question about LCDs and native resolutions

[Special K]

How bad will it look to run a game on an LCD monitor at a resolution that is lower than the LCD's native resolution? For example, the 1905FP lists a native resolution of 1280x1024. What if I decide that a game isn't running fast enough for my liking at that resolution, and want to sacrifice resolution for more FPS? Will the image on an LCD look like crap if I don't run it at its native resolution? I have a geforce 6800 GTO, btw.

I want to get an LCD but want to know how it will affect games.

I did a search on this topic but couldn't find anything conclusive.

 

[sourceninja]

With the dell 2001fp, if you dont use 1600x1200 it looks like crap imho. But I have yet to play a game with my bfg 6800GT that doesn't run fine at 1600x1200

 

[PurdueRy]

its not really that big a deal. It will look ok...especially at 1280x960. the lower you go the more it will look like crap

 

[VTHodge]

I have the 1901FP and I really don't mind games at lower resolution. I know I am not as picky as others, but I don't see a problem. It's a lot better than a bad frame rate.