1600x900 gaming

[times_champion]

I bought a 20" Dell monitor a couple of days ago from OCUK to replace my 1280x1024 one. I am happy with the purchase and it was under £100 which I thought was a bargain, but is 1600x900 a decent gaming resolution?

 

[Rroff]

Its playable. I use 1680x1050 on my laptop which is a little bit bigger and it works well enough for most games tho a little tight on games like eve online with lots of UI stuff.

 

[times_champion]

Is it an improvment on the 1280x1024 I was playing on my old monitor? TBH I have never been into tiny resolutions, I have played DIRT 2 and a few others on my new monitor and they certainly look fab to me, but I was a bit worried after reading about other resolutions that 1600x900 isnt that popular?

 

[cmndr_andi]

How large is the screen on the 1280x1024 monitor?

I assume you went for the Dell IN2101N, this monitor should be perfectly fine for gaming. However, depending on the monitor you are coming from you might find the vertical size a bit lacking. This is because it has an aspect ratio of 16:9 instead of 4:3 - so the screen is much wider than your old one and less tall.

 

[tbh]

I was a bit worried after reading about other resolutions that 1600x900 isnt that popular?

It will become progressively more popular as 16:9 continues to replace 16:10.

My Dell Studio 17 has a 1600x900 resolution and I find it just fine.

 

[times_champion]

Many thanks - im happy with the monitor although it does take some getting used to with it not being as tall. DiRt 2 is great at 1600x900, particularly with my new sound card too!

 

[times_champion]

My old screen was 19" BTW - I mainly play games on my PS3 on my 37" TV downstairs, so I probably wouldnt really opt for a bigger monitor even if I could afford it, as I mainly play racing games, a few strateegy/RPG's and the occasional FPS on my PC and i sit pretty close to the screen!