Ack. Widescreen LCD for both Productivity/Gaming Suggestions

[guptasa1]

Hey all,

Hope a new thread on this is okay. The LCD thread doesn't seem as conducive to individual questions.

So here's my dilemma. Building a new rig and would like a nice LCD display for it. I do a lot of productivity stuff, web surfing, like pretty graphics, etc., but I also really like gaming. I know enough to know there's no perfect monitor out there, so I guess I'm looking for opinions.

Here's what I'm unsure of. I know I want at least 22". But I can't decide between 22" and 24". If 24, I was leaning towards Dell 2407-HC, but I'm not sure how it'll work for gaming. If 22, maybe the Samsung (hear good things about the 226BW), but I don't know as much about those. I don't do any have CS or anything...mostly single player games like, say, BioShock, etc., but I don't particularly want a lot of monitor "lag" or whatever it's called either (where you see a trail of an image).

I should also note that we're dealing with high native resolutions now, and while there's still a possibility I'll go SLI, looking more and more like I'm going to go with a single-card solution (but it'll be a very high end card; 8800 Ultra or GTX).

So the way I see it:

24":
-----
+Better Colors
+Higher Native Resolution (1920x1200 for apps/better image in games)
-Monitor "lag"

22":
-----
+Faster Response Times
+Lower Native Resolution (1680x1050 yields faster gameplay at native with single card)
-Limited Color Depth

The big negative for me for the 22", is, as I understand it the depth of colors is quite limited. And the main negative of the 24" is we're getting to a much higher native and higher response time yielding more lag.

So, what would you guys recommend, given what I'm looking for? Thanks! (BTW, while budget is a consideration, quality is more important.)

 

[thilanliyan]

I'd go with a 24" for the better colours, higher res, and generally unnoticeable ghosting (for me anyway). I have a BenQ FP241VW and I love it. No regrets whatsoever. I could have got a 22" for much cheaper but I'm glad I didn't.

 

[BernardP]

I spent several months pondering a similar question and I finally decided to get a 2407WFP-HC when it wen on sale a few weeks ago.

As I have a 19-inch Dell with Samsung TN panel at work, I can attest that going for a true 8-bit S-PVA panel yields a visible visual quality improvement.

I could have gotten a well-rated 22-inch TN monitor and be happy with it. My reasonning was:

22-inch TN: interim solution, would want to upgrade in 2 or 3 years at most.

24-inch 8-bit panel: I am set for 5 years, until the next generation of display technologies (OLED, FED) has become mainstream.

So the yearly cost is about the same, and I get to enjoy a better/bigger screen now.

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824001096

Samsung 226BW
22" widescreen 2ms response time
can do 75Hz at its native resolution (1680x1050)

$279.99 after rebates


just an idea

 

[Laminator]

Also, there are the viewing angles and increased inputs/features that most 24" monitors come with. In addition, if you want the best HD-viewing experience then 1920x1200 can play 1080p at 1:1.

 

[Bateluer]

Should easily be a no brainer. 24in = 1920x1200 native res. 22in = 1680x1050, same as a smaller, cheaper 20in panel. There's absolutely no reason for anyone to purchase a 22in WS panel, unless they get an insanely good deal.

 

[guptasa1]

Thanks. Guess a 24" it'll be then. How do games play on them in general? (Anyone tried, say, Bioshock?) I guess now it's between the Dell and BenQ. Any more advice appreciated.