GPU for 1024*768

[Ben90]

Actually, I thought for competitive multiplayer a lower res will be beneficial. Because of the way the mouse is mapped to the pixels, there's more "finite" movements than there would be at higher resolutions (e.g. to move your mouse '1m' in the game, you'd have to only move 10 pixels versus 30 pixels at higher resolutions).

A game engine maps mouse inputs to turning degrees, not pixels. The pixels are just trying to display an approximation of "visible area underneath". You can move infinitely inside the angle covered by one pixel, and the display will change each time even though it hasn't "moved a pixel".

All steps up until rendering shouldn't care what resolution you are rendering at, aside from aspect ratio.

The benefits to a lower resolution have everything to do with pushing up the refresh rate/FPS on your monitor, and nothing else.

 

[omeds]

Actually the lower the res the better for competitive gaming. You can feel it quite easily by switching between say 1440p and 720p.

 

[boxleitnerb]

Actually the lower the res the better for competitive gaming. You can feel it quite easily by switching between say 1440p and 720p.

Not from the point of sharpness. Interpolations kills details and makes enemies harder to spot. A 4:3 resolution also has a narrower field of view, thus you will spot enemies in the peripheral area of your vision later than with a 16:9 resolution.

OP, get a new monitor!

 

[lehtv]

Actually the lower the res the better for competitive gaming. You can feel it quite easily by switching between say 1440p and 720p.

Eh. Competitive gaming just doesn't depend on resolution, it's a non-issue. Whether you play a 800x600 or 1080p, doesn't matter, as long as you can focus on the game and not on your resolution

 

[boxleitnerb]

No, as explained above.

 

[omeds]

I was talking about in terms of mouse control and precision.

 

[boxleitnerb]

Yeah, that's a non-issue, the other stuff is not.

 

[omeds]

Actually no, to most competitive gamers it is an issue, where as image quality is not.

 

[boxleitnerb]

If your field of view is narrow, you will see enemies to your left and right later. Interpolation also makes spotting enemies more difficult, especially in the distance.
Both things are only logical, what arguments do you have against this?

 

[Jacky60]

You need to upgrade monitor immediately and don't buy anything else until you have done. There's no excuse for being able to access a tech forum and still be gaming on something from the dark ages. Where do you live? I'm sure Anandtech forum members can help you get something better than what you currently possess, I will personally donate $5 so I don't have to read anything so truly depressing again.

 

[Stuka87]

Actually no, to most competitive gamers it is an issue, where as image quality is not.

Image quality is not an issue, how ever image sharpness is a big issue. Field of view is also a big deal.

I used to play Q3A on Expert servers. Yes we set are quality settings down to zero and high the contrast up high (Although this was also because you could run and jump faster/higher at 120fps), always wanted resolution as high as possible, and set our field of view to as wide as we could take.

Your comment on the mouse is true if you are using a $5 mouse from the local fleamarket. However any decent gaming mouse tracks perfectly fine on high resolution screens. In fact, it will be more accurate as it is now more granular.

But this topic has gotten way off topic.

I stand by my opinion that a 6670 isn't enough for what he wants.

 

[omeds]

If your field of view is narrow, you will see enemies to your left and right later. Interpolation also makes spotting enemies more difficult, especially in the distance.
Both things are only logical, what arguments do you have against this?

Who said you cant use a wide field of view at lower resolution? The image does not have to be interpolated either.

I personally prefer higher resolutions too, but it's no secret lower resolutions do provide a benfit for competitive gaming.

 

[boxleitnerb]

Who said you cant use a wide field of view at lower resolution? The image does not have to be interpolated either.

I personally prefer higher resolutions too, but it's no secret lower resolutions do provide a benfit for competitive gaming.

If you're not running your native resolution, it will be interpolated, period.
And the display of the TS has a narrow field resolution which prompted my comment.
So far you have not been able to prove what you're saying. Just claiming "it's not a secret" isn't proof. What IS good for competitive gaming is low details (as long as this doesn't influence the ability to spot the enemy) so there is less distraction from high res textures etc. Also, fps will be higher which helps with input lag. But a low resolution per se is not beneficial.

 

[omeds]

If you're not running your native resolution, it will be interpolated, period.

Who said you have to use an LCD screen at non native res?

And the display of the TS has a narrow field resolution which prompted my comment.

You can change the FOV to anything you like.

So far you have not been able to prove what you're saying. Just claiming "it's not a secret" isn't proof. What IS good for competitive gaming is low details (as long as this doesn't influence the ability to spot the enemy) so there is less distraction from high res textures etc. Also, fps will be higher which helps with input lag. But a low resolution per se is not beneficial.

Lower resolutions do provide benefits for cometitive gaming.

 

[ultimatebob]

At 1024x768, does he even need an external video card? Onboard Intel graphics should be enough at that resolution.

 

[Stuka87]

Lower resolutions do provide benefits for cometitive gaming.

Outside of any possible FPS bump, there is no advantage to a lower resolution. PERIOD.

 

[wilds]

I keep thinking about trying to game at below 1080P... and I would never want to go back to the old days.

In fact, I would go outside at that point and try to find a new hobby . I think OP should try to find a used 1680x1050 or higher resolution monitor and then focus on finding a quality GPU. I get the feeling that OP does not live in USA or a country that has affordable tech so I understand the reservation. But purchasing a 6670 would be a poor investment. I would get a 7750 because that card is efficient, overclocks reasonably well, and can drive high resolution monitors (not for gaming).

 

[omeds]

Outside of any possible FPS bump, there is no advantage to a lower resolution. PERIOD.

Wrong. Cap your FPS and try it. There is a reason many pro's still play at 1024x768 or 800x600 instead of 1600p. I wouldn't personally, but for some at extreme levels it's worth it.