How often do you need upgrade monitors?

[madara]

I know we are replacing video cards and nearly every other pc part few times a year but I wondering if my 4 year old monitor will be or is limiting my gaming visuals?
I have Iiyama 21 Vision Master Pro 510. I think its only 60hz. So when does the hz and dot pitch start to make your monitor need replacing?

thanks

 

[ss284]

Lower the resolution until you can get at least 75hz refresh. Staring at 60 hz for too long strains my eyes. Otherwise, the monitor should be fine as long as you have the space =). CRT's havent really improved much in the last 5 years, so your next monitor will probably be an LCD.

-Steve

 

[ponyo]

I usually use my monitors for 5+ years if not more. That's why I always budget for top quality monitor first and then buy rest of the computer with any remaining money. My eyes are definitely worth it.

As for your liyama CRT, it can do 2048x1536 @ 80hz so I don't know why you're thinking it only does 60hz. I would probably run that monitor at 1600x1200 @ 85hz. The color and brightness might have faded some over the years but that monitor shouldn't limit you on your gaming visuals. If anything it should be excellent gaming monitor.

 

[ku]

If you play a lot of games, get a new monitor. I usually use 100-120hz in game and that cuts the monitor life greatly, so I usually replace my monitor ever 3 years or so.

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: Naustica
I usually use my monitors for 5+ years if not more. That's why I always budget for top quality monitor first and then buy rest of the computer with any remaining money. My eyes are definitely worth it.

As for your liyama CRT, it can do 2048x1536 @ 80hz so I don't know why you're thinking it only does 60hz. I would probably run that monitor at 1600x1200 @ 85hz. The color and brightness might have faded some over the years but that monitor shouldn't limit you on your gaming visuals. If anything it should be excellent gaming monitor.

what he said. if you get a top monitor you shouldn't have to replace it very often.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Hmm .... I upgrade my monitors whenever they either
a) Blow up
b) turn all purple and crappy tinted
c) I find a really good deal on something better

It'll probably be a while before I upgrade again now that I have 3 x 19inch monitors on my desk .. I'd like to replace 2 of them with LCDs eventually ... (keep one CRT for gaming) ... however, I am not going to buy an LCD until I can get one better than my CRTs for $200 or less. 18+ inches size required and 1600x1200 minimum. .. so It may be a couple more years.

 

[oneshot47]

Id say the decision is subjective. Eventually the image will darken or discolor, its up to you when you cant take it anymore. If you like what youre seeing, theres no reason to get a new one, unless its for some new feature or something (like lcd).

 

[Yanagi]

I use my monitors until the go defect. A couple of years back i had 3 monitors die on my in less than 4 months though. went from REALLY OLD 12" IBM -> 16" IBM PS/2 XGA --> HP 17" --> Nec 21" Which Im using up until this day. Im planning on keeping this for a few more years and then switch to LCD.

 

[pallmall]

In the winter, I prefer the Crt, very large one like what I am using, Hitachi CM823F. Anyway it does two jobs. But I will have to consider a year later when the LCD becomes reasonably cheap and faster. Because the Power is very expensive here. At least $20 more is because of the 4 CRTs from my tight monthly budget. So $20*12=240.. LCDs may use half the power of CRT(please correct it). I assume in two years I may have thrown away a 17" LCD onto the air.

 

[heartsurgeon]

i bought a high end NEC 21 inch monitor over 10 years ago....it still looks great and is going strong!

my advice...don't spend lots of money on your computer...heck that gets better and cheaper all the time..

invest your money on a high quality monitor,
a set of high quality speakers,
and a high quality chair

heck, a cable on my aeron chair broke....i called the company, the chair has a freakin 12 year warranty! They are going to fix it for free! the chair is already 6 years old, and i have no doubt it will last the full 12 without any problems..

my computer? in twelve years it's gonna be in a landfill somewhere..

 

[Sid59]

imo, monitors should be the most expensive part of buying a computer. wise decisions will outlast any parts of you computer many times over.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: Sid59
imo, monitors should be the most expensive part of buying a computer. wise decisions will outlast any parts of you computer many times over.

I completely agree. I see people building $2000 system, yet throwing in a $200 19" monitor. WTF? You build your gaming system for the sole purpose of visual appeal.... yet you'll spend twice that on your videocard. I also think the monitor should be the most expensive part of your system, and it'll easily outlast 2-3 systems and upgrades, and more likely much longer.