Graphics Card and Display

Graphics Card – ATI RADEON 9800 XT 256MB

At the end of the day, when a gamer sits down to duke it out in Final Fantasy XI or Call of Duty, nothing takes precedence over immersive graphics. Sure, sound is important, as is AI, physics, and all of the other complementary technologies. However, the latest and greatest games are generally praised for their gorgeous graphics (Trespasser is the exception in that it looked good; heinous user controls are what bushwhacked that one).

ATI RADEON 9800 XT

If you’re to go all-out and buy a new Athlon 64 FX-51, the fastest gaming processor currently available, why not complement it with a similarly capable video card? ATI’s RADEON 9800 XT, available online for about $450, is currently top dog. It’s very similar to the RADEON 9800 Pro that preceded it (and in turn, very much like the original 9700 Pro); the most significant change is higher clock speeds. The RADEON 9800 XT’s core runs at 412MHz and its memory bus cruises along at 365MHz, delivering 23.3GB per second of bandwidth. A large copper cooler keeps the card stable at its enhanced frequencies, but other than that, the 9800 XT is architecturally identical.

Because the RADEON 9800 Pro is so much like the recently introduced XT, it makes for an attractive alternative at just $300 online. You don’t get the beefy copper cooler or dynamic overclocking via OVERDRIVE, but with a bit of conservative overclocking, it shouldn’t be hard to replicate the XT’s level of performance.

If you’d like more information on the RADEON 9800 XT’s performance, including overclocking results, check out our 9800 XT preview.

Display – Dell 2001FP LCD Display

Most gamers tend towards CRT monitors, and for good reason. At one time, even pricey LCDs suffered slow response rates that caused ghosting, a trailing effect most apparent in fast games and movies. Differences in the way CRT displays work preclude them from that problem.

Dell 2001FP

Purists will argue that CRT displays are the only way to game. And while their points merit acknowledgement, a new generation of flat panel displays goes a long way in bridging the gap that once divided the two technologies. Dell’s latest introduction, the 2001FP, is an embodiment of a magnificent gaming display. Plus, it looks a lot better than any of its predecessors – the .7-inch bezel all around is elegant, to say the least.

The 20” LCD employs a 1600x1200 native resolution. Fortunately, we don’t have to worry about sub-standard quality, as the RADEON 9800 XT makes for a perfect complement, as both components do their best work at 1600x1200.

Dell integrates several connectivity options, including DVI-V, D-Sub, S-Video, and composite inputs. A picture-in picture mode enables video streaming from the latter two connectors. The 2001FP also comes equipped with a USB 2.0 hub that exposes four ports.

With regard to performance, there isn’t much to say against the 2001FP. Dell specifies a 16ms response rate (that is, the time it takes a pixel to switch from on to off and back again), which is currently the best you can buy. Be it placebo or actual performance, hours of subjective gaming tests failed to uncover any instance of “ghosting.” Dell’s 2001FP is easily the display to own.

(For those who insist on the best-looking image, only a CRT will do. Sony's 21" F520 is the display of choice among graphics artists and CAD users. It boasts a 2048 x 1536 max resolution and 0.22mm dot pitch among its list of features.
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