Need LCD recommendations!

[Def]

I'm currently in the market for an LCD and I know a little bit about what specs are "good" like having a contrast ratio of at least 300:1, large viewing angle, and a fast pixel response time(this seems to be the big one). Yet picking out an LCD seems more overwhelming than a good CRT monitor just due to the large price disparity in a single size of monitor, and the huge differences in specs(or fudging of specs by manufacturers).

Here are what I mainly use my computer for:
1. 90-95% 2D use. Text clarity is very important. Color saturation and "trueness" is also important(i.e. I don't want my red to be orange or pink).
2. 10-5% light 3D use. No FPS games, mainly strategy games, but again - this is a very minor part of my computer usage, so I would definitely live with substandard gaming performance for a better 2D monitor.


I've used some LCDs before, and my biggest problem with them was ghosting while dragging objects and scrolling. I understand that a fast response time will remedy this, so I guess that is a very important thing.

I'd prefer to have at least a 17" screen, and my budget is ~$600-700. Would definitely like to be cheaper rather than more expensive though.

I also plan to get a video card with DVI in the future, so that's how I'll be outputting to the LCD.



Thanks for any recommendations/advice guys!


Defster

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Eizo L565

 

[lozina]

ViewSonic's VG175

seen em as low as $650

EDIT: woah just realized it dosen't have DVI input.... that's odd.

 

[Def]

I couldn't really find anyplace that sells that LCD in the US. Got any links to stores that would have it for sale.


What do you think of this Sony?

Sony 18" TFT LCD monitor SDM-S81/B

Detailed Specs of SDM-S81/B

The only thing about that monitor is that the brightness is only 200cd/m^2


Or these Samsung monitors:

Samsung 171S

Specs for 171S


Samsung 191T

Specs for 191T



The Samsungs seem to have better specs than both the Sony and the Eizo you suggested, and the 17incher Samsung looks like the cheapest one out of these. The 19 incher is probably a little out of my budget, but hey, a computer geek can dream eh?

 

[Eman1]

Def,

I just bought the Dell 1900fp which is the samsung 191t (basically). I love it. Dell is currently running a 20% discount and there is a dell $30 coupon floating around. I got mine for $695. Same specs as the samsung 191t.

I did a lot of research before buying. Here are the few I considered:

Samsung 191t - approx. $775
The Planar 19" 191M - $800
Samsung 171p - Approx $750
* Hitachi 174b - $630 (response of 16ms)
----------- http://compare.monitorsdirect.com/shopping_tools/cmpmonitor.jsp?sku1=PL170M-WH&sku2=CML174B

Regarding your question about the 18" Sony, I'd pass on that one. It looks like it is only analog and has no DVI option. Stick with DVI and you'll be happier. (note that your video card will need to have a DVI output option. If not, its worth it to get one that does.)

Good Luck