Help
So as the dreaded shopping season hits, i'm looking at some computer parts to get for my computer with my gift money. In particular, i'm looking for a new monitor, speaker system and possibly a sound card if needed.
My main want is the monitor, so that is first. If anyone knew who I was at the 2 recent LANs, you'd have noticed my ugly white Compaq 19 inch CRT mismatched with my black computer case. I've been looking for a while, and originally planned on getting a NEC/Mitsu 19 inch CRT. But the more I think about it, the more i'm willing to save up the money for a really nice 17 or 19 inch LCD. Primarily, I use my computer for gaming, so if I do go the LCD route, the LCD needs to be well choosen for such a purpose. I know a lot of you have LCDs, so there is some personal experience on this topic. I want any feedback you can give on possible 17 or 19 inch LCDs, perferably $400 or less, but if it's good enough, I can up it to $500. I'm fairly uneducated on LCDs, other than a lower response time being better overall, and the fact that they usually look distorted at non-native resolutions. Which brings up another point. I don't want one with a very high native resolution, because i'm not completely sure that my 9600XT can handle playing games at that higher resolution without forcing me to sacrifice detail settings, which is a last resort for me. And I don't feel like upgrading yet, not untill the newer mid-range cards come down some more in price.
Oh, and if possible, i'd like to be able to purchase the LCD in person, since I have a fear of dead pixels. Neweggs(and most online retailers like them) have horrible LCD return policies of 8 dead pixels or more, so I don't even want to go through with it. Buying it in person allows me to ask to see the monitor on before I buy it, so I can check for dead pixels and save myself the hassle. So any suggestions on retailers in the general area would be great as well.
I'm also looking into a good speaker system, since i'm still stuck with this crappy 2.0 JBL Pro system that crackles a lot for no reason. I don't really have the space or the will to run cables around my room to support a 4.1 or higher system, so i'm looking for a good 2.1 setup that dosen't disappoint. Since I am only getting a 2.1 system, I doubt I really need to get a sound card, considering i'm not a HEAVY music buff, but if there's a strong enough increase in overall quality for my purposes, go ahead and shoot out a suggestion. I was originally going to get Logitech's Z-2200's, since they have an awesome Newegg rating, a big wattage number on the sub(the music I do listen to is very heavy in the bass department), and had a $50 rebate going for months,but they discontinued them at the same time I ordered them, so I couldn't get them. The Z-2300's are essentially the exact same as far as I know, since I never could find a difference, but the rebate is what sold me on the 2200's. Paying less than 80 bucks shipped for a 200 watt 2.1 system was golden to me.
Anyways, just shoot out some suggestions for me, i'd appreciate any help I can get.
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#2
Jim 
- Member
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- Group: Members
- Posts: 62
- Joined: 04-October 04
Posted 24 November 2004 - 09:46 AM
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 is really kick ass but on the expensive side of things. ~$150
Logitech Z-2300 looks nice too but I don't know a whole lot about what's good in 2.1 other than the Klipsch because that is all I ever hear about.
As far as a sound card goes... don't buy one. It would cost you the price of the Z-2200s for an Audigy 2 ZS and since your also only doing 2.1 using onboard audio would work great. It's is hardly going to tax your system.
Logitech Z-2300 looks nice too but I don't know a whole lot about what's good in 2.1 other than the Klipsch because that is all I ever hear about.
As far as a sound card goes... don't buy one. It would cost you the price of the Z-2200s for an Audigy 2 ZS and since your also only doing 2.1 using onboard audio would work great. It's is hardly going to tax your system.
#3 Guest_D0rk_*
Posted 29 November 2004 - 04:04 PM
Been doing a bunch of research and bargain hunting, and I found a few good deals.
With Dell, I have a coupon for 25% off any of their LCD monitors, and possibly access to another $45 bucks off, a long with their free shipping. Meaning I could get their 2001FP(20.1inch, 16ms RT) or 2005FP(20.1 inch widescreen, 12ms RT) for 550ish, shipped. That's a steal considering they sell for 800 without any coupons.
The only drawback I can see is the native resolutions of 1600x1200. I only run a 9600XT so i'm fearful about being able to run games at that resolution without it looking disgusting because I had to tone down detail settings. I may end up having to get a 9800 PRO or 6600GT AGP just to game decently.
Or, I could use the same coupons on their 17 or 19 inch LCDs for either 250ish for the 17 or 426ish for the 19. The native resolution is lower so my 9600XT should be able to handle games at that setting fine. the 19 inch has a fairly crappy 20ms response time though, and I can't even find one for the 17 inch model.
Any suggestions on if I should spring for one of these while the coupon is still good?
With Dell, I have a coupon for 25% off any of their LCD monitors, and possibly access to another $45 bucks off, a long with their free shipping. Meaning I could get their 2001FP(20.1inch, 16ms RT) or 2005FP(20.1 inch widescreen, 12ms RT) for 550ish, shipped. That's a steal considering they sell for 800 without any coupons.
The only drawback I can see is the native resolutions of 1600x1200. I only run a 9600XT so i'm fearful about being able to run games at that resolution without it looking disgusting because I had to tone down detail settings. I may end up having to get a 9800 PRO or 6600GT AGP just to game decently.
Or, I could use the same coupons on their 17 or 19 inch LCDs for either 250ish for the 17 or 426ish for the 19. The native resolution is lower so my 9600XT should be able to handle games at that setting fine. the 19 inch has a fairly crappy 20ms response time though, and I can't even find one for the 17 inch model.
Any suggestions on if I should spring for one of these while the coupon is still good?
#4 Guest_D0rk_*
Posted 24 November 2004 - 02:01 AM
So as the dreaded shopping season hits, i'm looking at some computer parts to get for my computer with my gift money. In particular, i'm looking for a new monitor, speaker system and possibly a sound card if needed.
My main want is the monitor, so that is first. If anyone knew who I was at the 2 recent LANs, you'd have noticed my ugly white Compaq 19 inch CRT mismatched with my black computer case. I've been looking for a while, and originally planned on getting a NEC/Mitsu 19 inch CRT. But the more I think about it, the more i'm willing to save up the money for a really nice 17 or 19 inch LCD. Primarily, I use my computer for gaming, so if I do go the LCD route, the LCD needs to be well choosen for such a purpose. I know a lot of you have LCDs, so there is some personal experience on this topic. I want any feedback you can give on possible 17 or 19 inch LCDs, perferably $400 or less, but if it's good enough, I can up it to $500. I'm fairly uneducated on LCDs, other than a lower response time being better overall, and the fact that they usually look distorted at non-native resolutions. Which brings up another point. I don't want one with a very high native resolution, because i'm not completely sure that my 9600XT can handle playing games at that higher resolution without forcing me to sacrifice detail settings, which is a last resort for me. And I don't feel like upgrading yet, not untill the newer mid-range cards come down some more in price.
Oh, and if possible, i'd like to be able to purchase the LCD in person, since I have a fear of dead pixels. Neweggs(and most online retailers like them) have horrible LCD return policies of 8 dead pixels or more, so I don't even want to go through with it. Buying it in person allows me to ask to see the monitor on before I buy it, so I can check for dead pixels and save myself the hassle. So any suggestions on retailers in the general area would be great as well.
I'm also looking into a good speaker system, since i'm still stuck with this crappy 2.0 JBL Pro system that crackles a lot for no reason. I don't really have the space or the will to run cables around my room to support a 4.1 or higher system, so i'm looking for a good 2.1 setup that dosen't disappoint. Since I am only getting a 2.1 system, I doubt I really need to get a sound card, considering i'm not a HEAVY music buff, but if there's a strong enough increase in overall quality for my purposes, go ahead and shoot out a suggestion. I was originally going to get Logitech's Z-2200's, since they have an awesome Newegg rating, a big wattage number on the sub(the music I do listen to is very heavy in the bass department), and had a $50 rebate going for months,but they discontinued them at the same time I ordered them, so I couldn't get them. The Z-2300's are essentially the exact same as far as I know, since I never could find a difference, but the rebate is what sold me on the 2200's. Paying less than 80 bucks shipped for a 200 watt 2.1 system was golden to me.
Anyways, just shoot out some suggestions for me, i'd appreciate any help I can get.
My main want is the monitor, so that is first. If anyone knew who I was at the 2 recent LANs, you'd have noticed my ugly white Compaq 19 inch CRT mismatched with my black computer case. I've been looking for a while, and originally planned on getting a NEC/Mitsu 19 inch CRT. But the more I think about it, the more i'm willing to save up the money for a really nice 17 or 19 inch LCD. Primarily, I use my computer for gaming, so if I do go the LCD route, the LCD needs to be well choosen for such a purpose. I know a lot of you have LCDs, so there is some personal experience on this topic. I want any feedback you can give on possible 17 or 19 inch LCDs, perferably $400 or less, but if it's good enough, I can up it to $500. I'm fairly uneducated on LCDs, other than a lower response time being better overall, and the fact that they usually look distorted at non-native resolutions. Which brings up another point. I don't want one with a very high native resolution, because i'm not completely sure that my 9600XT can handle playing games at that higher resolution without forcing me to sacrifice detail settings, which is a last resort for me. And I don't feel like upgrading yet, not untill the newer mid-range cards come down some more in price.
Oh, and if possible, i'd like to be able to purchase the LCD in person, since I have a fear of dead pixels. Neweggs(and most online retailers like them) have horrible LCD return policies of 8 dead pixels or more, so I don't even want to go through with it. Buying it in person allows me to ask to see the monitor on before I buy it, so I can check for dead pixels and save myself the hassle. So any suggestions on retailers in the general area would be great as well.
I'm also looking into a good speaker system, since i'm still stuck with this crappy 2.0 JBL Pro system that crackles a lot for no reason. I don't really have the space or the will to run cables around my room to support a 4.1 or higher system, so i'm looking for a good 2.1 setup that dosen't disappoint. Since I am only getting a 2.1 system, I doubt I really need to get a sound card, considering i'm not a HEAVY music buff, but if there's a strong enough increase in overall quality for my purposes, go ahead and shoot out a suggestion. I was originally going to get Logitech's Z-2200's, since they have an awesome Newegg rating, a big wattage number on the sub(the music I do listen to is very heavy in the bass department), and had a $50 rebate going for months,but they discontinued them at the same time I ordered them, so I couldn't get them. The Z-2300's are essentially the exact same as far as I know, since I never could find a difference, but the rebate is what sold me on the 2200's. Paying less than 80 bucks shipped for a 200 watt 2.1 system was golden to me.
Anyways, just shoot out some suggestions for me, i'd appreciate any help I can get.
#5
Jim
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 62
- Joined: 04-October 04
Posted 24 November 2004 - 09:46 AM
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 is really kick ass but on the expensive side of things. ~$150
Logitech Z-2300 looks nice too but I don't know a whole lot about what's good in 2.1 other than the Klipsch because that is all I ever hear about.
As far as a sound card goes... don't buy one. It would cost you the price of the Z-2200s for an Audigy 2 ZS and since your also only doing 2.1 using onboard audio would work great. It's is hardly going to tax your system.
Logitech Z-2300 looks nice too but I don't know a whole lot about what's good in 2.1 other than the Klipsch because that is all I ever hear about.
As far as a sound card goes... don't buy one. It would cost you the price of the Z-2200s for an Audigy 2 ZS and since your also only doing 2.1 using onboard audio would work great. It's is hardly going to tax your system.
#6 Guest_D0rk_*
Posted 29 November 2004 - 04:04 PM
Been doing a bunch of research and bargain hunting, and I found a few good deals.
With Dell, I have a coupon for 25% off any of their LCD monitors, and possibly access to another $45 bucks off, a long with their free shipping. Meaning I could get their 2001FP(20.1inch, 16ms RT) or 2005FP(20.1 inch widescreen, 12ms RT) for 550ish, shipped. That's a steal considering they sell for 800 without any coupons.
The only drawback I can see is the native resolutions of 1600x1200. I only run a 9600XT so i'm fearful about being able to run games at that resolution without it looking disgusting because I had to tone down detail settings. I may end up having to get a 9800 PRO or 6600GT AGP just to game decently.
Or, I could use the same coupons on their 17 or 19 inch LCDs for either 250ish for the 17 or 426ish for the 19. The native resolution is lower so my 9600XT should be able to handle games at that setting fine. the 19 inch has a fairly crappy 20ms response time though, and I can't even find one for the 17 inch model.
Any suggestions on if I should spring for one of these while the coupon is still good?
With Dell, I have a coupon for 25% off any of their LCD monitors, and possibly access to another $45 bucks off, a long with their free shipping. Meaning I could get their 2001FP(20.1inch, 16ms RT) or 2005FP(20.1 inch widescreen, 12ms RT) for 550ish, shipped. That's a steal considering they sell for 800 without any coupons.
The only drawback I can see is the native resolutions of 1600x1200. I only run a 9600XT so i'm fearful about being able to run games at that resolution without it looking disgusting because I had to tone down detail settings. I may end up having to get a 9800 PRO or 6600GT AGP just to game decently.
Or, I could use the same coupons on their 17 or 19 inch LCDs for either 250ish for the 17 or 426ish for the 19. The native resolution is lower so my 9600XT should be able to handle games at that setting fine. the 19 inch has a fairly crappy 20ms response time though, and I can't even find one for the 17 inch model.
Any suggestions on if I should spring for one of these while the coupon is still good?
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