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how does higher resolution effect gaming? does it supposedly make games look even better?

im currently running games on a 15in 1024x768 and looking to start with a 19in widescreen 1440x900

whats going to my difference there?

thanks

A pixel, imagine if you will, is essentially a "dot" on the screen. 1024x768 has 1024 "dots" across the screen by 768 "dots", or pixels, if we start using correct terminology vertically. Thus, at a given moment in time, the computer must display 786,432 pixels. Now, if you increase the resolution to 1440x900, the computer will have to generate 1,296,000 pixels at any moment in time. That's not a particularly large difference at all, and your computer, assuming it isn't like a P3 integrated solution, should have no problem running it.

Now, to answer your question, yes, higher resolution equals higher image quality. Ever seen HD tv versus SD tv compared side by side? Or a low pixel (2 megapixel) picture compared to a 10 megapixel shot? More pixels allows more detail to be drawn in.

The biggest difference you'll see in moving to a 19in is that you'll stop giving yourself eye strain. 15"? Man, how'd you last for so long?

Since the two you mention are so similar, you won't see earthshaking differences, except for width - you're moving to widescreen and you will have a broader field of view in most games (or a mutilated one in games that don't support widescreen).

Higher resolution does make games look even better. Until you reach the limit of the texture and geometry resolution, higher resolution makes games look much better. After that, it's not as pronounced an effect.

If you have not purchased your monitor yet, I suggest that you look at a 1680x1050 LCD with DVI input and HDCP support as a good price/performance choice.

Higher resolution won't help you much if you have a slow videocard though. I'd probably look prettier, but play worse.

so i should get a 20in instead?

will i be able to run most games at 1680x1200 on my system?
core 2 Extreme QX6800
4gb dual-channel RAM PC6400
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTX

so going to 1680x1200 with those specs, should i see a bigger view of the game, and much better detail, without risking peformance with my specs posted above?

For that system I'd get a 24". With the exception of Crysis, games will play great at 1920x1200. And you can always drop down to 1680x1050 or 1600x1200 if you want more fps.

or maybe a 22in..i dont have THAT much money...also 24in are HUGE..my dad has one and i think that takes getting used to.

so a 20 or a 22in....MAYBE a 24.


how does "dropping the resolution" work? (note: i know how to go into settings and everything. and change it) does it make things distorted or seem odly out of proportion or oddly sized?

also....any suggestions on brands or models?

links are a GREAT help.

price range...under 250 and 300 if its a Damn good monitor for that price

Murso24 wrote:

how does "dropping the resolution" work? (note: i know how to go into settings and everything. and change it) does it make things distorted or seem odly out of proportion or oddly sized?

Look for the "Aspect Scaling" feature. It will scale both horizontally and vertically until one dimension hit the max, leaving a bit of black bars but your image will not be distorted. But hey you have a 8800GTX you should not have to drop the resolution for current games.

20-22" then for your price range. Any of the big names like Samsung, LG, Viewsonic, BenQ, Dell, etc. should be good.

Dropping the resolution while in the game settings rather than at the desktop. Instead of running the native resolution, drop it down a notch for a game that might be a little slow and make sure it's a widescreen resolution. Your 8800GTX should be able to handle anything at 1680x1050, so I would not worry about it.

There are a large number of 1680x1050 monitors that fit your price range.

Sounds like your a perfect candidate for today's cheap 22" screens. Those are great for gaming and very affordable. All TN ofcourse.

what do you guys think of the Acer brand monitors? particularly the Acer 20in

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=1410

or do i spend the extra dollars for a 22?

would i have any problems running either?

and comments on the monitor posted would be great.

Just my opinion but I would look at the different aspect ratios before you pick a monitor. Decide if you want wide screen or if you want the old style 4:3 aspect ratio. Personally I dont care for widescreen monitors but thats what most people are buying now days.

i like widescreen.

Murso24 wrote:

i like widescreen.

Go for the 22".. I am speechless that you dropped so much cash on your CPU and Videocard yet have a 1024x768 res monitor

maybe because at time i didnt "need" a monitor. i have a 15in...plus i heard that games take HUGE hits in FPS the higher the resoultion goes...so thats wha made me skeptical.

can i even run games with that high of a resolution with my hardware?

Get a 22 or a 24 inch. I have a Del 2407WFP-HC, which is "last year's" model. I think the newest one is the WFP2408. It was the BEST $600 I ever spend on a monitor. The monitor is one of the most important parts of the computer since ou stare at it for hours . Make sure you don't skimp on it, and I am mad at myself for not switching sooner. I could not imagine having to go back from 1920 x 1200 to anything smaller. Once I get more space (and cash), I hope to move up to a 27 or 30 inch screen next.

Thatmattman: its funny cuz you got my name...and one of my friends calls me that lol

anways..nobody is really explaining to me if i would be able to get great FPS on that kind of monitor with my hardware..im assuming i can...but im not completely sure

I'm also astonished that you've got a $1000 CPU and a $500 videocard (assuming both were bought when new), and you're only prepared to spend $250-$300 on a monitor. Invest in a good monitor now and you'll still be using it when the rest of your system is obsolete. Abusing the time-honoured car analogy, you've got a Porsche Carrera GT and you're proposing fitting Citroen 2CV tyres.

david00214 wrote:

Murso24 wrote:

i like widescreen.

Go for the 22".. I am speechless that you dropped so much cash on your CPU and Videocard yet have a 1024x768 res monitor

I have a Dell 2407 as well. There's one model out there that has a reputation for ghosting( i think) but other than that the Dell 24" is a great bang for the buck monitor (In its price range). Gets great reviews all around.

but just because i have the hardware..im still not sure how those big monitors play games on Native Res....can anyone at least tell me if id be fine with that res with good settings on games..and be able to play them smoothly?

Murso24 wrote:

Thatmattman: its funny cuz you got my name...and one of my friends calls me that lol

anways..nobody is really explaining to me if i would be able to get great FPS on that kind of monitor with my hardware..im assuming i can...but im not completely sure

Check the reviews out

http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/13772/4

http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/13603/6

The short answer is "Yes, or we would not recommend a 24" monitor "

see those tests...i dont understand..

its not FULL system tests...

so that doesnt really tell me much..(that i'm aware of)

what do you guys think? can someone explain the tests to me?

why is it that you suggest a bigger monitor then?

49fps doesnt seem like fun

Murso24 wrote:

why is it that you suggest a bigger monitor then?

49fps doesnt seem like fun

Most articles state 30FPS is about the avereage FPS needed for a game to be playable. 49FPS is very playable.

I play games at 1920x1200 at max settings and notice no lag, except for Crysis, if that even needs to be said...

CoD4, BioShock, FEAR, all look very good.

None of the LCD monitors we're talking about can display frames faster than 60fps, so you're really not losing much at 49. You will be fine at 1920x1200 with a 8800GTX in just about every game available, with the notable exception of Crysis. Looking at the linked TR reviews will be a good guide to the frame rates you can expect because at high resolutions the GPU will be the limiting factor for gaming performance - the rest of the system will be more or less irrelevant.

If you're still worried, note that I've recently upgraded to a 1920x1200 24" from a 1280x1024 19". I'm going to build a new system very soon, but for the time being I'm still using my old system with a 2.4GHz Pentium 4 and a 256Mb X1950Pro AGP. Despite this handicap, I'm having a great time playing through Half Life 2 Episode 2 at the moment with all video settings at maximum, 2xAA, and 8xAF. Now I know that the Source engine is not the most demanding out there, but with a 8800GTX you've got something like 2-3 times the raw performance of my X1950.

Which particular games are you wanting to play?

Thanks for finally getting me the right info.

games like Crysis, COD 4, Gears of War, Medieval II: Total war, Supreme Commander, Sins of a solar empire, Company of Heroes, just to name my main ones.

note:

so resolution also makes the games look that much better?

I went from a 17" CRT to a 22" Widescreen Samsung 226BW.

You will be ****ing amazed at how you ever lived with less. I use a 17" now and it seems like I'm looking into a tiny little box, it's so weird. Games will look a million times better, even Windows will look better, just because of the size of the screen. You just use the higher resolution because if you don't it will look a little muddy. You have awesome hardware, you will not notice a performance difference, you are are willing to spend the money, go for it.