Will my Computer Support 1080p and with what Video Card?

I've been doing some research but thought it might be better to post here with more specifics...

I would like to know if my computer will be able to support a 1080p monitor via HDMI cable. I found out I need a certain video card, and see there are numerous to choose from, ranging from $50 to over $200.

I wont be using it for gaming from the computer, however I currently do not have a monitor for this computer and would like to go ahead and get an HD monitor (found a good deal on one) for future use. Id also be able to hook up Blu ray and xbox...

I think all I need is an upgraded video card, but that depends on the motherboard and power supply?

If anyone can help me find out if my computer is compatible with a new video card, please let me know what info from the computer you need to find out.

thanks

I've been doing some research but thought it might be better to post here with more specifics...

I would like to know if my computer will be able to support a 1080p monitor via HDMI cable. I found out I need a certain video card, and see there are numerous to choose from, ranging from $50 to over $200.

I wont be using it for gaming from the computer, however I currently do not have a monitor for this computer and would like to go ahead and get an HD monitor (found a good deal on one) for future use. Id also be able to hook up Blu ray and xbox...

I think all I need is an upgraded video card, but that depends on the motherboard and power supply?

If anyone can help me find out if my computer is compatible with a new video card, please let me know what info from the computer you need to find out.

thanks

What computer do you have presently?
Do you already have a DVI or HDMI port?
What graphics board (if any) do you have?
Do you take AGP or PCI-E graphics cards.

If you don't already have DVI on your machine, if you're VGA only, and can take PCI-E graphics cards, then the ATI 3450 is a basic board that will decode bluray and provide GREAT HDTV support. They start at about $50 on newegg.

If your system sucks, there are AGP solutions, but keep in mind that a total upgrade to a chip/motherboard/4gb/ram floats at around $275 right now. You "may" need a new power supply.

Im still trying to get my buddy to give me that info.

New question though... since I really just want to go ahead and get a good monitor that will still be nice years down the road, will most computers (4 years old even) that have a VGA out be able to connect to a 1080p monitor that has VGA? I dont have to have high def right away with this monitor, I just want that option down the road.

Im still trying to get my buddy to give me that info.

Instead of waiting, just go to: belarc.com (http://www.belarc.com) and download their "Belarc Advisor". It will list every piece of hardware and software on your system. Very hand to have when you need help, repair or upgrades.

Instead of waiting, just go to: belarc.com (http://www.belarc.com) and download their "Belarc Advisor". It will list every piece of hardware and software on your system. Very hand to have when you need help, repair or upgrades.

cool thanks for the link

Im still trying to get my buddy to give me that info.

New question though... since I really just want to go ahead and get a good monitor that will still be nice years down the road, will most computers (4 years old even) that have a VGA out be able to connect to a 1080p monitor that has VGA? I dont have to have high def right away with this monitor, I just want that option down the road.

This issue isn't whether VGA will do 1080P, but rather if an HDTV's VGA input will support 1080P. Most large sets do not. If your PC has DVI or HDMI, odds are higher that you can do 1080P.

My old machine was about 7 years old, running an AMD Socket A Athlon XP 2000+. On an AMD Radeon 9600 I could do 1080P, but the system was a little too sluggish to decode 1080P WMV or DIVX video. I could only imagine bluray. I did upgrade for a short time to the XP 2800+, released late 2002. It was almost enough to decode these video standards. 720P was flawless though.

I can't really answer your question with any accuracy. There are too many variables. A "4 year old machine" could mean anything, and it's really a question of what your application is. If all you plan to do is check your e-mail in outlook express, then there would be no issue with using a slower machine, even one from 1999. In fact, I used a Pentium III 766 specifically to playback media using the ATI 9600 on a 1080i set, and check my e-mail 5-7 years ago. On the flip side, a newer machine might actually be slower than an older one. Here's how it works, AMD for example releases a socket 939, and later releases dumbed down chips on socket 754. The newer machines can't handle dual channel memory or dual core.

So in short, I don't know what you got. If your current video card can't do 1080P, you can always buy one that does. If your application is bluray playback, ATI has some great options that decode the video on board.