Lowest cost to upgrade older system to 2560x1440

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tschotland

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Apr 26, 2013
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Hello,

I want to purchase a 27" 2560x1440 monitor and use it with an older PC (either the one I own or another I will pick up on eBay). I have no need for massive computing/graphics power, I just require a lot of screen real-estate for what I do. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive graphics card with modest power supply requirements that supports this resolution on a DVI dual-link interface? Alternatively, can anyone recommend an older model PC that has integrated graphics capable of handling this resolution?
I am loathe to pay a lot of money for a new system just to gain the higher resolution when I need so little computing power (my current system was made in 2004 and does everything I need!).

Thanks,

Tom
 
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hizodge

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Nov 22, 2012
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As far as I know, all the GT 600 series support 2560x1440 just fine as long as you're not planning on any hardcore gaming on it. They're priced usually around $50 USD and upward to $150 or so. The power requirements are very meager as well, look up specs for individual cards on http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus?keys=&field_gpu_series_value=600

They still require a PCI-E compatible motherboard, however.
 
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tschotland

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Apr 26, 2013
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IBM ThinkCentre 8183. Really old system that I use primarily as a CNC controller. Has only 2 PCI-32 (original PCI) slots, which is why I am willing to spring for another old PC with more modern buses if that's what it takes.

I suppose another alternative is a new motherboard with appropriate integrated graphics, if such a thing exists.
 
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tschotland

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Apr 26, 2013
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Well I do no gaming at all, so this might do the trick just fine. And the power requirements are indeed modest. Thanks!

Since I don't have any PCI-E slots, I have to score another mobo or entire PC anyway, so this leads me to wonder if there are any older ones out there that have GT 600 series on board, or other appropriate hardware. Do you know? That would kill two birds with one stone.

 
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tschotland

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Apr 26, 2013
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Alas, no AGP...

FWIW it's an 8183-NUT system.

 
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hizodge

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Nov 22, 2012
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You could get an H77 chipset motherboard, 3rd gen Intel Core i3 CPU and Nvidia Geforce GT 600 series graphics card for around ~$250 USD give or take. You'll have to reinstall your OS though, and so I'd recommend you pick up an SSD and some cheap DDR3 memory at the same time and use it as your system drive. This would speed up your PC more than I care to guess.

I don't know if it remains "lowest cost" anymore, but properly updating your computer once in a 10 years isn't that bad. :)
 
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tschotland

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Apr 26, 2013
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Well I think I'm going to pick up an entire "new" older system on eBay for about $100. Do you know any reason a Dell Optiplex GX620 would not work? I am pretty sure it's got a PCI-E 2.0 16x slot.

Thanks for all your help!

 
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