Monitor Size Required for 1920x1080 Res: 16:9 Aspect Ratio

asustudent1

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Oct 13, 2011
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Dear Tom's Community Members:

Going on this bit of knowledge "The higher the resolution, the bigger the monitor needs to be". Or "A high resolution on a very small monitor will be too tiny to read"

I am wondering what is the minimum monitor size recommended for 1080 (16:9 aspect ratio)?

I am building a new computer with a i5-2500k, GTX 560 Ti, and I need a new monitor. I am not picky at all, I dont need a huge 30" screen, nor can I afford it. I am still using an Old CRT 15" monitor in 1024x768. I just can't find any information on a minimum monitor size for 1080 resolution where the text wont be insanely TINY, like it is if I run 1280x1024 on my 15" CRT.

-----As I research the question, what is the minimum monitor size recommended for a 1920x1080 Resolution (16:9 aspect Ratio), I am having trouble finding relatively new information from 2011. All of the posts and forums I am reading are back in 2008-early 2010.

I realize back in 2007-2009 era the big monitor resolution was 1920x1200, which is a 16:10 aspect ratio. This was the "Preferred" gamers resolution and aspect ratio from what I am gathering. I suppose because it gives gamer's a bit more height. I guess most gamers didnt like the full on widescreen 1080, or perhaps that resolution was new at the time?

However, in today's world I've noticed an overwhelmingly large number of monitors are 1920x1080, and only a few 1920x1200 are being sold. For example, on Newegg there are 19 (1600x1200) and 192 (1920x1080) LCD monitors being sold.

Just in case I sidetracked, my overall question is once again,
--- What is the minimum monitor size recommended for 1080 (16:9 aspect ratio)?


---Also, there use to be an issue with black bars in 1080 resolution for many games because games supported 16:10 aspect ratio. I am assuming most games today support the 16:9 aspect ratio, and have resolved that issue from 2008ish?

Thank you much in advance for your reply and time.
 
Almost any low cost monitor you buy these days is based on a 1080P television screen. That is 1920 x 1080.
The diagonal dimension can be anything, and the number of pixels will be the same.

The right answer for you will depend on how far you will be sitting from the monitor.
I think anything up to 35" is probably ok for a desktop user. Normally, 22-24" is probably best.
If you will read a lot of web page text, then pick a larger size.

Personally, I prefer the 1920 x 1200 shape, but those monitors tend to be a bit more expensive.