19" CRT Monitor's optimal resolution?

clevere1

Senior member
May 11, 2003
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19" CRT Monitor's optimal resolution?
If you purchased a 19" CRT monitor, what would you assume to optimal resolution would be? (By optimal I mean, flicker free, that is easy on the eyes).

Would you expect it to be the same resolution as a 17" monitor?

Basically, I purchased a 19" CTL (910TF) monitor, and I can't seem to find a nice resolution that my eyes like. I figured 1280x1024 should cut it .. but ... So I called CTL, they say the optimal resolution is 1024x768 @ 75hz. I'm thinking wtf, my 17" AOC monitor does that (well 1024x768 @ 85hz). And it works great, and looks great on my eyes.

CTL doesn't post an optimum resolution for their monitors, but other manufacturers do. (From ViewSonic):

1792x1344 maximum resolution
Displays a maximum resolution of 1792x1344; 1280x1024 optimal resolution at 80Hz flicker-free refresh rate for easy-on-the-eyes viewing.
1792x1344 @ 61Hz
1600x1200 @ 68Hz
1280x1024 @ 80Hz
1024x768 @ 106Hz

I'm looking for that flicker Free refresh rate for easy on the eyes viewing .. but at 1024x768, I might as well stick with my 17" monitor. What's your take on this? Am I obvious missing something? Or am I not understanding the way these things work?
 

PliotronX

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 1999
8,883
107
106
It's completely subjective, but IMO for a 19" CRT, 1280x960 @ 85Hz is optimal. This is based on experience with DiamondTron and Trinitron screens though. Monitors' pictures vary almost as widely as opinions :)

What's interesting here, is that 17" CRTs usually only support 85Hz at 1024x768 so going back to your 17" at 10x7 would lead you back to 85Hz which is about what the 19" does (or rather should be doing) at 12x10. Have you been able to confirm that the screen is running >80Hz at 12x10? There might be a driver conflict causing it to actually run at 60Hz or similar.

If you ultimately want flicker-free viewing, I would highly recommend a 17" or so LCD screen.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Flicker free would just be the highest refresh rate above 60 that it can run. The "optimal" resolution for you would depend on how blind you are. I had a 19" monitor (well, still do but it's dying so I don't use it anymore) and I used to run an easy 1152x864 at 85Hz. I guess 1280x960 would be another one to try, but I don't think my video drivers back then supported that resolution. I don't like using 1280x1024 because it changes the aspect ratio.