Use gpu or monitor for resolution?

[level4]

I have a syncmaster 20" monitor with native resolution of 1600x1200. I have a 8800GTS 320MB GPU. When I go to play Team Fortress 2 I have the option to let the GPU scale to 1600x1200 or let the monitor handle it. Which is better?

I'm new to pc gaming but I know it varies in the similar situation of cable box and TV. Sometimes the cable box is better at handling the scaling and sometimes the tv.

 

[rgeist554]

It sounds like either way you'll get the 1600x1200 resolution since it's your monitor's native res. The only difference between the two is that w/ the GPU scaling, you are forcing the game to run in that resolution. I think this means that even if your monitor was a 1280x1024 native res, you could still force it to run as 1600x1200. I don't think either will impact performance if that's what you're asking, but I've been wrong before.

 

[Hatman]

You cant let the monitor handle it, the GPU will just render stuff at w/e resolution you select.

If you don't choose max res ull lose a lot of image quality.

Monitor simply displays it.