[TIGR]

To keep the thread clean and avoid double-posting, I've consolidated and updated my previous post into this one:

Originally Posted by Robert-The-Rambler

As far as input lag I don't know how to test that and have never been in a situation where that would really matter.

Input lag matters in twitch gaming.

This year, I tested the impact of monitor choice on gaming performance using CoD4 multiplayer, an experiment spanning six months and ~27,000 kills. This experiment was done with the same gaming system (other than monitor) in the same CoD4 server. Monitors tested were my Samsung 275T (high-input-lag 27" LCD), Samsung 2493HM (lower-input-lag 24" LCD), and Gateway EV700 (17" CRT).

My overall KDRs (Kill to Death Ratios):

275T: 1.8:1 (6500 kills, 3612 deaths)
2493HM: 2.4:1 (5500 kills, 2292 deaths)
EV700: 3.2:1 (14,974 kills, 4619 deaths)

For this to be a really scientific test, I'd have to have used identical viewable screen sizes, resolutions, and account for factors like the monitors' brightness, contrast, color rendition, etc. I worked with what I had and to me personally, the results are incontrovertible: input lag, at least for players like myself in twitch games like CoD4, matters. If anything, the "unscientificness" of my experiment skews the results in favor of the 275T, as it is easily the most high-end monitor here, with better colors, contrast, and size than the ones I found to be clearly superior for twitch gaming. I played at the native 1920x1200 on the LCDs and at 1280x1024 on the CRT, with constant 85fps framerates (CoD4 com_maxfps set to 85 and the system had no problem maintaining that at either resolution). The EV700 was a low-end model even when it was new, and it has dimmed significantly over the years.

I noticed no ghosting on either of the LCDs but easily noticed the difference in input lag and the impact it had on my ability to maneuver precisely and react quickly. Thus I don't hesitate to fully attribute the difference in KDRs to input lag.

Originally Posted by Completely Bonkers

IMO the CRT is a rather esoteric niche and I would not go down that route; for "normal use" of a PC, esp. internet, a CRT is much sharper and has zero flicker compared to a CRT. YES, a CRT has faster response times when you are playing games, but, are you REALLY concerned about that, or do you hope to have an "edge" in online games. Well, you wont. Because compared to a decent TFT your online gameplay will not be any better... and you will only start trying to find other "lag bottlenecks" like your mouse polling rate or your network card ping etc. etc.

Stick with a CRT, your eyes will thank you.

I'm guessing you meant to type "LCD" where "CRT" is bold in the quote above.

I came into this thinking the way you do, even though I immediately noticed the input lag when I first played CoD4 with my 275T. But knowing personally the difference in the feel of the game, and seeing the difference in my KDR numbers, there's no denying the significance of input lag. The input lag becomes immediately clear the instant I go into CoD4 and jerk the mouse around a little bit. It's simple to control precise, rapid movements with the CRT; attempting the same with either of the LCDs makes one feel intoxicated in comparison.

The difference between the EV700 and the 275T is night and day: the EV700 looks like crap but approximately doubles my twitch gaming performance (measured in KDR). It can only do 1280x1024 @ 60hz, yet I enjoy playing with it. So I can only imagine what it would be like to play CoD4 on a CRT like the 24" GDM-FW900 that can do 1920x1200 @ 85hz with vastly superior picture.