Limited to 1280x1024 Resolution; Video Card Question

[Stoney]

My 17" Viewsonic is a more than decent monitor. However, it is maxed at 1280x1024. I want to replace my X800GTO 256 meg DDR3 card with some of the newest mid-range offerings.

I have looked at the 9600 offerings but all are with 512 mb. Question: Since I cannot push my monitor past the resolution posted, would 512mb be, as they say, a "waste" because I will never be able to utilize the mb for higher resolutions? Or am I missing something here in the equation? (a new monitor is out of the question; this is a socket 939 system so I won't be doing too many more upgrades and I need this one to last).

I have looked at the 3850 cards in a 256/256 configuration.

Thoughts? Thanks.

[Sylvander]

"a new monitor is out of the question"
Surely it's the video card, and/or the video card drivers that are limiting the "Screen area" [and "Colors"?]
Please see in the screenshot below of my own system that it is the Graphics Controller [plus its drivers] that determines the number of available colors and the screen area.
I notice that on my system...
When I set the number of colors to the maximum (24 bit), the screen area drops automatically from the max [1600 x 1200] to 1280 x 1024.
I assume that's the maximum capability of my video card and drivers combination.
My monitor is presently a 19 inch Samsung SyncMaster 957p, but was yesterday a 17 inch Iiyama, and the available settings were the same I believe.
.

[Stoney]

As per ViewSonic the optimum (highest) setting is 1280x1024. I have gone into the control panel and regardless if it is 16-bit or 32-bit the highest setting is 1280x1024.

[odannyboy000]

512MB won't be a waste, depending on what games you play. The newer games coming out will require 512MB just to play them, regardless of the resolution. Just get whatever GPU you can afford.

If you are on a tight budget go for the 9600gt. Next the 8800gt.