Any gaming / hardware geeks out there?

[kiki]

(Hope it's OK to post this here... I can't post in the Gaming group.)

I'm looking to buy a TFT monitor for both work and gaming. My machine's not very powerful (I run Battlefield 2 at 800x600), so this means I specifically need a monitor that works as well at 800x600 as it does at 1280x1024 (or ideally at 1600x1200). However, I've read that TFT monitors have problems running at resolutions other than their 'native' resolution.

I have a GeForce FX 5700, which has a DVI port, but I don't know if it's DVI-D, -A or -I (or if that makes any difference).

All suggestions gratefully received by a technological ignoramus...

[Deja Q]

1. Make sure its refresh rate is 16ns, not 8ns...

or is it ms? Either way, it's 16 and not 8 that you want for gaming. :D

As CRTs still produce a far better color gamut for the money, I'm stickin' old-sk00l for a while...

And, yes, anything other than native (usually lower only) means the text looks fuzzy/soft. It's amazing how I've attempted to describe this to other people, who just don't care or want things both ways... :(


Stay with DVI interface if possible too.

[kiki]

2. Thanks...

...I'm probably another one of those people that only hears what they want to...

If I get a flat screen CRT, will it have the same problem with the resolutions?

[Deja Q]

4. No.

CRTs will display any resolution crisp'n'clear.

Just be sure to use rates the monitor is approved for! :)

Also, CRTs use refresh rates - the higher is the better. My monitor is set to 1280x1024, 85Hz right now. If I used 60Hz, there would be a lot of flicker and I'd get a headache. And it is imperative to NEVER to above the maximum refresh rate. (I could do 1600x1200x70hz, but the text is too small - even for my 33 year old eyes. :cry: )

Fortunately, Windows and most OSes can automatically 'read' the monitor for legal sizes.

I will say that LCDs are good for most uses. Graphic/web designers and artists are far better off sticking with CRTs; again due to the color gamut range and related reasons...

[flvegan]

3. That 5700 has to go.

I'd upgrade that, as well. A 6600GT should run on the same power source.

What monitor are you using now, and what are the other specs?

BTW, I'm WAY under lots of the other folks here, so if DS1 or one of the other much more enlightened techies reply, ignore me.