[SOLVED] Searching for a proper screen-layout for my new 22" monitor?

markush · 11-13-2009, 02:09 AM

Hello together,

I bought a new monitor. It's an Asus VW225 22", wide-screen. The physical screen has a size of 47.5x30 cm. My graphics-adapter is Nvidia Geforce FX 5200.
I use the graphics-driver of nvidia and I am able to chose between different screen-layouts. My WM is fvwm2.
The Problem is when I chose "Auto" in the "nvidia-settings"-utility I get 1600x1200 pixel. This means, that everything is slightly stretched horizontally (the Firefox-icon has an elliptical form). Otherwise the size of the fonts is fine with this layout.
When I set the layout to 1440x900 pixels I get a proper horizontal-vertical ratio but everything is shown much to big.
I do not seem to have better screen-layout.
Does anyone have experience with such a wide-screen monitor and how to get a proper screen-layout?

Thanks in advance

Markus

theNbomr · 11-13-2009, 11:30 AM

In my (limited) experience, the native resolution of the monitor (1680 X 1050 in this case) usually provides the optimum view. Not sure why the 'auto' setting chooses a non-native resolution.
--- rod.

markush · 11-13-2009, 12:13 PM

Hello theNbomr,

thanks for your repley.

After some further searching it seems, that my graphics-adapter is too old and cannot provide the resolution of 1680x1050 pixel. I'm thinking about getting a new graphics-adapter or a new computer. My computer is about 3 1/2 years old and the graphics is AGP. Nowadays AGP-cards are relatively expensive compared with modern PCI-Express cards.

Markus

theNbomr · 11-13-2009, 03:59 PM

Yeah, I noticed that. I had used the same FX-5200 when I upgraded monitors a couple of years ago, and pondered the same question. My monitor did 1900X1200, and I wasn't sure if your card might properly handle the lower resolution. FWIW, I stayed with AGP, but that was a couple or three years ago. My mobo didn't have PCI-Express.
I see plenty of AGP video cards that will do the trick for around $50 in my locale.
--- rod.

markush · 11-13-2009, 04:42 PM

Well, I can get one for about 50 Euro. But a new Computer is about 350 Euro. So this is not an easy decision. The reason for getting a new monitor was that I do a lot of work sitting in front of my computer and I thought that it would be easier with a bigger screensize (ok, it is indeed a great advantage).
The Problem is that if I buy a new AGP-card (my MOBO has no PCI-Express as well) I cannot use this card when once I have to buy a new computer. Another question is how much Euro I can obtain if I sell my computer.
So I think it may be the better decision to buy a new computer (but I'm not yet sure).

Markus

i92guboj · 11-13-2009, 07:18 PM

You might be able to get some geforce 7xxx for half the price. Otherwise your options are pretty limited unless you want to change to ati, which might be a good option or not depending on how modern the desired model is and whether you can or can't live without proper 3d acceleration *today*.

If you can get a second hand card you will probably be able to sell a bit better your pc as well, so I don't think you are going to lose anything, as long as you don't invest 100 bucks on the new card.

E.T.Me · 11-13-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markush

Hello together,

I bought a new monitor. It's an Asus VW225 22", wide-screen. The physical screen has a size of 47.5x30 cm. My graphics-adapter is Nvidia Geforce FX 5200.
I use the graphics-driver of nvidia and I am able to chose between different screen-layouts. My WM is fvwm2.
The Problem is when I chose "Auto" in the "nvidia-settings"-utility I get 1600x1200 pixel. This means, that everything is slightly stretched horizontally (the Firefox-icon has an elliptical form). Otherwise the size of the fonts is fine with this layout.
When I set the layout to 1440x900 pixels I get a proper horizontal-vertical ratio but everything is shown much to big.
I do not seem to have better screen-layout.
Does anyone have experience with such a wide-screen monitor and how to get a proper screen-layout?

Thanks in advance

Markus

Try looking for someway to adjust the size of your desktop icons. Surely
you thought of that, it maybe a way to go......

teckk · 11-14-2009, 07:14 PM

I have an AGP Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 in an older machine, a P4.

It will do 1600 x 900 which should fit your wide screen ok. That's a a 16 x 9 of course.
It's hooked to an Acer h234h 24 inch.

1600 x 900 wasn't in the list of supported resolutions as I recall. I forced it and it works fine.

Make a copy of your xorg and try 1600 x 900 at 16 or 32bpp. Or use your Nvidia utility.

Anyway try forcing to a 16 x 9 ratio and see. Backup first!!

markush · 11-15-2009, 06:24 AM

Hello,

thanks for all the replies, they were very helpful.

I've tried some configuration settings (like teckk suggested) which did not work. I got a 1680x1200 resolution which is a little step in the right direction.

And I took a look at Ebay (for a second hand card as i92guboj suggested).

The idea of E.T.Me was my first idea as well, but since I have a new monitor I'm looking for a more forward-looking solution.

So I'm looking for a new computer now. My old one has some other problems too, like a relatively loud and unhealthy sound of the DVD-burner and a loud CPU-cooler (since it is not regulated by the CPU-temperature). So I think it's the time now to look for a new one.

Markus

mrrangerman · 11-16-2009, 09:38 PM

Have you edited your xorg.conf file and added the proper V&H setting for that monitor? From what I can find I'm guessing that it is a vw225n model,

Code:

Product Specifications:
Web Address 	www.asus.com
Model Number 	VW225N
Package Type 	Retail
Warranty Direct with Manufacturer 	3 Years
Unit Colour 	Front: Black
Rear: Black
Stand: Black
Screen Type 	Widescreen TFT LCD
Screen Size 	22" Widescreen
Colours 	16.7 Million
Dot Pitch 	0.282mm (H)
0.282mm (V)
Horizontal Frequency Range 	31KHz - 80KHz
Vertical Frequency Range 	56Hz - 75Hz
Response Time 	5ms
Contrast Ratio 	8000:1 (ASCR)
Brightness 	300 cd/m²
Max. Resolution 	1680 x 1050
View Angle 	Horizontal: 170°
Vertical: 160°
Tilt Angle 	+20°/-5°
Input Connector 	VGA
DVI-D
Width 	513mm
Height 	405mm
Depth 	210mm
Net Weight 	4.8Kg
Gross Weight (Kg) 	7Kg
Input Power Source 	Power Lead
Power Consumption 	Normal operation: 55 W
Off/Suspend/Stand-by mode: 2 W
Wall Mount 	VESA 100mm x 100mm
Compliance 	Energy Star
TCO03
CB
CE
FCC
CCC
UL
VCCI
PSB
BSMI
Gost-R
RoHS
C-Tick
WEEE
WHQL
Special Features 	High-quality 16:10 widescreen panel
Fit two A4 size pages on screen
DVI Video Input with HDCP Supported
ASCR (ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio) Technology
Package Contents 	Quick Start Guide
Power Lead
DVI Lead
VGA Lead

Set your xorg.conf file with the recommended setting for that unit.

Quote:

markush
So I'm looking for a new computer now. My old one has some other problems too, like a relatively loud and unhealthy sound of the DVD-burner and a loud CPU-cooler (since it is not regulated by the CPU-temperature).

A burner is far less than a new system, as for the cpu fan take some air and clean it well if it is making some bearing squeal take the fan off and on the back side of the fan should be a sticker, pull the sticker back and you should be able to see the bearing. Put a drop of lite weight oil (3n one or sewing mach. oil) on it and put it back in the system. That should quiet it down for awhile.

markush · 11-17-2009, 01:51 AM

Hello mrrangerman,

thanks for your reply. Well you're right with the specifications of the monitor. But my problem is that the graphics-adapter (an old nvidia Geforce 5200) cannot provide the resolution of 1680x1050 pixel. I've tried it out with some changes in my xorg.conf but I got 1680x1200 pixel as the best resolution.

Quote:

A burner is far less than a new system...

Well this is true as well. But my concern is to invest more money in a my old system than the system is worth.
The CPU-cooler is new, I bought it two month ago. The problem with this gadget is indeed not that it is damaged but that it is not regulated.

Markus