ATI 4850 enough for 32" HDTV?

[exlene]

I've been meaning to upgrade from my 19" Chimei display for a while now and have been looking into different HDTV's for use as both my general/gaming pc display and as a way of watching movies/tv. It seems that the 32" lcd's fit my admittedly limited price range (>$600). Given these factors, my question(s) involves whether or not my ATI 4850 can run anything from COD MW2 to WOW at playable frame rates (maxed-out visuals obviously not being the goal).

Possible Option for New Display:
Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-L32S1 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIER...dp/B001U3YK48/

Computer Specs: E8400, Sapphire 4850, 4gb Corsair XMS2 PC2-6400, 500 Gb WD HD

 

[Indus]

It'll do fine. My 8800GT used to do it perfectly on a 46" and now my GTX 260 is even better.

I can't vouch for ATI personally but seeing as how the 4850 was better than my 8800GT should be fine.

 

[happy medium]

I've been meaning to upgrade from my 19" Chimei display for a while now and have been looking into different HDTV's for use as both my general/gaming pc display and as a way of watching movies/tv. It seems that the 32" lcd's fit my admittedly limited price range (>$600). Given these factors, my question(s) involves whether or not my ATI 4850 can run anything from COD MW2 to WOW at playable frame rates (maxed-out visuals obviously not being the goal).
Possible Option for New Display:
Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-L32S1 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIER...dp/B001U3YK48/

Computer Specs: E8400, Sapphire 4850, 4gb Corsair XMS2 PC2-6400, 500 Gb WD HD

It should be fine, for a while.

 

[secretanchitman]

my 8600GT from my old macbook pro was fine on my parents 32" lcd. yours should be absolutely perfect

 

[exlene]

Thanks for the input. I realize this next question may be a tad inappropriate on this forum but i was wondering if anyone had any opinion/experience with whether its worth the extra money for the 1080p (over less expensive 720p) given that the display will see considerable computer use. From what i've gathered, 1080p is only worth it for 50"+ TV's but this opinion seems to only be based off non-computer use. Does this change when the hdtv is being used as a comp screen?

 

[three4seven]

Thanks for the input. I realize this next question may be a tad inappropriate on this forum but i was wondering if anyone had any opinion/experience with whether its worth the extra money for the 1080p (over less expensive 720p) given that the display will see considerable computer use. From what i've gathered, 1080p is only worth it for 50"+ TV's but this opinion seems to only be based off non-computer use. Does this change when the hdtv is being used as a comp screen?

It really depends on what you need and what you plan to do on the screen.

The reason why there are certain sizes suggested for 1080p is only because your eyes can can't discern the difference between 720p and 1080p when you are a certain distance from a certain size tv.

Aside from that - you need to ask yourself if you really need the real estate.

My opinion? If you're using it as a computer screen to do work - it's definitely worth the premium to go 1080p.

 

[exlene]

I'll mainly be using the screen for gaming, general computer use (web surfing an Office work), and for TV/movies in that order of importance. I understand the concept of how little of difference it makes between 720p and 1080p for normal TV purposes but what i was really trying to get at is whether or not it would make a difference since I'll likely being sitting much closer to the screen then the average TV-watcher (for the computer use part). Also I suppose I'm wondering if that higher native resolution on the 1080p versions will transfer over as better picture quality for gaming or if that is solely based on my computer hardware.

 

[Winterpool]

For 'TV' purposes, most punters could probably do with a 720p set, given typical viewing distances, even with larger panels. I've a 50-inch Pioneer KURO (1080p plasma), and if I sit more than three metres away, the 1080 resolution becomes irrelevant. Granted, I do not have perfect vision and don't wear corrective lenses.

However, as a 'computer monitor' even 1920x1080 seems low to me on such a big screen. Consider that qualite 30-inch displays (Apple, Dell) offer 2560x1600 resolution! Though their dot pitch is rather fine, even for a computer monitor. 1920x1080 and 1920x1200 are typical resolutions for 23 and 24-inch computer monitors (which presumably will sit less than one metre from the user's eyes).

Remember --1366x768 (which is the actual resolution of many '720p' TVs) is what one might expect for a notebook screen these days.

Given how cheap 1080p TVs are at the end of this decade, I think you should try for 1080 if you can afford it. That said, some very good current 32-inch sets (eg Panasonic's 32-inch 120 Hz IPS TV) are 720p.

 

[MrBorsa]

I think it'll be enough

 

[jvroig]

whether or not it would make a difference since I'll likely being sitting much closer to the screen then the average TV-watcher (for the computer use part)

For computer use, you just can't compare 1366x768 (720p) to 1920x1080 (1080p resolution). The difference is huge. Of course, if you want to see the screen "bigger" (I mean, Windows will look a lot bigger, you'll be like Mario in jumbo land) then 720p will be fine. Otherwise, seeing how big the pixels are will bother you, and you might wish later on you just got the 1080p.

Additionally, if you are using the PC for productive use (work like software development, photoshop, etc), then the screen real estate provided by 1080p will be invaluable, and you should definitely not think about 720p at all.