Right, after playing COD tonight, I'm convinced that it doesn't look as good as it should with my computer. I think that because I'm playing on such an old monitor (at least 5 years old) that it looks pretty gash. However, I'm not sure.

My current monitor has a 10ms response time, I think a max resolution of 1280*1024 (this is the highest resolution that I seem to pick up in windows, games etc. though I know that the majority of people have a higher resolution than this). I have no idea what the contrast ratio is nor how to find it out.

My computer specs are:

64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium
ASUS P5K PRO Motherboard
1GB GeForce 8800GT
Intel Q6600 Quad Core Processor @ 2.4GHz
And I got this from the CRUCIAL memory scanner for my RAM:
Currently installed memory:

1GB
DDR PC2-6400
1GB
DDR PC2-5300
1GB
DDR PC2-5300
EMPTY
ot can hold DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-8500, DDR2 PC2-5300 with a maximum of 2GB per slot.*

So, my question is, would a new monitor make a big difference to how COD looks or is it more the fact that my computer isn't as good as I thought it was? I was thinking of upgrading my RAM anyway since I can have 8Gb of it and I thought it might be good to have for 64-bit windows. So, what would be my best option here. Upgrade my computer and if so what parts, or to buy a new monitor. And could you also help me pick out good upgrades/monitors if needed thanks

Your monitor has absolutely nothing to do with performance, I have quite older lcds and I don't see problem with them, besides being "slow" (10ms to 5 ms), 1280x1024 is pretty good, but, if you want to go HD (1920x1080) gotta get a new screen 16:9.

Id upgrade your RAM as 3GB on the 64-bit windows is enough but you'd see a general improvement on your system

As said above monitor doesnt have anything to do with performance
HOWEVER
if you upgrade from such an old monitor to a new LED one, you WILL notice big difference in colours and how "juicy" the picture looks.

But be prepared to buy mid or high end monitors, coz the $150-250 ones are all crappy TN panels.

yeah the performance is fine - the colours do look pretty crap though and objects don't seem very sharp or defined e.g. some textures do seem like they are from a few years ago despite the fact I have the settings up relatively high. So would a new monitor definately help this problem?

I had a quick look at some last night and would be willing to pay up to £200 for a really good one. Was looking at some half decent 23/24" monitors for around that price but would need some other opinions first before buying

Of course as Liger said, newer led screens do pump up the overall image quality, and yours being 10ms, some colour drag does shows up, getting a 2ms 24'' goes around the 200€ mark, choose either samsung, lg or sony screens, as they are manufacturers and always choose the best panels for their lines

I would switch that memory to all equal set on speed, as you have two different speeds there.

Brilliant - think I'll treat myself then

What do you think of these monitors?

24" LG www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/lg-w2453tq-p-f-03864605-pdt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

24" LG (2,000,000:1 contrast ratio!? Ex-display but also available brand
new)www.ebuyer.com/product/179875

and some 24" Samsungs:

www.ebuyer.com/product/174584" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
www.ebuyer.com/product/158381" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
www.ebuyer.com/product/224045" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Also, on the RAM front, I think I'll leave that until later however I will upgrade it to the full 8GB so would get rid of my existing RAM and just fill all 4 slots with 2GB each. Was thinking of something like these:

www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=KING...CAcQ8wIwADgA#p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

www.ebuyer.com/product/128499?utm_source...edium=products" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Does the amount of pins matter much and any other tips on RAM buying? :S

so you know black ops on my machine is not as crisp as mw2, i think its jst the style making it seem old

Luckie wrote:



As for the monitor, go for led, spending money? Spend it well, led.

Memory, kingstons are the thing

The pins does matter, but even more, timmings, clock and non-ecc (regular mortals use non-ecc, ecc is reserved for servers).

Go for the Hyperx, I have those on this machine only they are 1GB banks.

Right - think I'm gonna go for this one:

www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/monito...W2486L-PF.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I need your opinion on this s What do you think of it - I was also a bit wary how it has a 1000:1 contrast ratio (is this good - all the monitors around this price range seem to have that and maybe a 50000:1 dynamic ratio but this monitor has 2000000:1 )