Need help with widescreen LCD

[formula4speed]

I just picked up a 19 inch widescreen LCD monitor for my PC at home and I can't seem to get it to display at it's native resolution. When I go into my Display properties it doesn't give me the option for 1440x900 that it is supposed to run at. Acer didn't send a disk with any drivers on it that I could install. Could it be a problem with my video card? I'm not sure exactly what card I'm currently using because it's an off the shelf PC, not custom built. I'm running a Compaq SR1030NX with Windows XP, I can't seem to find anything on Compaqs website about what video card I have. Someone save my new toy!

[Tsmith]

Your setup seems to have integrated graphics on the Motherboard but according to specifications it does have an AGP slot for a better video card + it'll free up the onboard graphics from using extra memory.

You oughta be able to pickup an AGP (NOT PCI) type for less than $100 at a local Best Buy store. That way you can adjust the resolution via the video card driver settings.

Its easy to install and would be glad to help with the steps and do prefer Nvidia.

[formula4speed]

Aside from an AGP interface, is there anything else I need to look for as far as compatiblity goes? My monitor doesn't do DVI so thats not an issue for me. Is 256 of memory generally enough for a video card or would I see a real difference if I went for more? As far as a physical installation that shouldn't be an issue, I can take apart and put together pretty much anything you can put in front of me. Thanks for the reply.

[Tsmith]

No just AGP is all _ heres how the driver interface looks using a Nvidia card. Really there's no sense in spending a lot of money on an AGP type card with extra memory as the technology is now obsolete to PCI, 128MB will do fine if you can find one.



http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5733/untitlededited17xc.png

[formula4speed]

Awesome, thanks for your help. I'll see if I can't run over to Best Buy after work, even if they are expensive compared to Newegg I'm feeling impatient.

[Tsmith]

Yea you can probably beat Best Buys price but in your situation I might not wait either. They sell BFG brand cards that are very good in quality. Also when you get it Nvidia has update drivers on their web site that'll be newer than what comes on the install CD.

You'll have to disable the on board graphics but a few quick steps and its done before installing the new video card.

[jbkalla]

PCI --> AGP --> PCI-express