What to buy for low a resolution (640x480) gamer?

[Tipycol]

I'm stuck with this old 15" Everex monitor and the highest resolution it can support at 85Hz is 720x576 (which I'll run if the game supports it). It can do higher but I get headaches with the 60Hz refresh rates So, I figure I should upgrade the video card first as it would be pointless in getting a high res monitor with 100Hz support when the card will be crap on it.

I've been looking around, and the 9800 Pro doesn't seem that much better than a 9700 Pro at 1024x768. What do you guys think I should get? Any other cards I should looke into? Perhaps even the good old waiting game to see the R420.

Thanks
Tipycol

 

[The Coolest]

I'd suggest getting a cheapo 8500, I don't think there are such demanding games out that won't run on that card with 640x480 res. This will both let you play your games better and save you money for monitor upgrade and then a real good gfx card

 

[9mmCensor]

Get a new monitor, 43.18cm at least, your eyes will thank you. And if you get a good deal you might find a decent vid card to fit your budget too.

 

[Tipycol]

I'd suggest getting a cheapo 8500, I don't think there are such demanding games out that won't run on that card with 640x480 res. This will both let you play your games better and save you money for monitor upgrade and then a real good gfx card

That's what I'm thinking of doing. From the (few) reviews I've found, the 8500 is around 10-20% better than the 7500. How's it with AA and AF? All the reviews I've read (from 2001) said that the 8500 had driver issues with both AA and AF. They've probably been fixed in 2 years, but that's why I'm asking

Thanks
Tipycol

 

[Yuriman]

It still slows down a lot with AA, but at 640 you probably wont see it slowdown all that much. As for AF, its virtualy free.

 

[Tipycol]

Interesting, I think I'll just get an 8500 LE then and start saving up. CRTs are still expensive, I'm sure I'll be tempted to buy the next gen vid card before a new CRT (unless those cards cost $500+ )

Thanks for the advice
Tipycol

 

[9mmCensor]

CRTs are cheap... buck fifty

just watch for some deals...

 

[LarryRE]

A guy I work with has picked up 21' Dell (Sony trinitron) monitors for $100 with a local dealer warranty at a computer show. Might be worth checking into shows in your area. A nice 17 or 19" would really be a good improvement. Those 15'"ers are like looking out a porthole!

 

[Zim2411]

A guy I work with has picked up 21' Dell (Sony trinitron) monitors for $100 with a local dealer warranty at a computer show.

That's how I got my 21" Dell Trinitron monitor. I think my dad spent around 100... maybe 90.

 

[LtBlue14]

=O =O =O 21" monitors for $100???
is this common at computer shows? i mean i've been to a few, but i've never seen anything like that, are they used?? what's the deal? they should be goin for higher prices than that

 

[drexel]

I have bought monitors for 5 dollars from a give away then resell to benefit the church store, that ran at least 1200x768. In fact there are probably 30 just sitting there right now, Im sure you have a similiar store some where in your city. We have like 5 in the city here.

 

[Matthias99]

Honestly, *any* monitor you buy today will run at least 1024x768. You can get *good* 19" monitors for $200, and decent 21" ones for $300-400.

Older, used 21" monitors might go that cheap (~$100). They probably won't go over 1600x1200, though, and the dot pitch is likely awful. If you got a new, high-quality 21" for that price, it was stolen. They cost more than that to *make*.