A Good CRT Display: The Ideal Choice for High-End Gaming
There's a subset of PC games that look better on a CRT than even the most high-end Nvidia RTX holographics display. Despite their size and bulk, old school CRT displays are still worth considering for your gaming setup this year. The vivid colors and low latency of a cathode ray tube can make the right PC games look absolutely incredible in 2022.
Discovering this hidden gem was a revelation for me. With the rollercoaster of PC component upgrades and the unoptimized state of triple-A games, having top-notch hardware often feels like a misallocation of resources. That's why I decided to trade my RTX 2080 Ti for a CRT, and I haven't looked back since.
My journey into the world of CRT gaming began with a cursory search about modern gaming on a CRT. This led me down a rabbit hole of YouTube videos, forum discussions, and nostalgic reminiscences from over a decade ago. I was introduced to concepts like crt-refresh, which was like discovering 4K HDR gaming for the first time but in the opposite direction.
While other display types have undergone significant changes over the years, analog CRT displays have remained relatively unchanged. The introduction of variable refresh rate (VRR) allowed CRTs to maintain their responsiveness and motion clarity, which are still unmatched by most hi-refresh flatscreens today.
In a Digital Foundry video, Jon Phillips explains why CRTs are still highly regarded among fighting game fans. By reading input at a faster rate, CRT displays can draw new frames in fewer pixels, resulting in faster response times, smoother motion, and less blurring during slow motion.
You might be wondering if the lower specs of CRTs can deliver a satisfying gaming experience. From my own experience, I can attest that the immersive experience of playing fast-paced shooters like Dusk on a CRT far surpasses what the specs may suggest. The contrasting colors and deep shadows of Dusk's art design explode with rich tones on a CRT, conveying an authenticity to the shooter genre that feels worlds away from gimmicky VR tactics.
However, acquiring a CRT display can be a bit challenging due to their size and age. It's best to look for local options and communities in your area. Don't let any hurdles deter you, though, as the experience is well worth it. Keep an eye out for e-waste recycling bins at your local mall, as they sometimes have CRT displays available.
If you're interested in getting started with crt-refresh, I want to share my own experience. I invested $900 CAD in two glorious CRT displays and all the necessary cables. Additionally, I made sure to equip my setup with a powerful Radeon card to ensure smooth performance.
Don't miss out on the incredible gaming experience that a good CRT display can offer. Upgrade your gaming setup and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of CRT gaming.
