300 bucks to spend

[hate]

All -

Ok here's the deal. I have a budget of 300 bucks for a new vid card, and monitor. I don't need the top of the line on the vid card as CS:S DOD:S are about the only games i play online anymore.

Help a brother out what should i get..

 

[Lava]

If you wanna a good Graphics card with a decent monitor,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102998
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005G2P16A/?tag=pcpapi-20"]Amazon.com: ASUS VS208N-P 20-Inch Monitor: Computers & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41FFjL16%2BhL.@@AMEPARAM@@41FFjL16%2BhL[/ame]

Other way around:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Note* I don't know very much about monitors but i went with the higher rated ones.

 

[pillar]

I would suggest that you give us an idea of what size monitor that you would like to go for. Just posting links w/o getting a good idea of what you're really looking for is like throwing away good $$ on a possible bad investment. It never hurts to get as much information as possible in order to make the best investment possible based on the price range a person has.

I will agree tho that going AMD for the video card is a good choice, but it has to match up price-wise w/ the size of the monitor. Now Newegg has been having 20" monitors on sale for like round $90, but if you dont mind spending a lil more, you may want to try for around 21.5 to 22 (even tho you dont really notice a big difference between those 2). Also please let us know the current size of your monitor that way we can give some good feedback on what you should go for to maximize your purchase.

 

[Snipeye]

@Lava The larger the monitor, the more graphic processing power it will require to fully display games, unless you're willing to accept lower resolutions or graphic settings. Personally, I think 21-inch or 22-inch monitors are the sweet spot, since majority of GPUs can handle that size. Larger monitors are always nice to have, but it pays to have a more powerful GPU.

 

[TheYonderGod]

What's your current computer specs and monitor?

 

[hate]

i don't have the exact makes and models, but

AMD phenom quad core
asus mobo
8 gigs ram
2 x 1tb hd
big power supply
on board video rightnow
17" lcd monitor

what else do you want to know??

 

[pillar]

No offense bud, but big power supply can mean ANYTHING. I have a big power supply that holds 650w in it. However, thats only part of the solution. You need a power supply that can handle a beefy video card (most hi profile cards require a minimum of 400-450w), so I would suggest at least a minimum of 550w for your power supply. You seriously need to take like 15-20 mins to turn your desktop off, open the case, carefully inspect your power supply and any kind of information from the motherboard will be helpful. If you using an AMD quad core cpu, then you should be able to see the model # somewhere on the motherboard. Other than that, simply download CPU-Z (free program) and run it. It will bring up what your current cpu stats are, memory info, etc.

The last thing you want to do is underestimate your power supply. Im sure that it can handle the video card, but most current video cards require additional power from your power supply, which means that you will need a 6-pin connector just to give it extra juice.

Now when it comes to monitors, I do agree that you should go with somewhere around 21-22" monitor for great effect. Ive been using the same old skool 22" lcd monitor for over 5 years w/o a single hiccup. I would highly recommend you go with this monitor (depending upon if you live in America): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009316

Has over 200 5 egg ratings & comes w/ free s&h. With this itll give you a good idea of what kinda video card you want to go after. When it comes to the video card, you want to find something that will come with no less than 3 year warranty. I know that may be a stretch, but im sure you can find something worth your $$.

 

[I'm your huckleberry]

@Lava The larger the monitor, the more graphic processing power it will require to fully display games, unless you're willing to accept lower resolutions or graphic settings. Personally, I think 21-inch or 22-inch monitors are the sweet spot, since majority of GPUs can handle that size. Larger monitors are always nice to have, but it pays to have a more powerful GPU.

I would much rather go for a 24" 1080p monitor. If you have to turn some graphics settings down in games, then so be it. However, given we are only running dods and css, there will be zero problem running with everything maxed. Get a larger monitor and thank me later. My 30" dell u3011 1600p monitor agrees.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005344

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127725

And I am sure with a deal that happens weekly on newegg, a decent 24" led can be had for under $150.

 

[TheYonderGod]

i don't have the exact makes and models, but

AMD phenom quad core
asus mobo
8 gigs ram
2 x 1tb hd
big power supply
on board video rightnow
17" lcd monitor

what else do you want to know??

Yeah, as Pillar said, 'big power supply' means nothing. Even assuming you meant high wattage, it still means nothing. Power supplies are one of the few components you need to make sure is QUALITY. A bad quality power supply is bad, it doesn't matter if it says 1000 watts on it, if it's bad I wouldn't trust it with a rig that consumes 300 watts.

Anyways, if you do have a quality 400-500w+ PSU I suggest a 7850. Whichever of these you have money left for after you get the monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004 $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125451 $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161426 $170
If you still don't have enough, the next best would be a 650ti boost for $150 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127731

The monitor Pillar suggest should be good as well.

 

[Lava]

@Lava The larger the monitor, the more graphic processing power it will require to fully display games, unless you're willing to accept lower resolutions or graphic settings. Personally, I think 21-inch or 22-inch monitors are the sweet spot, since majority of GPUs can handle that size. Larger monitors are always nice to have, but it pays to have a more powerful GPU.

Yea i just realized that. Was half asleep when i posted that . But with the games he plays it shouldn't be much of a problem. But i would go with the higher G-Card and a small but nice monitor.

 

[TheYonderGod]

Yea i just realized that. Was half asleep when i posted that . But with the games he plays it shouldn't be much of a problem. But i would go with the higher G-Card and a small but nice monitor.

It has nothing to do with the size, it's the resolution. A 21" 1080p monitor requires the same graphical power as a 70" 1080p tv.

 

[Yolobot]

I suggest you wait for the GTX 760 to come out, some time in May. You should cost around 200$, and throw in another 100-120$ for a monitor

 

[Lava]

It has nothing to do with the size, it's the resolution. A 21" 1080p monitor requires the same graphical power as a 70" 1080p tv.

That's not the problem i was talking about, was saying go with the higher end g-card with a smaller but nice monitor since it can fit his budget (Still trying to hit the 1080p res on maybe a 19"). He can't and just go out and buy a 70" TV for his monitor under his budget can he.

 

[Simon]

I highly recommend the Radeon 7850 posted in the second post. I have it and so does a friend, its a tank.

 

[TheYonderGod]

That's not the problem i was talking about, was saying go with the higher end g-card with a smaller but nice monitor since it can fit his budget (Still trying to hit the 1080p res on maybe a 19"). He can't and just go out and buy a 70" TV for his monitor under his budget can he.

"@Lava The larger the monitor, the more graphic processing power it will require to fully display games"