flat panel vs crt for gaming....

[rferoni]

I've heard flat panels(lcd's) are not good for gaming, tho I don't remember
where. May have dreamt it for all I know...anyway, I am thinking of getting
a new monitor and was wondering what a good brand is for flat panels and
crt's.........I don't do much gaming but I will stick with a crt if the flat
panels won't work. What is the life span of a LCD?
Thanks for any info....

Ron

 

[Sean]

There are many LCD monitors with a low enough response rate to compete quite
well against CRTs on the gaming front...

I currently have a Samsung 172T .. and I'll never go back to CRT .. at lans
I play SOF2, C&C Generals, etc... no probs...

(Note the 172T has a <25ms response rate. .. the newer Samsung 172X has a
12ms response rate if I recall correctly meaning it's even better)

Just my opinion,

Sean

 

[Wooducoodu]

if you're going to use it for games just make sure you get an LCD with a
16ms response time or less.

 

[Dan]

"> if you're going to use it for games just make sure you get an LCD with a

16ms response time or less.

No offense, but I hear this claim ALL the time. When in fact the 16ms
response time is *new* or at least on the new models. Older models with 25ms
are just fine. I know, I have one, as a matter of fact I have serveral
computers with CRT and LCD monitors. Only on flat panels with a reponse time
of greater than 30 ms have I seen what they call ghosting. Sure if you have
the money get the fastest/ biggest/ best, otherwise, know your stuff.

 

[jeffc]

"> if you're going to use it for games just make sure you get an LCD with a

No offense, but I hear this claim ALL the time. When in fact the 16ms
response time is *new* or at least on the new models. Older models with 25ms
are just fine. I know, I have one, as a matter of fact I have serveral
computers with CRT and LCD monitors. Only on flat panels with a reponse time
of greater than 30 ms have I seen what they call ghosting.

Then again, that's what *you've* seen. For that matter, some people are
really bothered by the 60Hz refresh rate, and some aren't. Some people are
bothered by Trinitron lines, and some aren't.

 

[)-()-(]

I What is the life span of a LCD?
Thanks for any info....

Ron

life span of some backlights is ~ 4000 hrs.
that's what wears out.

 

[Wooducoodu]

but do you play any games that are likely to show the ghosting problem? he
seemed concerned about gaming.

 

[\(\) |\\/| 3 G /-\\]

you sure thats correct?!?

4000h / 24h = 166 days of solid use. dont seem alot.
especially when i presume they come with 1/3/5yr waranty's depending on
manuf.

tim

 

[Dan]

Yep, I play lots of games. many 1st person shooters as well as RTS.
People often complained of ghosting in SOF2, but like I said, I never saw
any, except on the LCD's thta had a refresh higher than 30ms.

 

[Dan]

Then again, that's what *you've* seen. For that matter, some people are

really bothered by the 60Hz refresh rate, and some aren't. Some people are
bothered by Trinitron lines, and some aren't.

Actually thats a very good point. Of course, ghosting is much more "back and
white" than the other isuses you said. That is also why I said to know your
stuff, becuase I dont buy monitors until I have seem them actually used
(either a demo or a store). So if your new to a LCD, then I would suggest
going to the store and checking out some actual game play on them.

 

[jeffc]

Actually thats a very good point. Of course, ghosting is much more "back and
white" than the other isuses you said. That is also why I said to know your
stuff...

Don't get me wrong - I don't At least not for flat panels. One problem
with displays is that, especially with CRTs, there is such a slim selection
in the stores around here, and if you want a specific model you're probably
going to mail order it. Then shipping and returns on something so big
becomes almost prohibitive if you want to return. I guess with flat panels
it might be easier, both because of the lower shipping costs and the
increasing supply of new models in local inventories.

 

[Conor]

No offense, but I hear this claim ALL the time. When in fact the 16ms
response time is *new* or at least on the new models. Older models with 25ms
are just fine. I know, I have one, as a matter of fact I have serveral
computers with CRT and LCD monitors. Only on flat panels with a reponse time
of greater than 30 ms have I seen what they call ghosting. Sure if you have
the money get the fastest/ biggest/ best, otherwise, know your stuff.

16ms response time isn't new. It's at least 6-12 months old which is an
age in I.T. I have a 25ms response monitor and it does ghost slightly.

 

[Conor]

Yep, I play lots of games. many 1st person shooters as well as RTS.
People often complained of ghosting in SOF2, but like I said, I never saw
any, except on the LCD's thta had a refresh higher than 30ms.

Perhaps you should try it with a system that can run at a decent FPS.
Run a benchmark such as Timedemo in Quake3 and you'll see ghosting.
Stand on the spot and spin round at full tilt and you'll see ghosting.

 

[Dan]

Then it must be yours, or whatever brand. And yes, Im quite sure my computer
will run quake3 demos at a *decent* FPS, and I still have no ghosting.

FYI P4 @ 3ghz Radeon 9800pro. just completed my 5th demo run and did as you
instructed, sorry I still dont see it. Perhaps its like all hardware, they
are not all made the same, despite what labels say. Much like power
supplys.

I didnt mean for this to me some huge deal, bottom line is the guy needs to
test out whatever monitors hes looking at. Or at least make sure he can
send/take it back if it doesnt meet his qualification. Im just telling you
for fact, that just becuase its not 16ms, doesnt mean there are ghosts. Sure
some must do it, but im telling you some dont. And sure you could have
gotten a 16ms LCD almost a year ago, for about twice the price, only
recently have they come down.

 

[bogustxtburnetga]

life span of some backlights is ~ 4000 hrs.
that's what wears out.

Something Sounds Wrong Here.
Many systems are run 24 / 7 / 365
4000 hrs. is only 6 months ! ??????

Greg B.

 

[Ancra]

Something Sounds Wrong Here.
Many systems are run 24 / 7 / 365
4000 hrs. is only 6 months ! ??????

Well, I use a 'blank' screensaver, which causes the monitor itself to
go into energy save mode, turning off the backlight, after a while.
That's not necessarily smart. Tubes and other fluoroscent light
doesn't like being turned off and on. But when my screen goes blank,
it usually stays blank for hours, while I'm somewhere else. So in my
case I figure it's appropriate.

The story I've heard is that the brightness of the backlight is
reduced to 50% in about 2 years of normal use. 50% is pretty ok. My
oldest is probably down to that now. Subjective, that's ok. Searching
my memory, I can remember how bright it could be when it was new.
Otherwise, I wouldn't notice.

Manufacturer suggests the backlight could/should be replaced.


ancra

 

[Chris]

Everything you need to know about flat-panel displays, including how they
match up against CRTs and what other hardware your PC must have to run an
LCD successfully.
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,112476,tk,wb101303x,00.asp

 

[Sean]

Huh!? why run a timedemo?? if it looks ok when you're playing the game then
why would you worry... besides I have a Radeon 9800 and on my 172T I see NO
ghosting! .. (also, just a side-note, I AM one of those ppl who can't stand
low refresh rates.. 60Hz is horrible.. 75Hz is yuck... 85Hz is better.. so
it's not that my eyes accept the lower response rate.. oh yeh, and on DLP I
can see rainbows.. yech.. annoying!)

Of course everything is subjective! You _should_ see the monitor in action
prior to purchasing