High Res. Gaming

By olefarte
May 8, 2003
  1. This may be a dumb question, but I see people playing games at resolutions of 1280X1024 and higher. I play all my games at 1024X768, not because my computer won't play these games ok at higher resolution, but because if I go higher, I can't read what's written on the screen, it's to small. I can set all settings on my graphics card and games menu at max and I can't see where the games themselves look any better at higher res. Does anyone have any comments on this, or am I the only one.
  2. Deception`

    Deception` TS Rookie

    1024x768 is the standard now for 17" monitors, usually one would change his/her resolution to compensate with increased viewability (or lack thereof)
  3. negroplasty

    negroplasty TS Maniac Posts: 537   +12

    I usually game at 1024*768, although 1152*864 has never done any harm on my 17". In fact, I quite like 1152*864 for gaming ;) . I would imagine some people play games at higher resolutions because they think the graphics looks better, I can't even tell the difference between playing at 1600*1200 and 1024*768 so it doesn't really matter to me :) . Anyone wish to confirm this myth?
  4. olefarte

    olefarte TechSpot Ambassador Topic Starter Posts: 1,428

    Timmoore, that's kind of my feeling. I don't see any difference if any, in the quality at higher resolutions. I have a 19" LCD, and 1024X768 is about as high as I want to go. By the way, there is another thread here that talks about ghosting on LCD's, I have not seen that on mine. I don't know who makes Gateways monitors, but I have heard some good things about them.
  5. Nic

    Nic TechSpot Paladin Posts: 1,928

    1024*768 is plenty enough for me, but if you are using an LCD panel, then graphics only look sharp when running at native resolution, which for most 17" monitors is 1280*1024.
  6. olefarte

    olefarte TechSpot Ambassador Topic Starter Posts: 1,428

    Yeah, my 19" native is 1280X1024, but I still like1024X768 because I read the graphics better, they are not so small, (guess my old eyes are getting bad).
  7. DigitAlex

    DigitAlex TechSpot Paladin Posts: 583

    19" pure flat crt and 1152x864 here
  8. ---agissi---


    The actual grapfics arnt better, but the game looks more antialized. Without actually having to turn on AA. ;)
  9. LNCPapa

    LNCPapa TS Special Forces Posts: 4,396   +296

    Depends on the game for me - Q3 runs at 1600x1200 2xAA, Asheron's Call 2 runs 1280x1024 with AA on, and the rest of my games run 1024 - some with AA and some without. I can see the difference even on Q3 at 1600 between AA on and off. It's really just a matter of personal preference though. If the games don't look any better to you at higher resolutions or with AA on then why do it? Why take the performance hit if you don't see any benefit?

  10. WeinerDog

    WeinerDog TS Rookie

    I've used my share of monitors, and in the case of high resolutions, size matters. If you're playing whatever game at 1024x768 on a 22" monster, it'll look like your playing at 640x480 because the larger pixel size. You'll be wondering how anyone can stand it. On the other extreme, you'll never really see the point of the higher resolutions on your average newbie's 15". I own a 19" Sony Trinitron, and I can definitely tell the difference between 1024x768 and 1600x1200 - everything is just so much sharper. You really have to develop an eye for it, though - my non-computer savvy friends can't see a difference and think I'm crazy.

    Don't know, though. With all the filtering going on nowadays, you don't really need anything higher than 1024x768.

  11. Didou

    Didou Bowtie extraordinair! Posts: 5,899

    I play in 1600*1200 whenever possible. If I can get 30/40 fps at 1600*1200, I'm happy.:D

    I also like to enable Anisotropic filtering on my R8500, if the performance penalty isn't too steep.

    The only drawback is that whenever Anisotropic is used, Bilinear filtering mode is forced ( on all R2xx cards ).:dead:
  12. acidosmosis

    acidosmosis TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 1,574

    I would like to go one size larger than 1024x768. I think at this res. the icons are too small. I know you can make the icons smaller with a simple tweak but they look a little distorted. I also would like to try running some games in res's above 1024x768. I am going to go buy a new monitor sometime soon hopefully. Probably 19", and I will run a dual monitor setup until I build my next machine (starting on it in December).

    I love going at higher res's hehe. It's like candy for a baby to me. Dunno why.
  13. Strakian

    Strakian TS Rookie Posts: 146

    My desktop is comfortable at 1280x1024, but I've always gamed at 1024x768. Notably because of the size of text, but also because at that "lower" resolution you can really crank the effects and still run around 60 FPS at least, even in newer games. Unreal Tournament 2003 at 1024x768 with all the jazz is breathtaking to play on broadband. What a good time!
  14. JSR

    JSR Banned Posts: 730


    i don't sweat AA...........just crank it up..........not one hitch in my get along................only in the action did doom 3 start crawlin on me.............currently 2100+w/ti4400/512.........and it ain't no thang
  15. doogie

    doogie TS Rookie

    I cant notice any difference between 1024 * 768 to 1280 * 1024 with my geforce 4 ti 4200 and my 17 inch lg flatron. I usually go for the 1024 * 768 resolution for online gaming because for one you dont have time to look at the graphics and plus you want the game to run at its best performance with dial up due to ping.
  16. JackieChanIsGOD

    JackieChanIsGOD TS Rookie Posts: 83

    I love 1152x864 for everything... it fits just right on my 17"... When i buy my new flat screen 19" Samsung, then i'll probably have to move up to 1280x1024... but i'm not complaining...
    with 1024x768 the icons and... everything, i dunno, just seems a little large for me... i'd rather have it that touch smaller...
  17. acidosmosis

    acidosmosis TechSpot Chancellor Posts: 1,574

    I tried going one res. higher than my current 1024x768, but the text and icons were just too small so I'm sticking with 1024x768 at least until I get a larger monitor. I don't really see any point in running games at a higher resolution as of yet either, again until I get a larger monitor.
  18. Tarkus

    Tarkus TechSpot Ambassador Posts: 837

    I usually play at 1024 but have some games at 1280. I like the max visuals I can run and that usually tops out at one of the two and still give smooth gameplay.
  19. XtR-X

    XtR-X TS Rookie Posts: 1,040

    Very true. High resolutions on flat LCD screens are the best. Anything low looks really crappy as you can almost see the pixels.
  20. ill-frosty

    ill-frosty TS Rookie

    i use 1024x768 because i've tried higher, and the damn crosshair in counter-strike is to damn small for me.
  21. XtR-X

    XtR-X TS Rookie Posts: 1,040

    No, no, no. Outside of the game, I use 1280x1024. In Counter-Strike, I use 1024x768. It's the best IMO, 800x600 isn't enough and 1280x1024 is too much.
Topic Status:
Not open for further replies.

Add New Comment

TechSpot Members
Login or sign up for free,
it takes about 30 seconds.
You may also...
