I always thought about this... kinda picky and silly I guess in my case, but that's just the way I am.

What exactly would most or the average gamer consider the BEST and most used resolution when it comes to playing video games on yer PC.

In every modern game, the user has the option IN-GAME to change the resoulution, of course.

Is it suggested, if possible, to use the HIGHEST resolution yer video card and monitor can put out without error?

Or, is there a specific resolution that is preferred to players not only for better pixel... but to better support their monitor's size.

Thanks for comments!

If you have a medium-good video card, there is probably no reason why you should be lower than 1024x768.

I am a gamer, my life revolves around gaming and cars. Normal scrn res is bout 1280x1024 and gaming res is usually 1024x768.

I like 1280x1024 which is about the point the scan lines totally disappear on a 21" monitor. 1024x768 is ok as long as you can run the AA and AF high but I really don't like to see the scan lines. Anything lower looks bad to me.

lower than 1024*768 is TOO low but i run everything at this reso on a 17" screen - when i get a noo card it might go up some thou

It depends on your monitor but you shouldn't be running a game higher than 1280x960 or your running in overkill unless your monitor is huge. In that case your monitor is overkill.

I would suggest a 19" @ 1280x960 if your video card can run at that resolution, if not 1024x768. Anything lower than that and the graphics won't be that great, but anything higher than 1280x960 as I have said is just overkill.

Most people love to complain when they try to run in insane resolutions and get horrendous performance. That is what they get for being ignorant.

There is no such thing as overkill with a moniter... never, ever I normally play my games at 1600x1200, with no AA. If thats too laggy, 1024x768

Well, at least you realize when you need to lower the res. I would say anything over a 21" monitor is overkill though. For one thing most people sit pretty close to their monitor. I am about 3 feet away from mine. If it's further away I could understand something bigger than 19".

For TFT monitors its best to run at the native screen resolution (1024*768 for 15in, 1280*1024 for 17in).

For CRT then 1024*768 for up to 17in, and something higher for larger monitors. No point in losing framerate if you don't observe useful improvements when cranking up the resolution. My current 17in CRT goes up to 1600*1200, but its only acceptably sharp up to 1024*768, so thats what I use. Anything lower and in game environment text isn't readable when viewed from a distance (in the game world).

Of course, when deciding the resolution, one must consider how the game looks too. You would get insanely tiny navigation items at high resolutions or a game screen you can't see anything on at low resolutions (strategy games).

The best resolution really comes from trying out different ones and weighing the performance/look/usability.

My max resolution @85Hz is 1024x768, so I'm kinda stuck there until I get a better monitor...but 1024 x 768 w/ 4xFSAA and 16X AF look grand, so I won't be buying anew monitor for some time...probably an LCD..need the desk space...

Just thought I'd comment on screen size, [not resolution], in my opinion, whilst 21" is fine for TV, it seems over large for a desk top, I have a laptop, 14" screen, placed at eye-level on two equipment drawers, & the screen is 18" from my eyes. I find this to be ideal for me, eyes don't tire quickly, even when I've been at it for a couple of hours, I think the LCD helps too, rock solid, & absolutely NO "dither".

Nah, 21" is pretty nice for a desktop. At least my set up. Because you can play leaned back as if you were up forward squinting at the screen. It's more relaxing.

Best for me

Funny I just got a PowerColor 9800Pro 256MB video card
upgraded from PNY G4Ti4400 and decided to up my resolution.
With the G4Ti4400 I would have frequent lockups and had to lessen the details in options. I ran 1028x768 Res
I upped the res to 1280x960 now with the Pro card.
I use that resoulution for both desktop and games.
I am very happy with the preformance and quality of picture.
I gave my daughter my TfT Samsung 17" flat so I could see the faster and more detailed card I was getting so purchased a low cost $250.00 19"NEC Diamondtron MultisyncFE991 SB and it has resolutions up to 1792x1344 # 32 bit and 85 Hrz compared to
Samsung Tft 17" that maxed @75Hrz and 24bit color also limited
in the resolution 1280x768 at $600.00.
I think that 1280x960@85Hrz is fine as I have not experienced a frame drop in the least.
3Dmark2001SE with this new card blows the Ti4400 away even at higher resolutions.

I never go below 1280x960

I'm usually at 1600x1200 with 75Hz refresh. It's very sexy

i have my 21" running at 1280*960 and i usually game at the same resolution. Looks great.

Wow LNC.... just WOW. I wish i had a 21" LCD to go with my 21" CRT. That would be off the hook!

background resolution=slower games?

Ok i know this may sound totally like a newbie to pc's, but playing max payne 2 i THINK i noticed a frame rate difference between having my desktop set to 1024 instead of 1280 resolution. is this true or am i just thinking its running faster? Although, you think on a p4 2.8 canterwood w/ati radeon 9800 pro and 512 mushkin 400 ddr ram that wouldnt make a difference.....

So, am i crazy?