PNY 6800GT 2D output quality

[SynthDude2001]

Hi all; I've recently bought a NEC FP2141SB-BK 22" CRT - as far as I can tell, basically the best CRT monitor under $1000. However, I've noticed that it is not nearly as clear and sharp as I was expecting. It's decent (but not great) at 1600x1200 @ 85Hz, and as I move the refresh rate up to 100Hz and 109Hz, it seems to get more blurry, for lack of a better description.

I actually already have a replacement from Dell here, because I just assumed it was a bad monitor. However, I've been thinking of the possibility of the video card having something to do with it as well - since the problem seems to get worse as I near the limits of the monitor. My previous monitor was a 17" Samsung 753DF, and I never once had problems running my usual 1024x768 @ 85Hz, which I'd been using for over a year now (also on the 9700 Pro I had before).

I've not yet been able to test the replacement monitor (shuffling around two 22" 65lb monitors in a small bedroom isn't easy, to say the least), but I'm just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences with the 2D output of this card (or any 6800/GT/Ultra, I suppose) at the upper limits of the output signal resolution and refresh rate.

I've still yet to test the other output of my video card (my DVI->VGA adapter is 175 miles away right now), and I haven't tried the monitor on my old 9700 Pro either, but it seems that card only supports up to 85Hz at 1600x1200 anyway. I'm considering upgrading to an Athlon 64/PCI-Express system in the near future, so if there's a (fast) card that has better 2D output at high resolutions, I'd definitely be willing to consider it. I do remember reading that ATI was traditionally better than Nvidia in that way, but I'd assumed that only applied to the cards from several years ago...

If anyone has any input, especially with regard to this video card and/or monitor (or similar ones), it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[esun]

If it is the video card (which is highly likely), I recommend just returning it and getting a different brand. If you haven't seen the many threads about it, there have been many discussions about poor image quality from the PNY GeForce 6800 (and I see no reason why this problem couldn't affect the GT as well). Many have said using DVI fixes the problem, indicating a bad DAC, but for me personally even using DVI along with a separate D to A converter it still looked subpar (on my 17" LCD). In short, it's a well known problem, and PNY tech support is stubborn, so if the new monitor doesn't fix it I recommend just returning the card if possible (I personally tried getting an RMA at first, but after a week and a half of getting nowhere with techs that were being stingy with RMAs, I just returned the card).

 

[SynthDude2001]

Well, it's not quite that easy (returning it) because I've had the card since July. I could RMA it, but I'm really not sure if it's worth it, if I'd likely receive another card with the same problem. Like I said, I should hopefully be upgrading soon, and the plan is to give this 6800GT to a friend of mine (well, sell it at a much discounted price anyway). Oh, and before I forget - no, I'm not trying to unload a crap card onto him - he'd only be using it on my old 17" CRT on which the quality is just fine. I don't think he'll be using a $600 monitor either, lol.

I still do intend to test the DVI output with an adapter, since it's a separate DAC as far as I know. But if they're both bad....who knows. I would have also thought that in general, there was not a whole lot of difference between DVI and VGA with a flat panel as "small" as 17", so if you notice problems even in that situation...maybe it is a sign that I should just move on to another card and/or brand. I think I'd probably like to stay with Nvidia, but I'm of course open for suggestions...My last card was a 9700 Pro anyway, as I said. Do you happen to know of any other 6800 series manufacturers who haven't had the 2D VGA image quality complaints?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[bjc112]

Hmmm..

My PNY 6800 GT has RAZOR sharp text on my 2005fp..

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: bjc112
Hmmm..

My PNY 6800 GT has RAZOR sharp text on my 2005fp..

You probably have it connected through DVI though, hence no analog conversion. I was running my brother's 2001FP on this same card (through DVI) for a week or two as well, and it was indeed "razor sharp".

It's the analog outputs I am starting to question.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: bjc112
Hmmm..

My PNY 6800 GT has RAZOR sharp text on my 2005fp..

You probably have it connected through DVI though, hence no analog conversion. I was running my brother's 2001FP on this same card (through DVI) for a week or two as well, and it was indeed "razor sharp".

It's the analog outputs I am starting to question.

That sucks, have you checked with PNY?

Maybe get a swap? I had it hooked up previously to a 21" e540 Sony ( Analog ) and it looked pretty good..