Help picking the right size monitor

[marshmellow1991]

Background: Ive had a samsung syncmaster 730B (1240x1080) since december of 2005. was used with a readon x700.

Now ive just recently built a new gaming rig, and considering the MASSIVE upgrade, im not seeing much of an improvment in games. Im 90% sure tis because of the size of my monitor, being as small as it is. At this point ive saved up about $350, and will have close to $450 by next week. I want to get a new monitor to really use my computer for what its meant for, at the resolution it can play at.

however i am at a crossroads. a 22" 1680x1050 is anywheresf rom 250-350 in proce, but a 1900x1200 is around 400. what would be the best bang for buck for my system, and furthur systems down the road?

Specs:

DFI DK X38
Intell E8400 oc`ed to 3.4
4GB ddr2 800
HD4870

Thanks guys,

 

[jaguarskx]

What exactly do you mean by massive improvement in games?

The higher the resolution you play at the lower the performance. The HD4870 is capable of allowing you play most games at 1920 x 1200.

If you want to play games at native resolution, but you want your HD4780 to last you longer, then consider a 22". Lower resolution will allow you to play games at higher graphix quality so you will be able to hang on to your HD4780 longer than if you were to go with a 24" monitor.

Of course, you can always play at lower resolution on a 24" monitor with a small graphics quality hit due to scaling.

 

[marshmellow1991]

What i ment was, this new computer is such a leap from my old computer, that i was expecting to see more of an improvement then i am. and i think its due to this current resolution being controled more by the cpu then the graphics card. so, to use more of my graphics card, what resolution would be better, without hitting big performance hits.
i am aware that higher resolution means lower performance, but im getting around 70 in cod4, with my x700, i was getting 50`s

 

[jaguarskx]

I would go with a 24" monitor given the video card you have.

See the benchmarks for the HD4870 in the following review where the games' graphic settings were maxed out:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/force3d-hd-4870_6.html#sect0