CRT image sharpness @ high Hz

[keyser]

I finally upgraded my ADI 17" CRT (had it since 1998) and got a Lacie 22" CRT! It's great for gaming and general use. Playing around with it I notice that the sharpness of the image really gets worse after 90Hz (120 is worst). Testing at a low 60-75Hz and ignoring the insane flicker comfirmed this, displaying a sharper image.

I was wondering could this be a DVI to VGA converter thing or is it just a VGA/CRT thing? The DVI-VGA dongle I got with my Gainward Geforce 4 card was awful compared to the one I use now, that came with my Leadtek 7800GT. Would a better quality DVI to VGA converter or VGA cable improve things (if they exist)?

I'm using 1400x1050 for desktop btw @ 90Hz, coz I see a slight flicker @ 85Hz

Thanks in advance.

 

[whitecrook]

Yes. Better quality cable, better adaptor (avoid adaptors if possible), and even better QUALITY gfx card all affect how sharp your CRT can display images.

There used to be a web page wherer they stuck a 'scope on the end of various gfx cards and at the time, you could clearly see the general 'crapness' of the analog signal, in all makes bar Matrox. Nvidia has definaately caught up and ATI have always been fairly decent, but even my 10 year Matrox G450 still looks visibly sharper than most other cards I have seen.


As you increase the refresh rate, you are increasing the frequency which drives the electronics harder and the signal becomes more suseptible to interference. On my system right now I have 7800GTX + Sony FDW900 and if i run at 60Hz it's looks crystal clear, but If I go up to above 120Hz I can see the lines becoming more blurred (not blurry, just heavier)

I personally find the sweet spot at 85Hz. Still nice and sharp, and no headaches. I also have a TFT that I use for most reading/webbrowsing.

If your monitor supports BNC conncetor use them. They give a much better connection and improve the clarity of the signal.

 

[keyser]

How would I avoid using an adaptor? Your adaptor must be pretty good then? Got a spare? I might look out for some on the net and buy a few different ones, see if they make much difference, failing that change VGA cable. I also had a crazy idea of buying 'top of the range' PCI VGA card and switch between the 2 inputs on monitor! That may be going too far plus I don't know how XP would get on with 2 gfx cards.

BNC, bah this one doesn't have any! my old monitor did, typical

thanks for info

EDIT: DVI 24+ 5 plug to 15 pin High Density VGA plug 1.5m cable £24 - how about something like that, or is it a bit pricey? (I don't mind, if it works)