Best 17" LCD for gaming...

[Mogget]

I'm going to be getting a new gaming rig in the new year (7800gt/3200+/1gbRAM) and I'm in the market for a new monitor.

Because of financial restrictions (what a fancy way of saying I'm poor ) I can only afford around $350NZ, at most $400. In US$ that's: 250 USD - 286 USD.

Treat those figures nicely though ? I really can't afford much more without downgrading the PC.

As a CRT user, I'm typically worried about "ghosting", native resolutions etc.

I just want a good quality 17" LCD for gaming ? the best my money can buy.


Thanks!

 

[destrekor]

Not sure if this is available in NZ, but I have the Samsung 730b, it's a 17" with 8ms response, TN panel (6bit color, like all others in the price range) and DVI/VGA inputs. Colors are amazing, especially after a little user configuration (both hardware and software configurations). Not overly bright, and good viewing angles. It's a great monitor.
I paid $330 and get $80 back after rebates. (at bestbuy)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...30606&tab=6&productCategoryId=cat01013
I am unaware of any availability other than at that site
good luck
i originally looked at a sibling of its, the samsung 713bm at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001213
but chose the 730b because I could buy it locally and not have to worry about return issues if there were any defects.
(i originally had a sony hs75p and returned it promptly for having uneven color and lighting and being otherwise subpar colors. I miss the glass coating, gave it an edge, but this samsung is awesome.

 

[Mogget]

Thanks a lot, I'll check those out. How well does it perform in games? Any particular ghosting you've noticed?

 

[destrekor]

I had my friend look at it and he said it was minimal. My eyes have trouble noticing much ghosting during games, and if there is really any it doesn't distract from the game at all. Games look great, with only a hint of color banding ever showing up, mostly when looking at the sky in some games that use HDR or in dark dark areas. Again, I am a finicky person. Maybe I am forcing my mind to block out flaws, or the color banding really isn't all that bad. All TN panels (any 'cheap' lcd) is going to be TN so you can't dodge color banding, but its not too bad on this monitor.
oh and some monitors have issue with playing movies in that they introduce video noise on skin tones. I haven't noticed that at all after adjusting the monitor's settings and editing the configuration in the nvidia driver. Now HD movie trailers look awesome! (thats about all the video use I have for a computer monitor, but it does look great)

 

[Mogget]

Sounds good.