lunchbox

Are LCDs really that bad for gaming? Previously I heard all kinds of horror stories about wasting money on LCDs and them being ruined by games. Would it be more wise to buy a CRT or an LCD if I plan on gaming on it? I'm not sure if it will matter but here are the games I plan on playing on it:

Half-Life 2 (assuming it ever comes out)
Knights of the Old Republic
Counter-Strike
Jedi Knight 2

any and all info is greatly appreciated. thanks I'm really not sure about this.

Jeff

I'd say go with a big CRT.

I've got an LCD, playing games is blurry. The refresh rate isnt' high enough.

There are LCD monitors with a better refresh rate, that I believe are decent for games. I don't know how much these run though.

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panbert

From what I heard there were two main restrictions with regards to LCD.
(I) they have an "ideal" resolution. Even though you can change it to other resolution, I think the nature of LCD screens means that it was designed with one resolution in mind - the screen itself is x pixels wide and y pixels high.
(II) The older & cheaper models do not have redraw fast enough for games, especially action games. Try moving the mouse cursor around on a LCD screen and you may notice a "trail". Supposingly, the newer & higher end LCD screens redraw faster so that may have solved the problem. I haven't seen them myself so someone else will need to validate that.

Sp0rAdiC

there are now LCDs out w/ as low as 12ms response times, and those would be fine for gaming. I prefer a good old fashioned 22" CRT though

panbert

I prefer to have LCD over CRT if not for the cost. Why? Well, try lugging around a 19" CRT monitor for LAN.
But cost IS A BIG FACTOR so I will continue to buy CRT monitors.

MooseMan3000

I second the motion that slow refresh rate on most LCDs will screw you over in games, ESPECIALLY FPS games, because it will be very blurry. It gives me a headache to play on a shitty LCD. You have to lay down big money to get a decent gaming LCD.

One concern that hasn't been voiced yet: portability. I have a 19" flat CRT (the screen itself is flat, to help reduce glare and look nicer), and I love it to death. The only problem is lugging it to and from college, and (more importantly) to and from LAN parties. That in combination with my behemoth full sized steel tower (stuffed full of components) makes moving my PC a considerable undertaking. I'm seriously considering getting a second box just to LAN with, because this one is so unwieldy. Um, that's *after* I buy my Corvette... [/wishful thinking]

If portability is not an issue, however, get a CRT. They're nicer all around to look at, and they run a LOT cheaper.


Edit: God damnit, while I was sitting thinking of the word "behemoth," panbert snuck a reply in. FIEND!

portwineboy

The sucky thing is that it's getting harder and harder to find a nice CRT. It seems like every week another company drops out.

I pray every day that my radius PrecisionView 2150 (with VGA adapter) will never, ever die.

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panbert

Well, you know what they say... The Quick And The Dead.
I prefer to be quick.

I am thinking... what costs more:
High quality gaming LCD screen
OR
19" CRT monitor PLUS cost of seeing a physiotherapist after snapping my spine.

I'm still using my 15" Sony monitor that I bought in 1997. It was relatively expensive compared to the cheaper brands but it has proven its worth.
The CRT market is shrinking, but I don't think it will go away too soon. Until til gaming-capable LCD screens drop to an affordable price, there will still be a market for CRT screens.

Lotronex

i bought a 19" LG CRT 5 years ago, and its just starting to go bad, but, I only spent like $150 on it, so i dont feel that bad, id even buy another one when this one craps itself. I think that CRTs are definealty the way to go for gaming. Ive seen people rock on LCDs in Counter-Strike, but id much rather have a larger screen with a faster refresh rate, but then again, i have a case that weighs over 50lbs, so LANs are a pain in the ass no matter what.