DVI card question for new Dell

Just got my beautiful new Dell Inspiron yesterday with a 22" digital monitor.

I also bought the TV card for another $100.

Went to install the monitor and it came with two cables -- a VGA cable and a DVI cable. I went to plug in the DVI cable and low and behold no DVI card on the PC. Gee, you would think they would have mentioned that and made it an option, wouldn't you? rolleyes

So I'm not a real hardware gal (BTW you guys have saved my rear end many times just reading threads so a big THANK YOU -- you are the best site on the web). What do I need to install in the PC so I can get true digital?

Do I need a whole new video card (mui expensive) or just some kind of PCI card? How cheap can I get away with this and can a non-hardware lady do this herself or do I need to pay someone to do this for me.

If this is gonna cost more than $100 I'll live with the VGA for now.

BTW the TV is great, digitial or no digital -- the coax plugs right into a board Dell supplied for it. Wish they'd done the same for the monitor!

Thanks.

 

Hi,

What model Inspiron do you have?? You should be able to get a video card with DVI for under $100 no problem, but need to make sure you have a PCI-E slot before recommending a card (you most likely do). As far as installation, it's so easy that even a caveman can do it (heh).

 

What do you use your computer for... For 90% of computer users, DVI offers no noticeable upgrade.

 

If there is no noticable difference I may do nothing.

The Inspiron 531 has 2GB of Ram and 350GB disk. I bought it for my 85 year old dad who primarily uses it to play blackjack (no kidding). But his old PC was 6 years old and he wanted a new one. Why, I couldn't tell you.

The 531 is pretty wide (not the skinny Inspiron) and it looks like I have 3 or 4 empty PCI slots. They used one for the TV coax plug for the TV card.

The screen is a 22" digital flat screen (Dell) and is a beauty. Very nice quality even with the VGA plug.

So what do you think? Should I leave well enough alone or should I spring for $100 and put in the DVI card?

If so does anyone have recommendations as to 1) what I need 2) any brands to buy or avoid 3) how to install it? I'm your basic computer sales rep who destroys everything I touch!

:wave