1440x900 or 1280x800

So I'm getting ready to get the Dell 1520 and I was all set on getting the 1440 screen but I'm having second thoughts. A higher resolutions means more pixels to push for my GPU so should I play it safe with the 1280 so I can play future games better? Or should I just go for the 1440?

 

No! Don't worry about that, you should worry much more about other things. The screen you bought will do well. this is going to have no difference on games!!!!!

 

Well I haven't bought it yet, thats why I'm asking! I don't want to have to run a game at lower settings just because I went with a higher resolution. Does anyone have pics comparing 1440 with 1280?

 

I would get the higher but I do not have PICS!

 

I would take the 1440x900. On my 15" Screen, the WXGA resolution just isn't enough for anything - sure, its alrite for gaming, but you can't multitask for crap on this.

 

I'd go with WSXGA+

 

Ok I guess I'll go with my original instinct, 1440x900 because I can always use 1280 in games (although it may be a bit blurry) or lower the specs. The extra space would be nice, I would still like to see pics though, if anyones got em.

 

Funny you keep being so worried about the resolution and you never mention your GPU, kind of BS!! What do you really want to know? Or are you having fun!!

 

I'd go with the 1440x900 too. The Dell website has pics. Notice the difference in the size of the icons & the wallpaper.

1440x900:


1280x800:

 

Lol sorry I thought people knew when I said the 1520, its a 8600M GT w/256MB

 

i went with the 1280x800... but only because i prefer anti-glare to glossy, and because several people had complained about grainy 1440x900 screens.

 

Oh yeah thats right. Now your making me change my mind to play it safe But I do want the glossy.

 

I bought the same notebook you did and I went with the WSXGA+. I have decided that if I have any problems gaming with it then I'd just get a cheap external monitor to use for gaming. Problem solved and I still get a high res screen for general tasks . Win-Win situation I figure.

Thanks,
-Taylor

 

AN 8600M GT will be perfectly fine with WSXGA (1440*900). A recent review I have done (see sig) showed BF2 pulling 60-90fps maxed with an 8600M GT at 1440*900 and FEAR pulling 30fps on max settings at 1440*900.

WSXGA should do you very well for games I wouldn't worry.

 

Get the highest res possible. Trust me on this.

You will regret it later if you get the lower resolution.

 

most of us did know

honestly you will be pushing your card to run the newest games in 1440x900. The ut3 engine is better off and 1280x720. You don't have to suffer blurriness though. you can center the image without scaling it. suddenly you have a 14" 1280x800 screen which is a more fitting size for 1280x800 anyway.

 

what about this resolution . WSXGA (1680 x 1050) has anyone got a similar picture to that one posted by manu08. Is it better then the 1440x900 or 1280x800 ?

 

1680x1050 is just extra pixels in a 15" laptop. it'll make everything look small if set at native resolution.

1280x800 may be slightly less smooth (i hesitate to use the word "blurry") than the 1440x900, but it will be less demanding on your GPU.

don't get the 1680x1050.

 

IMO YOU should go with the higher RES, becuase of your GPU being top of the line. But if you had like an 8600 GS, or 8600, or lower, i would say 1280X800, just so you can run games at your native res.

1st thing i do in a game, is try to run it at my native res. ALWAYS, No matter what, ill turn al the graphics on low if i have to.

 

To clarify:

WXGA = 1280*768/800
WXGA+/WSXGA = 1440*900
WSXGA+ = 1680*1050
WUXGA = 1900*1200

WSXGA+ is not necessarily better than WSXGA. The benefit is you get more desktop space and slightly nicer looking games. The problem is that any games you run will suffer in terms of performance on a WSXGA+, so fps will be lower and things like AA and AF will have to be lower or turned off.

I would say WSXGA (1440*900) is the best compromise right now between resolution and performance for gaming. Only desktop cards like the 8800 series have the power to effectively game at WUXGA and I would say WSXGA+ as well.

 

his GPU may be top of the line now, but as a laptop component, it won't stay that long for very long.

if he wants to be able to game at anytime in the future with decent framerates, i'd suggest the 1280x800 or, at most, the 1440x900.

 

That is true torch, my computer was top of the line... then ATi released the X1600, X1800, then the X1900, then the DREADED X1950!!!! AHHHH WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!!!!