What to Look for PC in gaming monitor? Need recommendations ...

[dud]

I know this question has been asked many times before but am hoping to get up-to-date info and advice when it comes to buying a new monitor in the next 2 months. I am currently using an old Samsung 930B Synchmaster LCD that I bought 5 years ago ... for $300! I am ready for a change and want more real estate. I use my monitor for light gaming, general surfing and some word processing and CAD work. I've come across the following snipets of information that may/may not be accurate (please advise):

- Larger can be better but pixel pitch increases as screen size does so the picture quality of a 27" monitor may be inferior to that of a 24" monitor. The screen will be larger but assuming the same resoulution (say 1900x1200) the pixels on the 27 will be larger.

- IPS monitors can be considered to be suprior to TN panels in color reproduction and off-axis viewing but may not be as good in gaming.

- TN panels are typically far less expensive than IPS panels of the same general size.

- The general concensus (that I've seen) is that 1900x1200 is a superior and much more preferred screen resolution than 1900x1080 ... even though most larger monitors are 1900x1080.



My first instinct was to go TN and as big as possible over my current 19" display. Asus, Samsung and others make 1900x1200 and 1900x1080 monitors in the 25 to 27" range. I noticed that the pixel pitch increased from about 0.275 to 0.32 as the aperture of the screen I was considering increased. I now am focusing more on something in the 24" range as a happy medium ... significantly larger than my 19" but with a pixel pitch that would provide good clarity. My research has lead me to the following:

Screen size 23-25"
Screen typ: TN
Resolution: 1900x1200 if available
Manufacturer: Unknown

I am also consider what I call a "wildcard" display. Dell has a 27" Planar for $249 with free shipping. Yes, it's big and the pixel pitch is big at 0.3114 and yes, it is 1900x1080 but did I mention that it's big? Three things are holding me back ... it's not from a well known manufacturer, has few reviews and it's 1900x1080.


I will probably go with something in the 24" range with a 1900x1200 resolution if possible. My question is ... am I using correct logic and heading down the right road and what monitor would you recommend?

I'm looking for any all advice that I can get and am hoping that (as the holidays approach and others consider a new monitor) that the advice provided here can be helpful to many.

Please buzz in and be heard. Thanks and I really appreciate it. Thanks ...



Moved from PC Gaming

Anandtech PC Gaming Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[mmntech]

I think it's all very subjective. Go with high contrast ratio and lowest possible response time. Beyond that, its personal oreference IMO. Look at some different models and see what you think looks best. I'd go with more reputable brands. You cant go wrong with Samsung, Acer, Dell, LG, etc.

Some people like the higher vertical real-estate of a 16:10. I think its better for strategy type games while 16:9 is better for more cinematic and racing type games. I use both BTW.

 

[DefDC]

My monitor just conked out, so I didn't spend a LOT of time researching, but this had all the stats I was looking for, plus a TON of positive NewEgg and Amazon reviews.

ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) Built-in Speakers

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-049-_-Product

I love it. The only complaint I could have is with the stand. But, it's not bad and it's replacable.

 

[Rifter]

I like my BenQ E2400HD. would recommend it.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

HP ZR24W is hard to beat in the price range. I got mine from ebay $388 shipped, no sales tax. You get an IPS panel for those great viewing angles. Colors on this thing ROCK. It MUST be calibrated though, so add some money to buy a Spyder or something to do it. I had a Benq FP241W which some may say is the best 24" ever made, this thing is right up there with it. The Benq had slightly better blacks, but my HP is faster. The perfect LCD doesn't exist, so I hope my info helps.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Are there any free software calibration programs that can do the job? I have a 20" monitor now and am considering the HP ZR24W, I just don't want to regret not going bigger than 24". And, is the 7ms response time on the ZR24W too high for FPS gaming?

I wish there was a ZR27W. It'd be perfect for me, and wouldn't cost an arm and a leg like the ZR30W.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Are there any free software calibration programs that can do the job? I have a 20" monitor now and am considering the HP ZR24W, I just don't want to regret not going bigger than 24". And, is the 7ms response time on the ZR24W too high for FPS gaming?

I wish there was a ZR27W. It'd be perfect for me, and wouldn't cost an arm and a leg like the ZR30W.

Windows 7 Ultimate has a built in calibration program. The problem is you are still using your eyes to determine accuracy. I bought a Spyder 3 Express to do mine, its the way to go really. You can get a Huey online for less. I have played BC2, COD and Dirt 2 without issues on mine. The reviews out there list this as slightly faster then the Dell U2410 for gaming.

 

[Nebor]

I have a 28" 1920x1200 monitor that I got about a year ago. If I were to get a new monitor now, it would be that slick Asus 3d-ready one that's 120hz for $400.

 

[Vdubchaos]

There is LOT more 16:9 screens than there is 16:10.

If you have a $200-300 budget and do LIGHT gaming I would just suggest going with 32" LCD TV 720p (they will hit $250s this season).

Heck back when I had my 32" Westy I thought it was awesome for gaming and lower resolution = less stress on Video card etc.

Personally I couldn't sit too close though.....

For desktop I would go with 27" AT MOST. I just seen 27" Asus for about $250 at new egg.

Really can't go wrong with whatever panel you choose, just make sure manufacturer offers 3 year warranty!!!

 

[RaistlinZ]

120hz, IPS, 1920x1200 for $400.00?

 

[Vdubchaos]

120hz means something?

I still don't understand the whole hype in the TV market and now coming down to Monitors.

I have NEVER had response issues with ANY 60hz monitor or TV. So how is 120hz better?

Can someone explain?

 

[dud]

There is LOT more 16:9 screens than there is 16:10.

If you have a $200-300 budget and do LIGHT gaming I would just suggest going with 32" LCD TV 720p (they will hit $250s this season).

Heck back when I had my 32" Westy I thought it was awesome for gaming and lower resolution = less stress on Video card etc.

Personally I couldn't sit too close though.....

For desktop I would go with 27" AT MOST. I just seen 27" Asus for about $250 at new egg.

Really can't go wrong with whatever panel you choose, just make sure manufacturer offers 3 year warranty!!!

Thanks for your advice. I agree with most of it (I'd especially like to know about that 27" Asuss ... I check it out) but I cannot recommend a 32" 720P TV as a monitor. I have a 46" Samsung 1080P TV and have used it as a monitor ... with mixed results. It works reat for viewing web pages but was not-so-good at game playing. I assume that a 720P TV (even as small as a 32") would be worse.

 

[zerocool84]

120hz, IPS, 1920x1200 for $400.00?

No such thing yet.

 

[dangerman1337]

No such thing yet.

I'd be statsified at 1080.

 

[Creig]

(I'd especially like to know about that 27" Asuss ... I check it out)

He might have been referring to the Asus VW266H. It's a 25.5" 1920x1200 TN panel. I just purchased one on Newegg myself a couple of weeks ago. After instant rebate, coupon code, mail in rebate and free shipping, it's going to end up costing me only $225. It's a nice monitor at a very low price and is one of the few 1920x1200 panels still out there.

 

[Ninjahedge]

120 hz really does not matter if your card can't crank out that FPS steady on a game.

What really matters is sync. You will see more tearing, artefacts and othe problems in your monitor if your vid card keeps bouncing from 30fps to 200 depending on what you are looking for.

The smoothest I have had is when the monitor and card are sync'd. I am not sure there are many ways to do that though. (I believe I did that in a test cinematic).

The only thing that 60 has a problem with is in a room with flourescent lighting. You can get flicker when it is slightly out of sync with the lighting that can cause nausea. It is not really that bad with LCD's (not as bad as CRT's were) but still...

Most of the places I have seen recommend 75hz as an optimal frequency for refresh rate. If your monitor has a good way of resolving odd-frames out (say 40fps on a 75Hz screen) then don't worry about anything.

Otherwise you may have some problems (I will have to look this up myself for the specifics...)


Guys, let me know if I am too far off on any of this. I would like to get a better screen soon too, but the dual 16x12 dells I have now are just fine for most of what I do and play....

 

[dud]

He might have been referring to the Asus VW266H. It's a 25.5" 1920x1200 TN panel. I just purchased one on Newegg myself a couple of weeks ago. After instant rebate, coupon code, mail in rebate and free shipping, it's going to end up costing me only $225. It's a nice monitor at a very low price and is one of the few 1920x1200 panels still out there.

Thanks, that's what I was looking for.

 

[nOOky]

He might have been referring to the Asus VW266H. It's a 25.5" 1920x1200 TN panel. I just purchased one on Newegg myself a couple of weeks ago. After instant rebate, coupon code, mail in rebate and free shipping, it's going to end up costing me only $225. It's a nice monitor at a very low price and is one of the few 1920x1200 panels still out there.

I second this choice. Not the best choice for those who need accurate colors. But for gaming and most other stuff it rocks. It's big, bright, and great for games.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Thanks for your advice. I agree with most of it (I'd especially like to know about that 27" Asuss ... I check it out) but I cannot recommend a 32" 720P TV as a monitor. I have a 46" Samsung 1080P TV and have used it as a monitor ... with mixed results. It works reat for viewing web pages but was not-so-good at game playing. I assume that a 720P TV (even as small as a 32") would be worse.

Weird, my 40" Samsung 1080p is great.

the trick is to get it to kick into the resolution. At first I was getting side bars etc.

The trick to getting TV to recognize right resolution is to set the Source in the settings to say PC. If you don't relabel that particular HDMI output to PC....it will never display in right resolution.

MANY TVs have this issue and SOME you can't even get it to 1900x1080 (Sharp for example, PS I only tried the model from 2 years ago)

Back to 32" subject, my Westy was great. 32" TVs usually use IPS panels as well (not TN) so color is LOT better and also has MUCh greater viewing angles (my westy was REALLY nice).