Need multipurpose monitor <$300

[emtilt]

Sadly, there's very little in the way of professional monitor reviews out there. So I'm hoping y'all can help.

I need a monitor. It'll be used in a two-display setup along with an old Samsung Syncmaster 215tw and a XFX Radeon HD 6850 video card. It needs to be 20-23 inches and have 1920x1080 resolution or higher. I know my budget (~$300) is low, so I won't get anything that's perfect or even great - that's ok. But I don't know the best way to balance the tradeoffs, such as the poor color quality of TN screens and the poor response times of low end other types.

I'll be using this for a variety of purposes, and want to find one that's acceptable for all. I game a little, but not very heavily or seriously. I do a great deal of office type work, and I dabble in graphics/multimedia. I watch some HD video.

Which models should I be looking at? Is there any sort of comprehensive monitor review source out there?

 

[fralexandr]

looks like a cheap ips monitor would fit
IPS panels are generally considered the best multipurpose monitor type
(assuming you live in the US and get taxed on internet purchases, otherwise you'll probably want to run some searches)

Asus ML239H 23" 1080p LED IPS $210
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236122
this one's pretty new, I might've bought it had i not already purchased an IPS monitor. has a thick bottom bezel which detracts from its prettiness/visual appeal also the bezel seems to be glossy so it'll probably pick up fingerprints

HP ZR22W 22" 1080p CCFL UH-IPS $255
http://www.amazon.com/HP-ZR22w-21-5-.../dp/B003D1CFHY
bought this one, it's been performing admirably

Dell U2211H 22" 1080p CCFL e-IPS $230
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&amp;sku=320-9271
might have purchased this one if there wasn't a shipping queue at the time (the U2311H had an even longer queue at the time, and I would have preferred the extra 1")

the dell U2311H and the NEC EA231WMI don't seem to be cheap atm but might still be in your budget

i believe that some people prefer CCFL backlit panels due to color accuracy, but LED backlit panels use less power (~10 watts when properly calibrated, probably not important) and last longer (backlights tend to lose brightness over time)

as with most monitor purchases YMMV as the same model may or may not come with pixel issues, backlight bleed, or various other quality issues. Though I can't really comment on the frequency of defects as I've never purchased a monitor that had noticeable (to me) issues

some review sites
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews.htm
http://www.flatpanelshd.com/focus.php?subaction=showfull&id=1229341472
this one has TVs also, the computer monitors are further down

just remembered the LG that just came out and was cheap
LG IPS226V 22" 1080p LED IPS $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824005230
LG IPS236V 23" 1080p LED IPS $220
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/LG+-+IPS+Series+23"+LED+Monitor/2031077.p?id=1218306466603&skuId=2031077