Getting 27" monitor; suggestions on video card...

[Luggage]

Getting a 27" inch monitor so its easier to do work and watch some movies from the bed.  My mobo handles crossfire only (no SLI) so question is what video card should I upgrade to when the time comes: mid-range ATI or nice NVIDIA knowing that I can't SLI?  I have a suspicion that ones you go to bigger screen sizes, the multi-card option outperforms the single cards but wanted to get your thoughts since has been a while for me...

wrt uses: MS office, movies on netflix, light gaming (TF2, maybe Shogun 2 when it comes out <-- gaming is going down a lot now due to limited free time).  btw, I have a 8800GT now which has been more than sufficient for my 20" screen and above needs.

Thanks.

[crazydog]

If your motherboard handles crossfire, it handles SLI. The only requirements for either is two PCI-E slots and enough PCI-E power cables from your power supply. (I think....)

After doing some quick research, that's not the case. I had no idea.

What's the resolution on the monitor?

[Luggage]

Some are 1920X1080 and some are 1920X1200

I am starting to wonder if 27" is too big for playing games (might be too close to where I sit / my keyboard)....

[V.I.P.]

Kinda depends on the type of games you play too...for an fps you don't want to have your head swaying back and forth while trying to shoot.  But for an MMO or something more relaxed then bigger is better.  I have a Hanns-G 25" and I think it's the perfect overall size.  Sometimes I wish it wasn't as wide when playing shooters.

[Mustard]

Mine's only a 23" viewsonic, and I've never once thought," this monitor isn't big enough. "

[kline]

I just recently purchased this 23in samsung led,
 
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/monitors/premium/LS23WHUKFK/ZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail

It's great if you are looking to purchase a different one

[Baltika (#9)]

I just recently purchased this 23in samsung led,
 
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/monitors/premium/LS23WHUKFK/ZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail

It's great if you are looking to purchase a different one

I've got a 23" Samsung too, and while I love the monitor, I wish they'd change the "buttons" a little.  I'd like to have tiny bumps or something over the touch areas...trying to hit the source button in the dark is obnoxious.

[Fraggle79]

I run a 8800GT on a Acer 23" and it does pretty well.
I recommend trying it with your card first and if it doesn't seem good enough... then the new GTX460 could be a great option.

Has 2 options 768mb and 1gb. The 1 GB has better speed and performance.


Edit*** Today new article came out announcing plans for a GTS450 in a few weeks.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2010/07/22/rumour-geforce-gts-450-due-end-of-august/1

[MDK22]

I use a 19" and i have 2 22" monitors and I have to say that 22" is too big for fps games for me. It varies per person and how far away the monitor is the way you sit etc. mine is approx 2 feet away. So its pretty close but i dont face it directly so that might be part of the reason.

[crazydog]

If you want a bigger monitor just to watch TV, just go win a projector like I did =/

[SConforti]

I was considering buying an LCD 36" tv and mount it on my wall for gaming.  And I would sit about 4 feet away.  Do I have to see if my vid card can handle it?

[Frag_68]

I was considering buying an LCD 36" tv and mount it on my wall for gaming.  And I would sit about 4 feet away.  Do I have to see if my vid card can handle it?

As long as you have proper input/outputs to match up, you'll get a picture.    If you can play TF2 at 1900 x 1200 comfortably, you should easily be able to handle HD resolutions @ 60 Hz.  A simple rough calculation is to multiply your resolutions by the framerate you get when watching a video or playing a game with little action.  If your number is more than HD's number, you should be golden.

HD calc -->  1920 * 1080 * 60 = 124,416,000 (pixels per second)

[Luggage]

Ended up getting Samsung BX2450 (24" LED): pretty cool although not sure it is any better than my LG LCD (picture quality, wise).

Card I got is Radeon 5850 so that I can Crossfire one day; they have really come down in price and are pretty attractive now.