[Max]

I am unhappy with my monitor.
Why?
Because sometime ago I changed the rezoltion to 1152 x 864 Pixel.
So now that's better for my eyes cause my monitor is able to handle a framerate of 75htz. ( still bad )
Before I changed it the rez was on 1280 x 1024 with 60htz which is much better for graphically work, you know.

So...to my question: are there any drivers to power up my monitor?

Or do I have to buy a new, better one.
If so, are there any good pages which sell or review monitors?

Would be nice if you could give me some tipps.
Thank's

- max

[daeldren]

well first of all your monitor is usually limited to a certain refresh rate at the highest setting, if this is the case the only thing you could do would be to get a new monitor. Now 1280 by 1024 at 60hz is about standard, Id say for high end graphics or 3dmodeling and animation you might as well get a 19" with a max res of 1600x1200, but otherwise like with the refresh rate, the higher it is just means basically the better it will be on your eyes. Another thing it could be is if you dont have standard drivers for your display card, like with nvidia cards windows sometimes makes the refresh rate lower than what the actual card is capable of, so youd have to get the latest drivers, and also make sure you get the actual drivers for your monitor rather than the standard plug and play one windows automatically assigns. Try these things first and then go from there.

[HawkOne]

Check these tests from Toms Hardware out ... these pages also mention tons of info relevant to your questions ...

1. Comparison: Seven 21" and 22" CRT Monitors

2. Comparison: Twelve 19" CRT Monitors

I saw somewhere that the threshold of when the screen refresh rate starts to become a problem for prolonged use is 72MHz, below this level most people would see noticable flickering from the screen. If you intend to sit in front of your computer for hours on end, you should spend some money on a screen that can sustain above 80MHz. I like Iiyama and Viewsonic monitors, they are right up there with the best, and in some cases even outperforms the industry favorite Sonys, , and they cost less, which is also good.

Many Artists/Designers choose to use both 1 CRT and an additional LCD screen, for comfort, the LCD is best, for color accuracy, the CRT still wins hands down ... and of course the worthwhile LCD screens still cost a lot ...

[Max]

Thank you guys !!!

daeldren: yes, I checked my drivers. My momentarily driver is from my old, slow voodo 3 2000 AGP card.
�hhh, think I must buy a new monitor. Hmm,...
And I think a new graphiccard is also necessary.
Maybe a matrox.....herad they are good for 2d stuff.
Oh no, that will cost and cost and cost...
Thank's

HawkOne: Hey thank's.
Got a lot of informaton from the site.
But...somehow I don't know what is the best for me.
I can't spend ( have ) a lot of money.
And a new monitor alone isn't enough - my stupid voodo cart isn't able to handle a higher rez then 1280 x 1024...
19'' would be enough, don't need 21 or more but like I said...bad graphic card...
Anyway, thank's again for the help.

- max

[B0b]

Matrox G400 is a gr8 card for 2D, used to own 1 many years ago b4 i bought a 3Dlabs 3D card

as for monitors you can pick up Referbished ones for 1/2 the price of brand new ones, most of the time they've been a DOA (dead on arrival) and all that happens is the monitor company can't b assed to fix them so sell them off cheap to other companies who repar and sell them on..

referb'd monitors

[Max]

Thank's for the link B0b.
Very cheap,,right!

The Matrox G400? - let's see.....

[daeldren]

Id also look at some of the newer ATI and NVIDIA cards, most of the new ones all have 2d rendering capabilities, like if you have the money Id look at a quadro 4 or equivilent. But Id look around and see what card would be best for you. As far as monitors go, Id personally look at some NEC monitors which are engineered by Mitsubishi those are pretty sweet, or a Viewsonic.

[balistic]

Don't use 1280x1024. It's a non-square pixel ratio, so your images will look stretched-out by about 5% to anyone running another resolution. Make a 512x512 pixel image in Photoshop and measure it with a ruler to see what I mean. It won't be square.

Use 1280x960 instead. 1280x1024 is the bastard resolution.

[Max]

daeldren: hmm, I don't think I have the money for it ( at the moment )
Yes I could save some money but I'm addicted to computergames ( very expensive you know ) and to save THAT much money will take a lot of time since my pocket money isn't that great.
Maybe my birthday is the chance to...hmm...
Well I think I should wait till I earn some money with a job. Oh no I have to wait at least 7 years...cough
Whatever,...thank you

balistic: great tipp - the problem is that I have to use 1152 x 864 - so I have at least 75htz. With 1280x960 I had only 60htz = bad.
Thank's

[balistic]

I guess I'm odd in that 60 Hz doesn't bother me . . . I run 1600x1200x60 Hz at work for eight hours and then come home and stare at the same for a few more. I don't mind it.

[Max]

Hmm, I also spent a lot of time infront of a 60htz monitor - for 2 years till now.
Didn't mentioned anything at all.
But some people said it's much better with at least 75 - I believe them.
Maybe you will see ( or can't anymore ) the results in a few yerars.
Or you are just resistant - what I hope.

Well let's see...

- max

[Jucas]

WOAH! WOAH!

Sorry guys... I try to keep update on this stuff, and I'd just like to clarify some things.

First off, like someone said, the higher refresh rate the better. As the resolution of your monitor goes up, the refresh rate usually goes down.

The higher the refresh rate the better for your eyes. Also there is no question in my mind, buy a CRT.

On the topic of graphics cards, Matrox is a failing company. Do not get there cards. For quite sometime Matrox was the bar-none the leader in 2d clarity and quality. Not any more. If you interested in plopping down any money, why not purchase something that we be supported by the company with regular driver updates.

Look for ATI for 2d quality, but recently I have seen some very impresive comparisons between Nvidia and ATI cards, as well as other cards on the market, and the 2d quality is so close it doesn't really matter.

If you are looking to spend cheap, look at a Radeon with duel monitor support, or even a geforce 3. Stay away from the Matrox, they're new stuff is over priced garbage, and while the old stuff is and was great for 2d, it doesn't recieve any driver support.

-j

[Max]

Thank's for the info Jucas.
Hope you are right.
I trust you !

[B0b]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jucas:
On the topic of graphics cards, Matrox is a failing company. Do not get there cards. For quite sometime Matrox was the bar-none the leader in 2d clarity and quality. Not any more. If you interested in plopping down any money, why not purchase something that we be supported by the company with regular driver updates.

---

why does something thats not broken need driver updates? G400 was an amazing 2D card which i never needed to update the drivers for any reason... the only reason to update the drivers was to add support to 3D games but 2D couldn't fault the drivers..