For a gamer: 17" LCD or 21" CRT?

[BFG10K]

but TFTs, can do multiple res`s, just not any higher than the reccomended

Not really since it distorts your pixels unless the resolution is a perfect multiple of the native one. For such a pricey piece of equipment your options are extremely limited.

 

[BoomAM]

At 1024x768, my "17 hitachi looks just a sharp as CRT running at that res. at 1280x1024(reccommended res) its even sharper.

IMO, and some others, TFT`s are better.
To a few other people in this thread, CRTs are better.

All i can say, is go and try out a decent "17 TFT, and a decent 21" CRT, that are in your price range.
Compare them side by side, ask if you can play a few games on them, play around with the OCDs.
See which is best for you. Just ignore us. See for yourself. Only you can decide which is best for your needs

 

[FacelessNobody]

Medellon-

Check out some LCDs at a local computer store and see if you like em. Make sure you watch a lot of moving graphics. Personally, I can't stand looking at the damned things. To me, things appear very blocky and pixely on the LCDs I have seen (even that giant Apple one). I'm a CRT guy, and will only switch to LCD/OLED (future tech) when they can truly match the overall display quality of a bruiser monitor like my NEC FP2141SB-BK. Also, the appropriate distance away from a 21" monitor is approximately arm's length, for future reference.

 

[filmore crashcart]

I think the argument of "crts better than lcds for gaming" is quickly losing ground with the newer monitors. I went from a fairly decent crt 19" to a lcd 17" and I'm not crying about anything - ghosting, contrast, color, resolution - nope. I guess if you feel that you have to have 21" of real estate than it won't do but I find this 17" screen to be all I need.

 

[dfloyd]

And I quote,

"Ive seen my Hitachi TFT side by side with a friends Hansol "19."

The Hitachi 17" LCD is far from bargin bin, in fact I would consider the new one, probably one of the best 17" LCD avaliable. Both cost almost the exact same so yes I would consider them a fair comparison.

 

[glugglug]

In EVERY way except for bulk and weight, CRTs totally spank LCDs no contest.

My recommendation is this:

Sell your LCD.
Use the cash from the sale to buy three much larger and far superior (even individually) CRTs and go multi-headed.

 

[dfloyd]

Fimore,

It depends on the person. Not everyone sees things the same and some are more paticular than others. I myself have a very big contrast fetish. I cant stand milky black colors. I cant stand the 1/1000 of a second flickering and blurring i would get when I scroll text on a web page. I did not like the look of games when resolution was not native.

My friend looked at it and he though the monitor was amazing. The problems that I described did not bother him as he was not as demanding of a monitor as I am. So yes almost any type of monitor will do. But some monitors do what they do just a bit better. Thats the point of the argument.

 

[BoomAM]

For a 17" TFT, the Hitachi is quite cheap compared to other 17" TFTs.
It cost me £420 for the Hitachi. For a decent 21" monitor your talking £300. Thats an extra £120 to spend on the CRT. That would take you into the very good CRT range.
Its an unfair comparison. Now compare a top of the range CRT to a top of the range TFT. Then it would be fair.

 

[dfloyd]

Ok what would you call a top end LCD? NOT PRICE, but features and quality? Only the Hitachi and Samsung come to mind, and both are in the range I spoke of for the 21" crt.

And Boom I am confused your saying the LCD you bought cost you 420, a 21" CRT starts at 300, add 120 to it for the top end models, as you stated and that makes the price equal, 420 = 420. So how is not a equal comparison? A Nice 21" CRT vs a Nice 17" LCD seems like a equal comparsion to me, at least in cost?

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Hitachi and Samsung are top-end, no way.
Only Eizo is.

 

[BoomAM]

A Top end TFT, to rival the 21" CRT, would be a 20" Hitachi TFT.
Look at it this way.
CRTs have had far more time to mature, and fit more advanced feature to it, within the same price. TFTs however, have had far less time to mature, and im sure in a couple of years time, we`ll be seing TFTs at around the same prices then, with more features. TFTs havent matured yet.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. You think CRTs are better, thats your choice, and i think the TFTs are better, thats my choice. We`ve both given convincing arguements to the originator of the post, and now its up to him/her to decide which is better. Ive got better things to do than the bicker with you in this thread, cos its getting us nowhere, we are both obviously stubbern and set in our opinions.

 

[dfloyd]

Boom,

Its nothing to do with time to mature. Its to do with making a choice right now. And all things being equal (Such as price) the 21" crt will look better and be a better value for a gamer who has enough space for the monitor.

And comparing a 21" CRT to that 20"LCD, I could probably buy two or three 21" CRTs for its cost so no I do not think that is anywhere near a fair comparison.

 

[BoomAM]

Yeh whatever.
IMO TFTs are the better option. But thats just me.
It suits my rigs enviroment. I have a small room & desk. So moving from a CRT to a TFT mean that i can now use my desk, as a desk.
You however, might not have the space constraints that i have so CRTs will be the better option.
My TFT, far out performs my old CRT, But to you, the CRT would probably be better. Its just a matter of preference.
Both have their advantages & disadvantages, But it comes down to the users needs.

Also, gamers have different tastes.
Some prefer a normal mouse/keyboard, and some prefer a fancy mouse/keyboard.
Some think stereo sound is fine for games, others think 5.1 is better.
Theres no set of rules that say, "to be a gamer, you must own/do.....", is there?

Rarther than arguing, it`d be best to recommend to the post orginator, to try both types of monitor, and see which is best for him. The shop/store that he orders it from should let him test them, after all he/she`s probably going to be spending alot of money on one.