Hey Guys,My old monitor is dying and I want to purchase an LCD. Are the refresh rates fast enough yet to justify a LCD over a CRT? If so, what specs should I look for when purchasing? Thanks for the help.Dave

hi dave.I was looking at a monitor to purchase with my new system a few days ago. The LCD monitors to offer high picture, and bright and bold color, but refresh rates arent as fast. They do not come capable of running high res as a crt of the same size. Although, the talk that LCD arent worth the dime if you game isnt true. I have gamed on a LCD several times, and actually saw better picture quality than CRT's.There is a small lag time of a LCD displaying the picture as opposed to the CRT. In my opinion, LCD monitors are just as good or if not better. Refresh, and lower resolution is about it.'Only way you will see a performance diff in gaming is if you run against a crt of same size, in the same game, with all settings the same, and benchmark the performance. LCD as i said, they do have a small lag time, but its not even noticible.If you could, go for a 19" LCD if budget allows it.Brandwise, i would reccomend Samsung. They are supposed to be some of the highest quality.Also, LCD monitor life is only around 3 years. Just something to keep in mind.Hope this helps out a little. :-wave

Hi Dave, besides TFT refresh times, how your system will do depends mainly on the resolution you're using now. If you're currently @ i.e. 1024x and you go to a 1280x default TFT-resolution, expect your system to perform significantly less... The maths: 1024x768 = 768,432 pixels1280x1024 = 1,310,720 pixels, hence almost double the amount... Therefore, in certain cases it might be 'easier' to go for another CRT. If you have further questions, please post your system specs. Hope this helps, good luck and kind regards Jaap

I have this monitor: Would not swap it for anyhting!Samsung 213T21.3" viewable1600 x 1200 native resolutionresponse time = 21ms (LCD monitors do not have 'refresh' rates)connected via DVI to a Radeon 9800 ProAmazing - No ghosting in any of my games.LCD life only 3 years? Never heard of this.......Edit - some info I found on life expectancy of LCD monitors - certainly longer than 3 years and most CRT's it would seem!CRT and LCD Backlight Life (http://www.elotouch.com/products/crtlife.asp) quote:Typical CRT life is 10,000 to 20,000 hours. Typical LCD backlight lamps last 20,000 to 30,000 hours.> LCD backlights last about twice as long as CRTs and cost less to replace. > LCDs backlights can be field replaced without the need for test equipment. CRT replacement requires special test equipment and cannot be replaced in the field. CRTs must be shipped to a repair depot resulting in increased down time and higher shipping costs. > CRT monitors are much heavier than LCD monitors resulting in higher costs to ship monitors to repair depots. > LCDs are considered to be higher performance monitors than CRTs.

I was told buy a sales assistant at a near by pc store that they life of a average LCD is around 3 years, then pixels start to burn out or something like that. They only LCD monitor i would purchase would be a samsung. They are about the highest quality lcd that there is.Enjoying the LCD you have?

"I was told buy a sales assistant at a near by pc store that they life of a average LCD is around 3 years,..."This is funny!In the past my wife put alot of importance on what "sales assistants" told her. She has over time learned to put little or no weight in what they tell her. Now she does her own research and avoids much of the great advice she is offered in many stores (especially those selling computer products).Greg

I would not switch back to a CRT for anything. The down side is the price I had to pay to get what I wanted, but that's what tax returns are for right? Samsung have a winner in my eyes and with 21" of screen that's a lot to look at! If you can justify it, go buy one today!Regards,Glenn

lol,i dont know everything about a lcd. I have studied them a little. I know they have great performance. If i had the extra money, id be running the 20 or 21" Samsung in a heart beat. The change just isnt there. But i know LCDs are great. id love to have one. im just going to have to settle with the 19" Phillips Real Flat. Nice monitor im getting, max res is 1920 x 1440.O well..Kind Regards and Happy Holidays