Nvidea 8600M GT 256mb

Hi guys, this community looks like a great one to ask for help, so here goes. I recently baught a MBP 15" with the mentioned card (8600GT) and was wondering about using an external screen. My laptop currently runs 1440x990 resolution on its standard monitor. However, I want to switch to a larger monitor of 1680*1050 or 1900*1200, something of that size. My question is, is this card capable of running world of warcraft on these size monitors? Without any deforming.

Also, being a complete hardware newb, what is the meaning of the term 'native' in the context of monitors.

Regards,

Ben

 

Well, the 8600M GT can support external monitors (dual dvi or others as long as you have adaptors) with a higher resolution. I'm pretty sure your graphics card is more than capable on handling WoW on higher resolutions, e.g. 1920x1200, but maybe (big maybe) you're going to have to reduce the quality of WoW. Don't fret about it too much though, WoW imo isn't really going to tax a fairly new computer into it's limit.

Native in the context of monitors refers to the native resolution of the screen your computer was shipped with. That means the resolution of the computer has not been downscaled, for example from 1440x990 to 1280x800. So if someone asks "In what resolution did you run 3d mark on that computer?", the reply would be "Oh, native resolution -- 1440x990".

 

'Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar' thanks for the explanation, i feel a little dense now With regard to adaptors, there fairly easy to get hold of anyway so its not so much of a problem

 

Lol, no prob.

I guess it's time for you to go monitor hunting. I'm not too sure about this, but if you did get the dvi to vga adaptor when you bought your MacBook Pro, that just makes the list of monitors to choose from even larger. (Although I suggest dvi because it is supposed to be digital and not analogue. Just my 2 cents )

 

I got some adaptor with it yea, not sure what it is tho! il check!

 

http://store.apple.com/us/product/M8754G/A

It's just that adaptor. lol, but if you do prefer vga over dvi monitors (or have a spare vga monitor lying around at home) I guess you could use that instead. If not, happy monitor hunting, anyways there are great monitors out there with fantabulous resolutions at a more or less affordable price.

 

The adaptor i got is DVI, to analog

But yea im willing to spend upto $500 on a monitor

 

WoW supports custom resolutions(it asks your graphics drivers about the display and offers you choices based on the currently used display when you use the pull down in video options) so you have no need to worry about deformation as long as you pick the "wide" option when appropriate.

 

Happy monitor hunting, Wowgamer.

 

And I beg you not to waste it on one of Apple's own monitors.

You could probably go for a 24" with $500. Check out some reviews etc. Generally, Viewsonic, Hanns G, Samsung are good brands to buy from

 

Looking at Samsung quite seriously, they seem the best quality, not necessarily the best price.