Resolution in Relation to GPU's and Gaming

[07langp]

My TRS-80 has a screen resolution of 192 x 48. What settings do I need to use to play Halo 3?

I am sorry. That just made my day.

[J-Bytes]

What do they call that resolution? AGA-?

[Rocafella]

Hey, I didn't know that setting your resolution lower than its native size would "blur" the image or anything. I'm planning to get a WSXGA 15.4" laptop, and I'll probably run my games at a lower resolution while using it to browse and other things at its normal resolution. Am I going to notice anything? I don't notice this on my clunky desktop (which, with its Intel Integrated Graphics, can barely run anything at all )

[J-Bytes]

Yes, you will unfortunately notice reduced sharpness. It is not unbearable, but it can tend to be hard on the eyes. This applies more to usage with applications; with games, reduced sharpness will still be a reality, however it should be far less obtrusive. My advice: Unless you are getting a truly powerful GPU, consider a WXGA+ resolution, which is ultimately an ideal all-around resolution for 15.4" laptops.

[Rocafella]

Would you consider 8600M GT a powerful GPU?

If it's not too blurry, I don't mind. I'm not the type who needs everything to be perfect visually - like I said, i got by gaming with a state of the art Intel graphics card <_<

[J-Bytes]

Yes, the 8600m GT is currently one of the most powerful GPU's for 15.4" notebooks, (you can check out Chaz's GPU guide, it has something to say about it). I would, however, still recommend getting WXGA+ resolution; everything would appear more comfortably sized on it. There really is no reason to go WSXGA unless you plan HD viewing. With gaming, it'll only be slightly sharper, but the WXGA+ will compensate for that by rendering better frame rates from your graphics card.

[mtylerjr]

Yes, the 8600m GT is currently one of the most powerful GPU's for 15.4" notebooks, (you can check out Chaz's GPU guide, it has something to say about it). I would, however, still recommend getting WXGA+ resolution; everything would appear more comfortably sized on it. There really is no reason to go WSXGA unless you plan HD viewing. With gaming, it'll only be slightly sharper, but the WXGA+ will compensate for that by rendering better frame rates from your graphics card.

If you check out some of the other threads, another advantage the WSXGA has is a much better angle of viewing.

Some are complaining that the XGA and XGA+ onl,y have +- 15 degrees of vewing angle, whereas the WSXGA has +- 45 degrees or somesuch.

[mtylerjr]

Yes, the 8600m GT is currently one of the most powerful GPU's for 15.4" notebooks, (you can check out Chaz's GPU guide, it has something to say about it). I would, however, still recommend getting WXGA+ resolution; everything would appear more comfortably sized on it. There really is no reason to go WSXGA unless you plan HD viewing. With gaming, it'll only be slightly sharper, but the WXGA+ will compensate for that by rendering better frame rates from your graphics card.

If you check out some of the other threads, for some laptops (like the Inspron 1520) another advantage the WSXGA has is a much better angle of viewing.

Some are complaining that the XGA and XGA+ onl,y have +- 15 degrees of vewing angle, whereas the WSXGA has +- 45 degrees or somesuch.

[Mippoose]

imamgine in the future what a nvidia 100000 gtx will be like? LOL!

More like think of the day when laptops are filled with flubber.

Unlimited battery, unlimited power, and you can fly it to work every day!

[J-Bytes]

If you check out some of the other threads, for some laptops (like the Inspron 1520) another advantage the WSXGA has is a much better angle of viewing.

Some are complaining that the XGA and XGA+ onl,y have +- 15 degrees of vewing angle, whereas the WSXGA has +- 45 degrees or somesuch.

I wasn't aware that viewing angle differed with resolution; it may be true, however, I don't see how or why pixel density would affect it. Even if this is true, I'm sure getting a WXGA+ will not handicap your ability to look at the screen at angles other than from straight on, especially since WXGA+ is a favoured resolution for 15.4" laptop owners.

However, if you're still intent on getting the WSXGA resolution, I'm not going to disagree with you; I'm sure the 8600 will perform fine with it, even though it is quite a high resolution for a 15.4", as that is the resolution I usually recommend for a 17".