Gamers: Worth it to move from a crt to a mid-range lcd?

[platinumike]

I was thinking about getting this Iam coming from a 17" inch dell crt that I bought 2.5 yrs ago. I love my current motor, it has a nice display, and I really like how it adds some glossy shine to everything, which I dont even notice on other low end lcd's. So I have no reason to really switch, cause I really like my current monitor. Do you think I should wait around for the black friday/holiday deals before buying? I have noticed myself though that most fps games look better on an lcd or flat panel for some reason. So what do you guys think, should I finally make the move for an lcd?

 

[ChaoZ]

I'd go LCD just to save some space.

 

[dighn]

unless you are some kind of hardcore competitive FPS player I don't really think you'll notice any difference. when I switched over to an LCD, all I noticed was that the color was better.

I don't know anything about that brand though

 

[suicidalpigeon]

Buy it only if you need it. No need to be wasting money just to join the modern group.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

I'm really close to jumping on one of these. They're supposed to be really good for gaming. And it's only another $30 from the one you listed.

 

[platinumike]

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
I'm really close to jumping on one of these. They're supposed to be really good for gaming. And it's only another $30 from the one you listed.

well the reason i listed that particular one is cause of the $120 in rebates, so you get it for $99. Also, that one is 2ms, but I read that anything <8ms is fine?

 

[Horus]

I have a 16MS Benq 19" and it plays everything perfectly. The one thing you're gonna notice right away is that you'll have a HELLA-LOT more room on your physical desktop and windows desktop.

 

[brikis98]

what you might gain:
* going from a 17" CRT (prob 16" viewable) to a 19" LCD (19" viewable) will give you a HUGE amount more screen space, which is a definite win
* LCD's typically produce much sharper and more readable text
* a newer LCD might have better colors/contrast than an old CRT, but that very much depends on the LCD and CRT
* LCD's take up far less desk space and weigh much less
* LCD's use less energy than CRT's, so you save money on your energy bill

what you might lose out on:
* changing resolutions: many LCD's look pretty bad at anything but their native resolution, so if your game doesn't support it or your video card isn't fast enough, you're might be out of luck
* you might get dead pixels (check the warranty and return policies)
* ghosting: older/crappier LCD's had ghosting problems... this is typically not a problem for newer LCD's, but check, or this could ruin your gaming and movie watching
* viewing angle: some LCD's only give you the proper (brightest, best looking) picture from a limited viewing angle
* backlight bleeding and poor black levels: many LCD's have issues with backlight bleeding on the edges of the screen and have trouble displaying rich black colors (since they are backlit)

my opinion:
* if your vid card has dual outputs, you can keep using your CRT in a dual monitor setup, and then you'll have TONS more screen space and the best of both CRT's and LCD's
* for $100, it's a worthwhile upgrade for the extra screen space, but be sure to weigh the pros and cons.

 

[Insane3D]

It depends. Is your 17" Dell CRT the low end ones they ship with systems, or a Trinitron/AG/Flat Screen? If it's the latter, it will probably still look better in most everything but text over an LCD like that. If it's the former, you will love the LCD.

Just my .02.

 

[dug777]

Dual monitors pwn, but my 21" CRT>any LCD i've ever used for gaming.

I can play at basically any res dictated by the game i'm playing and my video card, so 1600x1200 for older stuff, 1280 for source based games, 1024 for FEAR/Farcry, and it's all razor sharp & crisp

If you have a video card that can drive that LCD at native res in all games, then it's a different matter i suppose...

 

[Baked]

Yes, your eyes will blow their load.

 

[RossMAN]

I'm not a gamer but I made the switch to LCD nearly 4 years ago and haven't looked back since then.

I recently sold my wife's 17" CRT and replaced it with my old 19" LCD

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
It depends. Is your 17" Dell CRT the low end ones they ship with systems, or a Trinitron/AG/Flat Screen? If it's the latter, it will probably still look better in most everything but text over an LCD like that. If it's the former, you will love the LCD.

Just my .02.

i think you transposed former and latter there

 

[mugs]

I'm not a hardcore gamer but I play them occasionally... No way in hell will I go back to a CRT.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Good thread, I am still use a CRT (because I game) and was wondering the same question. :thumbsup:

 

[Shawn]

I switched to an LCD 3 years ago and could NEVER go back to a CRT.

 

[SynthDude2001]

I don't particularly miss CRT's, and I used to own a NEC FP2141SB.

Edit: And I could be considered a gamer, yes

 

[SophalotJack]

as a gamer... yes.

I have a viewsonic 19in lcd with 8ms resppnse..... and it totally owns the viewsonix crt (which was badass for gaming).

keyword... 'was'

 

[I Saw OJ]

As a gamer, and owning a mid range philips LCD I can tell you there is pretty much no difference. I used to play CS:S like a mad man and noticed no ill effects to having the LCD. Currently addicted to WoW and during raids and pvp everything looks crystal clear and perfect.

 

[dug777]

As i noted, and as has been ignored by pretty much everyone, perhaps the main issue for a gamer with LCDs should be 'can your video card drive the LCD at native playably in every game you want to play?' because interpolating lower resolutions on an LCD looks like ass

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: dighn
unless you are some kind of hardcore competitive FPS player I don't really think you'll notice any difference. when I switched over to an LCD, all I noticed was that the color was better.

I noticed the opposite, but I was going from a 21" flat screen Trinitron. I loved that monitor.

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: Insane3D
It depends. Is your 17" Dell CRT the low end ones they ship with systems, or a Trinitron/AG/Flat Screen? If it's the latter, it will probably still look better in most everything but text over an LCD like that. If it's the former, you will love the LCD.

Just my .02.

i think you transposed former and latter there

No, that's right.

 

[CFster]

I'll never buy another CRT. There is simply no comparison.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: dug777
As i noted, and as has been ignored by pretty much everyone, perhaps the main issue for a gamer with LCDs should be 'can your video card drive the LCD at native playably in every game you want to play?' because interpolating lower resolutions on an LCD looks like ass

Maybe I don't have the keenest understanding of what ass looks like, but I assure you interpolation on my LCD looks nothing like it

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: dug777
As i noted, and as has been ignored by pretty much everyone, perhaps the main issue for a gamer with LCDs should be 'can your video card drive the LCD at native playably in every game you want to play?' because interpolating lower resolutions on an LCD looks like ass

Maybe I don't have the keenest understanding of what ass looks like, but I assure you interpolation on my LCD looks nothing like it

Well, compared to a CRT at that res, assuming the LCD is not at native resolution, it looks like ass Since they're simply pixel clumping/doubling, you can get an idea of what it looks like on your CRT by enabling 'pixel doubling' in FEAR, i would imagine

EDIT: I guess i feel that the awesomeness of a LCD is severely compromised by running at non-native res, it looks nowhere near as awesome to me on any of the screens i've tried...when i get an LCD, i plan to do it properly & get the card that will be able to drive it, like your xtxtxtxtxtx

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: brikis98
what you might gain:
* going from a 17" CRT (prob 16" viewable) to a 19" LCD (19" viewable) will give you a HUGE amount more screen space, which is a definite win
* LCD's typically produce much sharper and more readable text
* a newer LCD might have better colors/contrast than an old CRT, but that very much depends on the LCD and CRT
* LCD's take up far less desk space and weigh much less
* LCD's use less energy than CRT's, so you save money on your energy bill

what you might lose out on:
* changing resolutions: many LCD's look pretty bad at anything but their native resolution, so if your game doesn't support it or your video card isn't fast enough, you're might be out of luck
* you might get dead pixels (check the warranty and return policies)
* ghosting: older/crappier LCD's had ghosting problems... this is typically not a problem for newer LCD's, but check, or this could ruin your gaming and movie watching
* viewing angle: some LCD's only give you the proper (brightest, best looking) picture from a limited viewing angle
* backlight bleeding and poor black levels: many LCD's have issues with backlight bleeding on the edges of the screen and have trouble displaying rich black colors (since they are backlit)

my opinion:
* if your vid card has dual outputs, you can keep using your CRT in a dual monitor setup, and then you'll have TONS more screen space and the best of both CRT's and LCD's
* for $100, it's a worthwhile upgrade for the extra screen space, but be sure to weigh the pros and cons.

thanks,!

good thread. clear up some myth I had for a while... (I lived under a cave)