back in the days before HDTV invasion into the computer market...  :D   there were "standard" resolutions for different monitor sizes.  but these days, you can barely find a monitor that has 1920x1200 anymore(standard 24")...:(

a "standard resolution" 27" monitor is supposed to be 2560x1440 and a standard 30" is 2560x1600 resolution

unfortunately, those 2 resolutions are now considered "professional" monitors (with a price tag to match).   i want to get a 30" personally, but at $1200+ each, i'm kinda holding out to see if they put out either LED (yes i know about the XL30 but that sucker was like $2600 when it was even on sale) or OLED versions so my room doesnt get too hot:D

resolution is addictive.  and unlike other frivolous computer upgrades (100 fps vs 60fps, or 16xAA vs 4xAA) you can SEE a HUUUUGE difference between high resolution and low resolution.  it's the ONLY reason to buy top of the line computer these days:D  

it's easy to see the difference.  you just need to adjust the resolution down a few notchs when you play your fav game.   play like that for 2 hrs.  then switch back to your regular resolution and you'll see how much difference there is:D

I've never had a very nice monitor. The best one I have ever had is the one I have right now which is a 19'' MAG Innovision. I love the matte look...I rather dislike glossy, but I just don't wanna spend 300 bucks on the 27'' if it doesn't look great. It's a perfect monitor for me besides the glossy look, the possibly lower resolution then wanted and thats really it. It's a large screen, has a built in tv tuner which is something I need, it has composite and component for older system like a gamecube and has an HDMI port. I think it would be perfect for playing pc/360 and watching television. I just don't want to be dissapointed by the resolution. I may try to take a ride to the nearest best buy and check out monitors like it to see if I'll be satisfyed.

IMO, a good monitor is one of the most important peice of computer equipment you can get:D   it's the most important peice of gear that let you know how well your game is playing:D   FPS, AA, AF, etc... doesnt mean anything if you can't see the difference:D   

it's like having a 600hp racing engine running on a bicycle tire:D   it wont perform any better then a little 5 hp lawn mower engine because the limitation is not the engine.  just like running a quad SLi on a 15" monitor, the limitation isnt at the GPU,  the limitation is the monitor. :D

there is no reason to run a $600 video card if you arent getting a nice monitor that can help you "appreicate" that much gpu power.   as i've mentioned in the past.  there isnt any reason to go SLi since a single 580GTX can easily run a 2560x1600 resolution monitor with the necessary(noticiable) options turned on...

Originally posted by Nunez1212

How good is bulldozer supposedly going to be? I mean my budget has gone up a huge huge amount. I have been making a lot of changes, that first thing was a real rough draft. Now I'm considering getting an i7 2600. How would that compare to what the bulldozer is supposed to be?

My new build so far is looking like this:

CoolMaster HAF 942

8GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM

SuperClocked GTX 570

Z68 Motherboard

Intel i7-2600

Trying to find a good 850w modular PSU

Also looking for a very nice cpu heatsink

Lastly a 2TB HD and a 128 GB SSD Sata III

On a side note:

PC360 Headset with Astro Mixamp

Also not sure what sound card yet.

Is there a specific reason why you want an i7 processor?  The only benefit I know of i7 processors is that it offers hyperhtreading, but very few if any games are written to utilize hyper threading. You pay more money for a feature you will never utilize. Buy an i5 processor instead. Much more bang for the buck!

Originally posted by Nunez1212

How good is bulldozer supposedly going to be? I mean my budget has gone up a huge huge amount. I have been making a lot of changes, that first thing was a real rough draft. Now I'm considering getting an i7 2600. How would that compare to what the bulldozer is supposed to be?

My new build so far is looking like this:

CoolMaster HAF 942

8GB DDR3 1600Mhz RAM

SuperClocked GTX 570

Z68 Motherboard

Intel i7-2600

Trying to find a good 850w modular PSU

Also looking for a very nice cpu heatsink

Lastly a 2TB HD and a 128 GB SSD Sata III

On a side note:

PC360 Headset with Astro Mixamp

Also not sure what sound card yet.

Is the Z68 motherboard an Asus P8Z68-V? If so, go for faster RAM memory. You can get 1866 RAM (8GB) for less than 70$. The motherboard even allows faster RAM than that.

1) Someone stated that I should get the i5 instead of the i7 and I have already changed my opinion on the cpu matter. I will either be waiting for zambezi to see how to goes and then making the decision or getting the i5 2500k.

2) About the monitor...ugh...I just don't know. The p2770hd looks quite nice, but I know I could get better...but of about 700 bucks more!

3) As for the higher Mhz RAM comment, the reason I was thinking about getting the 1600Mhz is because I have heard that it is not noticably faster after about the 1600 point. Also to that person, I have been thinking about getting the a good p67 motherboard instead..that is if I do get the i5 2500k.

4) I'm not even sure I'm going to get all fo this now...with the value of the U.S. dollar plummeting to the floor...I am a bit worried it will not stay the worlds reserve currency for much longer and am not sure spending 2-3k on a computer would be a smart economic move right now.