Non-standard resolutions

[schnikies79]

I am getting ready to order a Dell 2005FPW widescreen monitor which uses a max resolution of 1680x1050. My video card, a Radeon 7500 AIW, does not have that resolution as an option.

Anyway, I searched around and found Powerstrip which lets me set custom resolutions and now it shows up in windows. Their documentation tells that it's mostly dependent on the drivers whether or not it will work. I'm just wondering if there is any downside to this, will everything still look okay? I'm not quite ready to buy another video card but I will if I need to.

Oh yea, Powerstrip looks alright but it's shareware. Any viable alternatives?

[ajrettke]

the 2005 is 1600x1050 IIRC, and even if your card doesn't list it, once it's hooked up I'm 99% sure it will let you set it then. If not download the latest ATI drivers...then omegas if the latter don't work. I had no problems using 1600x1050 with ATI drivers, and using 1920x1200 with both ATI and nvidia drivers and cards

[schnikies79]

Well the Dell site says 1680x1050

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?TabPage=overview&sku=320-4111&c=us&l=en&cs=19&page=external

but anyway, thanks for the info. I have the newest drivers and it dosen't show it. I'll try the omega drivers.

[ajrettke]

They're right I'm wrong :/

Yeah try to omega drivers....that's very odd the latest don't work, perhaps try older ones (say 2 to 3 months old)

[batboy]

A Radeon 7500 is sort of wimpy to be trying to run high resolution on a 2005FPW. I suggest just using 1024X768 instead until you get a better vid card.

[schnikies79]

I run 1280x1024 just fine on my 19in crt but none-the-less, i'm ordering a video card from newegg too. I'm not much of a gamer so i'm going with the 9800pro. I want to stay around $150 for a vid card so that looks like my best option.

[techun]

if u check this before u buy, you can get 9800s for a lot less that 150, and for 150 your best bet is a 6600gt

[schnikies79]

I've always had ATI and don't know much about nvidia but I'm going to check it out.

Well the 9800pro I was looking at is $130something, I just like to round things off to 50's and 100's.. lol

[batboy]

My HTPC and backup rig both have a 9800 Pro. It's still a good vid card that can run all current games. The 9800 Pro will work well with the new monitor.

[schnikies79]

I checked out a friends computer with the 9800pro, it looked great.

I think I'm going with this particular model.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814161109

I'm not big on it taking two slots but I've read the 9800pro tends to run hot; this model keeps it cool AND quiet (very important). It also keeps from voiding the warrenty by switching coolers.