How big of a monitor is too big?

[brandonb]

From what you are saying here, it looks like all that they really do is give you a greater viewing angle... If thats true, why would they ever be needed? Its not like more than one person is normally looking at my monitor...

The biggest advantage of IPS is that it gives you 8 bit color. When running in 32 bit mode on a computer, that means there is a 1:1 mapping between what the video card is sending to the screen and what is being displayed. 8 bit means you have 256 variations of a shade. (Grey scale will truely be grey scale). TN panels are 6 bit, or 64 variations of a shade. So that means if a color is 128, 129, 130, 131, being sent from the video card it's going to have the same color on an TN panel, while IPS will display a different shade. TN panels will dither the colors between the shades, and will "swim". If you look very close to your screen with a TN panel and look at the pixels around it, you will see that the pixels are always shifting colors. It also creates banding between the colors.

http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/gradient.php#gradient-h.png

See that page for what I'm talking about. On my monitor here at work, if I look at the gradient closely (about 6 inches away from the screen) you will see that is always flickering (swimming) but from farther away it looks normal. The swmming can cause eye strain.

Not only that but the colors on IPS are more vibrant. The reds are redder, the blues are bluer, on TN panels it looks like things are dirty like there is a slight film of grey on the entire screen which reduces the vibrance of the colors.

I bought an IPS TV at home, and it looks so much better than my 27" TN panel, I'm now considering buying a 24" IPS and downgrade on the size to get a better color reproduction.

FYI: As others have said, since IPS is displaying all 8 bits, the monitor takes longer to transition from color 255 to 0, while TN panels go from 63 to 0, which cause them to be a bit more laggy.

 

[rothchilds]

http://www.amazon.com/I-Inc-iH-282HP...7295197&sr=8-1

that is the best purchase I have made in a long time. For websurfing/gaming, it rocks. I replaced a 24" HP and it is noticeably bigger. I sit about 2 1/2 feet away from it.

 

[Phynaz]

It's too big if you can't fit it through the door.

 

[sticks435]

I went from a 20" Dell IPS to a 25.5" Asus TN. Love the size increase, but just can't get used to it. Maybe it's because my computer desk is to high, but text at the top of the screen is jagged and blurry as hell, and only a little better further down. I set about 2.5' away. I'm seriosly thinking of trying to return it, or sell it and going with the deal on the U2410 for $450.

 

[Illyusha]

We're creatures of habit and adaptation, you can't go too big.

 

[Lazarus52980]

Ok, I decided over the weekend that I really wanted to get a 120 Hz monitor that will work for 3D. However, I also wanted to upgrade size as was mentioned in this thread, but was unable to find any 24" 120 Hz monitors. Do they exist and I just can't find them?

 

[dpodblood]

Most 120Hz monitors at this point are 23" (which is pretty close anyway), but I'm sure this will be changing in the near future and we will start seeing larger screens. OP I am in a similar situation as you, currently on a 20" viewsonic and looking to upgrade. I sit about 2.5' away. I'm currently looking into ASUS 23.6" and 27" models. Some people say there's no such thing as to big, but I think I would have a hard time adjusting to 27" at only 2.5' away.

 

[Anomaly1964]

At this point I am about 90% sure I will be going Dell 30" with a second 570...

I just think the bezels in surround gaming will bother me, I'd have to get a new desk just to SIT the three monitors on.

 

[dpodblood]

At this point I am about 90% sure I will be going Dell 30" with a second 570...

I just think the bezels in surround gaming will bother me, I'd have to get a new desk just to SIT the three monitors on.

Off topic, but I think you are over estimating the effect the bezels will have on your experience. It's akin to the blind spot in your car. Sure there may be a small area where you can't see, but does that mean you should just drive around with your side windows blacked out? I don't think so. Either way you will need 2 cards whether you go with 3x1080p eyefinity, or a 30" dell.

 

[jibberegg]

A lot of this is down to personal preference (and age of eyes apparently *nods head at brencat*). But for my two pence worth, the HP ZR24w is a beautiful monitor. The differences between TN and IPS monitors have been discusses above but I really do recommend the IPS if you have a few extra $$ to spare. If the budget's tight though, drop it back to a TN panel.

With the 16:10 v 16:9 (1920x1200 v 1920x1080) the extra cost of the 1920x1200 screen will be well worth it if you intend on having two documents/web pages side by side. Again, budget permitting obviously.

Good luck with the research!

Source:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13557_na/13557_na.PDF

 

[artvscommerce]

I use PC's connected to a 23" 120HZ LCD, 32" 1080P LCD, and a 110" screen with my DLP projector (@720P) and the 23" is my favorite for gaming, simply because I can see the detail more easily. I like the 32" and the 110" better for casual web browsing though.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Sigh...this never ends.

So if you want to play Crysis 1 with every setting as high as it goes and you have say (2) GTX 570 OC, what monitor size and type will give you the BEST picture ?

 

[dpodblood]

Depends on what you mean by "best picture." 30" dell will have more resolution in a single screen, while 3x1080p screens will give you a lot more vertical resolution. Either way you will be looking at a sharp image. That being said Crysis will run better (higher framerate) on a single screen.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Depends on what you mean by "best picture." 30" dell will have more resolution in a single screen, while 3x1080p screens will give you a lot more vertical resolution. Either way you will be looking at a sharp image. That being said Crysis will run better (higher framerate) on a single screen.

THAT's what I wanted to hear...thanks dude!

 

[cocoreno]

My main system has two 30" monitors in portrait, side-by-side.

My ideal monitor would be a single, extremely landscape-y panel. In the meantime I'm waiting for a vendor to break the 30", 2560x1600 (or above) format.

So, go 30". Unless you have one of those mini computer desks, you won't regret it.