Looking for a 21"+ CRT for gaming

Duff-Man

Duff-Man

Duff-Man

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As title, I'm looking for a 21"+ CRT monitor for gaming.

Yes I could buy a wealth of great TFTs at fairly reasonable prices, but I can't stand the FPS drop from enabling vsync, and at 60hz the tearing effect is pretty unbarable. I heard something a while back about 120Hz TFTs coming up soon, but my old Iiyama VMpro 454 is on its way out (after 3 years good service :) ), so I need something to fill the gap.

My main requirement is at least 100hz at 1600*1200 resolution (120Hz would be even better). Other than that, I'm quite flexible. There don't seem to be many new CRTs floating around these days, but the Samsung SyncMaster 1100 MB looks okay - anyone got any experience with this model?



[For those of you wondering, the effect of tearing in-game gets progressively less as the refresh rate increases, and at 100Hz is barely noticable (except in strobe-lighting areas and I can live with that as it happens rarely). Also, any new info on 120Hz TFTs much appreciated!]
 
The reason there doesnt seem to be many new CRT's floating around is because most of the larger manufacturers stopped making the tubes a couple of years ago. Manufacturering costs put the product on the "far too expensive to make" list, and also on the "the demand is no longer there".

I know some gamers prefer CRT, but not enough to warrent a manufacturer to make a profit producing them.

But most gamers I know prefer TFT these days.
 
Tell me how to avoid tearing without enabling vsync, and I'll be the first to jump onto a nice new 24" TFT :)

Unfortunately, neither nvidia nor ATI have a functioning triple-buffer vsync, so I'm faced with sudden drops to 30fps every time the maximum possible framerate output drops below 60fps. 30fps isn't great but is still playable - the killer is the sudden transitions. Really kills the illusion of motion.
 
Obviously can't link you to any. But check the online auction place for any Lacie screens. I came across a IIYAMA vision master pro 514 about a year ago. Since then checked every week for another similar one. Got a Lacie electron 22 blue in the summer and it is quite a step up in quality.

Does 100hz at 1280. 85 at 1600 though.
 
You could also find a Compaq p1220, 22 inch diamandtron screen, max resolution is 2048x1536 @ 85hz, 1600x1200 @ 120hz, Stunning. I have had mine for about 3 years and wont budge till i see a tft that can better it for image quality. I got mine 6 months old from a liquidated graphics company for £50 :)
 
i know samsung still make new crt screens, but i just cannot remember which model of the top of my head.

they are round about £250-300 and offer amazing picture quality and clarity for a crt anyway.

should not be too hard to find them on-line, use froogle.
 
Duff-Man said:
Tell me how to avoid tearing without enabling vsync, and I'll be the first to jump onto a nice new 24" TFT :)

Unfortunately, neither nvidia nor ATI have a functioning triple-buffer vsync, so I'm faced with sudden drops to 30fps every time the maximum possible framerate output drops below 60fps. 30fps isn't great but is still playable - the killer is the sudden transitions. Really kills the illusion of motion.
Click to expand...

Well my thought on this would be to buy a graphics card that doesn't drop below 60 fps. :)
 
Bin Boy said:
Well my thought on this would be to buy a graphics card that doesn't drop below 60 fps. :)
Click to expand...

I already have an 8800GTX. And with CPU limitation issues (even with a 3.6Ghz e6600), localised shader bottlenecks etc it's pretty much impossible to guarantee >60fps in newer games. Unless I drop video quality down, of course, which somewhat defeats the object of having a high end card.


You could also find a Compaq p1220, 22 inch diamandtron screen, max resolution is 2048x1536 @ 85hz, 1600x1200 @ 120hz
Click to expand...
Now THIS is a screen I have to find! :)
 
JeffyB said:
You could also find a Compaq p1220, 22 inch diamandtron screen, max resolution is 2048x1536 @ 85hz, 1600x1200 @ 120hz, Stunning. I have had mine for about 3 years and wont budge till i see a tft that can better it for image quality. I got mine 6 months old from a liquidated graphics company for £50 :)
Click to expand...

Okay, I've found a compaq p1220 22" screen on 'the auction site' at a reasonable price (sorry OCUK but you don't sell high-end CRTs anymore so...).

I'm having trouble finding extended specs, so can you confirm that this screen is really capable of doing 120Hz at 1600*1200? If so I'm putting an order in right now :)

The Dell p1130 looks really good as well, but unfortunately it looks like it can only manage 85Hz at 1600.
 
Duff-Man said:
I'm having trouble finding extended specs, so can you confirm that this screen is really capable of doing 120Hz at 1600*1200? If so I'm putting an order in right now :)
Click to expand...
It can indeed :)
16x12id3.jpg

and 2048x1536 @ 85hz
20x15vy8.jpg

Its the best crt i have owned very happy with it :D
 
Beautiful screenies! :D

Okay, I've ordered the compaq P1220 :) Should be with me Tomorrow or Friday. Just a shade under £100 with postage.

Thanks to everyone who replied in this thread, and extra special thanks to JeffyB :D
 
Oh one other thing, get the drivers for the monitor, i hadn't done this until recently otherwise 2048x1536 doesn't display properly, hope you like the monitor, it's a beast :)
 
As far as im aware they are shielded, not had any problems. It's also an old photo, i don't have them placed like that anywmore :)
 
What aspect ratio is that screen? Shame CRT monitors are no longer made. How deep is it?

Not too sure on getting a refurb unit, we've dealt with repairing monitors and it's just not worth it, generally once they start packing up that's it. Probably got 100+ dead monitors here.
 
Yeah, failure is always a concern when buying a second hand CRT. But for under £100 I can't complain.

I'm hoping it's only a stopgap anyway. When I see 120Hz TFTs (which I've been reading 'are coming' for the past 6 months) I will jump on the TFT bandwagon with a nice big widescreen model. Hopefully that will be soon-ish, so as long as I get a year or so service from this monitor I will be satisfied. I wouldn't try to get a CRT repaired though...
 
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