Cheap 19" LCD or Better Quality 17"?

Cydrid

Junior Member
Nov 13, 2005
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Alright, I've searched around, and I can't find too much info on good LCD monitors(Yes, I used the search feature but most of the info on 19" are way out of my budget.). I'm looking for something below $300, though if I must, I can probably go as high as $350. I don't know if I should go with a low price range 19", or a 17" that's more midrange. I want something with little to no ghosting since I'll mainly be playing games on it. Any comments or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
 

Unkno

Golden Member
Jun 16, 2005
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not sure about the pricing in US but try searching on some shops for Samsung 913T / 930B abd Hyundai L90D+



If these are out of your price range, get the Samsung 730B
 

dingetje

Member
Nov 12, 2005
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i would go for the better 17 inch...both types have 1280x1024 as native resolution anyway ....for that resolution the 17 is pretty much the most balanced as far as pixelsize goes...pixels just get bigger on the 19 inch ones.....unless you are gonna run it primarily on 1600x1200 i would definately go for the 17 inch quality screen...moreover if you are planning on the higher resolutions i would get me a 20 inch or bigger with higher than 1280 native resolution

anyway, the screens with fast va panels (tn panels suck regarding colors and viewing angels) are the best allround screens eg samsung 770p , samsung 173p+ (if u can live with osd in software)

770p review here :
www.behardware.com/articles/594-1/samsung-syncmaster-770p-pva-6ms-1500-1.html

the va screens r prolly above your budget though...if u settle for any fast tn panel u could get the samsung 730bf or maybe benq fp71v or benq fp71gx
 

Eureka

Diamond Member
Sep 6, 2005
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915N... very nice monitor, a bit bright and uses an analog connection. I still recommend it.

Norm
 

Keeir

Member
Jun 7, 2005
138
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Given that your going to stare at it for hours on end.. I would get a nicer 17" monitor then a cheap 19"

I would also recommend trying to find one with DVI since thats the natural input for LCD, although I can't think of a good 17 for less than 300

maybe?

ViewSonic VP730b 17" 8Ms

If this uses a similar panel to the Viewsonic 930B, then its pretty good, has DVI and a nice stand...
 

Cydrid

Junior Member
Nov 13, 2005
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Ah, just noticed that the 915N isn't DVI. How big of a difference is there between DVI and Analog?
 

Keeir

Member
Jun 7, 2005
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The difference between DVI and Analog vary from monitor to monitor

However, no matter how good the convertors, converting Digital --> Analog --> Digital will result in signal degragation.

I think Samsung uses fair high quality parts in thier monitors in general, so if you aren't sensitive the lack of DVI wouldn't bother you. Personally, I wouldn't get a monitor without a DVI contection, if only to be able to connect two sources to the monitor at once.


Also, don't underestimate the importance of a good stand. The Samsung 915 is a nice fast monitor with a good price. But the 915 also uses a TN panel. TN panels generally have very poor viewing angles which makes the ability to adjust them easily even more important.

A side note, TN panels also have two other limitations. They are typically only 6-bit, which generally results in less colors. The panel is cable of displaying significantly less color, but through the majic of dithering is able to approach the display of 8-bit panels. TN panels also have fairly poor black levels in comparison to a PVA or MVA panel type. Although no LCD approaches CRT quality in this area, the difference between say 0.3 black and 0.5 black is very important in dark games.


The Samsung 915 is a good monitor, but only if the inherit limitations are acceptable.