For most computer enthusiasts, the video card is the most interesting and
most commonly upgraded component. The Geforce video cards with DDR Ram provide
the highest level of performance for gamers today. At a price of $355 CDN
($244 USD,) the Asus V6800 is the most attractively priced Geforce DDR card.
Ati's Rage Fury Maxx priced at $379 CDN ($260 USD) is doing horribly in
terms of sales. The price is too high for a card that can't seem to outpace
the Geforce DDR in Quake III. The only significant advantage that the Maxx
holds over the Geforce is its ability to decode DVD video. The decision is up
to the consumer, pay $24 CDN more for inferior Quake III performance, but gain
superior DVD performance. For myself, I have a Geforce DDR card, and the DVD
playback is superb at 1280*1024*32bit using WinDVD 2000. With the high sticker
price, and lackluster Quake III performance of the Rage Fury Maxx, it's not
surprising that the Asus V6800 is trouncing the Rage Fury Maxx in
sales.
Say good-bye to the 15-inch monitor days of yore. I hereby declare the
15inch monitor dead. You can purchase a brand new 17-inch monitor such as: the
Viewsonic E771 (.27dp) or the Panasonic E70i (.27dp) for under $320 CDN ($220
USD). 17-inch monitors are so affordable; it would be shocking if anyone
decided to purchase a 15-inch model.
People have said that Flat panel monitors are the "next thing" in computer
displays, they're wrong, the "next thing" happens to be the "flat" CRT. I'm
talking about Sony FD Trinitron, and Mitsubishi Dynaflat aperture grille based
monitors. Samsung's NF series of monitors and Viewsonic's PF series of
monitors are using the Mitsubishi Dynaflat AG tube. They are priced between
$439 CDN to $689 CDN ($302 - $474 USD) for 17-inch to 19-inch models. Monitors
using the Sony FD Trinitron tubes are priced similarly too, the 17-inch Mag
Innovision 786 FD is going for $415 CDN, and the KDS 19-inch FD Trinitron
model is priced at the $700 CDN mark ($285 - $481 USD.) The "flatness" of
these monitors is amazing. Customer feedback leads me to believe that these
monitors look great too!
From my own experience, my Sony E400 (.24AG FD Trinitron $769 CDN/$528 USD)
does not look significantly better than the Samsung 900 NF (.25AG Dynaflat.) I
purchased the E400 simply because it's the first 19-inch Sony monitor that has
ever been affordable to the average computer user (yours truly.) I went from a
17-inch ADI 5GT (.25AG Trinitron 1600*1200*76hz) to the Sony E400. The image
quality is great on both, however the size difference and the flatness of the
Sony E400 made the upgrade worthwhile.
If you are debating whether or not to upgrade your monitor, I can't
recommend any size except the 19-inch range of monitors. 21-inch monitors are
just too expensive, and upgrading to a 17-inch would leave you wanting a
19-inch in a few months, and you'd kick yourself for not spending the extra
$200 CDN in the first place (of course I'm drawing this from my own
experiences :-)
It's true that you'll want a 21-inch in a few months, and then you'd want a
24-inch wide screen soon after that, but that's how it always is. The fact of
the matter is that 21-inch monitors are priced well beyond the price range
that is considered reasonable for most people. Ultimately the 19-inch models
are just incredibly affordable right now, and they provide the best bang for
you buck right now. Perhaps in two years 24-inch monitors with FD Trinitron
tubes will dip below $1000 CDN ($687 USD.)
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