November 2004 Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 5

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900XT 128-MB

Current Cost: $166
Months on list: 2
Price Change: -$4

Our previous value guide brought with it a much-needed video card upgrade, and this month we don't see any reason to change. The NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900XT 128-MB has finally slid down into range of our value guide, and we're pleased because this card is not far removed from the upper mid-range. It's basically a lower-clocked GeForce FX 5900 Ultra, and includes the same core design and features, along with a 256-bit memory interface. It's also where the best price-performance ratio exists in the current market, especially as the Radeon 9800 Pro 128-MB continues to be priced just out of our reach. Due to fluctuating supplies, we haven't selected a specific model, but at this price range, GeForce FX 5900 XT cards from Sparkle, Chaintech, Apollo, eVGA and AOpen (shown below) are readily available.

The GeForce FX 5900XT is a superb choice for the value guide this month, but we're also keeping any eye on the current-generation mainstream choices like the GeForce 6600 & 6600 GT and Radeon X700 XT cards. Unfortunately, even though these do offer attractive performance at mid-range prices, these new cards are PCI Express-only for the foreseeable future. Both NVIDIA and ATI will offer AGP models, but expect these to appear later in 2004. Until then, we're not looking at gift horse in the mouth and are extremely pleased to have the powerful GeForce FX 5900XT 128-MB (like the Chaintech pictured below) to the value mix.

Monitor 19": ViewSonic E90FB

Current Cost: $190
Months on list: 2
Price Change: $0

Our $1,000 budget presents a scenario of choosing between a higher-end 17" flat-screen monitor and a 19" standard CRT or lower-end flat-screen. It's a tough compromise, but we're trying to slide in between the two extremes, and finding a 19" flat screen model that not only fits our budget, but has the features, performance and image quality we need. This is no small task, especially when looking for that perfect combination of image quality and low price that usually exists at the 17" range.

Last month we followed Samsung and retired the Samsung 955DF from our value guide and moved to the ViewSonic E90FB as a viable replacement, and it really gives us what we're looking for in a 19" monitor at this price range.

The ViewSonic E90FB offers an 18"-viewable PerfectFlat tube with a 0.21mm horizontal/0.25mm diagonal dot pitch and support for up to 1792x1344 resolutions. Of course, 1280x1024 is the standard for a 19" monitor, and ViewSonic offers an 80 Hz refresh rate at this resolution. It also includes MPR-II and Energy Star designations, and offers a full 3-year warranty on parts, labor and tube, making this a sound investment for your value gaming PC. The only potential issue might be its size and weight, which are at the top range for 19" monitors.

Samsung may have taken the 955DF off its active list, but its successor is also looking mighty fine. The Samsung 997DF picks up where the 995DF left off, and features a DynaFlat tube with a 0.20 dot pitch, along with a blazing 75 Hz refresh rate at 1600x1200. This monitor is priced just a bit too high ($205-$215) for the guide right now, but we thought we'd include it as a secondary, slightly higher-quality choice for those fans of the Samsung name and 955DF legacy. The 997DF is also a smaller and lighter alternative to the ViewSonic, and fits the bill as an alternative choice for that reason as well.

Please keep in mind that when buying any type or brand of monitor, there is always the slight chance of receiving a defective unit or a flat-screen with convergence issues, so be certain to purchase only from a vendor that offers liberal return and replacement options.