dvi advice

cheesesarnie

hi, dimension 5100 just landed with upgraded 19" tft that has a DVI connection. didnt get a graphics card so I've nothing to connect it to at the pc end....2 questions :

a) is there any noticable difference when using the dvi connection to picture quality (maybe paying games, definate photo manipulation)...is it worth it?
b) what is a good deal for a card that will give me a dvi port at the pc end (graphics card/tv tuner?)...

thanks for advice

tony

monsterpc

DVI is well worth it, makes a huge differance, sharpens all edges etc.
I use a Dell 19 inch digital screen (it has digital and analogue inputs)
You can get digital to analogue converters so your analogue screen can plug in, I have a box of them!
Re a digital card I recommend
http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.Asp?IMODULE=CTV9600SE128MB
I have used them in many a system build and are a perfectly capable card with a lifetime warranty and priced at £46.99 inc.The card has dvi and analogue inputs
Remember if you have xp to turn on your clear type fonts makes text that so much easier to read with a tft

cheesesarnie

'Remember if you have xp to turn on your clear type fonts makes text that so much easier to read with a tft'

thanks for this....looks like a video cards the way forward...

how do I do the above?...sounds like I need to as I am using xp

monsterpc

Right click on desktop: properties-appearance-effects- option to smooth edge of screen fonts, change to Clear Type

-TangleFoot-

Alternatively, use the ClearType tuning wizard found here.

Regarding what video card to get, I'd recommend that you get something a little more powerful than a Radeon 9600SE to take full advantage of that 19" TFT. Besides, the Dimension 5100 is PCI-Express only, so that cheap AGP card wouldn't even fit!

If you want something with an integrated TV-tuner, why not go for something like a Radeon All-In-Wonder?

cheesesarnie

thanks for that information tangle foot....

that radeon all in wonder card looks a beast although not looking to spend that much....do you know of anything else suitable aroud the £50-£60 mark?

thanks

-TangleFoot-

Sure; y'can even get one of the aforementioned for that price, just without the TV-tuner.

GeForce 6600 from KustomPCs
Various cards from Komplett

monsterpc

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.Asp?IMODULE=CTVX300SE128MB
classed as being suitable for office work, but not gaming, however thats a bit underestimated as ive seen it run certain games and apps like photoshop fine
priced at £41.11inc

-TangleFoot-

monsterpc wrote:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.Asp?IMODULE=CTVX300SE128MB

That's the same model apparently supplied with the Dimension 5100 as standard. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have a DVI port.

cheesesarnie

just on board graphics as standard....didnt bother with Dell graphics card as thought I'd get cheaper elsewhere...

will avoid this one...thanks for that...

having a look around ebay etc.. and its amazing how many different models of card there are....its a real maze....

cheers