Some graphics problems. Plus: New graphics card, or new monitor?

c0mmand3r · 10-04-2006

I have been having some troubles with graphics for the last year or so. As it has not overly affected my work on the computer, or my gaming as I have been doing little or no computer gaming as of late, I never opted to get it fixed.

Here is the issue at hand. I have about 10 diagonal light brown extremely thin lines crossing my monitor all the times. I have left the monitor off for extended periods of time, sacraficing my computer for days on end sometimes to give it a rest. I have cleaned my interior tower and graphics card on numerous occasions. I have gotten my computer to a peak performance level save the graphics.

Now, with my current graphics card, I figured it is more than likely to be the problem. It is a 256 bit 2003 nVidia GeForce FX 5600 Ultra AGP 128MB / 800MHz. In 2003 it was one of the best for its price range. I had no problems and it boosted my graphics for games such as planetside which I was playing at the time. I realize it is 3 (nearly 4) years old and I need a new one, but I am not certain the problem I am experiencing is directly connected to this graphics card. It still has pretty good specs for a computer graphics card. Maybe not gaming, but regular usage.

I am thinking it is my monitor, which is a dell stock 20 inch monitor. It is a big piece of crap, and I think an LCD monitor might be the way to go.

Here is what I am looking for information wise. I would like to know how to test my monitor or graphics card to see which has the problem. I don't have any other computers or monitors in the house save my mother's laptop computer to do this with. I would rather not transport my entire computer to a store just to have it tested for a fee, either.

Also, I would like some recommendations for a graphics card and/or monitor which would be a good gaming card but won't cost me an arm and a leg. I would like a large monitor, atleast or exactly 20 inch like my current one. The game I am planning to play at this point is World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade when it comes out. This graphics card was pretty good last time I played the game (have played and quit twice now), but I am looking to upgrade or atleast keep the graphics card up to date.

Edit:

Not sure if you will all be able to see it so here is a screen shot of a black bg (most evident).

And this, incase you couldn't see, is what I see more or less. They are thinner and darker, however.

SoggyMilk · 10-04-2006

*salute*

Sir!

I feel that it is your monitor that causes the problems, sir. In my opinion, the graphics card would affect your monitor by way of causing discoloration of pixels on your screen, if it was malfunctioning, overheating, or was just not compatible w/ your system (yes, that does happen).

Your monitor seems to be the problem. I have had many occasions in which my old Dell monitor would have a single black line going across my computer screen. I changed GFX cards, to no avail. I changed monitors and I have not had that experience as of 02/04/06.

I hope my report has been valuable and helps you in your search for the answer to your problems.

*salute*

Sir!

(His name's Commander. Figured I'd respond as if he were my superior....SIR!)

TEKNIC · 10-04-2006

It's definitely your monitor, c0m. If it was your card, the lines would show up on the screenshot. They don't. ggkthxbuyanewmonitor.

c0mmand3r · 10-04-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoggyMilk

*salute*

Sir!

I feel that it is your monitor that causes the problems, sir. In my opinion, the graphics card would affect your monitor by way of causing discoloration of pixels on your screen, if it was malfunctioning, overheating, or was just not compatible w/ your system (yes, that does happen).

Your monitor seems to be the problem. I have had many occasions in which my old Dell monitor would have a single black line going across my computer screen. I changed GFX cards, to no avail. I changed monitors and I have not had that experience as of 02/04/06.

I hope my report has been valuable and helps you in your search for the answer to your problems.

*salute*

Sir!

(His name's Commander. Figured I'd respond as if he were my superior....SIR!)

Haha, thanks for the information, Soggy. How many times have you PMed me, or posted in response to my posts. I have never seen you act like this. Made me laugh a bit. Crap day, and you just made it slightly better.

Tek and Soggy, I guess you are both right. I will need to look into purchasing a new monitor. If either of you have any suggestions for a good quality, not too expensive, gaming/work monitor I would be much obliged. I know you play Battlefield2 on your PC, Tek, so I bet you have a decent monitor/video card.

Thanks for the help!

-----------

Do you guys think the 20.1'' VX2035wm from ViewSonic is a good monitor? I looked at Compusa and they had it for around $250, but it was sold out. The View Sonic website said it wasn't available at their online retailer. Dell, ofcourse, has the price jacked up to $340. I have a CRT Trinitron from Dell (19 inch I believe) right now. Thats the 20.1, but I think the 19 inch version is available too.

Yea, the 19'' LCD VX924 model is priced at $254 on Viewsonic's website.

ViewSonic: Products: Desktop Displays: LCD Displays: X Series: VX2035wm

ViewSonic: Products: Desktop Displays: LCD Displays: X Series: VX924

Do you guys think these are good gaming/work monitors for a decent price? If not, could you list some for me. I don't want to spend a whole lot of money, but I do want to upgrade atleast my monitor. Possibly a video card and some more RAM eventually, but my card is decent for now and my 1gig ram is pretty sufficient. Besides, I have four 256s. I would need to scrap all of them and buy four 512s. Not worth it.

SoggyMilk · 10-04-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by comman-deezy

Haha, thanks for the information, Soggy. How many times have you PMed me, or posted in response to my posts. I have never seen you act like this. Made me laugh a bit. Crap day, and you just made it slightly better.

I aim to please.

Quote:

Originally Posted by comman-deenus

I know you play Battlefield2 on your PC, Tek, so I bet you have a decent monitor/video card.

I've got it as well. How dare you hurt my feelings without thinking/reading my mind and acknowledging the fact that I've got it as well?

Quote:

Originally Posted by commandizzlemynizzle

Yea, the 19'' LCD VX924 model is priced at $254 on Viewsonic's website.

ViewSonic: Products: Desktop Displays: LCD Displays: X Series: VX2035wm

ViewSonic: Products: Desktop Displays: LCD Displays: X Series: VX924

Do you guys think these are good gaming/work monitors for a decent price? If not, could you list some for me. I don't want to spend a whole lot of money, but I do want to upgrade atleast my monitor. Possibly a video card and some more RAM eventually, but my card is decent for now and my 1gig ram is pretty sufficient. Besides, I have four 256s. I would need to scrap all of them and buy four 512s. Not worth it.

I like the second one. First one's pretty, second one's better in my eyes. But I don't know MUCH about monitors. Talk to me about GFX GPU's and we're in business.

DeBOG · 10-04-2006

I just recently got a Samsung Syncmaster 204B for about $300 at Circuit City with rebates. You could probably get one on Ebay for about the same price.

Superstar · 10-04-2006

Any monitor with an 8ms response time or less is a good buy. I would aim for a 2ms if you have the money. Try the new Samsung 740BF with 2ms response time.

SAMSUNG's Digital World - LCD - Digital | 740BF

TEKNIC · 10-05-2006

Call me old fashioned, but I'd go with a CRT monitor. They're cheaper for one thing. Plus you don't have to worry about response time or dead pixels like you do with LCDs. Sure, I have 2 X1950XTXs in crossfire. And guess what? They look great on this old Dell 1600x1200 19" CRT that I got free from work when they upgraded.

Sypher · 10-05-2006

There is another possibility...

You wouldn't happen to have a transceiver of some type near your monitor would you? Monitors are vary susceptible to RF interference. The symptoms of this are line across the display. Anything from a wireless router to say a FD radio could cause this type of problem.

Not saying that's it but it may give you something to check before you buy a new monitor...

c0mmand3r · 10-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sypher

There is another possibility...

You wouldn't happen to have a transceiver of some type near your monitor would you? Monitors are vary susceptible to RF interference. The symptoms of this are line across the display. Anything from a wireless router to say a FD radio could cause this type of problem.

Not saying that's it but it may give you something to check before you buy a new monitor...

Well, my router is 4 inches away from my tower, and I have a wireless phone and charger sitting on top of the same desk about a yard from my tower. The Modem is inbetween my monitor and tower about 3 inches from each. I'll upload a picture.

Router is on the far right behind the speaker. You can't see it in the picture. I've had this setup for several years, though. I never had a problem with the monitor until fairly recently.