Can I get a monitor recommendation?

[warpigeon]

Built an inexpensive gaming comp about a year and a half ago with the help of this forum. It's old now but frankly works great:

i3 2100
HD6850
80gb ssd
2gb ram
Win7

The monitor I chose to go with the above components cost about $100:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236079

I'd like to upgrade the monitor first before building a new system and I think it's worth it to spend a little more on the monitor this time- maybe up to $250.

I play games such as diablo3 and skyrim but also like watching sc2 streams. I'd say my goal with this monitor is to reduce eyestrain without sacrificing performance.

Thanks for any input.

 

[SKORPI0]

Why not for a 27"? $199.99+free shipping.

Not build in speakers though.
Acer G276HLDbd Black 27" 6ms (GTG) Widescreen LED Monitor 300 cd/m2 ACM 100,000,000:1 (3000:1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009424

 

[warpigeon]

Why not for a 27"? $199.99+free shipping.

Not build in speakers though.
Acer G276HLDbd Black 27" 6ms (GTG) Widescreen LED Monitor 300 cd/m2 ACM 100,000,000:1 (3000:1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009424

Actually my monitor has no speakers, newegg must redirect to more current models (I used a link that was in my old forum post here).

Anyway thanks for the suggestion, would my system have enough horsepower to game on a 27 inch?

 

[Skott]

Yes. Its not the screen size but the resolution that really matters. A 1920 x 1080 on a 23" vs the 27" is not going to be any harder for your pc to run games. However the thing you will note is that the bigger screen will give you more view area and easier on the eyes. Now, if you start going up in resolution then your pc will have a more difficult time running the same games at the same settings. Generally speaking. For your current system I'd suggest sticking to 1920x1080 res or less.

 

[mfenn]

Yeah anything beyond 1080p or 1920x1200 would be too hard on the current machine. $250 doesn't buy a 2560x1440 monitor though, so the option really isn't there anyway. Overall, I think the 27" 1080p idea is a great idea given that the goal is to reduce eyestrain.

Another tip is to make sure that the monitor is at the proper brightness. Ideally, the monitor should not be much brighter than a piece of paper lit by the ambient light in the room. Many displays come way too bright and many people keep their rooms way too dark. To given you an idea, I run my Dell U2410 at brightness 15 (out of 100).

 

[warpigeon]

Lowered the brightness and don't need a new monitor now- derp. See you guys next year when I make a new system. Thanks.

 

[mfenn]

Lowered the brightness and don't need a new monitor now- derp. See you guys next year when I make a new system. Thanks.

Cheapest upgrade ever!

 

[Shadowknight]

Yeah anything beyond 1080p or 1920x1200 would be too hard on the current machine. $250 doesn't buy a 2560x1440 monitor though, so the option really isn't there anyway.

You could for a PLS monitor for $319 shipped, though.*

*Typing on my new 27" Qnix I received from Ebay yesterday.

 

[Skott]

Cheapest upgrade ever!

^ LOL, I agree.

 

[dstevod]

Yes. Its not the screen size but the resolution that really matters. A 1920 x 1080 on a 23" vs the 27" is not going to be any harder for your pc to run games. However the thing you will note is that the bigger screen will give you more view area and easier on the eyes. Now, if you start going up in resolution then your pc will have a more difficult time running the same games at the same settings. Generally speaking. For your current system I'd suggest sticking to 1920x1080 res or less.

Personally I prefer 1920x1080 at 23-24". Starts to look a bit blocky on 27" in this age of 'retina' displays.

S

 

[Essence_of_War]

OP, there is a good deal on the dell u2312hm right now on amazon and newegg (if you're buying in the USA).

23'',1920x1080 IPS panel w/ DP+DVI+VGA inputs. TFTcentral's testing indicates that it has almost no input lag. It's a great pick for a sub-$200 monitor.

Note also that amazon has warehouse deals for opened, returned, and repackaged that can save you an additional $10-20.