the monitor and buy one with 1920x1080?

TIA

 

[Adam]

BF1, 1680x1050 is a very common widescreen resolution for computer monitors these days. I have one myself.

The first thing that I'd recommend is checking to see if there is an updated video driver for your graphics card. They certainly might have added that resolution to the driver because of the popularity of that resolution.

If your graphics card simply can't be updated, then you can get away with a pretty inexpensive card. I have bought many computer parts at newegg.com and have been happy with their delivery speed and prices. I'd be happy to help you out if you'd let me know what type of interface you'll be using for the card (e.g. AGP, PCI-E).

First though, try to find an updated driver. I'd be happy to help you with that, too.

Adam

 

[MDS]

You need a video card that supports the resolution and refresh rate of whatever monitor you use. http://www.newegg.com is probably the best place to buy a card and get reviews from other users.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I'll try downloading a driver if it's available. It's the PowerSpec model 6242 if that helps. You'll have to walk me through it. If not, I have no problem ordering a video card from Newegg. The only thing I've done to this pc is add more memory, and replace the cd rw drive with a dvd rw drive.

http://www.powerspec.com/systems/archives/system_archive.phtml?selection=6242
PowerSpec System Support Archive

 

[MDS]

Integrated SiS 651 VGA Chipset; open AGP slot

You can see if there are updated drivers that support the monitor's resolution but I doubt it. It has one AGP slot so the best bet is going to be to get a newer AGP card. The integrated video chip is going to be lousy compared to even the cheapest external card.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Integrated SiS 651 VGA Chipset; open AGP slot

You can see if there are updated drivers that support the monitor's resolution but I doubt it. It has one AGP slot so the best bet is going to be to get a newer AGP card. The integrated video chip is going to be lousy compared to even the cheapest external card.

The Adapter Info says SiS M650 Rev 00, Internal, 32 MB, SiS Compatible VGA, Bios Info: 1.11.05

What price range am I looking in at Newegg for a new card? Are there any advantages of paying more if I don't do gaming? I'm pretty clueless about video cards, although getting one with a built in tuner/DVR may be neat (but not necessary).

 

[crimsona]

http://www.sis.com/download/download_step1.php?id=155941

SiS Unified driver set, supports SiS 651

Usually video drivers are simple to install, just keep clicking next, then reboot

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

http://www.sis.com/download/download_step1.php?id=155941

SiS Unified driver set, supports SiS 651

Usually video drivers are simple to install, just keep clicking next, then reboot

Did that, extracted all files, clicked next until it was done, then rebooted. Nothing shows up - does that mean the drivers were installed correctly? When I go to properties, settings, advanced, adapter,and list all modes, nothing seemed to change. Where did that driver go and do I need to do something with it? I checked the driver date and it says 6/6/01 version 5.1 2001.0, so it seems like it didn't update.

Thanks for the link, BTW.

 

[MDS]

The Adapter Info says SiS M650 Rev 00, Internal, 32 MB, SiS Compatible VGA, Bios Info: 1.11.05

What price range am I looking in at Newegg for a new card? Are there any advantages of paying more if I don't do gaming? I'm pretty clueless about video cards, although getting one with a built in tuner/DVR may be neat (but not necessary).

I'm not a gamer either and don't care if a card can do 200 frames per second. I try to keep my video card purchases to $100-$150 max. I currently have an ATI 9600XT and the text is crystal clear on my 20.1 Viewsonic LCD running at 1600x1200 at 60 Hz.

 

[crimsona]

Did that, extracted all files, clicked next until it was done, then rebooted. Nothing shows up - does that mean the drivers were installed correctly? When I go to properties, settings, advanced, adapter,and list all modes, nothing seemed to change. Where did that driver go and do I need to do something with it? I checked the driver date and it says 6/6/01 version 5.1 2001.0, so it seems like it didn't update.

Thanks for the link, BTW.

Hmmmm
Maybe the unified doesn't work like the ATi and nVidia ones

Let's try a different one

http://www.sis.com/download/

Click on WinXP
IGP Graphics drivers
SiS 650 & SiS 740 series

It'll give you an older version of the Unified drivers from 2006 which lists 650 as a supported chipset

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Hmmmm
Maybe the unified doesn't work like the ATi and nVidia ones

Let's try a different one

http://www.sis.com/download/

Click on WinXP
IGP Graphics drivers
SiS 650 & SiS 740 series

It'll give you an older version of the Unified drivers from 2006 which lists 650 as a supported chipset

I downloaded it, extracted the file, and ran it. Rebooted and it did give me the 1680x1050 resolution, but when I clicked on it, the screen went blank and resorted back to the previous setting. There were two options at the SiS website, so I downloaded the other one that was 650 compatible, and it did not give the 1680x1050 option. Bummer - I thought I had it.

I wonder why it's not accepting the resolution on the driver you suggested? Is it because it's an AGP and not IGP? I may be bound to ordering a new card afterall.

Is there any benefit in using a DVI cable over a VGA once I get a new video card?

 

[Adam]

Is there any benefit in using a DVI cable over a VGA once I get a new video card?

There can be. With a good monitor, it's not as big of a deal as it used to be, though.

If you're getting a new card, I'd like to suggest this one at newegg. $50 to your door. You can go cheaper, but this one has a lot of positive reviews. I used to use a Radeon 9200 and thought it worked well. For your stated uses, the 9600 will easily work for you.

 

[crimsona]

I downloaded it, extracted the file, and ran it. Rebooted and it did give me the 1680x1050 resolution, but when I clicked on it, the screen went blank and resorted back to the previous setting. There were two options at the SiS website, so I downloaded the other one that was 650 compatible, and it did not give the 1680x1050 option. Bummer - I thought I had it.

I wonder why it's not accepting the resolution on the driver you suggested? Is it because it's an AGP and not IGP? I may be bound to ordering a new card afterall.

Is there any benefit in using a DVI cable over a VGA once I get a new video card?

No clue, thought it would work. It's not AGP - the SiS is IGP (Integrated Graphics). You have an open AGP slot, they're different.

In your case, with zero gaming, I would just get whatever AGP graphics card comes with a DVI port and is fanless (passive). It should probably run in the $30-$50 I guess.

I find that DVI comes out sharper than VGA on both my 21 inch Samsung and 37 inch Westinghouse, and thus would use it every time I had the opportunity to.

 

[Adam]

BF1, I just checked out the PowerSpec website again. I suggest that you try the following:

1. On the left-hand menu near the bottom, there is a blue box labeled "Support-Info." Type in "6242" and hit "Search."

2. It should come up with a page that says "PowerSpec 6242" and a box for "Driver Downloads & Updates / Windows XP."

3. Click on the link next to "Video" that says "SiS Video Drivers"

4. It will download an executable.

I didn't download it because I don't have that system, but I'm assuming that it will update the drivers for you to the latest that PowerSpec has available for your system.

Adam

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Just picked up an nvidia gforce2 MX400 card at MicroCenter for $17.99 - they had them on clearance from $25. OMG, what a difference. The text is perfect, and I can't believe how much text I can see on this wide-screen. It's even got an S-Video out to hook up to the tv set. No DVI out, but I can't imagine the quality much better. I'm tickled pink. This monitor rocks. For some reason, it actually seems brighter now than it did at 1600x1200.

The monitor has 5 settings - user, standard, text, graphics, and movie. Text is the dimmest, but easiest on the eyes. Graphics is insanely sharp and bright - probably much better in a well lit office.

Thanks everyone for the help here. The new video card made the difference.

 

[Adam]

Congratulations! Yeah, a good monitor and video card can make a huge difference. And, you got a great price on both!