Should I go widescreen?

[tigersty1e]

Should I go with a widescreen LCD monitor if I use it for gaming?

Or go with a normal aspect ratio?

 

[apoppin]

old or new games?

 

[Bateluer]

I would say yes, but do a little homework first. Look at the games you play now and whether they support native WS resolutions. Then, for those that do not, look go for workaround and hacks to get them to WS resolutions and their effectiveness. After that, look at the games you want to play that are on the horizon and see if they support native WS resolutions. Lastly, examine your wallet. Can you afford a large WS display?

That last one should be a non-issue, 20in WS displays have come down in price so much its insane.

The 24in panel I'll be ordering in a few days will only cost me about 100 more than my 20in did in 2005.

 

[rogor]

Widescreen gaming is the best. I've had a ws (crt not lcd) for years and don't think I could go back to a standard aspect ratio for 2d or 3d.

I can't think of any game I've owned (in the classical sense of the word) that I have not been able to get running in ws. (Fear, HL2, Doom3, even Oni from way back) Usually it's just a matter of editing a config file somewhere. Do a google for "widesceen gaming" and you'll find everything you need.

Most games should include the ws ratios by default, there's really no excuse for them not to.

 

[nanaki333]

i used to dislike the whole WS thing. didn't like using WS at first when i eventually did get it, but it quickly grows on you and it's hard NOT to use it afterwards.

 

[gramboh]

If you are getting a 24inch, get a monitor that does 1:1 pixel mapping. Then you can play WS games at 1920x1200 and 4:3 games at 1600x1200 (black bars ont he side) with no scaling/stretching and you get perfect image quality. This is what I do and love it.

 

[PWNettle]

I had some reservations at first, and it took me a couple hours to get used to it, but now that I've switched to widescreen I absolutely love it. It takes your gaming to another level of enjoyment, IMO.

It doesn't hurt to have a nice 24" widescreen either.

I switched from a 22" CRT to 24" widescreen, pretty much HAD to get a 24", since even though the CRT was a monstrosity, it did provide a lot of screen. For the first few days, and even beyond, you cackle with glee when you behold your 24". People come over my house and see it and go, "that monitor is ridiculous!" I love it!

I guess you could go 23" and spend a bit less. But 24 INCHES. Say it with me...

 

[Modular]

Originally posted by: gramboh
If you are getting a 24inch, get a monitor that does 1:1 pixel mapping. Then you can play WS games at 1920x1200 and 4:3 games at 1600x1200 (black bars ont he side) with no scaling/stretching and you get perfect image quality. This is what I do and love it.

Can't you use pixel mapping on almost any monitor? I was under the impression that the nVidia drivers allow you to do this on any LCD...

 

[Noema]

Originally posted by: Modular

Can't you use pixel mapping on almost any monitor? I was under the impression that the nVidia drivers allow you to do this on any LCD...

In theory, yes, but they are kind of broken right now on some cards.

I, for the life of me, can't enable pixel maping on my 7800GS and my VG2230wm

 

[zylander]

Originally posted by: Noema

Originally posted by: Modular

Can't you use pixel mapping on almost any monitor? I was under the impression that the nVidia drivers allow you to do this on any LCD...

In theory, yes, but they are kind of broken right now on some cards.

I, for the life of me, can't enable pixel maping on my 7800GS and my VG2230wm

Ive got a 7900gt and a 2405fpw and I have no idea how to enable 1:1 pixle mapping, though I dont really mind the stretched look on the few games that you can not hack the resolution of.

 

[Noema]

Originally posted by: zylander

Originally posted by: Noema

Originally posted by: Modular

Can't you use pixel mapping on almost any monitor? I was under the impression that the nVidia drivers allow you to do this on any LCD...

In theory, yes, but they are kind of broken right now on some cards.

I, for the life of me, can't enable pixel maping on my 7800GS and my VG2230wm

Ive got a 7900gt and a 2405fpw and I have no idea how to enable 1:1 pixle mapping, though I dont really mind the stretched look on the few games that you can not hack the resolution of.

Technically you can do it in the control panel, by selecting the adequate option (other options include default, which is stretching, and letting the monitor do the scaling / mapping, which my Viewsonic can't do).

When ever I select 1:1 mapping, my screen just blacks out and flashes until I hit select and it takes me to my previous configuration.

 

[Jaskalas]

Widescreen for life! Old games can stand with black bars on the side giving me a normal 3:4 aspect ratio.

 

[MetaDFF]

The 24" Dell 2407WPF does 1:1 pixel mapping, as long as you get firmware revision A04 (which is now widely available).

 

[videopho]

Not much of a choice anymore.
Why invest $$$ into a dinosaur?