How to select my best graphic card/LCD monitor

[Wai_Wai]

How to select my best graphic card/LCD monitor

1. Graphic Card
This is my criteria:
- chipset: preferably 8600GT (or 8500GT)
- two DVIs (I want to use dual monitors)
- at least PCI Express x16

But there are plenty of 8600GT which meet my criteria, so which 8600GT should I pick?
What brand should I choose? What else should I look for?
The difference from the cheapest 8600GT and the dearest can be as much as US$23.
If brand has nothing to do with performance, should I simply go for the cheapest one?
What brand provides the longest warranty?


2. LCD monitor
This is my criteria:
- Resolution: Originally I wanted to pick 1600x1200. But pixel/price wise, 1680x1050 seems to be relatively cheaper although the total size of resolution is smaller, right?
- I need to buy two LCD monitors for dual monitor setup

Note: Brightness, Contrast Ratio, Response Time etc. seems to be nothing important.
Better numbers look nice but I suspect a human can observe any noticeable difference in practice.
As long as the numbers are within acceptable range, I don't think they are important in any extent. Am I right?

So durability is the only factor left which concerns me.
What brand is the most durable, or what brand provides the longest warranty?


3. Ports on LCD monitors
I see some monitors have 2+ DVIs, 2+ HDMIs, 2 D-Subs, and USB ports.
What're the points of having 2+ DVIS/HDMIs/D-Subs etc.
And what's the use of having USB port in a monitor?

Thank you.

[SniperLes]

Graphics - I use BFG or OCUK for overclocked graphics solutions. depending on budget, you might want to try the 8800 or 9600. I run SLI on the latter. warrenties are standard accross industry but you can get extended insurances but can be pricy

Monitor - ViewSonic VA2216w goes to1680 X 1050 & less that £150. warrenties are standard accross industry but you can get extended insurances but can be pricy

Ports - additional ports allow you to run more than 1 machine from your monitor - for example if you have one windows & one linux PC. Have you ever tried plugging a peripheral device such as a camera, card reader or worse a flash drive only to find the cable is too short or your front usb is occupied?

[fvbounty]

The only way to get a 1600x1200 lcd is a 4by3 format which would be a 20" lcd, which by the way are getting harder to fine, I had a Planar 20" lcd which was 1600x1200 and was a very good monitor and planar is a good company. In fact my friend has 2x Planar 20" lcds running off a 8800gts and they look great, he's thinking about another video card and a third monitor. The only thing is a 20" lcd in the 4 by 3 format is not cheap, around $350 each!

Here's a picture of my setup, I have 2x24" Dell lcd's, the one on the left is new and is a E248WFP the one on the right is 3 years old and is a 2405fpw which is a better monitor....