Do you have a monitor with 1024x768 res. or better for civ 3? - Page 2

Ozymandous · October 16, 2001, 14:27

Quote:

Originally posted by Slax
Interesting. About 10% currently need to upgrade. And this from the "computer savvy" online civ fanatics. Although, a small portion, how do think this will translate to the general computer game buying public?

Is this the opposite effect as the "MP and modification would be less used by the general public" debate?

Oh well, a few of the people whose machines can run the game at 1024 X 768 simp-ly haven't upgraded their monitors, big difference.

A 17" monitor can be bought for <$150, making it one of the cheapest things you can get for a PC. Compare this to a GeForce3 (>$325) and you can see how absurd it is for people to complain about the game requirements.

Oh, BTW, 17" at home (wish it was a flat screen!) and 21" at work.

Asesino_Virtual · October 16, 2001, 14:27

Yep. Ive got a 17" monitor.

. But i think they should add some graphicals option concerning the resolutions, like in CTP

Jahi · October 16, 2001, 15:22

i got 2 21" monitors baby :P i hope civ runs at 1600x1200

Maccabee2 · October 16, 2001, 22:49

17", but only 14.5 of that is screen. My settings says 1024x768 is an option. Will it work? I guess we'll find out. I'll buy the game first, and then upgrade if I have to. Se la vie.

Mars · October 16, 2001, 23:00

21", i'm surprised how many people cant meet these basic requirements. Even my 5 year old computer can handle the requirments for civ3, and it has a 8 year old monitor

Falconius · October 17, 2001, 02:35

Quote:

Originally posted by ixnay37
Heck yes! I've got a good 17 incher.

I think I heard that line in a pornflick once.

Most people should be able to change their settings, but they just don't realize it. It's a Windows 98 feature (maybe Win 95 too.) Here's how to change your settings to 1024 x 768:

Click Start
Click Settings
Click Control Panel
Double-click Display icon
Click Settings tab
Move the "Screen Area" tab a notch or two to the right until it says "1024 x 768"
Click Apply.
Answer yes to any questions it asks.

That's it. My 7-year-old monitor can handle it. Anything newer should have no problem.

I did it to mine, and everything looks a little tiny, so I'll probably only do it for Civ. It's very easy to switch back and forth.

Blake · October 17, 2001, 02:46

If your video card is old (ie less than 1meg) then you will probably have problems with 1024... however, a 4meg 2D video card is very cheap now... or you could probably get a half decent 2D/3D card for less than the price of Civ3.

campmajor! · October 17, 2001, 05:16

Yep, 19" monitor and Geforce2, so no problem here.

But I recently upgraded 'cause of civ3....
(and future games...)

FrostyBoy · October 17, 2001, 07:35

monitors have very little to do with resolution, unless they are super old.

depending on your video card, it can force your monitor to display the resolutions it supports, but how the monitor reacts to it could be a different story.

none of you need to buy a new monitor unless it says that it doesn't support it, all you need is maybe a 4meg video card and you will be fine, they cost like $2 now or something

Ozymandous · October 17, 2001, 08:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Sn00py
monitors have very little to do with resolution, unless they are super old.

depending on your video card, it can force your monitor to display the resolutions it supports, but how the monitor reacts to it could be a different story.

none of you need to buy a new monitor unless it says that it doesn't support it, all you need is maybe a 4meg video card and you will be fine, they cost like $2 now or something

Yes and no. Some people here, *cough* Solver *cough* have a 12 MB or better video card but refuse to upgrade their tiny 15" monitor.

SO people who have old, low end monitors like that DO need to upgrade IMHO, but others probably need to check their video card instead.

Question for all those who love their 15" monitors... Have you ever tried a larger monitor with a comparible resolution? A 17" monitor at 1024 X 768 is essentially the same display size as a 15" at 800 X 600 only you can see more screen! Try it out, you might like it.

(BTW, 104 people don't need to upgrade and 8 do, I guess those eight are a very vocal MINORITY, eh?)

GodSpawn · October 17, 2001, 08:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Ozymandous
(BTW, 104 people don't need to upgrade and 8 do, I guess those eight are a very vocal MINORITY, eh?)

And one of those voted "no" because they don't have a PC at all...

LaRusso · October 17, 2001, 08:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Ozymandous
Oh, BTW, 17" at home (wish it was a flat screen!) and 21" at work.

You mean, 21'' at your alternative CIV heaven?

Solver · October 17, 2001, 09:23

I want to clarify something here. Why don't I want a new monitor? When it was manufactured, over years ago, I think in early 1994 or even late 1993, it was considered superb. Able to display 800x600, for time when everyone had Windows 3.0 or 3.1 , and also up millions of colors, not just 256 (I'm at 24 bit color with it). Something amazing for those times. Of course, I don't now work on the computer I had in 1994, as that would be a little too old. So, why did I never upgrade the monitor? Answer is, because buying a new monitor is nothing but a waste of money. If I bought CPU/RAM, I'd have better performance, if I bought a new HDD, I'd have better data storage capability, but if I buy a new monitor, I get NOTHING. Nothing, but the ability to run Civ 3, as Firaxians for some stupid reason decided everyone is American and considering one year old PC a "LEMON"

.

Upgrading a monitor gives me no benefit, I'm fine with this one, so that's why. There are also other reasons behind this, but I'm not willing to explain them here and now. Perhaps othertime. But I think you got my point. And buying a new monitor is paying double price for Civ 3. Firaxis are excellent, but at this point they're very, very, very bad.

Rasbelin · October 17, 2001, 09:29

If necessary, I can use up to 1600x1200,
so the requirement isn't a problem.
I'm currently using 1280x1024 @ 85 Hz
with a 19" monitor.

So the answer to your question is yes.

FrostyBoy · October 17, 2001, 09:31

Solver, you have a 15" that can't do 1024x768? are you positive? have you tried to make it go higher?

btw, I can understand why Firaxis have used that resolution, just by looking at the screenshots, specifically the statistic/advisor type screens.

FrostyBoy · October 17, 2001, 09:36

can you give me the name of your monitor and the name of your video card and stats solver

Trdi · October 17, 2001, 09:46

Some NOKIA monitors could do that, yes.

LaRusso · October 17, 2001, 09:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Solver
I want to clarify something here. Why don't I want a new monitor? When it was manufactured, over years ago, I think in early 1994 or even late 1993, it was considered superb. Able to display 800x600, for time when everyone had Windows 3.0 or 3.1 , and also up millions of colors, not just 256 (I'm at 24 bit color with it). Something amazing for those times. Of course, I don't now work on the computer I had in 1994, as that would be a little too old. So, why did I never upgrade the monitor? Answer is, because buying a new monitor is nothing but a waste of money. If I bought CPU/RAM, I'd have better performance, if I bought a new HDD, I'd have better data storage capability, but if I buy a new monitor, I get NOTHING. Nothing, but the ability to run Civ 3, as Firaxians for some stupid reason decided everyone is American and considering one year old PC a "LEMON"

.

Upgrading a monitor gives me no benefit, I'm fine with this one, so that's why. There are also other reasons behind this, but I'm not willing to explain them here and now. Perhaps othertime. But I think you got my point. And buying a new monitor is paying double price for Civ 3. Firaxis are excellent, but at this point they're very, very, very bad.

solver, thank you for introducing americans to our eastern european habbit of throwing nothing away until it is completely unusable and basically rubbish.

Solver · October 17, 2001, 10:15

.

Yes, that's what I wanted to do. Prices in America are 2x of ours, often, but their wages are at least 6x of European. Happy guys. Look, I got a 500MHz computer, that I bought approx. 20 months ago. That's just an example, BTW. An American woould often say it's old and unusable, get a new one. European would say that before 1GhZ becomes normal, that shouldn't be thrown out.

Thanks for support, LaRusso. Blagodarimo!

Trdi · October 17, 2001, 10:39

Well as I said, I have 14inches and that IS rubbish!

But when I'm buying sth, I'm really BUYING. So I'll buy a high-class 19" monitor. Life is too short not to enjoy it. And I will buy high class speaker system, I bought high class computer table,...

Why not. I'm not like that just when buying for PC. I will buy high class watch, pool/snooker table (my passion this game, yes), high class water bed AND a high class - parrot - few thousands DM will be ok for a nice talking birdie, what do you think? What would you say LaRusso, where am I? Somewhere between Solver and Americans?

Or completely mad? Well, we all buy high class computer game (=CIV), don't we?

LaRusso · October 17, 2001, 10:42

Quote:

Originally posted by Trdi
Well as I said, I have 14inches and that IS rubbish!

But when I'm buying sth, I'm really BUYING. So I'll buy a high-class 19" monitor. Life is too short not to enjoy it. And I will buy high class speaker system, I bought high class computer table,...

Why not. I'm not like that just when buying for PC. I will buy high class watch, pool/snooker table (my passion this game, yes), high class water bed AND a high class - parrot - few thousands DM will be ok for a nice talking birdie, what do you think? What would you say LaRusso, where am I? Somewhere between Solver and Americans?

Or completely mad? Well, we all buy high class computer game (=CIV), don't we?

I think you Slovenians have it too good!

Wait until Serboalbanian terrorists start their burek-cevap attacks and you see your economic confidence dissapear. You will be begging Solver and me for a pirated Civ3 copy

Gryphon · October 17, 2001, 11:01

id sell my ctp II but i already tossed it

Adm.Naismith · October 17, 2001, 11:13

Quote:

Originally posted by Mars
21", i'm surprised how many people cant meet these basic requirements. Even my 5 year old computer can handle the requirments for civ3, and it has a 8 year old monitor

Another (same) thread, another (same) answer from me. Many of you forget a whole class of PC: Notebook.

Many of them, if more than 2 years old, can show 1024*768 only with an external monitor, not on their flat 12" TFT.
Not to mention many sub-notebook haven't the screen good enough today.

BTW, I'm not against Firaxis, in this area: I can see the trend in Computer Games for large interface, hence large screen resolution needs, for the last couple of years.

Simply if I want to play this game I must change my notebook, full stop. You asked, I answered

Ozymandous · October 17, 2001, 11:17

Quote:

Originally posted by LaRusso

You mean, 21'' at your alternative CIV heaven?

Well I wouldn't call it "Civ Heaven" because unlike the other IT managers, ours doesn't let us play games when it's dull.. :-(

Anywho, it is great to surf the web and I get to spend time here so it's not all bad.. ;-)

Ozymandous · October 17, 2001, 11:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Solver
I want to clarify something here. Why don't I want a new monitor? When it was manufactured, over years ago, I think in early 1994 or even late 1993, it was considered superb. Able to display 800x600, for time when everyone had Windows 3.0 or 3.1 , and also up millions of colors, not just 256 (I'm at 24 bit color with it). Something amazing for those times. Of course, I don't now work on the computer I had in 1994, as that would be a little too old. So, why did I never upgrade the monitor? Answer is, because buying a new monitor is nothing but a waste of money. If I bought CPU/RAM, I'd have better performance, if I bought a new HDD, I'd have better data storage capability, but if I buy a new monitor, I get NOTHING. Nothing, but the ability to run Civ 3, as Firaxians for some stupid reason decided everyone is American and considering one year old PC a "LEMON"

.

Upgrading a monitor gives me no benefit, I'm fine with this one, so that's why. There are also other reasons behind this, but I'm not willing to explain them here and now. Perhaps othertime. But I think you got my point. And buying a new monitor is paying double price for Civ 3. Firaxis are excellent, but at this point they're very, very, very bad.

Well.... You get nothing but the ability to see more, have higher resolutions and, of course, run Civ3 as it was intended.

Seriously tho', buying a monitor is not a waste of money, do you have a TV bigger than 15"? If so, why, anything bigger than what would allow you to see the program is a waste of money!

FWIW, I bought my 17" monitor 3 years ago, it is a Trinitron, and while not the absolute best, it is still pretty good for me.

I plan to keep this monitor until prices on 21" "standard" or 17" flat screen monitors are less than $200 and then I'll probably upgrade.

I don't know about how organizations are where you live Solver, but you can donate old PC's and monitors here in the US to charities, schools, etc and get a tax write-off, so old equipment isn't junk, just simply finds a new home.

Oh, and as for your comment about Americans feeling that anything over a year old is a "LEMON", untrue and VERY stereotypical!

My first PC (a 386 bought in 1991) I had for three years before I upgraded (keeping the same old monitor), the next I had for 2 years (it was a year old when I bought it) and then the PC before my current I still have after using it for 3 years. This was the PC when I finally bought a new monitor.

As you can see some of us do keep things afound but seriously, a new monitor is not a waste because it allows you to see more in everything you do and reduces eye strain, at least for me.

Trdi · October 18, 2001, 02:14

Oh, yes. I forgot to write this: Monitor is NOT waste of money. Nice monitor means a lot.
I think minimum of 1024×768 is a fair decision. It's the only way of making this game better.

Bay Skipjack · October 18, 2001, 03:01

First of all, not all Americans are as wasteful as some believe, in fact many of us Yanks keep our electronic equipment, appliances, and cars, right up until they simply don't work. Why replace something while it still serves its purpose

I still use a 15" monitor that dates back to '92 or '93. Why you ask? BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO PERFORM - PERIOD!

I upgraded my CPU to a 533 about 16 months ago. Once again you may ask why? Because my old one just couldn't perform some of the tasks I asked of it, so I forked over the cash, and got this sweet machine that does (almost) everything I ask of it. Even though my CPU is clearly 'outdated' already, I'll keep it until it ceases to perform the tasks I ask of it, and then keep it longer simply because there are other things for my hard earned $$ to go.

Obviously, with my CPU can handle the requirements, as can my old clunky monitor (believe it or not). However 7x10 looks like hell

mostly due to the refresh rate.

If you hadn't guessed already I'm one of the vocal minority.

One last note -- Due to the impending release of CivIII, I went browsing for monitors just the other day, and 17" are down to around $100, I saw a nice 19" flatscreen for about $250, though the 21" are still a little pricey. SO, for those of us who can swing it, a new monitor can be realized.

Oh, yeah, I'm also house sitting for a friend, and he's got a brand new 21" -- and, well damn, what have i been waiting for!

Rasbelin · October 18, 2001, 03:07

Quote:

Originally posted by Trdi

I think minimum of 1024×768 is a fair decision.

I can agree with you.

It's hard to get new 15" in these days anymore.
Here in Finland the only 15" monitors
available are Belinea and... was it KFC?
But those have ugly picture and they're bad
as what. I don't mean that Belinea manufactures
low quality monitors, but those 15" models are
outstanding.

I think we all can agree that 17" is the minimum
size for a new monitor today.

yin26 · October 18, 2001, 03:34

Quote:

but if I buy a new monitor, I get NOTHING.

Well, you get to play Civ3, for one.

Next: How long have you stared at your harddrive? Memorized the look of any curcuit boards inside the comp? For all the HUNDREDS of hours you use and will continue to use your comp, it is your EYES that get the most work.

Realizing this, I bought a 21" monitor 3 years ago with my new system. It added nearly $500 to the price! My wife was adamantly against it. Now do you know what she says when she sits down to write e-mails?

"You were right, Honey. I just love this monitor!"

Friends and family come over:

"Wow! This is amazing. It's so much more comfortable to use this monitor!"

Load up some games...do I care if my CPU is 3 FPSs slower than the guy up the street? Hell no. But when I see him squinting at his 15" monitor hooked up to a 2GHZ rig, I just shake my head. Makes no sense.

And considering that a monitor is something I WILL KEEP FOR A LONG LONG TIME, it only makes sense to have one that will outlast my momentary desire to save a few bucks.

LaRusso · October 18, 2001, 03:41

Quote:

Originally posted by yin26
"You were right, Honey. I just love this monitor!"

Friends and family come over:

"Wow! This is amazing. It's so much more comfortable to use this monitor!"

sounds like one of those TV shop infomercials

what is the brand of your monitor, i am buying one