Need help on deciding between LCD TV or monitor for gaming

Gepidae

Member
Jun 7, 2006
155
0
0
Hi guys,

So I've been racking my brains out trying to figure out if I should get a ~42'' LCD TV or say a 25-27'' monitor for gaming. I will mostly be using it for gaming with the occasional movie and actual tv watching, lol.

My budget is $850 tops and I figured that if I do get TV then I would have to rearrange my whole room to get a comfortable viewing distance. As of right now I'm 1.5 ft away from my monitor (22''). I don't like to wear glasses so I tend to sit closer.

If anyone can tell me why they would go with one or the other, it would be helpful. I am in no particular rush to buy immediately but would like to get either or soon.

Thanks
 

blanketyblank

Golden Member
Jan 23, 2007
1,149
0
0
25-27" monitor would probably be a TN panel unless you bought an expensive Dell 27".
The main disadvantage of the TN panel for your would be the viewing angles so if you're not dead center when watching a movie or gaming the image will look off. The Dell probably isn't good for you either though it's a SIP since your video card is a 4850 and wouldn't be good for games since the resolution is too high.

A 42" LCD is most likely going to be a PVA panel (though there are some TNs and SIPS), and will be much better for movie viewing. Depending on your eyes you might notice ghosting, and the large size changes where you have to sit. You might also consider getting a 42" plasma since it really only uses a little more power than a LCD, but has a lot of benefits in terms of speed and color (especially a kuro).

I use a 42" plasma for gaming, and it's great.
 

udib

Junior Member
May 4, 2010
3
0
0
The dell u2711 is THE best 27" monitor out there right now. If your looking for something a little smaller like a 23", I would suggest either the 2233rz(which is meant for 3d gaming and you won't get a better fps gaming experience unless your frames stay above 120fps) or my current monitor which is the xl2370. It is amazing, I love it. The resolution, the size, everything is perfect. 16:9 takes a little getting used to coming from 16:10, but once you get used to it, you won't even know the difference.

if you want to check other options i suggest u read this thread: Best 27-Inch to 30-inch LCD Monitors
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,886
0
76
TV. I game/nef/movie watch on a 52" DLP on my desk



NO REGRETS
 

MrK6

Diamond Member
Aug 9, 2004
4,458
4
81
The dell u2711 is THE best 27" monitor out there right now. If your looking for something a little smaller like a 23", I would suggest either the 2233rz(which is meant for 3d gaming and you won't get a better fps gaming experience unless your frames stay above 120fps) or my current monitor which is the xl2370. It is amazing, I love it. The resolution, the size, everything is perfect. 16:9 takes a little getting used to coming from 16:10, but once you get used to it, you won't even know the difference.

if you want to check other options i suggest u read this thread: Best 27-Inch to 30-inch LCD Monitors
I don't think that author considered the 3007WFP-HC - 30" @ 2560x1600 and zippo lag input (no scaler) make one hell of a gaming monitor. Anyway, I'll vouch for the U2711 or the 3007/3008WFP. IMO, nothing beats high resolution gaming. You can add Eyefinity, 3D, high refresh rates, whatever you fancy, but until you've sat down in front of a 30", with every texture and polygon crystal clear and models in almost life-like proportions, you haven't experienced gaming :awe:. Unfortunately, there's a heavy entry fee for the experience, not just in the cost of the monitor, but also in the GPU horsepower to run it. For $850, I would wait for a deal or coupon on the U2711 or a 30", or wait for them to pop up in the Dell Outlet at a decent price. I just got my friend a U2711 from the outlet for $840 shipped about a month ago and it was NIB.

If you like big and don't mind sacrificing resolution, an HDTV might suit your fancy. And in the reverse, if you don't mind sacrificing some size, a nice 24" might be worth it too. I'd suggest going to a couple of stores and checking out monitors, especially for size and dot pitch comparisons (actually use the monitors for a bit to get a feel). Remember that most stores have the LCD's hooked up to VGA and the images will looks like crap though, so don't take it for everything.
 

Gepidae

Member
Jun 7, 2006
155
0
0
I don't think that author considered the 3007WFP-HC - 30" @ 2560x1600 and zippo lag input (no scaler) make one hell of a gaming monitor. Anyway, I'll vouch for the U2711 or the 3007/3008WFP. IMO, nothing beats high resolution gaming. You can add Eyefinity, 3D, high refresh rates, whatever you fancy, but until you've sat down in front of a 30", with every texture and polygon crystal clear and models in almost life-like proportions, you haven't experienced gaming :awe:. Unfortunately, there's a heavy entry fee for the experience, not just in the cost of the monitor, but also in the GPU horsepower to run it. For $850, I would wait for a deal or coupon on the U2711 or a 30", or wait for them to pop up in the Dell Outlet at a decent price. I just got my friend a U2711 from the outlet for $840 shipped about a month ago and it was NIB.

If you like big and don't mind sacrificing resolution, an HDTV might suit your fancy. And in the reverse, if you don't mind sacrificing some size, a nice 24" might be worth it too. I'd suggest going to a couple of stores and checking out monitors, especially for size and dot pitch comparisons (actually use the monitors for a bit to get a feel). Remember that most stores have the LCD's hooked up to VGA and the images will looks like crap though, so don't take it for everything.

Thanks for the advice guys. The U2711 does look beautiful and yes I guess I would have to wait for coupons or till it drops to my price range. I was planning to upgrade to the 5850 but Im still on the fence about that since Im not sure my 4850 will be able to run the higher res.

I don't want anything smaller than a 25.5'' though since I already own a 22'', albeit not a 1080p lol.

Just to add some more detail, I will be sitting in dead center in front of the tv/monitor so viewing angle isnt really a problem.

Just checked out CNET's review for the 2008WFP, it wasn't too positive.
 
Last edited:

shangshang

Senior member
May 17, 2008
830
0
0
if you're sitting dead center, then a TN-based HannsG is a bang-for-the-buck.
I've found that when I'm gaming, I don't pay attention to the color differences between an IPS, PVA, or TN panels. It's only when I'm looking at photos that when I want an IPS panel.
 

Gepidae

Member
Jun 7, 2006
155
0
0
if you're sitting dead center, then a TN-based HannsG is a bang-for-the-buck.
I've found that when I'm gaming, I don't pay attention to the color differences between an IPS, PVA, or TN panels. It's only when I'm looking at photos that when I want an IPS panel.

Hm the HannsG is a 2008 model, is it still worth looking into?
 

blanketyblank

Golden Member
Jan 23, 2007
1,149
0
0
Depends how much it costs. If you're going for TN panels I'd start looking at price first then use review sites to check if there are any problems with that panel. If there are it's usually related to input lag.
 

tweakboy

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2010
9,517
2
81
www.hammiestudios.com
Well a PC monitor LCD new generation is 1400 bucks for a 24 or 27 inch.

A TV thats 46 inches costs 1000 dollars from frys actually,, Sony....

So yes right now your better off getting the TV with pc mon connection..... gl
 

tweakboy

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2010
9,517
2
81
www.hammiestudios.com
You want to make sure about this is 120hz , cuz if its 60hz , You have no business buying it hehe, Wait til the prices come down and stuff comes out,, get a nice LCD 120hz 27 inch 2550 resolution,, yummy,,
 

swilli89

Golden Member
Mar 23, 2010
1,558
1,181
136
If you were strictly gaming, then I'd say yeah go with a 25+ inch monitor
However since you are watching movies/TV on it there is no arguement, get a plasma.

Go with a Panasonic tcp50s1.

Plasma murders LCD unless your in an insanely brightly lit viewing location such as best buy. Who has 1500 HID ceiling lamps in their home? Ha..

If you have company or say a date come home with you and you want to watch a movie, sharing the computer chair is a lot less attractive of an option compared to being able to sit further away from the desk such as on a couch or bed.
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
5,664
2
76
I'm in the same boat. I have a 22" 1680x1050, and i've been bouncing back and forth between a 32" LCD TV and a large LCD monitor. I think i'm going with the 28" HannsG. Good experience with them in the past, and it's a pretty good deal. and i like the 1920x1200 rez. plus i won't have to completely rearrange my workspace to fit the 28". :p
 

Gepidae

Member
Jun 7, 2006
155
0
0
If you were strictly gaming, then I'd say yeah go with a 25+ inch monitor
However since you are watching movies/TV on it there is no arguement, get a plasma.

Go with a Panasonic tcp50s1.

Plasma murders LCD unless your in an insanely brightly lit viewing location such as best buy. Who has 1500 HID ceiling lamps in their home? Ha..

If you have company or say a date come home with you and you want to watch a movie, sharing the computer chair is a lot less attractive of an option compared to being able to sit further away from the desk such as on a couch or bed.

The Panasonic is out of my price range. I might consider looking into other plasmas though. I think Ill get that Spectre from costco and just return it at a later time when prices drop further later on in the year.
 

tweakboy

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2010
9,517
2
81
www.hammiestudios.com
Go with the TV, cuz ull get 120hz

on a pc monitor you get 60hz and on old hdtv you get 60hz


but now basically almost every TV has 120hz or even 240hz


nice Sony Bravia XLR 46 inches 240hz refresh and some cake with it too