Thinking of going back to my CRT monitor should I ?

[pcslookout]

Currently my lcd is a 20 inch NEC MultiSync 20SWMGX2 and my CRT I still have is a 19 inch NEC MultiSync FE 950+

Main reason is because of the latest games coming out and high resolutions not performing as well. Currently only have a Geforce 8800 GTS 320. Though another reason is because that way I can use 1024x768 or any default resolution on my CRT. I can also have my projector and CRT monitor display the same thing on both screens sense 1024x768 is perfect sense it is the highest my projector will go. Makes it a lot easier when controlling stuff on the projector screen when I use tv out. Wanted to see other people's opinions first before making the final decision. If I am doing something stupid tell me.

 

[Jakeisbest]

Wow, I don't think I have ever heard of a person switching back to a CRT. I should think your 8800GTS should be able to run most current games at near max settings on a 20" 1680x1050 LCD.

Also games would look better running at 1680x1050 with some settings turned down as compared to running them at 1024x768 with everything on high (in my opinion). I would take the lower quality setting with a higher resolution. I can barely stand surfing the web on my laptop which runs at 1024x768, stuff won't fit on the screen!

Also you have to consider CRT monitors are huge and heavy and hot and use more electricity.

I would recommend getting a 19' LCD to use as your gaming monitor the 1440x900 resolution should not tax your video card and you can run it in a dual monitor set up with your older NEC! I swear by having dual monitors and once you try it its very hard to go back to a single monitor.

 

[Jax Omen]

There's only 3 games I wasn't able to max out (aside from AA, the card just doesn't have enough RAM for that) at 1600x1200 on an 8800GTS 320. Crysis, Lost Planet, and SupCom (CPU can't keep up on larger maps at all). I don't know why you're having problems on a 20" LCD. You should be running stuff just fine. What's the rest of the system?

 

[sindows]

Do whatever it is you want, don't let people here convince you otherwise.

 

[johnpombrio]

You are just postponing the inevitable. Games will not be getting ?less graphics? or ?slower?. Going back may buy you 6 months or so then the next big hit will come out and you will be in the same boat. Meantime, you have eaten about $60 worth of electricity to keep your CRT running. Recycle your tube and find uot where the bottleneck in your system is and spend some bucks upgrading. By using the LCD you are already ahead in electrical costs?

 

[CP5670]

This seems like an obvious decision. Since you already have both monitors, just set them up in a dual monitor configuration and use the CRT for whatever games you're having trouble running on the 20WMGX2.

 

[videopho]

Originally posted by: johnpombrio
You are just postponing the inevitable. Games will not be getting ?less graphics? or ?slower?. Going back may buy you 6 months or so then the next big hit will come out and you will be in the same boat. Meantime, you have eaten about $60 worth of electricity to keep your CRT running. Recycle your tube and find uot where the bottleneck in your system is and spend some bucks upgrading. By using the LCD you are already ahead in electrical costs?

I wholeheartedly agree.
Give our earth a little consideration.
Stay with LCD instead of CRT.

 

[pcslookout]

You all have made some excellent points and I will ultimately decide. I really don't feel like running dual monitors but it would be nice. I just find it to much of a pain.

 

[Lithan]

Dont listen to the hippies. Turn the brightness on your crt to max and leave it running and we'll meet up in the keys for some good old fashioned panda-back dolphin hunting. The panda's are surprisingly good swimmers once you filter out all the lazy drowners.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Jakeisbest
Wow, I don't think I have ever heard of a person switching back to a CRT. I should think your 8800GTS should be able to run most current games at near max settings on a 20" 1680x1050 LCD.

Also games would look better running at 1680x1050 with some settings turned down as compared to running them at 1024x768 with everything on high (in my opinion). I would take the lower quality setting with a higher resolution. I can barely stand surfing the web on my laptop which runs at 1024x768, stuff won't fit on the screen!

Also you have to consider CRT monitors are huge and heavy and hot and use more electricity.

I would recommend getting a 19' LCD to use as your gaming monitor the 1440x900 resolution should not tax your video card and you can run it in a dual monitor set up with your older NEC! I swear by having dual monitors and once you try it its very hard to go back to a single monitor.

Me Me ME

i us me 19" CRT regularly!
16x12 max .. down to whatever

not to game so much; i DO use it for Crysis at 10x7 and "very hi" - but especially when you are looking closely at "details" for benchmarking or comparisons, i like to see it large .. and the CRT gives me more flexibility to change resolution without black bars or stretching the image

i'm glad it's still working

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Lithan
Dont listen to the hippies. Turn the brightness on your crt to max and leave it running and we'll meet up in the keys for some good old fashioned panda-back dolphin hunting. The panda's are surprisingly good swimmers once you filter out all the lazy drowners.

That's a recipe for early end of life to the cathode heater filaments which are probably fairly tired as it is on an aging CRT.