Would this be a better choice?

[Nightrain]

I just bought a new rig and monitor. Here are the specs:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+
MSI nForce3 "K8N Neo Platinum"
Corsair XMS 1 GB DDR PC3200
Radeon 9800 PRO

And I spent $869 on thr Viewsonic VP201B. Now I was curious if I should return the LCD (still unopened) and get a high end CRT and then get a 6800GT. Would that be better?

 

[Carnival Forces]

i'd say get a high-end CRT and pocket the extra money, if that Radeon9800PRO is a 256MB one, it can be modded into a Radeon9800XT: http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=3&var1=92&var2=0

 

[EnderW]

or you could keep the LCD and try and scrape together enough to get a plain 6800

 

[4keatimj]

I reckon get the CRT - although LCDs have improved, most are still short of the visual quality and clarity of CRTs. Then you can get the 6800 with the extra money - simply the best vid card on the market (SM 3.0, pure speed). Then you'll have an awesome system.

 

[Canon]

It depends how you use your computer. If you spent most of your time surfing the net etc. then an LCD is quite nice and is easier on the eyes. Also if desk space is an issue they are much smaller. They also use less electricity which can be a good thing if you need to keep the hydro bill down if you use your computer a lot.

For gaming I would still choose a CRT monitor. I have a 17" Viewsonic A70f+ Ultrabrite and I have to tell you that when yo uare in a game and you crank on that ultrabrite mode (3x brighter than a typical CRT they say, all with the push of one single button of the front of the monitor), it truely makes the games come to life. It's also nice for viewing digital photos.

This is the A70f+ which is 17": http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/crtmonitors/aseries/a70fplus/

This is the A90f+ which is 19":http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/crtmonitors/aseries/a90fplus/

 

[Nightrain]

Here is what I do with my time on the computer:

Use the internet. A lot. From reviews to forums, etc.

Games. I like playing a lot of games. Doom3, Far Cry, etc.

I consider my self a casual graphics guy. I use photoshop and sometimes 3d rendering. A lot less then the first two though.

 

[Qwestman]

Ok yeah, if your playing a lot of games, get a 6800, the best one you can afford.

 

[EnderW]

I'd get a 6800GT and a 17 LCD

 

[Leadman584]

You gonna game much at all, CRT is cheaper performance/dollar. I use a Viewsonic Ultrabrite a90f+ 19" monitor, cost $225 or less. that would leave ya over $650 for top shelf video card, which will perform considerably better than any sub $800 LCD monitor will allow. Last time I looked at LCD reviews, It takes roughly $1000 for an LCD to match the performance of my poor little CRT. If you are severly space handicapped, take the LCD and suffer. If you can spare the extra 18" in back, take the performance option, go CRT.