"1280x1024 @ 60hz" is a common recommended/optimum resolution for 17" & 19" LCDs. You should have yours set on that and have the most current video card driver.
To add to what Hose said... in order for an LCD to look any good for desktop use, you need to run it at the one (and only one) resolution that it was designed for. This would be the maximum resolution that your monitor supports.
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