Most optimal monitor

I think your problem is that the external monitor has a very high resolution that the older GPU has a hard powering. A different monitor won't make a difference but you could try to lower the monitor resolution and see if that fixes it. Also lower the graphic settings within the games you want to play.

I've got a 2010 15" MBP, with similar specs yours will have. Our problem is going to be the Nvidia GeForce 330m. Mine only has 256MB of RAM, while your 17" with the i7 probably has 512MB, but that isn't the main issue, the clock speed and throughput is.

Most games like TF2, Portal 2, COD 4, Need for Speed, Burnout Paradise, etc won't run well at 1080P or even the native res of the built in display. Often though, dropping it down to 720p (1280 x 720) it'll run just fine. Most of the time on medium or so settings depending on the game. Older games like Half Life 2 or Portal can run at 1080P, but they're less demanding.

It should be switching from the Intel graphics to the 330m when you launch a game or use an external montior, but just to check you can download gfxCardStatus and it'll show you when it changes, and you can manually select the card to use.

For modern games, you'll just have to use lower settings, get a newer MacBook, or use a game console. I don't really game on mine, so it's a non issue. I use my PS3 for that.


As for a monitor, Apple's are nice and super pricey, Dell has some nice ones, Asus can have some decent full HD ones for cheap. All depends what you're looking for. I'm using an HP 2310m, but it was free, and it's 1080p so I can't complain