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Should I upgrade from 1650x1080 to 1920x1080?

Tags:
  • Westinghouse
  • LCD Monitor
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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April 13, 2013 4:38:51 PM

Hello all.

I currently have a 22" Westinghouse LCD monitor @ 1650x1080. 700:1 Contrast 16:10 Ratio

I am looking at getting a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... for a replacement. My question is will it be a noticable upgrade as far as gaming goes?

My system:
AMD PhenomIIx4 965BE
8gb DDR3 1600mhz
Sapphire 6950 gpu

Worth the money for a better display or would I be wasting it?

More about : upgrade 1650x1080 1920x1080

April 13, 2013 5:14:00 PM

Your current monitor's resolution is actually 1680x1050 (just shy of 1080p btw). Exchanging your monitor for a true 1080p display will not improve performance. The larger resolution means your graphics card will have to work harder to display all the pixels. Now your HD6950 *MAY* have been under-utilized to begin with so going to a higher resolution display *MAY* not result in a drop in performance at all, but in no way do I see an increase in performance.

Personally, given that price point, I'd probably go ahead and order the new display and either use your Westinghouse as a secondary monitor or keep it as an emergency backup.

-Wolf sends
April 13, 2013 5:15:06 PM

1920x1080 is the norm for video games and movies these days. The one you linked is not a phenomenal monitor in terms of color balance as it used a TN panel, but it's definitely a step up from your current one and offers good value for the money. It'll also decrease your performance slightly from what you're used to, but I think you're good to go with HD 6950.

I'd personally opt for a 1920x1080 IPS screen for better brightness, contrast and viewing angles, but they will cost you slightly more. This would be the cheapest 23" one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
It's up to you.
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April 13, 2013 5:19:29 PM

10659806,0,74812 said:
Your current monitor's resolution is actually 1680x1050 (just shy of 1080p btw). Exchanging your monitor for a true 1080p display will not improve performance. The larger resolution means your graphics card will have to work harder to display all the pixels. Now your HD6950 *MAY* have been under-utilized to begin with so going to a higher resolution display *MAY* not result in a drop in performance at all, but in no way do I see an increase in performance.

Personally, given that price point, I'd probably go ahead and order the new display and either use your Westinghouse as a secondary monitor or keep it as an emergency backup.

-Wolf sends[/quotemsg

Thanks for the reply. I should have been a little more clear as I was not worried about performance so much as the quality of the image displayed. Sorry for that.

Would the display be noticably better while gaming? I can always OC my hardware if need be.
April 13, 2013 5:23:05 PM

im using the asus vs229 ips and it's a phenomenal monitor, i would definitely recommend an ips panel
April 13, 2013 5:23:23 PM

Unfortunately, I can't help you there, but hizodge seems to be quite knowledgeable in that area.

-Wolf sends
April 13, 2013 5:39:38 PM

Well 1920x1080 has about 15% more pixels which makes the image sharper. TN panels are the cheaper option, but they don't stand up to the slightly more expensive IPS in terms of color fidelity. I would upgrade to 1920x1080 if I were you without a doubt but like I said, up to you if you think getting an IPS over TN is worth it.

Personally, I would probably get this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
April 13, 2013 6:51:02 PM

hizodge said:
Well 1920x1080 has about 15% more pixels which makes the image sharper.


17.551% more. :) 

Higher resolution does not necessary mean sharper. It means the graphics can have more detail, but it's not exactly the same as "sharper".

In general, I like IPS panel monitors more than TN panel monitor despite the large price difference. I prefer the high end H-IPS panel monitors that generally cost $600 nowadays; more when I initially bought mine back in 2007 and 2008. Inexpensive IPS monitors use the e-IPS panels. Not quite as good as more expensive IPS panels (S-IPS, H-IPS, P-IPS), but definitely better than TN panels; mainly because of viewing angles.

Anywaste... back to your question... Should you replace your 1680x1050 resolution monitor with a 1920x1080 resolution monitor (regardless of the panel technology)?

I will have to say from a purely gaming perspective it is not really going to be a big deal. I bought my 1920x1200 monitors because I wanted the real estate (meaning large desktop area) to have several windows open at the same time for researching stuff. Then again, the monitor I had was 1280x1024 resolution.

If you have a friend with a gaming rig and a 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 resolution monitor, then see if you play some games on that rig. You may notice a difference, or you may not. Just remember that your frame rates are going to drop if you keep the same graphics card.
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