Monitor size?

[Cruo]

Hey guys, noob here, please be gentle. :D I am currently looking for a monitor specifically for gaming and learned a lot by lurking here in the forums. I heard that 18" and 19" are just a waste of money compared to 17" monitors because all three max out at 1280 x 1024 resolution. Sure enough, while looking at 18" and 19" monitors, they are advertised at that max resolution, same as the 17". The 18" and 19" just blow-up the pixels, giving a larger, less crisp display. Is this true? The monitor I choose will be for my first comp build which I am excited and nervous about because this is something I have never done before. I just want to make sure I don't make any mistake. :)

[AllGamer]

erh.... that's not accurate, where did you read that?

The Size of the monitor has not direct relation to the Maximum resolution.

It all depends on the quality of the Monitor.

Usually the more expensive the better, obviously, and you can most certainly play games at resolution higher than 1600x1200 and more

the problem is if your Video card can provide decent speed at those high resolution.
(this is part 2 of the puzzle)

Of course to be able to do that, you will need a good monitor that can support resolution of 1600x1200 or better (part 1 of the puzzle)

So, do a bit more research and see what you like, or... More like HOW MUCH you can affort to Spend for TOP QUALITY monitor and Video card.

Good video card is a no brainer, any $500 ATI or Nvidia card will do just fine.

Good Monitor is what you will have do do a research on.

My preferred Gaming monitor size is 19" got two of those in a Dual monitor setup. :t

Too bad not many games supports Dual monitor option. :(

[Cruo]

Thanks for the response AllGamer, I just got home with one of these that I picked up on my way home from work. SAMSUNG Syncmaster 17 Inch LCD Digital Analog Monitor 730B (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009CEL18/002-7711494-3092020?v=glance)
# Ultra-fast 8ms response time
# 1280 x 1024 resolution
# Up to 160-degree horizontal/vertical viewing angles
# 600 - 1 contrast ratio
# 0.264mm pitch
I did some research and liked this one and many people were telling me Samsung made good monitors. Next one will defintely be a 19". I am happy though, this one is replacing a big bulky one. Thanks again!

[Imperion1]

LCD are not exactly the best for gaming. A flat screen crt would have been better.

LCD monitors cannot refresh as quickly as a crt can, especially with high fps games.