Originally posted by: Sokratz
I love your nick but the Socratic Method really doesn't suit itself so well to LCD recommendations.
Trying to catch up to the lingo in the LCD area is proving quite difficult. I'm still sitting on a 19" PF790 that I've had for years and would like to upgrade to something a bit more fancy. I have about a 500-700 budget. I game, but not too many fast FPS's. Unfotunately I do do a lot of office work (constant RDP sessions) so something that's nice to look at for hours on end is a necessity. I also just ordered a new setup with a 8800GTS (640MB) and I'd like to put it to good use. Any suggestions? Are there any late model monitor roundups that I can take a look at?
Thanks much,
Sokratz
The NEC 20WMGX2 (20" wide) is ever so conveniently placed within the 500-700 range. As for looking at text for long periods of time, it may not be the
best choice, but it is certainly the best for everything overall. The 20WMGX2 is definitely better when calibrated for text use. However, uncalibrated, standard DV mode and ADVM on (you'll know what I mean when you get the LCD), the LCD shows text in a fairly decent light. Although there may be another LCD in the range slightly better for prolonged text use, the NEC is undoubtedly better as an overall LCD (especially for putting GPUs to use). Therefore, here the choice is easy.
If the reflections on the NEC's glossy screen are a problem for you, then the Samsung 215TW (21" w) is a good alternative (just note the frequency-discussed and condemned input lag). Input lag is a debatable thing I can't comment on. We don't even know if the sheer effects are just psychological, even though there is an actual delay due to a buffer chip.
Both LCDs have a native res of 1680x1050, and both will provide a very clear image with the NEC having the slight edge due to lower dot pitch and also the anti-glare coating. The NEC may be better for text editing due to its higher contrast at lower luminances. The Samsung however has a lighter-colored pixel lining, making screen door effect (SDE) less apparent. For most, SDE is not a problem, though if you have exceptional eyesight it may show you its rear end.
The 8800GTS should be able to power 1680x1050 flawlessly with high-quality texture settings (due to large RAM), and should also provide "shaderful" environments while at the same time being practically resilient to super-high antialiasing/AF settings. You might even be able to enable rotated grid AA for some super HQ with older games. Combine that with the NEC and you will have one insane gaming experience. The funnest time I've had on this monitor was with "Just Cause". Not that the Samsung will be much worse, unless the input lag manifests itself in your daily usage.
I had better wrap up this essay, hopefully that made your choice just a bit easier.
P.S. Another option is a 24"w like the Dell 2407 which may be available in that range for you depending on your place of order.