Is it worth buying a new pc HD monitor for my old computer ?

spiritus

I'm in the market for a new monitor for my PC.

I don't do any gaming so it will be used mostly for surfing and photo application software such as Photoshop.

There are some nice LCD and LED High Def monitors but I have discovered that I won't get the HD benefit from them as my PC's graphics card doesn't have the required output connector.

I'm also worried that if I go out and buy a new compatible graphics card then there may still be issues as my PC may not be powerful enough to cope with the resolution.

Can anyone please advise me ?

Thankyou !

marms

you can output in high definition using the 15 pin d-sub vga output on a computer, do you know what graphics card your computer has?

JasX

You never lose out if you buy a good quality monitor for your PC as you can just keep it for your next one and save on the cost of your replacement PC as you can buy one without a monitor (or with then sell it on on ebay if a particular deal suits)

-Better ones will generally have a good selection of I/O both DVI and HDMI (you can output old fasioned VGA into DVI with the approproate converter (cheap on ebay if you can't scrounge one for free as you always seemed to get them with graphics cards a while back).

-you can spend alot and end up with a poor quality one if you get hung up on anything non-standard, most with built in CD drives TV tuners etc etc claiming to have added 'flexability' are crap, read reviews.

-For future proofing on the Bluray watching front try to get one that is HDCP compliant.

-3D capability is something to think about do you want it or not?

almillar

VGA is capable of far more than 'Full HD' (1920x1080) so no worries there, just depends on what resolution your graphics card is capable of putting out.
Your eyes are precious things, and even on a moneysaving website, I must recommend spending money on a good monitor.
If you're using photoshop you need a decent computer anyway, and your graphics card would definitely play a big part here. As a very rough guide, if your motherboard doesn't have a PCI-E slot, you'd be stuck with AGP, so don't bother with a graphics card, replace the computer when the time comes. If you do have PCI-E available, buy a card, and you can put it in any new computer you get.

ukcarper

JasX wrote: »

You never lose out if you buy a good quality monitor for your PC as you can just keep it for your next one and save on the cost of your replacement PC as you can buy one without a monitor (or with then sell it on on ebay if a particular deal suits)

-Better ones will generally have a good selection of I/O both DVI and HDMI (you can output old fasioned VGA into DVI with the approproate converter (cheap on ebay if you can't scrounge one for free as you always seemed to get them with graphics cards a while back).

-you can spend alot and end up with a poor quality one if you get hung up on anything non-standard, most with built in CD drives TV tuners etc etc claiming to have added 'flexability' are crap, read reviews.

-For future proofing on the Bluray watching front try to get one that is HDCP compliant.

-3D capability is something to think about do you want it or not?

I thought LCD monitors always performed best in their native resolution.

JasX

ukcarper wrote: »

I thought LCD monitors always performed best in their native resolution.

yes they do, I'm not sure why you quoted my post as I don't mention the subject?

ukcarper

JasX wrote: »

yes they do, I'm not sure why you quoted my post as I don't mention the subject?

Sorry I thought that you were saying he should get a higher def monitor than his card would support I would agree it is definitely worth getting a good monitor especially for photo editing.