College next year... I have a computer now but a few questions/need advice.

[Jittles]

I have a computer that is perfectly good now and plan on keeping it (tbird @ 1.45 ghz, 512 DDR, 60 GB, gf2 pro)

Now my questions. I have a 17in CRT monitor that is okay, but not great, should I get an LCD? And price is an issue here so is 15 in LCD good or is 17 a must?

I've heard it suggested to get a TV tuner card also but I don't know anything about that, anybody care to fill me in? Also, is my video card good for the LCD or do I want a new one with the digital connection or whatever it's called?


So many questions! Please help me! Thank you!!!

 

[Athlon4all]

It's a matter of choice on whether you get a LCD or not, or whether you get a 15" or 17" LCD. I personally, don't think I could recommend LCD because TFT is better quality. However, in a college environment, you might wish you had the extra space. As for a TV Tuner, I believe you just connect with the cable provider, and arrange to have a 2nd TV connected to Cable, and instead of connecting it to a TV, connect it to the TV Tuner. As for which TV Tuner, Anandtech did a great article on Video Cards with TV Tuners (see here), although you already have a vid card and aren't looking for a new one, so I can't really help you. If I were buying a seperate TV Tuner PCI Card, I'd get an ATi TV Wonder just by brand name

 

[CubicZirconia]

If price is an issue I wouldn't bother with a lcd at all. Unless you really think you need they space, there really isn't any point.

 

[dexvx]

If you game (especially fast paced FPS games) then you might NOT want an LCD. My friend has an LCD and most games look horrible on it and the delay time really hinders game performance.

If you're just the typical computer user that browses, does office stuff, etc, then an LCD would be a worthy choice because space counts in a dorm.

 

[upwardspiral]

depending on your major, college, and individual priorities, you can potentially spend ALOT of time in front of a computer. i would highly recomend getting a 15in lcd. the 17's are nice, but almost to big in the dorm room; plus if a friend spills a beer on a 15in you are out ~300 where with a 17 ~600+. i have had a crt, at 17 lcd and now a 15lcd (17 was stolem). the 15 is a good size that is not to big nor small. if you have the cash, get DVI, but not a necessity. 15in analogs are dropping fast in price so you can get a good deal on one. 15in dvi's are rare - saved for the upper end 17in and up lcd's.

by the way, i do moderate gaming (everquest, command and conquer, etc) and i have had no problem with slow frame rates or ghosting. both of my monitors ahve been samsung.

hope that sheds some light.

 

[bigshooter]

if you want an all in wonder solution, check out the new radeon 8500 128meg all in wonder. It does decent in games especially with new ATI drivers, i think it has DVI for a flat panel and it has good DVD playback. You can hook it up to your tv or just watch stuff at your desk. Also if you are going to live in a dorm, I would recommend the LCD. I had a 17" CRT, although it was a long time ago (1997) so it wasn't one fo the short neck ones. It took up a lot of room. I would have killed for an LCD. Just lock it down if you are somewhere where it might get stolen, or lock the door. If you get a good one games should be alright, plus maybe it will keep you from playing and doing homework. TV should be ok, It's ok on the one I "borrowed" from Best Buy for a week. (18" Mitsubishi)

 

[spanner]

Umm, a 15" screen, LCD or not, is small. My advice would be make space for a CRT or spend the extra cash and go for the 17" LCD. If you are going to spend a lot of time in front of your PC then don't get a small screen in the name of saving a minute amount of space, if desk space is a problem you should probably see if you can fit a second desk on your dorm room, many of my friends have a separate desk. As for the tvtuner, any cable ready tv tuner will serve the basic requirement of watching TV on your PC. I chose to go with a separate tv because I would rather be doing other things on my computer while watching tv but that is a personal preference.