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1. For a gaming computer, don't go with the lighter and sleeker looking LCD monitors, go with the bulky CRTs. While LCD technology has improved over the years, LCDs still cannot compare to an old fashioned CRT monitor. This claim is not unsubstantiated, Maximum PC still says this, Tomshardware says it, Anandtech, and other reputable hardware sites. Worse, is that a cheap LCD will often have "ghosting" effects during fast moving games. I paid $200 for a bulky 55 pound 19" CRT Viewsonic Flatscreen monitor from Newegg and it performs beautifully.
This is a matter of taste and economy. CRT's are cheaper, can screen burn, use up a ton of power, and can heat a room like an electric heater neverind that they are bulky and can make a lot of noise.
The chief issues you are talking such a ghosting and fading will only happen on a very cheap or older LCD with a very high reponse time. In other words, on a piece of crap. Most new LCD have response times to satisfy any gamer. Mine has a 16 response time and I have never noticed any ghosting at all and never will since this only happens on machines 20 or higher. But if the thought scares ya, you can just by one with 12 just to be sure. Anything 16 or lower will be fine. Besides I get no glare on a LCD which was a big factor cause when I play, I tend to play for a long time and my old eyes just can't take it no more.
I'd say the days of CRT supremacy in gaming are either over or alomst over even though a lot of people still think CRT's are superior. Also one big thing that you didn't mention is that if you happen to attend the occasional LAN Party (which I do), the LCD is a hell of a lot easier pack up and carry around and to set up. My old 55 pound 21 inch beast was bad on me back.
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I also spent $1200 on my computer, significantly less than $2000 or anything Alienware was/is selling. If you can find an Alienware system (new) for less than $2000 that can match my system in performance, please post it here and let me know.
Well, most Alienware products come with a 20 inch LCD to begin with (which kind of blows that LCD are bad for gamers thing out of the water since Alienware produces the best gaming machines in the industry) so I don't know if you are including that in final price tag of 1200 dollars or if that includes software, etc. I went to their site and they have a comparable deal for about 1700 dollars. Also, with that you get the free software (Windows XP Professional that about 200 bucks right there) and the warranty, 24-7 free support including on-site maitenance and part replacement. Plus you get their audio system which is pretty bad @ss. None of these things do you get if you build your own.Dunno, sounds pretty good but its a matter of taste I suppose. But now that we've been talking about this I'm getting the urge to build a kick @ss system myself.
Edited, Mon Apr 18 00:35:46 2005 by Datheenker