Using my 42 inch Toshiba for a display

[seanny]

I am doing a build for me for my bedroom and am almost done.The only question I have is I am not going to use an LCD monitor.Instead,I am just going to use what is already there,a Toshiba 42inch <>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889253240.<><>Sort of like this 40inch model here.I am really only using the computer for WEB surfing and a little media.My question is should I buy a monitor for this build or will the TV be OK.Also which graphics card should I go with?I have $300. to spend on the graphics card.I want a card that is very quiet(NVIDIA GTS or GTX series).I saw a GTX # 470 (PNY recertified) for about $240<>.Or should I get a different card?

 

[hellwig]

To answer your first question, the TV should be sufficient. At 1080P, you'll be hard-pressed to find a monitor with better resolution.

If you are not playing any games or doing any graphical development, don't spend anywhere near $240 on a GPU. In fact, if your motherboard has on-board video, that might be all you need (if not, or its insufficient or incompatible, you really don't need to spend more than $50).

What Video-inputs does your Toshiba have available? Component (that yellow-RCA plug), S-VIDEO, Composite (red, blue, green RCA-plugs), DVI, VGA/D-Sub (like old monitors), HDMI?

If your TV is close-enough to the one you linked, you have your option of VGA/D-Sub, HDMI (DVI-adapter), Composite, and Component. I would go the HDMI route, either with a GPU that has an HDMI port, or using a DVI-to-HDMI adapter on any GPU with a DVI port (these's days, thats 99% of them).

If you want to use that D-Sub port, again, you just need a DVI-I or VGA output (DVI-I has analog and digital, so you can use a DVI-to-VGA adapter, and the stereo audio cable).

If you want to use the Composite or Component video inputs, you need a video -card that supports those outputs (and you'll need a cable that splits your stereo-output to Left-Right [red and white] audio cables). Many main-stream and value-cards come with these outputs.

Like I said before, do not spend more than $50 if you are only going to surf the web, play Farmville, and watch DVDs/Blurays. You could get away with basically any discrete GPU card available.

 

[seanny]

Best answer selected by seanny.

 

[seanny]

To answer your first question, the TV should be sufficient. At 1080P, you'll be hard-pressed to find a monitor with better resolution.

If you are not playing any games or doing any graphical development, don't spend anywhere near $240 on a GPU. In fact, if your motherboard has on-board video, that might be all you need (if not, or its insufficient or incompatible, you really don't need to spend more than $50).

What Video-inputs does your Toshiba have available? Component (that yellow-RCA plug), S-VIDEO, Composite (red, blue, green RCA-plugs), DVI, VGA/D-Sub (like old monitors), HDMI?

If your TV is close-enough to the one you linked, you have your option of VGA/D-Sub, HDMI (DVI-adapter), Composite, and Component. I would go the HDMI route, either with a GPU that has an HDMI port, or using a DVI-to-HDMI adapter on any GPU with a DVI port (these's days, thats 99% of them).

If you want to use that D-Sub port, again, you just need a DVI-I or VGA output (DVI-I has analog and digital, so you can use a DVI-to-VGA adapter, and the stereo audio cable).

If you want to use the Composite or Component video inputs, you need a video -card that supports those outputs (and you'll need a cable that splits your stereo-output to Left-Right [red and white] audio cables). Many main-stream and value-cards come with these outputs.

Like I said before, do not spend more than $50 if you are only going to surf the web, play Farmville, and watch DVDs/Blurays. You could get away with basically any discrete GPU card available.

Thank you for the reply.You made the choice very easy,again thanks.Info was helpful.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey