Trouble Finding a good CRT to buy

nubonamission

nubonamission

nubonamission

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11 Dec 2008
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Hey,

I like to game at low resolution (640*480) with max refresh rate (currently 120Hz) on CRT monitors.

I have had trouble finding a source for a quality new CRT monitor, do you guys have any ideas?

I am looking for something like a 17" or higher, flat screen and supports a really high refresh rate at lower resolutions. An example would be the Samsung Syncmaster 997MB which was an amazing monitor, but I can't see any of those about.

Thanks for any help,
nub
 
fini said:
I have to ask - why do you like gaming at such a low resolution?
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I play Team Fortress 2 at a "pro" competitive level. The main reason is for the refresh rate, I can really tell the difference between 100 and 120 Hz. If I am playing Half Life 2 or something then I will play with a "normal" resolution ;p
 
i remember when i took delivery of a 22" CRT once (ended up sending it back as it was from ebay and was way past its best) and tested it at 800x600 at even higher than 120hz, i think perhaps 160hz. It was incredible like that, in terms of smoothness at least, so i know what you mean :)
 
neologan said:
i remember when i took delivery of a 22" CRT once (ended up sending it back as it was from ebay and was way past its best) and tested it at 800x600 at even higher than 120hz, i think perhaps 160hz. It was incredible like that, in terms of smoothness at least, so i know what you mean :)
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Yeah, that is what I am looking for, something which preferably can make 160Hz
 
I think your best bet is definitely the second hand mrket and be prepared to drive a bit. Where do you live?
 
Hi, I'm from a previous competitive gaming type background but in quake 1/3/4 so i know what you mean about the hz and so on.

A well known auction site is your best bet. I've bought several and they're all still going strong now.

The ones i'd be looking at if i was you at the best of each size. I'll note the best of each crt size, so really it depends what your after.

19"

Iiyama 454 which will do 640x480@200hz, 800x600@200hz, 1024x768@150hz (maybe 160hz actually but i'm unsure but its one or the other).

21"/22"

Compaq P1220 - 640x480hz@150hz , 800x600@150hz, 1024x768@150hz, 1280x1024@120hz, 1600x1200@100hz.

24"

The rare sony FW-900 widescreen monster. It does 800x600@150hz, 1024x768@150hz, 1440x900@120hz, 1920x1200@85hz.

I personally find if playing fps games that 85hz is a joke, 100hz used to be good before i knew better, i find 120hz pretty damn nice on 120fps games but 150hz feels perfect to me. My preference out of the 3 if i was to be gaming would probably be the P1220 but any of them would be great tbh.

Saw one of the p1220 on a particular auction site for <£100 including delivery. Hope this helps :D
 
Glad i could help :) I'm sure you'll absolutely love it.

I'm really fond of this monitor, you'll find that the maximum bandwidth it'll take is about 160hz @ 640x480. You'll probably decide to settle on 1024x768@150hz in the end as this really does seem the sweet spot allround. I'm extremely fussy about hz and crt smoothness but even someone as fussy as me finds the difference after 150hz pretty neglegable.

Better graphics and unbelievably smooth, win win situation :D
 
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MagicBoy said:
Hmm, might have to dust off my Sony G400...
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It depends totally on the usage imo.

I'd prefer a modern lcd for almost everything these days, even for casual fps gaming i could put up with one, but for competitive fps gaming its still CRT all the way. I've tried most of the top of the range lcd's on and off just to see how its progressing and then sold them on again and i can see how people adapt and forget just how smooth a crt is at high hz.

Now, a lot of younger gamers have never seen a crt as they started on lcd, or they remember some crap crt they had as a kid which was set to 60hz standard and obviously have memories of it hurting their eyes / flickering / being a nightmare etc...

The best ones are a forgotten gem which still have a use! :D imo ofcourse!
 
i envy the tech in a CRT if you have the GPU horsepower to back it up. TFT's at 60hz are a joke. Still, at least 120hz ones are due out in mass this year sometime, so we're getting there :)
 
Yer i'm really curious to see them but i'll be approaching them with caution! huge price premium too :(

The reviews will rave about them but will be meaningless until a proper gamer gets his hands on one and gives his view.
 
well that Samsung 2233RZ was only really expensive because of the stupid nvidia 3D glasses, so i think we may not see a huge premium on them (at least i hope not).

But just as i hate low hz, i also hate TN Film panels, so what i really want to see is an IPS at 120hz with 5ms latency and sub 20ms input lag. Then I'll finally be satisfied :)

Come on Hazro, you can do it!
 
To compare to CRT though it needs to be 0ms input lag, 0ms latency, Perfect viewing angles etc.

And have the added bonus that its not fat.

So a long way to go really.
 
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