Calling all CRT gamers

N

neokeelo

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Sep 9, 2002
Messages
1,649
I'm interested in those few of us that still use crts for gaming. I am planning on moving to a 24inch LCD in the next few months but for right now, I couldn't be happier on my Sony 21inch @ 1600x1200. After it warms up for a few minutes, i get deep blacks and great spot on colors and instant no lag gaming. My favorite thing is I can play Crysis at 1280x1024 @55fps then switch to 1600x1200 for less demanding game.

Although I am facing a major problem with many DX 10 games that don't support refresh rates. I have to use Powerstrip to force it to a higher refresh rates so my eyes don't bleed. Nothing else seems to work pas DX 9 games. Anyone else have this problem?
 
I just wanted to share a link I found. This guide will help you if you ( like me ) must use a CRT for the time being and want to run at higher refresh rates and resolutions. I have not tried it yet in DX 10 games but I'm guessing it shouldn't matter. Its kinda funny you have to remove the #12 pin in order to run windows past 60hz.... good job Microsoft...

http://nookkin.com/content/allowing-any-screen-resolution-on-vista.php

*UPDATE I don think this will in fact help in DX 10 games since its a direct x 10 \ game thing and not a monitor issue.
 
Last edited:
Was wondering why my FW900 was no longer allowing those nice high refresh rates in windows 7 or vista. Guess I'm off to break some vga cable pins when I get home
 
I'm using a ViewSonic P227f for gaming although it has started to squeal and whine. This problem disappears if i lower the contrast (a lot) but doing so pretty much destroys the viewing pleasure.

I've had it for three or so years now with frequent use so i expect it to die soon.

I just hope it'll last 'til the new line of Apple cinema displays are released (guess it'll be simultaneus with dual gulftown xeon MacPros), after having seen the 27" iMac that's the display i'm dead set on getting.

Glossy LED backlit IPS with no anti-glare is the only thing not OLED i've seen that comes close to CRT quality. From my experience the 120Hz LCDs have been less than impressive.
 
alamone said:
Was wondering why my FW900 was no longer allowing those nice high refresh rates in windows 7 or vista. Guess I'm off to break some vga cable pins when I get home
Click to expand...

Try this first:

Just wanted to chime in - I was having the same problem w/ Windows 7 on my 8800 GTX.

I tried virtually everything here, to no avail, but when I was adding my resolution through the NVidia control panel
this last time, I selected "GTF" for "Timing Standard" under the advanced settings portion of the dialogue box. For some reason, that allowed me to specify my refresh rate (120) - tested it, checked out, so I loaded it in Quake Live and sure enough, it worked.

I had ran this program - NVIDIA Forums > Refresh Rate Patcher 1.0.1 - "Refresh Rate Patcher," but that didn't work. I don't know if it's a combination of things, or what not, but the GTF option might be worth a shot for those who haven't tried it.

Happy gaming. =o

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/7947-force-dvi-hdmi-resolutions-refresh-rates-6.html
 
alamone said:
Was wondering why my FW900 was no longer allowing those nice high refresh rates in windows 7 or vista. Guess I'm off to break some vga cable pins when I get home
Click to expand...

I was able to run mine at the highest refresh rates in windows 7 by going

Screen Resolution --> Advanced Settings --> Monitor tab --> Uncheck "Hide modes that this monitor cannot display"

The issue for me is that there are no drivers for my Viewsonic P90f for Windows 7, or any OS anymore from Viewsonic's website. Thanks a bunch Viewsonic, sigh.

Hopefully that will fix it for ya. If not I believe Rivatuner can override the Windows refresh rates as well, but Rivatuner is vewee scawee.
 
Still greatly enjoying the games on my 21" Hitachi CRT @ a max of 1856x1392.

I have not had any issues with refresh rate, I always use ATI Tray Tools or Rivatuner depending on the gfx card at the time to force what refresh I want at each resolution. Works great, this is with Vista & XP, no Win 7 yet. Oh, DX9 & 10 games as well.
 
Last edited:
For Directx games there used to be a box to force refresh rate in Directx games in dxdiag. I just ran dxdiag and on Win7 and it is now gone. Microsoft giveth, Microsoft taketh away.
 
I tested my CRT with Windows 7 ( Dell P1110 ) last night with my new HTPC build using a ATI 4650 and my refresh rates in Windows were fine. exactly the same as in Vista. So no problems there. Haven't tried anything in DX 10 titles yet though.
 
Still using my Viewsonic 21" though recently I swapped a dying G810 to my HTPC/backup PC since I rarely actually use the monitor with the G220fb.

I keep looking at LCDs but I am just worried I won't be happy with them and my local selection of 24+ LCDs is extremely limited.
 
hrm i haven't had any problems using a CRT in Windows 7 (Sony FW900) Ive been playing Left4Dead2 @ 85hz no problem, no external programs or trickery needed here. GTX 260 w/ latest drivers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top