Graphics card not compatible with Samsung Syncmaster

Panda

Ive got a second hand IBM thinkcentre m55p PC with a standard Lenovo graphics card.
(sorry for the ebay link cant find it elsewhere http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Lenovo-DVI-I-PCI-E-FRU39J9334-/170564295378 )

I was using it with a HP1740 monitor which was fine at all resolutions.

Now im using it with a Samsung Syncmaster 19'' wide-screen LCD TV monitor and it wont allow me to change the resolution to the highest available in the display settings.

At the moment the resolution is at 1280 x 960 and its pissing me off because everything is squashed.
The higher resolutions available are;
1280 x 1024 (works but even more squashed)
1400 x 1050
1600 x 900
1680 x 1050 (recommended)

All three of the ones above 1280 x 1024 cause the screen to go black and the monitor then gives this message in the center of the screen:

Not Optimum Mode
Recommended Mode
1440 x 900 60hz

The most up to date drivers i can find are installed
Driver Date: 23-Sept-09
Driver version: 8.15.10.1930

I hope its just something obvious I'm missing but if i need to upgrade the card then that's fine too, please feel free to suggest what ones would work.

marco_polo

Looks like the graphics card/drivers don't support 1440 X 900 which appears to be the monitors native resolution. Probably new card time methinks, unless you can find drivers that support it (I would bet they probably don't exist)

Panda

Thanks marco polo, I've been looking ever since i posted here and im getting the same idea....

Embarassingly I have found that the screen was in widescreen mode, which was causing the squashed appearance.
However when i switched down to 4:3 it left large black unused areas of the screen and i dont want that either...

I'm hoping not to spend over 100 on a card so i spotted this one, but im not sure if it would be compatible because its pci express 2.1:
http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_01COM/10_GRPCARD/04_PCI-E/productdetails/20053665/ASUS_EAH5670_DI_512MD5_Graphics_adapter_Radeon/90_C1CNZA_J0UAN0BZ/default.aspx

If not that then maybe just this:

http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_01COM/10_GRPCARD/04_PCI-E/productdetails/10023058/MSI_VN210_MD512H_Graphics_adapter_GF_210_PCI/VN210_MD512H/default.aspx

Any thoughts?
Maybe better deals elsewhere?

boomslang

@Panda
To answer your question with a question.
What do you use your computer for?

Card 1 will allow decent gaming (newer games just released) but you might want to check your psu can power it first! As some OEM systems have the "just about powerfull" psu in them. There will be a sticker on the side of it inside the case with it's rating.

Card 2 will allow casual gaming and general daily use and shouldn't be an issue with the psu but you might still want to double check the power rating.

Personally our HP has card 2 and is perfect for most tasks and does play mafia 2 (not spectacularly but playable frame rates)
Hope that helps a bit

Panda

boomslang wrote: »

@Panda
To answer your question with a question.
What do you use your computer for?

I'd expect to get some decent gaming out of a new card and also a lot of photo editing so i'd like to get a faithful display of what im editing.

I'll probably get the better of the two cards then:

http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_01COM/10_GRPCARD/04_PCI-E/productdetails/20053665/ASUS_EAH5670_DI_512MD5_Graphics_adapter_Radeon/90_C1CNZA_J0UAN0BZ/default.aspx

I'm at work at the moment but i searched for my psu and found the exact one for sale on ebay with helpful photos

http://omg.wthax.org/429642846_o.jpg

Where can i find out if the power consumption of this card?

boomslang

For a 5670 AMD recommends 400W psu or higher and 500 for crossfire support
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/ati-radeon-hd-5670-overview/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5670-overview.aspx#3

So you would need to replace the current psu as it seems to be underpowered for that card.
Komplett have a 400W coolermaster for €39.95 but I got a 750W from dabs.ie for not much more.

Panda

Thanks for your help boomslang, i've found a similar card
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/7450786/art/gainward/geforce-gt-430-1-gb-gddr3.html#pix-review
on pixmania.ie for €63 in their winter sale. Another reason is because of the things people are saying on the talk to komplett forum here on boards.

This card calls for a minimum of a 300w psu and my current psu says its maximum is 310w, its probably a bit too close but should i still upgrade it?

Jonny7

It'll be fine

That card is about the same speed at the ATI 4670, so you can actually play most games on it, not at the very highest, but should run alright

Bog standard PSU's are far less effficient than quality ones like Corsair, etc

The nvidia 430 will run on your machine, in fact your entire machine will probably use a good bit less than 200 watts at full load.. so don't worry

However due to bog standard PSU's horrible efficiency a bigger more thirsty card is not recommended

Heres how your card fairs in games
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GT_430/28.html

boomslang

as jonny7 says your psu should be ok but if you notice lock ups or stuttering it could be due to the power. Also as the pic you posted suggests that it's power drops in warmer environments ie 275W at 45 degrees if the house is warm ad the inside case temp rises it might cause issue but in theory you should be ok but if you do notice odd behavior assume the psu is the issue.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-geforce-gt-430-us.html

Solitaire

A HD5670 should not consume too much power even while gaming. If it were a HD5750 I'd be a little more concerned.

boomslang

That I can confirm as I needed to replace my 410W to at least 500W to accommodate my 5750 so I opted for a 750W for plenty of overhead with crossfire capability

Panda

Thanks for the advice lads, i appreciate the help.
I checked with my brother and it turns out he has a spare 500w psu that he doesnt mind giving me

Sorted.

boomslang

Cool
Happy new year