Yesterday a friend and I spent an evening trying to get an old computer functional, and playing games on the one that was already working. The monitor on the working computer had been failing for weeks (if not months), but its poor performance last night finally inspired me to replace it with another that I had onhand which I didn't think was in as bad shape.
I am boggled
at the difference it makes. Without the distortions from the old monitor, I can see fine details that I had forgotten (sometimes never knew) were even there. It's actually taking me some time to get used to the "real" colors and shapes.
If you're putting up with flaky hardware, do yourself a favor and replace or repair it. You'll be glad you did.