Monitor Questions?

Steve Mackie · 01-22-2006, 08:20 AM

Hi there
Currently I am using a 15" TFT monitor, which runs at a resolution of 1024 by 768 in desktop. I play some of my games in 1024 by 768 but must of them in 800 by 600.
I have to get a new monitor in a few days time as my brothers was stolen and he will be using mine, thought there are one or two things I'm unsure about.

I'm hoping to upgrade to a larger monitor, which is also supposed to be good for eye health on the computer. but when I look at all the 17" and 19" monitors I see that they are recomended for 1280 by 1024.

So as these monitors use a higher resolution than my current one, will this make much of a difference? I read somewhere using a monitor that has a resolution that is higher than the resolution used in the application you run then the quality may be lower, so therefore buying a larger screen can sometimes be a mistake as it decreases quality. And does the resoltion I run a game at depend on my graphics card, and will I need a more powerful graphics card to run games at higher resolutions? Or does the resolution not make much of a difference? I'm just trying to checking that upgrading is a right choice, and I don't want to have to upgrade my entire system so my PC can play games properly on my new monitor.
My Graphics card is a Nvidia GeforceFx 5600XT 256mb if it's needed.

Also is there any advice on settings and monitor size/specification for good eye health while at the computer? I heard that larger monitor with more than 80Hz is recomended, but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

Thanks a lot

ebackhus · 01-22-2006, 08:32 AM

As monitors increase in size the recommended viewing resolution does as well.

12-13" - 640x480 or 800x600
14-15" - 800x600 or 1024x768
16-17" - 1024x768 or 1280x1024
17" + - 1280x1024 or higher.

As with all sizes and resolutions it is best to use a refresh rate of 80hz or more to avoid eye strain. My parent's CRT can fire images at 120Hz in 1024x768! It's also best to work in a well-lit area and to position your monitor to avoid any glare.

With LCD panels you run into the issue of native resolution. While CRTs have recommended ones, LCDs have one that is essentially the maximum it can display. My laptop's 15" display has a native resolution on 1024x768. If I run anything less it stretches it and comes out looking pretty bad. My friend's 18" LCD panel has a nativ resolution of 1280x1024 but he runs it at 1024x768. Looks decent but can be horribly noticable in some applications. LCDs do enjoy the advantage of not having a refresh rate so eye strain goes out the window. On the downside they can fade with fast motion , have poor color accuracy, and have limited viewing angles. Of course, I don't know anyone who sits to the side of their monitor while working so that's a moot point.

01-22-2006, 08:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
Steve Mackie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 17 OS: XP	Monitor Questions? Hi there Currently I am using a 15" TFT monitor, which runs at a resolution of 1024 by 768 in desktop. I play some of my games in 1024 by 768 but must of them in 800 by 600. I have to get a new monitor in a few days time as my brothers was stolen and he will be using mine, thought there are one or two things I'm unsure about. I'm hoping to upgrade to a larger monitor, which is also supposed to be good for eye health on the computer. but when I look at all the 17" and 19" monitors I see that they are recomended for 1280 by 1024. So as these monitors use a higher resolution than my current one, will this make much of a difference? I read somewhere using a monitor that has a resolution that is higher than the resolution used in the application you run then the quality may be lower, so therefore buying a larger screen can sometimes be a mistake as it decreases quality. And does the resoltion I run a game at depend on my graphics card, and will I need a more powerful graphics card to run games at higher resolutions? Or does the resolution not make much of a difference? I'm just trying to checking that upgrading is a right choice, and I don't want to have to upgrade my entire system so my PC can play games properly on my new monitor. My Graphics card is a Nvidia GeforceFx 5600XT 256mb if it's needed. Also is there any advice on settings and monitor size/specification for good eye health while at the computer? I heard that larger monitor with more than 80Hz is recomended, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. Thanks a lot

01-22-2006, 08:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,284 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	As monitors increase in size the recommended viewing resolution does as well. 12-13" - 640x480 or 800x600 14-15" - 800x600 or 1024x768 16-17" - 1024x768 or 1280x1024 17" + - 1280x1024 or higher. As with all sizes and resolutions it is best to use a refresh rate of 80hz or more to avoid eye strain. My parent's CRT can fire images at 120Hz in 1024x768! It's also best to work in a well-lit area and to position your monitor to avoid any glare. With LCD panels you run into the issue of native resolution. While CRTs have recommended ones, LCDs have one that is essentially the maximum it can display. My laptop's 15" display has a native resolution on 1024x768. If I run anything less it stretches it and comes out looking pretty bad. My friend's 18" LCD panel has a nativ resolution of 1280x1024 but he runs it at 1024x768. Looks decent but can be horribly noticable in some applications. LCDs do enjoy the advantage of not having a refresh rate so eye strain goes out the window. On the downside they can fade with fast motion , have poor color accuracy, and have limited viewing angles. Of course, I don't know anyone who sits to the side of their monitor while working so that's a moot point. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.