monitors anyone?

[terratoma]

Couldn't find a specific department for my monitor questions but "graphics" was the closest I could find. If these questions are not appropriate for this forum, please redirect me.
In shopping for a monitor, I knew I wanted at least a 23" with a resolution of 1920x1080 for games (flight simulator X;want to try my hand at left4dead, batman, etc.). Checked out the specs for a few monitors and entered an unknown world! Contrast ratio, dynamic ratio, pixel pitch, brightness, response time, twisted nematic (panel type?), etc. After a bit of digging I found out what each of these terms meant and how they were measured. And while I'm sure that all these factors are important (at least their ads say so! lol), some must be much more important than others. For example, am I going to notice the difference between a response time of 5 m/s versus 2 m/s? Can you tell me which are the specs you want to key on when deciding on a monitor?
I appreciate any and all responses.

 

[blanketyblank]

Since this is just for playing games just consider price, size, and resolution. Pixel pitch is just a function of the size and the resolution. The rest of that stuff is basically marketing fluff since most likely you'll be getting a TN (twisted neumatic) panel which will have a fast enough response time anyways about 5ms. If you want to play 3d games then you would look at frequency as well since 3d monitors will do 120 hz refresh.


If you are willing to pay more, and the monitor you will be getting is going to be used in some kind of graphics design capacity (i.e. photoshop) then you should look at IPS or VA type monitors. Here is where the contrast ratio and color accuracy start making a difference between panels, but just remember that all these numbers are fairly meaningless since there's no real standard.

So long story short ignore the numbers beyond size, resolution, price, and panel type (if you can find it). Then look for reviews of the specific models you are considering.

 

[Yuriman]

IPS > VA > TN


Screens with a "178 degree" viewing angle will be IPS or (M/P)VA, those with less are TN panels.


There are specialty panels that use LED backlighting or have higher refresh rates, but otherwise there isn't too much difference except between panel type.

Response times below 16ms are fairly meaningless, since 60hz panels only update the screen every 16.66ms (1000ms / 60 fps).

How much are you willing to spend?

 

[blanketyblank]

IPS > VA > TN


Screens with a "178 degree" viewing angle will be IPS or (M/P)VA, those with less are TN panels.


There are specialty panels that use LED backlighting or have higher refresh rates, but otherwise there isn't too much difference except between panel type.

Response times below 16ms are fairly meaningless, since 60hz panels only update the screen every 16.66ms (1000ms / 60 fps).

How much are you willing to spend?

You are confusing response time with refresh rate. Response time is basically a measure of how fast a pixel can change from one state to another. It's important because of problems like ghosting which occurs because the pixel hasn't changed fast enough causing you to see it in the old state for longer than necessary. If a monitor had a response time of 16ms you woudl have a very horrible delay since the pixels would be all out of sync with each other by each refresh. However as I said there is no standard in measurement so listed response times can be misleading. Also it should be noted that the different panel types act differently so reported response time on an IPS is actually faster than a TN with the same reported response time.

 

[terratoma]

blanketyblank and Yuriman,
Thank you both for your information. Had never heard of in-plane switching or vertical alignment, but good old google rescued me! And it's perfectly understandable that monitors providing better viewing angles and color reproduction can command a higher price. Am willing to spend whatever it takes to provide excellent gaming visuals but, at the same time, don't want to waste money on bells and whistles that I either won't need, can't use or that don't make an appreciable difference. (Does that make any sense?)
Have researched some of the monitors offered by Dell and Hewlett-Packard, since I'll probably buy a computer from one or the other. (Can't build, and computer gaming companies offerings seem to be outrageously priced. At any rate, have been advised that, for playing the particular games that I do, an off-the-shelf computer might be the best and safest.)
But there has to be other reputable and proven brands available. Feel free to provide some needed guidance!

 

[blanketyblank]

blanketyblank and Yuriman,
Thank you both for your information. Had never heard of in-plane switching or vertical alignment, but good old google rescued me! And it's perfectly understandable that monitors providing better viewing angles and color reproduction can command a higher price. Am willing to spend whatever it takes to provide excellent gaming visuals but, at the same time, don't want to waste money on bells and whistles that I either won't need, can't use or that don't make an appreciable difference. (Does that make any sense?)
Have researched some of the monitors offered by Dell and Hewlett-Packard, since I'll probably buy a computer from one or the other. (Can't build, and computer gaming companies offerings seem to be outrageously priced. At any rate, have been advised that, for playing the particular games that I do, an off-the-shelf computer might be the best and safest.)
But there has to be other reputable and proven brands available. Feel free to provide some needed guidance!

I think both Dell and HP offer gaming computers now, but you won't necessarily get the best price on the monitor through a combo deal. If your budget is not limited I'd highly suggest spending that little extra for an IPS of VA based panel since the color accuracy is worth it in my opinion. On my brother's 24" TN (gateway) puzzle quest is a very bad experience since the yellow and green pieces look almost identical if you're not directly on center (which is quite often with large screens like this).

 

[kmmatney]

IPS > VA > TN


Screens with a "178 degree" viewing angle will be IPS or (M/P)VA, those with less are TN panels.


There are specialty panels that use LED backlighting or have higher refresh rates, but otherwise there isn't too much difference except between panel type.

Response times below 16ms are fairly meaningless, since 60hz panels only update the screen every 16.66ms (1000ms / 60 fps).

How much are you willing to spend?

I haven't used an IPS display for an extended period of time, but I do have e-IPS and an MVA display side by side, and to me the MVA is better. The eIPS display I have is the NEC model, while my MVA is the Soyo Topaz. I would still recommend both over TN panels, especially for games with dark scenes.

 

[SmCaudata]

The LED backlit panels from Dell and Samsung are TN panels that rival IPS/PVA displays in all aspects except viewing angle, and they are much cheaper. Before I bought my display (ultimately got an IPS 24") I looked hard at the LED backlit displays. If I watched more movies on my computer I would have gone in that direction.