BleepingComputer.com: What Monitor Do You Use For Gaming?

Hi, some games only display in 1024x768 minimum, but their text and graphics look so small on my 17" monitor that I get eyestrain and have got to get a bigger monitor.
I think LCD's have replaced CRT's nowadays, so I think a 22" LCD would be fine, but shall I get a square screen one or a widescreen?
I only want it for playing games and flight simulations, nothing else.
Wouldn't a widescreen stretch the picure out and make it look funny?
What sort do you all use?
Thanks

I use to use a 15" monitor that displayed at a max 1024X768 resolution. After having that for a couple years and monitor prices were going down, I finally bought a 20" widescreen monitor. I really like it, but the only problem is my graphics card isn't that great (ATI X1900GT), and it's kind of laggy playing some games at 1680X1050. Definitely go for a bigger screen if you have a good graphics card, but if you don't a good 17" or maybe a 19" would probably be best. If you just want a big screen though 22" is a good size.

What happens if you don't play the games on their fullest resolution, to reduce the lag in most cases, is the picture looks a little blurrier and less sharp. Not running the screens recommended highest resolution will usually make the picture looked stretched out a little too.

Most screens now are widescreen. I personally think they look better, but I think that might be because I look at mine all the time and I'm use to it. It's good to just go to a store and checkout their monitor display. See what size and type looks good to you.

I hope this was helpful!

Thanks, my best bet is to try to do a "refund if unsuitable" deal with the shop so i can take it back if i have to.
PS - Have all widescreens got a 4:3 option?
If they have, I can shrink the pic to that size if I don't like the widescreen display.

Yep, technology has certainly moved on. My old CRT 15" Silicon Graphics monitor bit the dust a long time ago only to be replaced by a Sharp 19" 4:3 TFT monitor, worked like a dream. I have since purchased a Samsung LE40M87 40" LCD TV which is hooked up to my PC via DVI - incredible.

Most widescreen monitors will allow the choice between 4:3 / 16:9. Usually most games allow this feature. The widescreen vs standard display is weird at first but you'll get used to it.

If you can't read the screen properly due to small fonts etc, you can change the D.P.I of your icons and text within windows.

BTW, a good resouce for TFT's are Ebuyer, CCL online, Aria.

Hope this helps!!

This post has been edited by FireKracker: 31 March 2008 - 08:35 AM

im useing "HPw2207" widescreen all the latest games i play all run in widescreen just fine. as for eyestrain i find it easer then my old old monitor 17'' crt.

Thanks guys but I think i've cracked it, I found a local comp shop today who say if i buy a mon from them i can take it back for refund or exchange if its not suitable.
So I plan to buy a 22" widescreen from them in a couple of weeks and see how i get on with it..:)

Monitors are like your computer mouse; both are used all the time so each is critical, and which one works best is a very personal thing. If you are able, visit a large computer store and look at the screens from various brands and kinds; if possible, try each out if not with a game, at least by navigating around Windows. Maybe you could take a game to the computer shop and try various monitors there, since the extra work for them at the time would be better than your returning one or two later.
Cheers,
John

A 19" flat/widescreen screen, HP, dont know the tech specs, but its made games so much more alive than when I used my old 15" one.

A 22" Asus Widescreen... doesn't really get any better =D

i have duel 19" hanns-g HX192D monitors with 2ms response times.

hope to get one of these soon though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824254026

I have a 22" Westinghouse

19" Acer as my secondary.

This post has been edited by FadeToBright: 22 April 2008 - 07:45 AM

I use my three-year old, 4:3 ratio, LCD, eMachines flat panel monitor (either 15" or 17"). Then again, I don't play shooters on my PC, so I really don't need anything fancy. Maybe once I pay off student loans, I will buy a better one, but this one works right now.

19" widescreen LCD. Like it a lot, but bigger would be better lol I can't stand when i have to do something with the GF's comp everything looks funny on the 17" "regular" LCD she uses.