Building My Own Computer

[Supernova]

Monitors - 1 BenQ G925HDA 18.5"W 1366x768 40000:1 5ms - B2,690 & 1 BenQ G610HDAL 15.6" Widescreen / Color Black - B2,390 - Pantip Plaza

You could have done better...

Other than that, congratulations on building your own computer!

the picture quality is absolutely spot-on for my needs,

Well, as long as you're happy with it.

I was a bit surprised you opted for a small screen rather than 22 inch @ 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 resolution. I've seen the BenQ 18" LCDs, I must say I wasn't impressed with the overall IQ.

[MaiDong]

Monitors - 1 BenQ G925HDA 18.5"W 1366x768 40000:1 5ms - B2,690 & 1 BenQ G610HDAL 15.6" Widescreen / Color Black - B2,390 - Pantip Plaza

You could have done better...

Other than that, congratulations on building your own computer!

the picture quality is absolutely spot-on for my needs,

Well, as long as you're happy with it.

I was a bit surprised you opted for a small screen rather than 22 inch @ 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 resolution. I've seen the BenQ 18" LCDs, I must say I wasn't impressed with the overall IQ.

I just don't want to keep on growing with the manufacturers recommendations, 18.5" is plenty, if I want to watch a movie I'll go into the living room and sit in front of the TV(old 26" Samsung BIG BOX), if I'm in my office I'm either manually creating something or answering emails, editing photos and for those purposes it's fine, and with regards to the image quality, that's absolutely fine too, I'm sure the staff in these shops dull certain models to promote others for higher commissions, I've got friends with expensive makes of monitors and mine are equal to them

[MaiDong]

Monitors - 1 BenQ G925HDA 18.5"W 1366x768 40000:1 5ms - B2,690 & 1 BenQ G610HDAL 15.6" Widescreen / Color Black - B2,390 - Pantip Plaza

You could have done better...

Other than that, congratulations on building your own computer!

the picture quality is absolutely spot-on for my needs,

Well, as long as you're happy with it.

I was a bit surprised you opted for a small screen rather than 22 inch @ 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 resolution. I've seen the BenQ 18" LCDs, I must say I wasn't impressed with the overall IQ.

What monitor would you recommend? If I see something special, for a decent price I would consider it...

[Supernova]

What monitor would you recommend? If I see something special, for a decent price I would consider it...

I can't make any recommendations since everyone has different needs, but here are a couple things to look for...

- Static contrast ratio >1000:1

- Response time <12ms

- Low pixel pitch (aka dot pitch)

See also:

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/specs.htm

[Sateev]

Perhaps I missed it, but what components did you settle on? Could you break it down, with prices, in case someone else was looking to build their machine?

Certainly

Case - Nox Coolbay devil Edition - B2,250 - Pantip Plaza - EDIT - I have to say that it doesn't glow up as much as it's showing in the pictures, they're not distracting flashing lights either, quite calming actually, but if I get bored of them at a later date, I'll try cutting the LED wires! Looking at it head-on it's very smart

CPU - Intel Core™ i5-2500 Sandy Bridge Processor (6M Cache, 3.30 GHz) (BX80623I52500) - B6,850 InvadeIT

Motherboard - Asus P8H61-M LE(B3) LGA1155 / H61 / 2 x DDR3 / 4 x SATA 3Gb/s / uATX - B2,490 InvadeIT. I got this one instead of this one, it was B260 cheaper, it has pretty much the same features but is without USB3 ports, but does include a HDMI port which is important for me to fit a second monitor.

PSU(power supply) - Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500W Power Supply (RS-500-PCAR-A3) - B1,900 InvadeIT

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATA 6Gb/s 1TB Hard Drive 7200RPM 32MB Cache (ST31000524AS) - B2,080 InvadeIT

RAM - Kingston 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 DIMM (Kit of 2) XMP (KHX1600C9D3K2/4GX) - B1,890 InvadeIT

DVD Drive - Asus DRW-24B3ST Internal 24x SATA DVD-Writer Black - B690 InvadeIT

Monitors - 1 BenQ G925HDA 18.5"W 1366x768 40000:1 5ms - B2,690 & 1 BenQ G610HDAL 15.6" Widescreen / Color Black - B2,390 - Pantip Plaza

OS - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium English 32/64-bit (GFC-00094) Retail - B4,250 InvadeIT

Mouse - Logitech Wireless Mouse M325 Dark Silver - B790 InvadeIT

B28,480 including trackable post which took less than 24 hours, and I have to say that InvadeIT was outstanding throughout my order processing, instant replies to my queries, extra help and info on other subjects, they exceeded my expectations completely, it gave me extra peace-of-mind knowing that there is a proficient English speaking person(European, no less) willing to answer my questions, NOT the regular arrogant, grunting & uninterested rep I encountered whilst looking around in Pantip Plaza!

I even got a nice little gift in the Package! Thanks T

I looked at BOTH the motherboards you mention, and NEITHER of them seemed to have an HDMI port. Did I miss something?

[MaiDong]

Perhaps I missed it, but what components did you settle on? Could you break it down, with prices, in case someone else was looking to build their machine?

Certainly

Case - Nox Coolbay devil Edition - B2,250 - Pantip Plaza - EDIT - I have to say that it doesn't glow up as much as it's showing in the pictures, they're not distracting flashing lights either, quite calming actually, but if I get bored of them at a later date, I'll try cutting the LED wires! Looking at it head-on it's very smart

CPU - Intel Core™ i5-2500 Sandy Bridge Processor (6M Cache, 3.30 GHz) (BX80623I52500) - B6,850 InvadeIT

Motherboard - Asus P8H61-M LE(B3) LGA1155 / H61 / 2 x DDR3 / 4 x SATA 3Gb/s / uATX - B2,490 InvadeIT. I got this one instead of this one, it was B260 cheaper, it has pretty much the same features but is without USB3 ports, but does include a HDMI port which is important for me to fit a second monitor.

PSU(power supply) - Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500W Power Supply (RS-500-PCAR-A3) - B1,900 InvadeIT

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATA 6Gb/s 1TB Hard Drive 7200RPM 32MB Cache (ST31000524AS) - B2,080 InvadeIT

RAM - Kingston 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 DIMM (Kit of 2) XMP (KHX1600C9D3K2/4GX) - B1,890 InvadeIT

DVD Drive - Asus DRW-24B3ST Internal 24x SATA DVD-Writer Black - B690 InvadeIT

Monitors - 1 BenQ G925HDA 18.5"W 1366x768 40000:1 5ms - B2,690 & 1 BenQ G610HDAL 15.6" Widescreen / Color Black - B2,390 - Pantip Plaza

OS - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium English 32/64-bit (GFC-00094) Retail - B4,250 InvadeIT

Mouse - Logitech Wireless Mouse M325 Dark Silver - B790 InvadeIT

B28,480 including trackable post which took less than 24 hours, and I have to say that InvadeIT was outstanding throughout my order processing, instant replies to my queries, extra help and info on other subjects, they exceeded my expectations completely, it gave me extra peace-of-mind knowing that there is a proficient English speaking person(European, no less) willing to answer my questions, NOT the regular arrogant, grunting & uninterested rep I encountered whilst looking around in Pantip Plaza!

I even got a nice little gift in the Package! Thanks T

I looked at BOTH the motherboards you mention, and NEITHER of them seemed to have an HDMI port. Did I miss something?

I don't think you did, as I'm no professional I get things mixed up, my mistake!

What I meant was that it had the ability to connect a second monitor via the DVI port, for anybody who needs to know, it's a DVI-D port so the right corresponding adaptor will be needed, NOT the DVI-I adaptor which is the only adaptor I was able to find over this side of town, and it cost B120! Luckily the shop refunded for my mistake. In the end I had to order 1 from Hong Kong for B45 including post - unbelievable.

[MaiDong]

Well, my DVI-D adaptor finally arrived from HK, I plugged it in and NOTHING

I checked my ASUS mother board config and this is what I'm seeing...

Does this mean I can't, after all this time & effort, connect a second monitor to my PC? I would have thought that dual monitor support is included in a brand new ASUS motherboard...

[MaiDong]

Having now read the spec for my monitors it seems they are RGB and are not compatible with DVI-D input

Very, very p1ssed off.

[Supernova]

What you need (I think) is a DVI-I to VGA adapter, not DVI-D.

[MaiDong]

Any recommendations for a compatible monitor?

[MaiDong]

What you need (I think) is a DVI-I to VGA adapter, not DVI-D.

I originally bought a DVI-I adapter and it wasn't compatible with my motherboard, I wasn't able to find an adapter locally so I had to buy one from HK which is what arrived today, a DVI-I adapter has 4 extra pins and simply won't enter the socket - the DVI-D adapter fits perfectly - everything is snugly plugged in together, it seems that my motherboard might not support 2 monitors, is that possible??

[MaiDong]

I just tried my older monitor(HPw185) which even has a DVI-D socket in it so is surely compatible and I'm seeing the same options as in the screen shot above, surely my motherboard can support dual monitors

[Supernova]

Possible that the onboard graphics subsystem doesn't support analog output on digital pins. Just a wild guess, I'm not an expert in this stuff...

[MaiDong]

Possible that the onboard graphics subsystem doesn't support analog output on digital pins. Just a wild guess, I'm not an expert in this stuff...

I don't really know anything about this kind of thing, so if your reply was a bit tongue-in-cheek please tell me, do you mean my new monitor is lower/different spec than my 3 year old monitor? I just tried my old monitor with the DVI-D adapter in the monitor socket as opposed to in the motherboard socket and I couldn't get a display so it could be the adapter but why wouldn't I get the option to use dual monitors in my screen shot above?

[Supernova]

I was referring to the integrated graphics subsystem on your motherboard. Maybe that has something to do with it...

[MaiDong]

So basically, even with a brand new mobo with DVI out, new monitors, the correct adapters etc I am unable to use dual monitors? How complicated is this supposed to be?

[Supernova]

Integrated Graphics Processor

Multi-VGA output support : DVI/RGB ports

- Supports DVI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz

- Supports RGB with max. resolution 2048 x 1536 @ 75 Hz

Supports DirectX 10.1

Source

Note: It doesn't mention anything about support for dual displays. I don't think "multi-VGA output" = dual monitor support.

[Supernova]

If my suspicions are correct, you will need to install a dedicated graphics card; one that supports dual displays.

[Tywais]

What you need (I think) is a DVI-I to VGA adapter, not DVI-D.

With all the board recommendations and suggestions I missed the DVI-D part of the final chosen mainboard as that is unusual. In other words, a DVI-I adapter will not work, won't even fit the motherboard.

The board does have dual support - one DVI-D and one VGA port. But the DVI-D is digital output only and can not be converted to analog without expensive active converter.

However, a low cast dual head video card will get it to work with the two monitors cheaper than a new monitor.

//edit - actually don't need a dual head video card, just single output that supports either DVI-I or VGA as the mainboard VGA can still be used.

[MaiDong]

What you need (I think) is a DVI-I to VGA adapter, not DVI-D.

With all the board recommendations and suggestions I missed the DVI-D part of the final chosen mainboard as that is unusual. In other words, a DVI-I adapter will not work, won't even fit the motherboard.

The board does have dual support - one DVI-D and one VGA port. But the DVI-D is digital output only and can not be converted to analog without expensive active converter.

However, a low cast dual head video card will get it to work with the two monitors cheaper than a new monitor.

//edit - actually don't need a dual head video card, just single output that supports either DVI-I or VGA as the mainboard VGA can still be used.

Thanks for the info Tywais, I'm going to shoot over to Pata, there's a helpful man I buy from sometimes and I'm sure he'll be able to help, what exactly am I asking for? If I can put a photo on my phone to show him it'll make things much easier for us both...

EDIT - plus, can I be sure it'll go into my mobo?

EDIT - plus plus, is it worth me getting a card with some other features whilst I'm getting this one?

[Tywais]

The main Asus page with specifications is sorely lacking in specifics and only states DVI and Sub-D not stating DVI-D. However, downloaded the manual and pulled the specifics out shown below.

The first image makes it clear it has DVI-D and VGA connectors and no DVI-I.

The 2nd image from the manual also clarifies it.

The 3rd shows how to enable multi-monitor support so clearly supports two monitors. Except in your case it doesn't help as you can't use the DVI-D.

The last snapshot shows it supports PCI Express for an internal graphics card. Something like this card has dual DVI-I outputs and with two DVI-I to VGA adapters will drive the two monitors. In this case you would disable the unboard video and use just the card for both monitors. That is just an example card and a fairly old model. Better choices available around the same price.

Often the card will come with one DVI-I to VGA adapter.

[MaiDong]

The main Asus page with specifications is sorely lacking in specifics and only states DVI and Sub-D not stating DVI-D. However, downloaded the manual and pulled the specifics out shown below.

The first image makes it clear it has DVI-D and VGA connectors and no DVI-I.

The 2nd image from the manual also clarifies it.

The 3rd shows how to enable multi-monitor support so clearly supports two monitors. Except in your case it doesn't help as you can't use the DVI-D.

The last snapshot shows it supports PCI Express for an internal graphics card. Something like this card has dual DVI-I outputs and with two DVI-I to VGA adapters will drive the two monitors. In this case you would disable the unboard video and use just the card for both monitors. That is just an example card and a fairly old model. Better choices available around the same price.

Often the card will come with one DVI-I to VGA adapter.

Thanks for your time Tywais, I'll go and have a look at that card now!

[MaiDong]

The bloke in the shop told me a splitter would suffice, sadly when I came home and tried it only 1 monitor displayed at one time

I'll go back tomorrow with my PC, he suggested I do that, I'll give it a go...

[Supernova]

Getting to be more trouble than it's worth. Forget the onboard VGA and install a discrete video card.

Problem solved.

I got the HD 5670 IceQ a few months ago for THB 2800. It's not a gaming card, but geared more towards HTPC. Good value in terms of price and performance. Fair warning though, it's a BIG card. If you have a micro-ATX case, check the dimensions beforehand.

[MaiDong]

Getting to be more trouble than it's worth. Forget the onboard VGA and install a discrete video card.

Problem solved.

I got the HD 5670 IceQ a few months ago for THB 2800. It's not a gaming card, but geared more towards HTPC. Good value in terms of price and performance. Fair warning though, it's a BIG card. If you have a micro-ATX case, check the dimensions beforehand.

Isn't it just! The card Tywais suggested is more suitable for me, I think - nice and cheap. As long as my monitors work with it, is there any reason why they wouldn't?

[Supernova]

Surely you could get something better to compliment your newly built system. What's your budget? Personally, I wouldn't recommend getting any VGA card released earlier than 2009.

As Tywais pointed out, "Better choices available around the same price."

[neildhawan]

Thanks all of you for this kind of information...!!

[MaiDong]

Surely you could get something better to compliment your newly built system. What's your budget? Personally, I wouldn't recommend getting any VGA card released earlier than 2009.

As Tywais pointed out, "Better choices available around the same price."

I don't do budgets, I just need to be pointed in the right direction and I'll adjust my limit as I go

What are those better choices? I don't play games but I don't mind having something that'll be suitable if I, or my son, chooses to start playing games again - I used to be addicted to the GTA games, I had to give them up when they started taking over my life though

And the size of my case isn't a problem, it's rather large!

[Supernova]

I'm sure you're not looking to overspend, so I'll be conservative.

I'd say get a Radeon 4800 series card if you can find one, otherwise go for the HD 5670 instead. Best value for money, IMHO. You'll be able to play the latest games and decode HD content with ease.

[MaiDong]

All sorted.

I settled on a glossy Samsung 23"(SM2333) which I'm using via the DVI-I socket, my 18.5" BenQ is now my second monitor on my work bench.

The bloke in the shop said part of the problem was that the monitors were different ratios, but also that the BenQ 15.6 was an irregular specification, I ended up taking my PC & 18.5" BenQ monitor into the shop and trying it together with the 23" Samsung and everything worked fine, no need to buy a VGA card or similar, thankfully!

I must say the guys in the shop in Pata Pinklao are very helpful, they refund for items that were bought in error(very rare in my experience), their English is good and they don't charge fools like me for their time. Their shop is on the 5th floor, it's the first shop in front of you when you're going up the escalators, just in case anybody wanted to know

Again, I would like to thank everybody here who has helped me throughout my adventure, I'd buy you all a beer if I had any money left