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LCD vs. CRT for gaming...

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by avengerofholiness, Nov 15, 2004.

  1. avengerofholiness Gems: 1/31
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    I've been reading up on all the comparisons but I am still not sure what to get. My choices are the Dell 17" LCD or the Dell 19" CRT. Gaming of course is my primary use for the system and monitor. Any advice would be great.
     
  2. JSBB Gems: 31/31
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    I recently gave up my old 19" CRT in favour of a 19" LCD and I have no regrets.

    In terms of size, a LCD actually has a larger viewable screen area than a same sized CRT so the drop from 19" to 17" would actually be more like a drop from 18" to 17". However, I find that having a nice thin flat screen that takes up next to no space instead of a giant behemoth is priceless.

    The picture quality is something where you would have to compare the two side by side but in general I have found that if both are from the same manufacturer they are usually equally good.
     
  3. Darkthrone Gems: 12/31
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    The decision is a simple one: the only reason to buy a CRT would be if you're (somewhat earnestly) into FPS (Doom3, Half-Life 2, Painkiller,...). LCDs are still not fast enough to display heated action without smearing the picture. Cords and all that.

    For any other usage a LCD is the better solution.
     
  4. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    It's called ghosting...and it is EVIL! Almost all LCD displays have at least a little ghosting...some more than others. Last I heard, the Samsung 19” 191T is among the best 19" screens out there right now. :rolling:
     
  5. Wordplay Gems: 29/31
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    Ghosting becomes a problem only when you need to bunny-jump in 180^ arcs constantly -you won't notice it otherwise. :D

    As to the quality, flat-screens are superior. There is no moire or anomalies, as the pixels show the image just like it is. The only thing that can affect the image-quality negatively is too narrow viewing-angle.

    So, go for LCD-TFT. CRTs are history. LCD-CRT-TFT-CRT-LFT-TCD-TRT. :spin:
     
  6. avengerofholiness Gems: 1/31
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    Thanks for the responses. I decided to go CRT this time. I know the next pc I purchase or build will definitely have an LCD. Nice latin Wirhe!
     
  7. Wordplay Gems: 29/31
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    Oh, that's nothing when it comes to l77t language. You should hear us when we start talking about detailed mechanics or worse: binary. :p

    Anyway, your loss; I have been using TFT for the past 2 years and I wouldn't change it for CRT. They simply look so much better and save your eyes. Every time you turn your CRT-monitor on, you could as well take a light-bulb and stare at it for six hours straight. :shake:
     
  8. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    I wonder if OLED (Organic LED) screens will ever make it on to computer screens...as far as I know, there's a Sony Cle handheld and a Kodak camera that have OLED screens, but you can only get them in Japan. :rolling:
     
  9. Nakia

    Nakia The night is mine Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    I have a Samsung, SyncMaster 192N LCD and love it. Any ghosting problem is minor. Haven't tried it with any really old games. I am currently replaying Arcanum with it and it is great. The graphics are good. Of course I first played Arcanum with a Voodoo 3fx card. Need more be said?
     
  10. chevalier

    chevalier Knight of Everfull Chalice ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    You have a problem with LCD screens when the light is behind you. A worse one than with CRT, at least. Sometimes, if the angle is particularly nasty, you can't see anything. Again, it's not that bad if people can't snoop on you and your screen, so so long as you can see it when sitting close to it, that's fine.

    Also, I believe LCD is better for your eyes. And the benefit of it being flat and thin is priceless.
     
  11. Wordplay Gems: 29/31
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    Oh? I don't have that problem at all. In fact, since LCD screens aren't glassy or curved, like CRTs often are, they reflect light almost none at all, thus being better to your eyes (beside having better refresh-rates too).
     
  12. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Funny how no one mentioned price... Interesting that it's not any issue, considering the difference between LCDs and CRTs in that department is still significant.
     
  13. Beren

    Beren Lovesick and Lonely Wanderer Staff Member Member of the Week Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    This is based on what somebody else told.

    CRTs involves concentrating a large amount of power into one source lighting up the screeen. If something goes wrong with that source, your monitor is often toast. An experience I've seemed to have before.

    With LCD, voltage gets directed to the many individual 'parts' that make up the screen. If that individual part burns out, its permanent. But its also very unlikely to happen since so little power gets directed to each individual part. In that respect, buying an LCD is also a long term investment in longevity (and I've noticed some of the warranty periods on LCDs as well).

    Mind you, I'm not a big expert on electronics, I heard this from somebody else, and have absolutely no experience with LCDs. So if somebody wants to shoot me down in vehement fashion, I won't be offended. :)
     
  14. avengerofholiness Gems: 1/31
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    Well I appreciate the amount of support for LCD monitors here, but I find a definite lack of supportive evidence to compel me to buy one. I find many people complain about strained eyes which is not a problem for me. The prices for a larger screen, better quality LCD are very spendy. Dead pixels are always a possibility. Native resolution is the last hammer blow to LCD's, leaving you with one size screen without distortion. Until many of the limits of LCD are corrected, large, heavy, and awesome CRT's will kick the crap out of the physically weak gamers. Drink, Hail!!!
     
  15. chevalier

    chevalier Knight of Everfull Chalice ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    Sit two metres away from your screen, having the source of light between it and you at close to right angle. Alternatively, take an LCD laptop outside and have the sun behind your back. It's already crappy on CRT, but on LCD you're toasted.

    Anyway, I would still prefer LCD because it's easier on your eyes.
     
  16. Splunge

    Splunge Bhaal’s financial advisor Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Who the heck sits 2 metres away from their monitor? I sit about 2 feet away from my 19" CRT.

    Of course, that may explain my crappy eyesight.
     
  17. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    It's a vicious cycle... sit farther away and you see nothing because everything's always too small, or sit closer, and get crappy eyesight, and STILL have problems seeing stuff.
     
  18. Spellbound

    Spellbound Fleur de Mystique Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    I sit about 2 feet away from my CRT screen normally, but when I'm gaming, I seem to inch closer and closer, particularly in battles -- until it seems like I'm right on top of it, with my hand gripping the mouse like a claw. :lol:
     
  19. Colthrun

    Colthrun Walk first in the forest and last in the bog Veteran

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    LCD all the way. If you plan to spend long hours in front of the computer, either working or gaming, your eyes will notice it.
     
  20. Rastor Gems: 30/31
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    I've got a similar question, but mine is about a different issue.

    I currently use a 17" Sony Trinitron CRT for my computer. It's a few years old, but it serves me well.

    I have been thinking of investing $500 in a good LCD screen. Now, the reason I am considering this is that LCD screens consume vastly less electricity. What I'm wondering is, will I save enough in electricity over the next two years to make this investment pay for itself?

    Space is not an issue for me. The computer is mostly used for productivity processes, but I would like to be able to have NWN and Morrowind cranked up at full graphics without any ghosting (my CRT does it just fine).

    What suggestions can you all offer?
     
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