Poll: Which monitor setup should I use. Changed it around a little.

[Howard]

^

 

[mikef208]

Why whats the refresh rate on them. I am running a monitor with a refresh rate of 60 right now, i think.

 

[mikef208]

Looks like the 19" is pulling away

 

[mikef208]

bump

 

[mikef208]

bump for the update

 

[Howard]

If your eyes don't suicide from the 60Hz refresh rate, I guess you could handle anything. But is shadow mask your thing? I've grown quite used to aperture grille monitors.

 

[apoppin]

I can't believe you are doing the same thing I did.

I went ahead and bought a (class A refurbished) 27 inch Gateway Destination Monitor to use with Win98SE and gaming and DVDs only. I got it yesterday at CompGeeks for $319.

It works fine. Much clearer than any regular 27 inch television (except HDTV which is a LOT more expensive). I still use my regular monitor for regular computing and graphics and it is going to be set up on a KVM switchbox (since I am not giving up my Radeon 64 DDR) for use with Win2K only (I am setting up the dual boot this weekend).

 

[mikef208]

Well apoppoin, I had been thinking about doing this a while ago, but then lost the funds, then I saw the hot deals thread and saw you doing it, then I realized my taxes are coming soon. So I gotta do it.

 

[mikef208]

bump

 

[apoppin]

Just remember, mikef208. the Gateway Destination Monitor Series is more kin to Television than to Monitors.

Having mine for a few days, I can say it is far better than any 27 inch television (except HDTV) but a bit weak for a monitor. Since I sit 5-7 feet away, it is perfect for DVDs and Gaming (even casual web surfing), but sucks for close-up graphics work. I could never picture giving up my regular monitor . . .

 

[randomlinh]

I would say get a 19" monitor that can do 16x12@your prefered refresh...

and that gateway 27"er.. that sounds like a really good idea... tho, i don't quite have the cash layin aroudn for it

 

[mikef208]

What did you mean by that apoppin, I didn't understand?

 

[TexRanger]

I'm a fan of the dual-monitor setup. I started out with a 17" on my Riva TNT AGP card and an *old* 14" on an old Stealth 2mb PCI card when I put my system together. Nice cheap way to get more desktop space. I just upgraded to a twinview GeForce2 MX card and added a second 17" monitor, and am very happy. The second monitor is great for housing the taskbar, toolbars, shortcuts, etc. and monitor download windows, etc. Being able to put 2 full-size browsers or 1 email/1 browser, etc is great, IMO. Counterstrike runs great on the primary monitor, and the mouse doesn't go over to the other one unless you are in a menu screen, so that is a non issue. With MS Flight Sim 2000, I can put the kneepad, GPS display, radio stack, etc. over on the second monitor and keep a full screen for the instruments and view, which helps a ton. (I'm a real pilot and use the sim for some practice, not many people may do or need this...)

The 19" prices are coming down, but I still think dual 17" is better bang-for-the-buck, if you have the desk space and don't need to move them often. If I were still in college, I might re-think it, though. Sam's Club has a great KDS 17" true-flat trinitron tube monitor for $200. Hard to beat! Now, dual 19" . . . hmmm.

 

[apoppin]

Well, if you look at the specs from that Hot Deals link (PC Liquidators), you see the spec - 0.60mm stripe pitch (at center). Evidently (from talking with the guys at ComputerGeeks), it is a Hitachi TV tube tweaked out to near monitor specs. From talking to Gateway, it has some nice features like progressive scan.

Looking at it's picture, it is impressive. I am quite sure you'd have to pay many hundreds $ more for HDTV or a couple of thousand $$ more for a "true" 27 inch monitor.

Just so you aren't expecting too much for your $319.

 

[mikef208]

Okay thanks apoppin and texranger. That dual 17 is sounding better and better, since i don't really need a 19" if I use the big monitor, but I wonder if I will have the money.

 

[mikef208]

bump

 

[Verygreedy]

still think dual 17" 's are cool.. If you have the desk space of course.. Set up your own custom computer lab like I have.. its pretty neat!

 

[mikef208]

Yeah assuming I have the money, I plan on using a big Monitor/TV 27"+ for gaming and DVD, then a dual 17" setup of Samsung 753DF's I think as my normal computer screens.

 

[mikef208]

Apoppin, what video card are you using? I have heard from someone that a lot of cards won't work together with the radeon?

 

[sgopal2]

I've had dual displays for about a year now...first at work which is where I got hooked on it.

One suggestion is that you have IDENTICAL monitors for dual displays...at work I used to have two 19" monitors from different manufacturers...it wasn't as good as having dual displays with identical monitors.

If I were you I'd go for the dual 19" monitors. Good luck.

 

[mikef208]

Wish I had the money for dual 19's, but I don't think i really need that. I am looking at getting 2 Samsung 753DF's.

 

[apoppin]

I don't understand your question mikef208.

 

[mikef208]

To power that 27" gateway, what video card are you using? Is it the only card in your computer?

 

[apoppin]

I am only using one video card. The Radeon 64 VIVO I bought turned out to be defective (I hope - or else it doesn't work with my system - MAJOR driver conflicts). I am using my ASUS V6600 (SDR).

You only need one video card unless you plan to have them on at the same time (I don't). If you do, you need the Radeon VE or some other dual display card (or else a PCI and an AGP card, I think)

I just use a simple A-B switchbox.

 

[mikef208]

Well I am planning on running a dual monitor 17" setup on the computer for normal use, and then the big monitor for gaming and DVD, how should I go about it? Also I remember you saying something about not to expect too much for the 319.00 dollars or whatever. What did you mean, I thought you said this looked really good. Also I am hoping to have enough cash for the Princeton 16:9 monitor.