Windows 7 Pixelization in Lightroom - HELP!

[COLOR=#efefef][FONT=v​erdana][COLOR=Black]So I have a Dell XPS 8400 system with Windows 7 and an ATi Radeon 5700 Graphics Card. I should also mention that I am using a Dell 2209WA IPS monitor.

I loaded LR onto it and noticed that it looked funky right off the bat but assumed I just had to tinker with the settings and it'll be fine. But I've tried messing with everything in the "Catalyst Control Center" but nothing will fix this awfulness. I'm enclosing a screenshot to show what I'm talking about.
I also have a Macbook Pro that I hook the same Dell monitor up to and it displays awesomely, so I know what I'm seeing on my W7 machine is not correct.

If you notice in the two screenshots below, the W7 version (top) is more pixelated and the gradient in the jacket is very rough. The Mac version is smoother and has better color rendering.

Thanks in advance for any help.
EDIT: I don't know what's up with the "PROOF" letters, I didn't put them on there. I think it's Smugmug that puts them on and I keep trying to remove them but they come back :/

What the ef is the "Catalyst Control Center"?

tzalman wrote in post #16022013
What the ef is the "Catalyst Control Center"?

It's software that's supplied with AMD video cards that can be safely ignored for anyone using their machine primarily for image editing. The only useful feature for me is "Check for Driver Updates.

S-Man, what resolution are you using for your Win 7 machine? I believe it should be 1680 x 1050 @ 60Hz.

Also, in your LR Catalog Settings ensure you have Standard Preview Size set to 1680 or 2048 pixels (must be equal to or higher than your screen resolution width). I use a Preview Quality of High and Discard 1:1 Previews = Never.

Under the "Import" panel at the top right I set Render Previews = Standard. Also check to ensure that both the Mac and Win 7 setup are applying identical Develop Settings on import and the same default settings in the Develop panel.

Your LR previews using Win 7 and a Dell 2209WA should display no different (insignificant at least) when compared to the Mac using the same monitor. If any of the above doesn't help then ... well hopefully someone else will give it a shot

Bob_A wrote in post #16022499
S-Man, what resolution are you using for your Win 7 machine? I believe it should be 1680 x 1050 @ 60Hz.

Also, in your LR Catalog Settings ensure you have Standard Preview Size set to 1680 or 2048 pixels (must be equal to or higher than your screen resolution width). I use a Preview Quality of High and Discard 1:1 Previews = Never.

Bob, why do you keep those 1:1s? They are used only by the Library and I find that I rarely want to zoom into an image in Library. I never make 1:1s ahead of time (during import, for instance) because whenever I do need one in Library it takes just a few seconds to create it and it is up-to-date with whatever editing has been done. My Preferences is set to discard them after 1 week; I don't see any need to preserve them longer.

tzalman wrote in post #16023178
Bob, why do you keep those 1:1s? They are used only by the Library and I find that I rarely want to zoom into an image in Library. I never make 1:1s ahead of time (during import, for instance) because whenever I do need one in Library it takes just a few seconds to create it and it is up-to-date with whatever editing has been done. My Preferences is set to discard them after 1 week; I don't see any need to preserve them longer.

With LR 4 they were taking a few seconds to render and frankly it was bugging me at the time I sure wish you could set a custom window to delete them like 3 months.

Given that LR 5 appears to be a bit faster I think you're correct and I should re-evaluate setting to none and at least pick 1 month.

Bob_A wrote in post #16022499
S-Man, what resolution are you using for your Win 7 machine? I believe it should be 1680 x 1050 @ 60Hz.

Also, in your LR Catalog Settings ensure you have Standard Preview Size set to 1680 or 2048 pixels (must be equal to or higher than your screen resolution width). I use a Preview Quality of High and Discard 1:1 Previews = Never.

Under the "Import" panel at the top right I set Render Previews = Standard. Also check to ensure that both the Mac and Win 7 setup are applying identical Develop Settings on import and the same default settings in the Develop panel.

Your LR previews using Win 7 and a Dell 2209WA should display no different (insignificant at least) when compared to the Mac using the same monitor. If any of the above doesn't help then ... well hopefully someone else will give it a shot

Bob, Thanks so much for the tips.
My monitor is indeed set at 1680x1050 @60hz. However I haven't been able to try out the other suggestions yet, been too busy to even be at a computer the last couple days :/
I'll definitely give it a shot and let you know how it turns out.
Thanks a TON!

S-Man wrote in post #16021131
If you notice in the two screenshots below, the W7 version (top) is more pixelated and the gradient in the jacket is very rough. The Mac version is smoother and has better color rendering.

The histogram is different as well. I'd guess the top screenshot has a preset or default applied, the bottom one is at Adobe default: Basic settings all at zero…