CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming.

Bearcamp · 07-29-2007, 06:56 PM

I have a CTR monitor now and it's on it's way out. Thinking of getting a LCD 22" as long as they're just as good as the CTR for gaming. Whjat are your thoughts and do some have higher res than others. What should I look for?

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 07-29-2007, 07:52 PM

They are better and look waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy better.

Bearcamp · 07-29-2007, 07:58 PM

But aren't they fuzzy like on quick action scenes?

**pharoah** · 07-29-2007, 08:04 PM

thats only if they have a high response time.if you get one with an 8ms response time,or lower they dont do that.lcd's have come a long way recently.they dont suffer from the problems they used to.

**bruiser** · 07-29-2007, 08:25 PM

I have a LG lcd with a 2ms response time. No lag, ghosting or any other problem that I can see.

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 07-29-2007, 08:34 PM

Mine is 5ms and i use it for my 360 and computer and it looks great.

Indoril Nerevar · 07-30-2007, 02:21 AM

LCD's are the way to go for gaming these days, no question. The old "they're blurry/fuzzy/have ghosting issues" argument just doesn't apply anymore. As pharoah said, an LCD with a response time of 8ms or lower (and they are soooooooooo cheap these days) will handle games perfectly. Even a 12ms LCD will be okay for most people.

Definitely get the LCD, just make sure it has a low response time.

Atypicality · 07-30-2007, 05:10 AM

I didn't think they still made 12 ms LCDs.. :/
But yeah, I have a 22in 5ms LCD... and I wouldn't ever even think about maybe considering a CRT ever again.
Ever.
The only thing to note would be most LCDs panels have a 6-bit panel. This means if you're seriously into graphic design (and I mean seriously; as they're usually noticably more expensive) then you should look for an 8-bit panel; as this displays more colours.
I think it was something along the lines of 16.2 million colours for the 6-bit versus 16.7 for the 8.

That said though; the average gamer wouldn't notice and therefore wouldn't care.

ebackhus · 07-30-2007, 01:00 PM

A really good LCD can be used for gaming, but in the past it was terrible. personally I prefer CRTs for everything I do from design to gaming to staring at screensavers.

~~Nik00117~~ · 07-30-2007, 10:03 PM

LCD, if your just a typical gamer.

My friend has a high end 22 inch CRT thing looks GREAT!!

It also weighs a ton, is bulky and takes up a lot of power.

LCD for being compact, and powerful are great. Go with the LCD under 8 MS that is, most of the time widescreens are 5ms.

**40sondacurb** · 07-31-2007, 03:40 PM

I like CRTs because they have a greater blackout level generating better color, but they are huge.

**Cellus** · 08-01-2007, 08:24 PM

CRTs have their advantages, such as the extreme degree of colours they can draw, however LCDs have been catching up for a while now to very good degrees of success.

Just to summarize the preferred tech-specs for CRT and LCD monitors for gaming:

CRT

* Higher the refresh rate rate the better. At least 75Hz or more - 60Hz will cause visible flickering and possible tearing. More than 75Hz is preferred.
* No more than 3 years old. As a CRT monitor gets older it begins to wear out. The displayed image progressively becomes darker and its colours duller as it begins to fail. Eventually it can drawing the wrong colours altogether.

LCD

* Active Matrix Display. Enough said.
* The faster the response time the better (lower numbers are better). A response time of 12ms or lower (8ms or lower is preferred). Personally I game a lot and my "gaming laptop" has a response time of 16ms, which definitely hurts at times.
* The higher the aspect ratio the better (bigger numbers are better). The higher the aspect ratio, the better it is at displaying different colours. 1000:1 or better is preferred.
* For a more vivid display, monitors with a high-gloss finish (eg: TrueLife, CrystalBrite, etc.) are good to have.
** Widescreen monitors are both a blessing and a curse. While many newer games natively support widescreen resolutions, most older games do not. Some older games can be tweaked for widescreen resolutions (see the Widescreen Gaming Forum for instructions for many games) but not all. If a game's image becomes distorted (stretched horizontally) while using a widescreen resolution, you can correct this by configuring your video card to use a standard (non-widescreen) aspect ratio of 4:3. However, doing so in these cases can waste displayable real-estate on your monitor, causing a black box-like effect on your monitor of areas that are not drawn. Many people swear by widescreen monitors, others despise them. It's up to you.

07-29-2007, 06:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bearcamp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 63 OS: Windows XP	CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. I have a CTR monitor now and it's on it's way out. Thinking of getting a LCD 22" as long as they're just as good as the CTR for gaming. Whjat are your thoughts and do some have higher res than others. What should I look for?

07-29-2007, 07:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. They are better and look waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy better. __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

07-29-2007, 07:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bearcamp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 63 OS: Windows XP	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. But aren't they fuzzy like on quick action scenes?

07-29-2007, 08:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
pharoah TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,188 OS: vista business edition My System	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. thats only if they have a high response time.if you get one with an 8ms response time,or lower they dont do that.lcd's have come a long way recently.they dont suffer from the problems they used to. __________________ Follow These Steps First Power Supply Selection Posting System Specs Oblivion Tweak Guide Video Drivers& Information TSF folding at home team 85015

07-29-2007, 08:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
bruiser TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,977 OS: xp	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. I have a LG lcd with a 2ms response time. No lag, ghosting or any other problem that I can see.

07-29-2007, 08:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. Mine is 5ms and i use it for my 360 and computer and it looks great. __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

07-30-2007, 02:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Indoril Nerevar Manager, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 5,012 OS: Windows 7 RC 64-bit My System	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. LCD's are the way to go for gaming these days, no question. The old "they're blurry/fuzzy/have ghosting issues" argument just doesn't apply anymore. As pharoah said, an LCD with a response time of 8ms or lower (and they are soooooooooo cheap these days) will handle games perfectly. Even a 12ms LCD will be okay for most people. Definitely get the LCD, just make sure it has a low response time. __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. • Common PC Game Issues • Common Installation Issues • Posting System Specs • Power Supply Information • • NVIDIA Drivers • ATI Drivers • Thermal Paste Guide • System Requirements Lab • YouGamers Game-o-Meter • • Everest • Prime95 • DirectX • AMD Drivers • Memtest86 • SensorsView • Driver Cleaner • I do not give help via PM. Please post your question on the forum.

07-30-2007, 05:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
Atypicality Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia. Posts: 65 OS: XP Pro x64 SP2	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. I didn't think they still made 12 ms LCDs.. :/ But yeah, I have a 22in 5ms LCD... and I wouldn't ever even think about maybe considering a CRT ever again. Ever. The only thing to note would be most LCDs panels have a 6-bit panel. This means if you're seriously into graphic design (and I mean seriously; as they're usually noticably more expensive) then you should look for an 8-bit panel; as this displays more colours. I think it was something along the lines of 16.2 million colours for the 6-bit versus 16.7 for the 8. That said though; the average gamer wouldn't notice and therefore wouldn't care.

07-30-2007, 01:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,313 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. A really good LCD can be used for gaming, but in the past it was terrible. personally I prefer CRTs for everything I do from design to gaming to staring at screensavers. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

07-30-2007, 10:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
~~Nik00117~~ Troubled Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 1,572 OS: XP Pro, Vista Ulimate My System	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. LCD, if your just a typical gamer. My friend has a high end 22 inch CRT thing looks GREAT!! It also weighs a ton, is bulky and takes up a lot of power. LCD for being compact, and powerful are great. Go with the LCD under 8 MS that is, most of the time widescreens are 5ms.

07-31-2007, 03:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
40sondacurb Don't be a menace Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,285 OS: Vista sp2	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. I like CRTs because they have a greater blackout level generating better color, but they are huge. __________________ Donate to keep the forum running

08-01-2007, 08:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: CTR monitor vs LCD for gaming. CRTs have their advantages, such as the extreme degree of colours they can draw, however LCDs have been catching up for a while now to very good degrees of success. Just to summarize the preferred tech-specs for CRT and LCD monitors for gaming: CRT * Higher the refresh rate rate the better. At least 75Hz or more - 60Hz will cause visible flickering and possible tearing. More than 75Hz is preferred. * No more than 3 years old. As a CRT monitor gets older it begins to wear out. The displayed image progressively becomes darker and its colours duller as it begins to fail. Eventually it can drawing the wrong colours altogether. LCD * Active Matrix Display. Enough said. * The faster the response time the better (lower numbers are better). A response time of 12ms or lower (8ms or lower is preferred). Personally I game a lot and my "gaming laptop" has a response time of 16ms, which definitely hurts at times. * The higher the aspect ratio the better (bigger numbers are better). The higher the aspect ratio, the better it is at displaying different colours. 1000:1 or better is preferred. * For a more vivid display, monitors with a high-gloss finish (eg: TrueLife, CrystalBrite, etc.) are good to have. ** Widescreen monitors are both a blessing and a curse. While many newer games natively support widescreen resolutions, most older games do not. Some older games can be tweaked for widescreen resolutions (see the Widescreen Gaming Forum for instructions for many games) but not all. If a game's image becomes distorted (stretched horizontally) while using a widescreen resolution, you can correct this by configuring your video card to use a standard (non-widescreen) aspect ratio of 4:3. However, doing so in these cases can waste displayable real-estate on your monitor, causing a black box-like effect on your monitor of areas that are not drawn. Many people swear by widescreen monitors, others despise them. It's up to you. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate! Last edited by Cellus; 08-01-2007 at 08:27 PM.