Hi drpfa - since you're system doesn't have a PCI-E slot, this will reduce your possible selections. But I was just checking and you can get a graphics card capable of 2560 X 1600 resolution, AGP 8X (which your system has) and has the outputs you require. I believe your system originally came stock with 512MB system memory so unless you ordered it with more or upgraded it you may want to think about throwing at least another 512MB in there. The graphics cards I researched for you also can handle DirectX 10 in case you're running Vista. If this answers your question PLEASE rate this as fixed. If you need more help or advice with this just add a comment and I'll be happy to assist you further. Thanks and have a good one.
Jeff
Hey Peter - I usually don't like to make recommendations. If the user isn't happy with what I suggested they may get mad, and then they have to return their purchase and if they bought it on the internet it can be a hassle. But the last thing I recommended was a HDTV and have heard no complaints, so...I guess if you haven't bought anything yet I could help you out. A few things to consider:
1) your price range
2)do you want a card that push that monitor to its'
max resolution? ( 2560 X 1600 )
3)memory on the card - 256MB would give you more options
but lower the performance on videos or games.Be a little
cheaper but not a whole lot. I prefer 512MB but I just stand to be too far outdated when it comes to components. Plus you've got
that behemoth of a monitor.
4)Your system won't handle some of the really great cards that I'd love to play a game on with that moitor. So you're looking at $250 top end down to probably $60. You're into photography and have that monitor so I guess it just depends on what you want to pay.
I'd probably go 512MB Ram
8X AGP (that's all that system will handle)
probably nVidea or maybe ATI
If you want, just tell me how much you want to spend, what stores you have around you or if it's ok ro buy off the internet(opens up your choices a bit) and I'll do a little more research and give you some options. I like to save money so I like to shop around. Let me know what you think. I'm on disability so I got plenty of time to shop around if you like. Talk to you in a bit.
Jeff
Hey Peter - Sorry man. Been ill . If you already got something cool. I'd understand. If not I gotta check one thing in the A,M. and I'll let you know. I was looking at what I think were the stock specs for that pc and it said you have a 200W power supply. Is that right or a typo? If that's right you have to change that thing. Get at least a 400W or 500W PS for that and the new card. You can get them from for $20-$30 dollars. Just make sure the holes and switches aon the back are all the same and power connectors are the same. If you didn't get the card yet you can probably get both at the same place. What version Windows are you running? If you already got it don't bother. If you didn't, let me know. Once again, sorry for the delay.
Jeff
Hi Peter. Checked some things out. If you haven't gotten one yet, There's a somewhat new player in the game that has a decent card for about $115. (After $20 rebate) It's the HIS Radeon HD 2600 XT IceQ Turbo Video Card - 512MB GDDR3, AGP 4x/8x, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, HDMI Support, Video Card. It will also do VGA. It'll do ALL versions of windows even run your big monitor if you were ever so inclined. It's recommended that you have at least a 375W power supply but I'd go at least 400W or more. It needs 512MB system RAM which I believe is stock for your pc but you may have upgraded so you should have at least enough.
You can get the card at tigerdirect.com and newegg.com and lots of places. You can just do a search with one of the comparison shoppers and find several sites. I think the rebate expires the end of this month and as I said before you can get a power supply at the same place. If you have a local place for power supplies it's always better if you're not sure to just take the old one in and match it up. Once again sorry for the delay. Let me know what you did or are going to do. Hope I helped somewhat.
Jeff
Hey Peter - My magic eight ball says yes! You can connect both pcs to the same monitor. If you go with the one you mentioned last, it would be simple. On the rear are obviously the inputs.
DVI-I, DVI-D, and DSUB(VGA).
On the front you'll find the Ambrilight light sensor for surrounding light that auto adjusts contrast, the power switch, power led, and then OSD (menu) button that can actually act quite nicely as an input select switch. You might be able to see where it says input above the button in the picture. You can use it to just switch back and forth between the inputs. Remember, if your pc's on and you've got no picture you probably have the wrong input selected. (Just had to throw that in there) These pictures are from the white model. There is also a black model.
Go over my notes about the power supply on your old pc. If you like that graphics card you check the full specs at any site that carries it. Some sites may not have the full specs but it has a DVI to VGA adapter included with it or you can choose whatever card you want. I really don't care at this point. Just kidding. Let me know if you have any other questions, what you decided to do and how it all worked out.
Thanks (you'll get my bill in the mail)
Jeff
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See if you have an AGP, OCI, PCI_E slot available first.
most G-Force and Nividia cards will have the connections needed. Monitors will run basically on any card.
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The computer is an HP media center pc m376n
Jeff:
Thanks for your help. Here is the rest of the story. I am going to switch from a PC to a Mac. I want to get a MacBook Pro for my photograhy and connect it to a 30" screen. I was hoping that my PC would continue for my wife and to run our network. Ideally, both would utilize the same monitor using one of those switches. Do you have a recommendation for a particular card?
My other solution is to simply replace the PC with a MacPro.
Peter
Jeff:
I have been out of town on business thus the delay in responding. I am not worried about the cost. having said that, I only want to use the monitor with the PC for the most basic functions. I am not into gaming. I will use the MacBook Pro for my photography. I just don't want to have two monitors on my desk, my current 17" for the PC and a 30" for the Mac. I don't have a problem with buying online.
Peter
Jeff:
I posted a response to your last email but it seems to have gone into La La land. I am sorry to hear that you were ill. I hope that you are better now. I mentioned that I thought that I might have another solution. Instead of the 30" NEC, I thought I might get the NEC 2690 WUXi which has both DVI and analog inputs. I thought I could hook the PC to the analog input and the MacBook Pro to the DVI input. Do you know if that would work? I appreciate the time you have taken to try to help me!
Peter
Jeff:
Thanks for continuing to take the time to help. I want you to know how much I appreciate it. I wish I could return the favor. I will look into upgrading my PC as you have suggested. That still seems to be the less expensive option than just buying a new PC as well as my MacBook Pro. I will do that first, then order the monitor and finally get the Mac. I will let you know when I am able to do that. It may be a while before I am able to get this done due to busyness at work.
Cheers!
Peter
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