new monitor and video card

tjs0001 · 02-21-2009, 03:40 PM

My CRT is on its last legs. I have been looking at widescreen LCD monitors. I can get a good deal on an Acer X223WBD 22" monitor that has a maximum/native resolution of 1680 x 1050. My computer is 7 plus years old (Windows XP Pro OS) with a Nvidia GeoForce 4 MX 440 video card. The maximum/native resolution of the Acer monitor does not appear as a valid mode for the video card. The highest resolution shown for the card is 1600 x 1200. Will the Acer monitor work on my system? Thanks.

**asidman** · 02-21-2009, 03:43 PM

Chances are the monitor will work, but not at the correct resolutions, and wont look right. Also chances are if your PC is seven years old, you wouldnt be able to get an upgraded video card.
Rather look into a standard width LCD, unless you are willing to upgrade, which wouldnt be a bad idea considering how old it is.

tjs0001 · 02-21-2009, 05:37 PM

So the problem will be the aspect ratio. What do you mean by the picture not looking right? Will it be stretched to fit the wider space or will I have black borders? This is new to me.

**asidman** · 02-21-2009, 05:57 PM

What is the reason for a widescreen monitor? That is the main question you need to ask yourself... For looks, etc? Don't do it then, unless you are going to upgrade your 7yrs old PC soon. If it is for movies, etc, then rather spend some money on upgrading your PC. TO get any advantage at the moment you will need a video card that supports the screens native resolution. Why? All LCD screens can actually display only a single given resolution referred to as the native resolution. This is the physical number of horizontal and vertical pixels that make up the LCD matrix of the display. Setting a computer display to a resolution lower than this resolution will either cause the monitor to use a reduced visible area of the screen or it will have to do extrapolation. This extrapolation attempts to blend multiple pixels together to produce a similar image to what you would see if the monitor were to display it at the given resolution but it can result in fuzzy images.
Are you understanding the problem of an unsupported resolution.
If really HAVE to buy one, make sure of the following. WHat type of expansion slot does your motherboard have for a video card? PCI, AGP or PCI-e.
Then Then look at this site for an upgrade card, which you will have to do. Make sure it is a DirectX9 card as well.
Post back if you need further advise

02-21-2009, 03:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
tjs0001 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6 OS: windows xp professional sp 2	new monitor and video card My CRT is on its last legs. I have been looking at widescreen LCD monitors. I can get a good deal on an Acer X223WBD 22" monitor that has a maximum/native resolution of 1680 x 1050. My computer is 7 plus years old (Windows XP Pro OS) with a Nvidia GeoForce 4 MX 440 video card. The maximum/native resolution of the Acer monitor does not appear as a valid mode for the video card. The highest resolution shown for the card is 1600 x 1200. Will the Acer monitor work on my system? Thanks.

02-21-2009, 03:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
asidman Will rule the World Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Port Elizabeth Posts: 4,537 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP1, Windows 7 RC My System	Re: new monitor and video card Chances are the monitor will work, but not at the correct resolutions, and wont look right. Also chances are if your PC is seven years old, you wouldnt be able to get an upgraded video card. Rather look into a standard width LCD, unless you are willing to upgrade, which wouldnt be a bad idea considering how old it is. __________________ Submit New Articles Here Try before posting \| Read before posting \| Advice to New Visitors How to post a Screenshot \| Posting system specs \| Posting images (VERY NB)

02-21-2009, 05:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
tjs0001 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6 OS: windows xp professional sp 2	Re: new monitor and video card So the problem will be the aspect ratio. What do you mean by the picture not looking right? Will it be stretched to fit the wider space or will I have black borders? This is new to me.

02-21-2009, 05:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
asidman Will rule the World Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Port Elizabeth Posts: 4,537 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP1, Windows 7 RC My System	Re: new monitor and video card What is the reason for a widescreen monitor? That is the main question you need to ask yourself... For looks, etc? Don't do it then, unless you are going to upgrade your 7yrs old PC soon. If it is for movies, etc, then rather spend some money on upgrading your PC. TO get any advantage at the moment you will need a video card that supports the screens native resolution. Why? All LCD screens can actually display only a single given resolution referred to as the native resolution. This is the physical number of horizontal and vertical pixels that make up the LCD matrix of the display. Setting a computer display to a resolution lower than this resolution will either cause the monitor to use a reduced visible area of the screen or it will have to do extrapolation. This extrapolation attempts to blend multiple pixels together to produce a similar image to what you would see if the monitor were to display it at the given resolution but it can result in fuzzy images. Are you understanding the problem of an unsupported resolution. If really HAVE to buy one, make sure of the following. WHat type of expansion slot does your motherboard have for a video card? PCI, AGP or PCI-e. Then Then look at this site for an upgrade card, which you will have to do. Make sure it is a DirectX9 card as well. Post back if you need further advise __________________ Submit New Articles Here Try before posting \| Read before posting \| Advice to New Visitors How to post a Screenshot \| Posting system specs \| Posting images (VERY NB)