native resolution?

[FVK]

So i have been looking into replacing my 17" crt with a 19" lcd, my main question is about the native resolution. I currently have my desktop set at 1024 x 768, and set games to the same resolution etc.( because of my current monitor size and also to run well with my current system specs) If i bought a monitor with native resolution of 1,280x1,024 does that mean i will have to set the game to run at the same resolution? i read something on a site about somehow playing the games at 1280 x 1024 pixels , but then also scaling it to 1024 x768. (im not sure if these were two different tests or not.. it doesnt clarify)..

any explanation or help ?

 

[stefx]

There are three possibilities when you play a game at 1024x768 on a 1280x1024:

1-Your screen fills and you run the game at non-native (usally not pretty)
2-Your screen allows 1:1 pixel mapping. Your game runs at 1024x768 and you have black bars around (picture is smaller but you're running at somewhat native)
3-Your video card allows you to run 1:1. same result as if the monitor has that option.