OMG! Help me, I can't decide!

[meson2000]

I am finally going to cross over to the LCD world and leave my CRT behind. I have narrowed my choices down to two LCD monitors. Both are 20.1" Both are available at Newegg.com. I want to get a 20" LCD based on the LG.Phillips panel that the Dell 2001FP is based on because I am a gamer and I have read here at Anandtech that this panel is the best for gaming. These are the two I am looking at:

LG Flatron L2013P

LG Flatron

Viewsonic VP201B

Viewsonic

I assume that the LG display is based on the same panel that the Dell 2001FP uses. (Since it is made by LG.Phillips) I don't know what panel the Viewsonic uses but I have read a couple good reviews on this display and the Newegg user reviews are pretty good for this monitor too. For what its worth, both monitors are listed as being 16ms.

Has anyone here used either one of these LCDs?? Which one do you think is better? I want to purchase in the next few days. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[meson2000]

Sorry for the quick bump, but I wanted to make sure that this post got seperated from my other blank post I messed up on.

 

[meson2000]

Well, judging from the lack of responses, it appears that no one in all of the Anandtech readers have used either of these two monitors. In that case, what is the best 20" LCD for gaming? I don't want to get a Dell monitor though. Call me a stubborn AMD user.....

Thanks!

 

[imported_Kensai]

Dell is *the* only way to go for gaming monitors. Their 2001fp is the best of the best.

 

[kmmatney]

I think in the 20.1" category, most people have Dell monitors. Both the 2001FP and 2005FPW are cheaper than the links you have, if you just go to Dells website - no coupons needed. The Dells have 16 ms response times. I've used them both and they are both great monitors.

 

[Cheesetogo]

You have to be crazy not to buy the 2001fp because dell uses intel over amd. The 2001fp drops to 400 during sales, that's about 200 dollars less than what newegg wants for those monitors.

 

[IamTHEsnake]

I don't know much about the Dell monitors, but doesn't the 16ms response time contradict their title of "gaming monitors"?

 

[IamTHEsnake]

 

[T9D]

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod...n&cs=19&category_id=2999&page=external

$561 and that includes shipping and you dont have to deal with the mail in rebate crap.

 

[imported_jzimo]

Im thinking of buying a Dell UltraSharp 2005FPW. I can get it at dell for $436 and from anandtech's reviews this moniter is awesome.

 

[meson2000]

grrr... maybe you all are right. I was hoping to not get the Dell, but I don't want to sacrifice quality for pride. But if I find another monitor that is based on the same panel by LG.Phillips, wont the performance be the same?? Thanks again.

 

[Addy]

The VP201B uses the same panel as the 2001 and the LG. I had the Viewsonic for a bit, cost $819 at the time. Looked very nice except I wasn?t happy with how games looked when the screen was dark, looked very washed out to me.

I returned it and got the Dell 2005fpw, it has a 600:1 contrast ratio vs. 400:1 and looks much better in regards to the darkness/contrast issue. Plus it cost me $300 less at the time. Anyways I know you are not looking for a widescreen but thought I?d throw in my $.02.

 

[meson2000]

I wouldn't mind a wide screen. Its just I play a lot of games and I am worried that most games won't support the wide screen resolution. If a game doesn't support the wide screen resolution, what happens? Does it streach the game screen wider to fit the screen and look like crap? or does it just put black bars on the right and left kinda like an HDTV looking at a standard definition broadcast? Thanks everyone for all the input!

 

[HDTVMan]

I really dont think 16ms panels cut it for gaming. 12ms just squeeks in but 8ms seals the deal for me.

 

[Addy]

meson2000-
You can do either, scale/stretch which I don?t care for or have black bars. Widescreen support is pretty good these days, one notable exception is Battelfield2. I set a custom resolution for that of 1400x1050 (native res of the panel 1680x1050) so it uses the entire vertical and maintains a 4:3 ratio.

 

[meson2000]

Thanks addy! So you definetly like the 2005FPW over the 2001?

 

[Drostie]

Get a 17" and save money.

 

[meson2000]

LOL Drostie. I have a 21" SONY CRT, I don't want to go down to 17". I am just ready to switch over to LCD. I have used LCDs before and they are much easier on my eyes. That is why I want to switch. I am just trying to figure out which LCD to get..... Anyone else use the 2005FPW from Dell??

 

[sodcha0s]

Well, a 19" LCD should have about the same viewing area as a 21" CRT. You will actually have a 19" viewable area.... That will save you some $$$

 

[meson2000]

I thought about a 19" LCD. But this is an LCD that I plan on keeping for a long time. (I have had my current monitor for 4 years) I don't want to downsize just to save $200. Because when you spread $200 over 4 years, its really not that much extra to spend.

 

[meson2000]

I can't decide between the 2001FP or the 2005FPW 20" Dell. I have had both in my cart ready to order. I like the 2005 because it has a newer panel in it and has a better contrast ratio than the 2001. However, I am not sure if I will like the widescreen of the 2005 and might want to just stick with the 4:3 ratio of the 2001. However, the 2001 is almost a 2 year old LCD. Is it still the best?

 

[Chesebert]

wide screen will really take your breath away. 2005 or2405 is the way to go.

 

[meson2000]

Well, I pulled the trigger. I got the 2005FPW. It should be here tomorrow. I better like it since I sold my soul to Dull......

 

[Icepick]

Hey meson, how about a review on what you think of your new toy? I'm in the market too and am not sure about the 2005FPW. If you could try out some FPS like Half Life 2 or Counterstrike Source and report in that would rock!

 

[meson2000]

Sure, I can throw something together icepik. Hey, does anyone know if this LCD comes with a DVI cable? The LCD has been delievered, but if it doesn't come with a DVI cable I want to pick one up on the way home from work. Let me know ASAP please! Thanks.