19" monitor or new video card

[slacker6]

Hello,
I lurk here quite often but this is my first post. I've searched the threads here but haven't really found the answer I'm looking for. I've got a PIII @600 right now with 128 MB ram and a TNT 2 Ultra 32 MB video card. Also a POS (piece of s***) 17" monitor. Question is, will a GE Force 2 GTS 32MB card increase my throughput any or is the CPU a complete bottleneck at this point? The CPU will be upgraded when Palomino arrives (hopefully by Q3). Which is the better upgrade for me right now, 19" Samsung 955DF monitor for approximately $229 at Compusa (open box, been on display one month) or a GE Force 2 GTS 32 MB? Thanks for the help, sorry if this repetitive and has been posted before.

Moderator, please move if in the wrong forum.

 

[Wingznut]

I'd say to go for the monitor. When I upgraded to my Viewsonic 19", it was one of the best upgrades I ever did.

I figure that you are using your monitor whenever you are using your PC. You'll appreciate the nice monitor whether you are playing games, surfing the 'net, reading email... Whatever you are doing.

Plus, that's an excellent price for a real nice monitor. Those prices don't change much, and in a short time that opportunity will be gone. However, with a video card it'll be cheaper in no time.

Go for the monitor!

 

[slacker6]

Thanks for the reply; it is a good price for that monitor and I can almost justify buying one of the MSI or Leadtek GeForce 2 GTS 32MB cards form newegg (free shipping). Just can't convice myself to take the plunge:>)

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

[sohcrates]

w/out doubt the monitor man....GOD, i know so many people that sit around with great computer's but have serious POS monitors..i can't stand it! i mean, think about how many hours a day you stare at your monitor! treat yourself right and buy the monitor...every time you use you're computer you'll be glad you did.

 

[sohcrates]

by the way, your setup is still quite good...that video card of yours is still also quite powerful, so it would be a waste of money to get a new vid card....at least at this point..wait till the xentor is TRULY outdated...heheeh

 

[slacker6]

No Xentor in there, actually a Diamond V770 (I think that's the model). Looks like I need to call the guy at Compusa and get him to hold the monitor... I think the rig will be fine for a while but just want to make sure the TNT2 Ultra is causing a bottleneck of any kind. Again, thanks for the reply.

 

[ROJAS]

Get the monitor and rest your eyes on that 19inch. You will instantly enjoy the larger monitor with everything you do on your computer, games,email, word processing, etc.

You can always at a later date upgrade to a Geforce2 after the Geforce 3's have been out a little more, the prices will defintely come down on the Geforce2's.

 

[pillage2001]

Go with the monitor like everyone says. You can't admire your GTS from the outside. A good monitor tells everything!

 

[dave127]

i would say go for the monitor, too...a monitor is one of the best upgrades anyone can make imho

 

[Quaggoth]

Monitor. <---- Notice the period

 

[Strych9]

Definately the monitor first then hook up with Untamo. He has great prices on GTS's. Maybe you can do both.

 

[Shmorq]

Plus, the monitor is the best long term investment. You'll be replacing many vid cards before you upgrade your monitor.

 

[jsbush]

Monitor for sure.

 

[Grminalac]

Another one for the monitor. Hey with the geforce 3 coming out, GF2s will likely lower in price so you might as well wait to pick one of those up. Monitors are nice long term investments.

 

[cookj]

I agree also,go with the monitor.

 

[slacker7]

Thanks for all the replies; I'm off to purchase the monitor. Hopefully it'll fit in the car without taking it out of the box but I doubt it

Kip

 

[johneetrash]

monitor... that samsung monitor is sweeeeeeeeeet , i have the 17&quot; version and i wish i had the 19&quot; inch im gonna have to steal the old optiquest v95 for my comp

 

[RagingGuardian]

Getting a nice shiny 19in monitor that can do some pretty high resolutions is all good, but it's a waste if you're forced to play the latest game in low res because your videocard can't give you playable frames.

 

[CHiMPBizKiT]

I'm never going back to anything smaller or curved! A nice flat 19 inch monitor will be the best upgrade for sure. I have the Samsung 955DF myself, and I've been very happy with it. Good luck!

 

[roach]

In response to the original question about the videocard being the bottleneck, I think that a 600 MHz pIII is definitely not the bottleneck on your system. My friend upgraded to a G-force 2 from a TNT2 on a pIII 450 and the framerates went through the roof.

In high-res, high-quality games, the video card is definitely the bottleneck on all reasonably priced consumer systems. Of course, a pIII 1.0 GHz wouldn't hurt framerates, but after a certain point anything over 400 MHz performs about the same. Look at some of the scaling analysis' stuff on this website.

 

[slacker7]

Thanks for all the help guys, I ended up paying approximately $250 for a brand new Samsung 955DF at C***USA. 379-20(instant rebate)- 30(price break)-50(mail in rebate)-50 comes out about at $250-260. I kind of we through a little hassle with the manager and he actually gave me a $50 break on the spot! On the way out the door, I also picked up the $50 rebate form as well. When the rebate arrives, it will go into the new video card fund:>)

Kip