LCD options with 9600XT

[stringer]

So, along with what seems like a whole lot of other people, I'm thinking about going with an LCD. My big concern, though, is my vid card, which is a Saphire 9600XT (my system is an A64 3000, 1 gig ddr400). I'm planning on building a new system later in the year, and will go PCI-e at that point, but I need a new monitor right now (CRT crapped out after many years). Since I don't want to buy a new video card until I build the new system, (my curernt mobo is AGP8X only) I want to be sure that my 9600XT will really support the resolution of any monitor that I buy. Main uses will be heavy text editing, gaming (HL2, Far Cry, EQ2, WoW), some light video and photo editing, and music production (Sonar).

So far I'm deciding between:

Dell 2005FPW
Dell 2001FP

But I'm wondering if I'd be better off sticking with a lower res 19" like the Sony, ViewSonic, or Hyundai. Technically, the 9600XT supports the resolution on the Dells, but I'm wondering if it'll just completely choke on FPS games at native resolution. Anyone have experience with a 9600XT and either of the Dell monitors?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Welcome to the forums.

I have a 2005FPW myself and I love it. A 9600XT will probably be pretty slow in any newer games (FarCry seems to be the most demanding, in my experience) at either 1600x1200 or 1680x1050. However, given that you're planning on getting a newer video card later in the year, I'd recommend getting one of the 20" monitors, since the monitor will generally far outlast the system it's connected to, as far as useful life anyway.

And in the meantime while you have the 9600XT, you could use a lower resolution in gaming - the panels are actually pretty good at scaling, as far as LCD's go. (I've used a 2001FP for a while too.) And if you're going to be doing video/photo/music editing, you'll almost surely appreciate the extra workspace you'll get with either 1600x1200 or 1680x1050 over 1280x1024.

I hope this helps.