resolution/color bit depth question

[gwilks98]

Going off the information in this article...


Given that:
[list=1][*]The human eye cannot tell the difference between 24 bit and 32 bit resolutions[*]and most 3-D games allow you to set the game bit depth to 32 bit[/list=1]

Why would you want to set the desktop bit depth to 32 bit instead of 24 bit? What looks different?

[Bires]

I've heard this too. I think it's mainly for compatibility. Some proggies will run in 16-bit color or 32-bit color, but not 24-bit color. If you have your graphics set to display 24-bit color, the prog will run at 16-bit color.

[coleslaw]

Originally posted by gwilks98
Why would you want to set the desktop bit depth to 32 bit instead of 24 bit? What looks different?

For normal desktop applications, you're not going to notice any difference. It's in video editing and games that you will notice a difference when the 256 shades of transparency are included. However, when the game controls your resolution and color-depth rather than the OS, I think it would be suitable to run in 24-bit.