X800XT PE with LCD monitor --- overkill???

[Scrutiny]

Question to the graphics cards/display geniuses out there....

I'm about to purchase a whole new system (P4 3.4HT, 2G DDRAM) with an LCD monitor (the Samsung Syncmaster 173P).

I like all I've read about the ATI RADEON X800XT PE.

My question: is this card essentially "too fast" at fps rate for an LCD monitor with a 20-25ms refresh rate?

If so, what would happen to the display (i.e., lag, blur, pixelate?) Or would the display not noticeably suffer?

I'm wondering whether the refresh rate of the LCD monitor is the "rate limiting factor" here, and whether there would be no appreciable difference between a wicked fast fps card like the x800xt and a somewhat slower card?

Thanks for any answers, advice, or insight!

[mrmister1]

I don't think you should see any problems as long as you set the card up right and kept it within the monitors limits. Usually CRTs are better for gaming though since they have a wider range of options.

[RJ]

It is not overkill. The graphics card can produce a very high frame rate, but it doesn't have to. TFTs usually run at 60 Hz, and you can't see more than 60fps anyway.

A graphics card also can't produce a constant refresh rate for every graphic setting. Let's say you could get 200fps. That's nonsense, you won't need it, and the 60fps of the TFT are enough.
But you can turn on extra graphic setting, like more detailed textures or whatever, which require real graphics power. The graphics card will have more work to do, and output less fps, let's say about 100. It's still more than you need, but now you have a better image quality. And that is also important.

So, you should use all graphic settings available that you can use while maintaining about 60fps. That will give you the best image quality, and the best speed. If the fps drops below 60, then you should lower the graphic settings.

On older games, like CS (plain old CS on HL1 engine), you won't be able to turn on much graphic options. The graphic card would be more than you need for that game, and not run at its full potential. But you will get the maximum out of the game.

So, the TFT is never a bottleneck.

RJ

[AgentVX]

What you could also do is turn on Vsync, so that the fps rate of the graphics card is synchronised with the refresh rate of your LCD.