Minimum system to run a 22" monitor

[Boneycat]

Ok, so what I have now is an opy 170 @ 2.6 w/ 2gb ram and a 7800gtx (dinosaur I know). I don't really game on the computer that much anymore. I guess I would if the games started getting better. I'll be doing more home movies and stuff like that for my son's grandparents. Well, at least I'll attempt to do that. Since I'm always writing reports, I'm also looking forward to having two word documents open side by side. It's been awhile since I've upgraded this computer and hence have lost touch w/ the computer building world. I'd even consider a 24" monitor, but I'm sure my system won't be able to handle that. Words of advice would be appreciated.

[Un4given]

If you're not gaming your system is more than sufficient for 22" or 24". If you may get back into gaming then an 8800GT or GTS would be a good choice for the money.

I mean, if you read the specs on your video card, it will do 2048x1536 @ 60Hz as is. Since 2D mode is not graphics intensive, why upgrade if you aren't going to game. If you want to watch movies, that is a processor intensive function, and I would really hate to think that a 2.6GHz Opteron can decode a movie.

Although RAM is really cheap right now if you wanted to throw another 1GB of RAM into the box.

[Boneycat]

I just noticed that the both the 20" and the 22" only do 1680x1050. Should I just get a 20" and save money or is it better to go 24"?

[Un4given]

You are looking at less money for the 20-22", but if you want to run full 1080 resolution, you will need 1920x1200, and that means 24" or larger.

[[DWC]DarkWolf]

You have a slightly faster setup than me and I certainly don't have any problems with 2D stuff or movies. I'm still on a CRT, so I turn the res a bit in some of the newer games. If you're going to be watching movies and trying to view pages side by side a 24" screen sure would be nice. You can probably expect to spend $400-500 on a nice one though. If that's too much, I'd much rather own a high quality 22" than a so so 24". Make sure you get full 8-bit color!

[Boneycat]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm looking at a refurb Dell 24" at $329 on their website. Think I'll pull the trigger on that. Gonna go out and recheck the LG 24" first though.

[clock]

o_O I can play cod 4 at 1680x1050 with the system in my sig. It could look better but it runs fine. Word documents should fly.

[Boneycat]

Ok, ended up w/ a gateway fpd2485w 24" from BB. It's not a TN-panel (unlike the majority they sell there) and is actually very nice. So far the vid card is holding up fine. Haven't played any games yet. Maybe I'll fire up Crysis and try it out at 1920X1200 lmao!