Budget Gaming/Movie Display, 23-27"; Overwhelmed

[Rattlin Bones]

So I'm upgrading to an HD 6870 and coming from a wonderful Viewsonic VX2025wm 20.1" that will be passed on to my wife. Primary uses are gaming and watching movies; not 100% decided on size, but as budget is a factor, 23-24" seems more feasible. That size seems best for gaming and desktop use, while the 27" may be advantageous but not necessary for movies/television. I don't see myself being interested in 3D.

Budget: Up to $300 Canadian.

I'm just overwhelmed by options, and professional reviews are few and far between. For the most part I've been looking at TN panels with 2ms response time (though to be honest my current Viewsonic is rated 8ms and I've never noticed any ghosting at all). Viewing angle can be important as we use this PC as a TV, watching from bed at an indirect angle. My current monitor is rated 176°/176° which seems to be high; I can't guess as to whether the more common 160-170 would be problematic.

As a Canadian, I'm shopping primarily at NCIX, TigerDirect, Newegg.ca, and smaller local stores.


- The internet sensation seems to be the ASUS VH236H, the 23.6" gaming hit that can be had for as little as $169 CAD after rebate.

- In the 24" category, the Newegg darling is the ASUS VW246H for $199.

- The best value I've found for 27" so far is the ViewSonic VA2702w, a 3ms model for $259. But there's not a ton of info out there.


Looks like I can't go wrong with either of the smaller ASUSes. I want to add a second monitor down the line anyway, so perhaps I could use the ASUS for gaming and if we ever see prices fall, get a 27" IPS for movies/TV? Though I admit I'm having trouble choosing even between the 23" and 24" ASUS.

My thanks for your advice!

 

[Spikesoldier]

IMO 27" is too big unless you have a "deep" desk or plan to sit away from it.

my friend made this mistake and he regrets it on his shallow desk. his 27" resembles a small HDTV.

 

[Rattlin Bones]

I must admit I too am coming to that conclusion from what I've read since posting. It helps, considering you don't get much of a 27" for $300. I'm leaning even more heavily to 23"-24" now, though the price on that Viewsonic is nice if it's a decent panel.

 

[iindigo]

I sit about 2-3 feet away from my 27" iMac and it's not too bad. Works fine on a desk/work environment. It is rather large, though, and I often to use it as a TV replacement too.

 

[Spikesoldier]

I sit about 2-3 feet away from my 27" iMac and it's not too bad. Works fine on a desk/work environment. It is rather large, though, and I often to use it as a TV replacement too.

3' is probably fine for 27".

Personally I have a 24" and I sit about 2' away. My friend however, probably has about eighteen inches of desk space with a 27" display which is not ideal. His keyboard barely fits on the desk with the monitor.

 

[IonusX]

IMO 27" is too big unless you have a "deep" desk or plan to sit away from it.

my friend made this mistake and he regrets it on his shallow desk. his 27" resembles a small HDTV.

indeed though personally speaking mine was worth it.. $135 for a 32" Samsung LCD TV, you cant handle that ----. (that was new btw, bought in-store)

 

[T_Yamamoto]

indeed though personally speaking mine was worth it.. $135 for a 32" Samsung LCD TV, you cant handle that ----. (that was new btw, bought in-store)

^_^

 

[crownjules]

Why not step up to the VH238H? It's basically the same model/size but has LED backlighting so should be better in a number of ways. MSRPs for only $10 more, but Newegg currently has it at the same price as the VH236.

 

[FreeAtLast2012]

Did you consider the Dell U2311H?
I've been using it for over a year, and it's been an incredible investment.
I play Battlefield, watch movies, and edit photos.
Haven't had any issues and I'm sure the price is even more reasonable now.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I don't know about 27", but I have a pair of 26" LCDs, 1920z1200, and I probably sit about 2.5-3' away. It seems like the perfect size for me, coming from a 20" and a 22" 1680x1050. (Note, that's one for each of my main desktops, not two on one machine.)

I could probably live with a 23", but honestly, the extra size (and thus larger pixel pitch) does seem to make that resolution easier on the eyes (text isn't too small to read).