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Resolved monitor compatability issues

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by SarahB, 2012/01/26.

  1. 2012/01/26
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I'm contemplating buying a new monitor which has Video input terminals: DVI-I 29 pin x 2 (with HDCP) DisplayPort (with HDCP), USP Ports/Standard: 1 upstream, 2 downstream/USB 2.0, with signal cables (DVI-D "“ DVI-D, DisplayPort "“ DisplayPort) & USB cable.

    My PC is now 5 years old, so probably time to start thinking about an upgrade. However my question is:

    Will I be able to connect and use this monitor on my current system until I get around to an upgrade?
     
    SarahB,
    #1
  2. 2012/01/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    PeteC,
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  4. 2012/01/26
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Hello Peter :) Long time no see!

    Thank you for the link. I shall get one of these. My system doesn't have a separate graphics card - it's on the motherboard and only VGA.

    I'm going to the Colour Confidence Open Day on Monday, so I might come away with a new monitor!:D

    Then I 'll have to think about how and when to upgrade the PC. Not sure if I'm up to a rebuild myself...........:eek:
     
    SarahB,
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  5. 2012/01/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I would enquire at Colour Confidence re. the cable.
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2012/01/26
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    OK thanks Peter. I'll let you know how I get on.:)
     
    SarahB,
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  7. 2012/01/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I'm leaving for Yellowstone on the 31st for 2 weeks so an immediate response is unlikely :)
     
    PeteC,
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  8. 2012/01/31
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Peter,
    I went to Colour Confidence yesterday, identified the monitor I am after and had a look at it. Very nice!:D

    However, I was told my PC probably won't support the 1920x1200 of the new monitor through a DVI - VGA cable. :( Even if it did, they say it would significantly slow my system down (it's already slowing down painfully anyway) and the image via VGA would not be as good as via DVI. They suggested a new ATI graphics card which could be added via a PCI.

    This raised lots more questions!

    The motherboard spec states max. resolutions to 2048 x 1536 bpp(@ 75Hz)
    http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/P5BVM/#specifications
    My monitor runs at 60Hz and the display properties show a max of 1280x1024. Why the difference?

    Secondly, is it worth buying a new graphics card for my 5 year old PC? If so, which one should I get?

    Thirdly, is it worth adding another GB of RAM to see if it helps with the speed?

    Your thoughts would be most apprciated when you get back from Yellowstone (lucky you!). I hope you come back with some winners!
     
    SarahB,
    #7
  9. 2012/02/26
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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  10. 2012/02/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Sarah

    Apologies for overlooking your thread on my return from Yellowstone - great trip BTW with good conditions - I seem to have been processing images and sending them out to International Exhibitions 24/7 :)

    I have not used ATI/AMD graphics cards preferring nVidia as my mobos inevitably had nVidia chipsets, but the card you have selected should be fine. I assume you have checked that the proposed monitor will support the max resolution of the card and vice versa. There should be no issues with the power requirement of ~75 watts given that you have a 500W PSU.

    Interesting that Scan appear to be the only UK retailer to offer this card and I wonder how you latched on to it. Plenty of ATI/AMD graphics cards at my favoutite supplier Dabs although not the one you mention.

    It is important to add another 2 GB of RAM as a matched pair of modules - installing just a single module will result in the RAM running in single channel rather than dual channel AFAIK. I have used Crucial for many years without issue ....

    http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.aspx?model=P5B-VM&Cat=RAM

    Bear in mind that Windows will only see 3.3 > 3.5 GB RAM on a 32 bit system, but you should see some improvement over the current 2 GB, especially as the current onboard graphics will be taking a chunk of RAM.

    Also be aware that your current RAM is unlikely to be compatible with a new motherboard.
    Most likely the mobo quotes for a CRT (75Hz) and you are using a flat screen by the looks of it. Also flat screens run best at their native resolution which I guess is 1280 x 1024 on your monitor. All monitors have a max resolution which cannot be exceeded.
     
    PeteC,
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  11. 2012/03/09
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Hello Peter,
    Glad to hear you've got some good images from Yellowstone. I look forward to seeing them!

    This is where I got the idea for the ATI graphics card after the guy at Colour Confidence had suggested one of this brand for an Eizo monitor and a LCC member sent me this link after I'd been talking about it.

    http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownlo...px?isv=Adobe&app=Adobe+Photoshop+CS5&card=All

    You might also find this interesting

    http://www.amd.com/us/products/workstation/graphics/software/Pages/adobe-photoshop.aspx

    I'm of the mind at the moment to buy the monitor, graphics card and memory for my current system then upgrade the mobo, processor, new RAM, HDD in the not too distant future with a 64 bit OS and CS6. I can always ebay the RAM bought on the first stage? I could also in the meantime upgrade to Windows 7 64 bit as I still have a license I've never used.

    Does any of this sound completely insensible?

    Sarah
     
    SarahB,
    #10
  12. 2012/03/09
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    It looks like you are going for the Rolls Royce of graphics - could be regarded as overkill for our sort of work, but clearly it's your call :)

    Your proposed upgrade route is very sensible, but check a couple of things ....

    Availability of 64 bit drivers for your hardware - scanner, printer, etc

    Adequacy of the PSU - 500W should be sufficient, but you can check here for the new build.

    Yellowstone images on my web site - click on my name to the left - homepage
     
    PeteC,
    #11
  13. 2012/03/09
    MrBill

    MrBill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Sarah, sometimes buy all the stuff to upgrade what you have, you can get the latest and greatest a lot cheaper by buying a new system. they all come with the new monitors. Some of them only have one connection (VGA) on the built in video card. I just get a system and then buy the video card that I want and install it. Lots of them come with both VGA and HDMI and DVI.
     
    MrBill,
    #12
  14. 2012/03/09
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    MrBill

    Sarah is after a high grade graphics specific monitor - these do not come with OEM systems and cost as much as the OEM system :).
     
    PeteC,
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  15. 2012/03/09
    MrBill

    MrBill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Pete, I realize that. By the time you upgrade all she wants to upgrade, she will have a ton of money invested. Some systems, can be ordered without a monitor or delete the monitor and save even more.
     
    MrBill,
    #14
  16. 2012/05/02
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Monitor & graphics card now needs installing

    OK, so I now have my new monitor and graphics card to install on the old PC. :)

    It looks fairly straightforward to me - put graphics card on motherboard, install graphics card software then add monitor.

    Is it really this simple or am I missing a whole pile of stuff??

    If I am, please advise and give me the correct sequence of installation!

    Many thanks.

    Sarah
     
    SarahB,
    #15
  17. 2012/05/03
    SarahB

    SarahB Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Done it!

    Ok so I've now installed the new graphics card and monitor and software and finally everything is up and running again!

    The RAM hasn't arrived yet and there's a lot of cables to unplug to get the RAM into the motherboard.

    Another day's work.............!

    :)
     
    SarahB,
    #16
  18. 2012/05/03
    MrBill

    MrBill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    I have never had to unplug a cable to add or swap out ram. Might had to move some out of the way, but that is it.
     
    MrBill,
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  19. 2012/05/04
    Bill

    Bill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    The only cable you MUST unplug to install or remove RAM is the power cable to the wall. Or at least, you MUST set the master power switch on the back of the PSU (if there is one) to the off position. Then of course, touch bare metal of the case to discharge any static in your body BEFORE reaching in.
     
    Bill,
    #18

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