Can you explain monitor resolutions?

[pmcint01]

I don't really understand the difference with monitor resolutions. I only know that when you go with the larger numbers the icons get smaller. What exactly does changing the resolutions do? What is the best for gaming?


Thanks,

 

[biostud]

It's the number of dots you get horizontal and vertical, so 1024*768 is 1024 horizontal and 768 is vertical. The higher the numbers the better resolution, which means you get more details. On the desktop the Icons just keep the physical size, but since you increase the resolution they appear smaller. For gaming you want as high as possible with slowing the game to an unplayable level .

 

[volrath]

You also don't want to use a giant resolution that forces your monitor to display at 60hz (it's bad for your eyes). A lot of people just leave their monitors at 60hz when they can do 100 or so. It bugs me, but I guess some people don't care. (Refresh rate is how many times per second the monitor updates.)

 

[faZZter]

Yes, you want to have the refresh set to at least 75, preferably higher so it doesn't bother your eyes.

However, before you adjust your resolution/color depth/refresh rate, you need to find out what your video adapter and monitor support. You can mess up a monitor or end up with a black screen if you try to run settings beyond their capabilities.

Generally you would want a higher resolution for a bigger monitor. I would say use a max of 1024x768 on a 15" monitor. For a 17 inch maybe 1280x960. A 19 inch monitor you may want to run up to 1600x1200. Seeing smaller icons may seem strange at first but once you realize how much more desktop space you have you will grow to like it. (unless you have bad eyes!)

Also if your adapter/monitor can handle it, use true color for your color depth setting.

Video adapters run at higher resolutions usually max out on refresh rate faster than when run at low resolutions. SO, your video card may support a refresh rate of 100 at 1024x768 resolution and true color but at 1600x1200 it might drop down to 60hz which should be avoided. (hard on your eyes) So you need to balance out the size/color depth/refresh to achieve at least 75 hz refresh rate and a decent resolution for your monitor size.

On a side note, higher resolution = lower frame rates for games in general. So if your game is way too slow try a lower resolution to speed it up.

Hope this helps.....

 

[yhelothar]

your icons shouldn't have to get smaller if you goto advanced settings under display properties and calibrate your monitor's dpi.

 

[VIAN]

Resolution defines how many pixels are displayed. A pixel is a short hand for "picture element." 1024x768 = 786432 pixels on the screen. The higher the number of pixels, the less you can notice the pixels, therefore, making the object look more realistic.

For gaming, a resolution of 1024x768 is a decent resolution. Going below that is too horrible and going above that cosumes much graphics power. But, it mostly depends on what graphics card you have and monitor.

I would try to run the resolution and refresh rate to match the optimal capabilities of the monitor you are working with.