LCD Flatscreen Monitors and Gaming:

Smellincoffee

Smellincoffee

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I'm getting a new system- finally- and I'm unsure if a flatscreen is right for me. The main- indeed, only- reason I'm getting a new system is for gaming. Conquests, Elite Force 2, TRON 2.0, SimCity 4, and the like. However, I've read that flatscreens aren't very good for intense gaming. Indeed, I was in the store testing the machine out with Age of Kings- already installed, since it was a Sony- and I noticed a weird visual distortion for three or four seconds when launching the game and cutting it off.

Can someone more knowledgable than me fill me in?
 
That's what I'd heard. An LCD isn't really good for graphics-intensive works, like games... :hmm:

Thinking of buying one myself, since I'm less into PC games now. :)

Anyone?
 
The refresh rate is inferior to CRT, which means that graphic intensive games/apps, like FPS will look a bit bad. However, as far as I know, if you go for a refresh rate that is equal to 22ms, it shouldn't be too bad. If I were you, I'd wait a bit for the refresh time to drop, as well as the prices ;)
 
I have a relatively inexpensive LCD (ie flatscreen), and have had no problems with the graphics in games etc. Every game I have is easilly played with all graphic options enabled.

I really see no major differences in the color etc between my LCD, and my older CRT.

That said, there is apparently a difference between the two, which people who have a keener eye than I do have noticed. This is apparently being solved (according to Maximium PC mag) with the newer and higher end LCD's, (though they claim to still see some differences).

So I guess the moral is that if you want to save desk space and have the sleeker look of an LCD, go for it. Otherwise, go with the more inexpensive and more established technology of a good CRT.
 
Centrifuge, have you played any FPSs? How'd they work?
 
I'm admitedly not an FPS player. I have, however, played quite a few relatively graphic intensive games without a problem. Not as graphic intensive as some but for example: Morrowind, Law and Order: Dead on the Money, Warcraft III, Civ 3. I've noticed no problems. I have no doubt that most if not all FPS games will work just fine on my system.

The graphics card in your computer, will have probably the most significant effect on how well the game works.
Mine is a Radeon all-in-wonder 9700 pro, and I have no complaints.
 
I would suppose what you're talking about is the "lag" in the display. Especially the older LCDs show a shadow image for a while after something moves on the screen. This is potentially very bad in games... newer LCDs seem to be ok in this regard, at least my new laptop LCD doesn't show much lag. Then again, some of the LCDs at university would probably get all muddy in a FPS.

Then there is the very important issue of resolution. LCDs have a fixed device resolution, and different games like to run in different resolutions. New video cards have changed this a little as bigger resolution does not neccessarily mean much worse performance anymore... you will have to run your games in the monitor's resolution, and this limits your options. The scaling looks horrible, and playing in a little box in the middle of the screen isn't great either.
 
I have 25ms LCD, 17", no ghosting, finished whole Unreal II and newer saaw anything "bad". Ghosting exist only for ones who newer played games on LCD .
 
might as well get a CRT
spend the money getting a nice big one :)
as said, LCD isn't that great for FPS, but should be fine for games like civ :)
 
I keep a close eye on this, as I'm looking to get a 20/21 inch LCD monitor once refresh rates hit 16ms.

What I can't understand is the delay in getting such monitors to market. We have a plethora of 15 and 17 inch monitors with 16ms response times, so the technology is mainstream. So why the delay in bringing this technology to larger screens? Inquiring minds want to know...
 
Well the most notable reason is the fixed resolution. That is really bad for gaming and can result in a lot of distortion. I wouldn't use one for serious gaming. Second for the same price you can get a far superior picture with a CRT. Go for a 21 inch CRT.
 
I bought an LCD screen this summer when my CRT broke. Its OK for Civ3 (although there is an annoying slight screen flicker on the higher resolutions it plays CivIII in, but that's probably a brand problem), but for FPSs its probably best to stick with a CRT.

Plus LCDs are usually smaller for the same price. :)
 
I have a LCD 17"... exclusively for my Gamecube or the occasional DVD, and it works great. No slowdown, no distortion, no flicker, you only get that kind of stuff on PC games. :p
 
I own this baby:
Acer_AL1731_Normal.jpg


the Acer AL731, and up till now I never had any problems, refresh rate is great, and interpolation of smaller resolutions is great, you hardly notice that it's not its usual resolution.

So, IMHO, LCD's are no problem to gaming as long as you get a decent one (just look for fast refresh (<=20ms, and good interpolation). And with a LCD you won't have any of that nasty flickering, I can't stand CRTs anymore...
 
I bought an IIyama AU4831D 19" 1600x1200, I'm not geek enough to know the refresh rate but it sure works fine for me :)


Ted
 
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