Looking to Buy a New Monitor

[CrowDog]

I'm looking to buy a new monitor and am currently overwhelmed with all the information. I'm looking to spend around $200 and it will mostly be used to game on. From what I've seen the gaming monitors cost more than I want to spend.

Any recommendations in the $200 range?

 

[Puffnstuff]

What connectors do you plan to use? You might consider something like this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=LGE-102844735 which is very reasonable.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

For gaming, you want a low response time (2ms or less). Probably a TN screen. I like Asus monitors for gaming, Bought an Asus VH 238H for around 150.00....see Newegg. However, depends on how large a monitor you want, if color accuracy is more important than response time etc. I like this monitor for gaming; it will do until I can afford a pricier model. BTW you will need to calibrate for color, which is kind of a pain.

The Wife

 

[xthetenth]

I've seen IPS floating around in the cheap end of the market in decent numbers, and the better colors are very nice to have. I think I'm relatively insensitive to blur though, so it might cause problems for you, but I haven't noticed much in the way of response time issues.

I'd say first decide on a panel tech and then see how much resolution you can get in the price range you're looking for.

 

[Greenlepricon]

I've used an IPS for the past couple of years and think that it's a huge improvement over TN. With that being said, the last shooter I really got into was Battlefield 3, and mostly play RPGs and "slower" games. I can't say I noticed much of a difference even with shooters though, but have heard from people who apparently can, so really it's going to come down to the types of games you play and whether you're sensitive to that sort of thing or not.

 

[Headfoot]

IPS is good, but its not that great for gaming despite what people say. If you decide to get IPS for gaming you must be careful to pick a monitor which is independently tested to have low response times and acceptably low blurring. Check tftcentral for some really good info. I've got 3 Dell s2415h. They've got IPS panels, but tested to have about as low of a response time as you can get with IPS short of Overlord's IPS model, and so they're pretty good for gaming. I got them for $160 on black friday and I see them go normally around $220

 

[lehtv]

Asus PB238Q $206 after rebate and shipping
IPS with height adjustable stand.

With your budget, I wouldn't go TN. 60hz IPS > 60hz TN, and 144hz TN is outside your budget

 

[xthetenth]

IPS is good, but its not that great for gaming despite what people say. If you decide to get IPS for gaming you must be careful to pick a monitor which is independently tested to have low response times and acceptably low blurring. Check tftcentral for some really good info. I've got 3 Dell s2415h. They've got IPS panels, but tested to have about as low of a response time as you can get with IPS short of Overlord's IPS model, and so they're pretty good for gaming. I got them for $160 on black friday and I see them go normally around $220

I've been gaming on IPS and haven't noticed much issue so either I've been lucky or I just don't notice much in the way of problems.

 

[CrowDog]

Asus PB238Q $206 after rebate and shipping
IPS with height adjustable stand.

With your budget, I wouldn't go TN. 60hz IPS > 60hz TN, and 144hz TN is outside your budget

Would you guys recommend raising my budget to the $300 range? Was looking at the BenQ XL Series XL2411Z or the Asus VG248QE. Is the difference worth the price jump? I've been seeing people say there are color issues with these monitors but they are great after calibration.

Thoughts?

 

[Dankk]

If you decide to get IPS for gaming you must be careful to pick a monitor which is independently tested to have low response times and acceptably low blurring

This. Don't make the same mistake I did.

 

[xthetenth]

It's probably something to be careful with regardless. TN has a faster panel but if the rest of the monitor is slow that doesn't matter.

 

[CrowDog]

This. Don't make the same mistake I did.

Hey thanks! That's great info.. I may just pick up that HP you have linked in your thread!

 

[Dankk]

Hey thanks! That's great info.. I may just pick up that HP you have linked in your thread!

The 27xi is a great option for gamers wanting an "Apple-like" IPS monitor on a budget, particularly if you can find it for $199 like I did. Looks like the price on Amazon has went up since then though. The price on that particular model seems to fluctuate quite a bit so if you wait around and keep checking you might be able to find it for cheap again.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I've gamed on ips and va and both do just fine for me. I can't hardly stand to look at a tn panel lol.

 

[WT]

I was sure I wanted a 27" 1440p IPS panel when I began shopping for a screen, but I soon learned that with my failing eyesight, text would be way to hard to read at the panels native res, so I then began looking for a 27" 1080p. Still looking for IPs, I happened upon this 27" TN panel from Benq.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RORBPCO

Now I understand comparing IPS to TN for colors and viewing angles is a losing proposition, but TN also offers faster response time, so I am still up in the air on what panel is best for me.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Hey WT you aren't the only one with old eyes which is why I prefer the sharpest text possible. With that said you have to pay attention to the dot pitch on a lcd just like on the old crt's. The smaller the dot pitch the sharper the text and hardly anybody advertises it anymore especially on the cheap units. Personally I use a dell ultrasharp va panel with a .24 dot pitch and it wasn't cheap but well worth it.

 

[WT]

Dankk, that HP you linked looks much better than the Benq that I have in my post. Similar specs, but its an acceptably fast response IPS panel. I am suitably intrigued .. if only it were not SILVER !! Ughhh ... I really want a black bezel I still really like it tho

Puff, sounds like I need to go visit Best Best and hope they offer a close approximation of a few of these panels, specifically a 27" TN and 27" IPS panel, then look at a 27" 1080p and 1440p to see if pixel ratio matters. I doubt it will, as my current Acer 23" TN 1080p is running at 1440x900 just so I can read on-screen text.

 

[Headfoot]

You can't compare panel types generally. People keep trying to do this and its completely misguided. You can only compare a particular monitor versus a different particular monitor. There are great variances in panels even among types, and there are great variances in input lag and pixel response based on the scaler hardware used, which is independent of panel type. You can find pretty fast IPS and pretty slow TN if you're not careful. Check out http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/ for really in depth info.

 

[WT]

Thanks for the link, Headfoot. I am quickly getting up to speed on the terminology, but there is just such an immense amount of listed features for these panels, and as we've seen, some of them are very fudged numbers just to make that panel look good, and others just flat out don't even give you the numbers/specs.

I haven't ruled out a nice 1440p, now that I found that some models can downsize to 1080p without blurring text, but due to my vision failing rapidly, I think it would be a total waste of money to buy 1440p. At least I can SEE a 27" panel at Best Buy. Whatever I buy on Amazon, I won't really be able to view that exact panel unless Best Buy carries it also. I think I have at least 8 panels on my Amazon wish list currently (ranging from the Asus ROG Swift to the Qnix 2710), but that linked HP 27xi is now at the top of my list due to an IPS panel and that low price.

 

[xthetenth]

I'd try setting up scaling without a resolution change on your current monitor to see how well that would work, support for it has gotten better, and by doing that on a 1440 the text could be the same size but even sharper if you don't have any programs with problems.

 

[CrowDog]

So I've decided to try and stay close to my budget of $200-$220ish and also go with a 23 or 24inch.

I was thinking of either going with the IPS that Lehtv linked (ASUS PB Series PB238Q) or the BenQ RL2460HT.

The BenQ is a 60hz TN but has a lot of postive reviews. The Asus is IPS and I've only been able to find a little bit of info on and its older...what I have found has been really positive though. Does anybody have experience with either of these monitors or any other thoughts on either one? Or maybe even other ideas for a 24inch monitor in the $200-$220 range?

As far as TN vs IPS, I have no idea what I prefer and I'm not very picky. I've been using this Acer H213H for years now with no complaints. I'm just finally trying to go with a multiple monitor setup.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

So I've decided to try and stay close to my budget of $200-$220ish and also go with a 23 or 24inch.

I was thinking of either going with the IPS that Lehtv linked (ASUS PB Series PB238Q) or the BenQ RL2460HT.

The BenQ is a 60hz TN but has a lot of postive reviews. The Asus is IPS and I've only been able to find a little bit of info on and its older...what I have found has been really positive though. Does anybody have experience with either of these monitors or any other thoughts on either one? Or maybe even other ideas for a 24inch monitor in the $200-$220 range?

As far as TN vs IPS, I have no idea what I prefer and I'm not very picky. I've been using this Acer H213H for years now with no complaints. I'm just finally trying to go with a multiple monitor setup.

Well, for not being picky, you're coming from a higher rung on the ladder of monitor connoisseur-ship. I've settled for the dregs. I'd had a 2008/2009 Hanns-G 1920x1080 until last month. I'm surprised it lasted that long, now that I've gone back and looked at customer-review archives.

I had to replace it, and didn't have time to shop for the better long-term investment of either a 4K unit or something at 1440p. The market has changed since the days when you'd look for an NEC or Viewsonic. I was skeptical about BenQ for a possibility they were just more cheap Chinese knockoffs.

BenQ is a Taiwanese firm. I don't want to diss China proper, but the other Asian countries more likely copied Japanese QC culture.

And I bought a TN model. . . . AND . . . it's true about getting it set straight and the chore of the calibration.

Keep in mind "where I'm comin' from." I'm impressed with my XL2420Z:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014370&cm_re=XL2420Z-_-24-014-370-_-Product

I might have bought its big sister -- the 27" XL2720Z -- but I've only so much room on my desk, and this is a stopgap before I attempt to move everything in a 4K direction.

So how am I impressed? The OSD, for one thing. The S Switch for controlling the OSD for another. And the Display Pilot software, for making the same OSD settings through a GUI. There's a DP port, a DVI-I port, two HDMI ports, and even a VGA port.

I can use the S Switch to elevate the "Input" submenu of the OSD and use the mouse-like switch and scroll wheel as a stopgap with my 20-year-old KVM switch for as many computers as I can connect to the monitor.

It cost more. About $340, before tax, shipping, etc. And some folks think it cost too much.

I'm happy for the time being, though. I can set the refresh rate for 144 Hz on the DVI connection and possibly the DP input.

I'm not recommending it for the OP; nor would I discourage it. I just want to say -- for replacing that P-O-S Hanns-G -- I'm happier than a pig in s***.

 

[snorge]

I just bought the Samsung S24D390HL on sale for $199.99 from Best Buy. I am going to be comparing it to my 2 MS TN Samsung this weekend. From what I've read it should be decent for gaming and have a nice picture out of the box. The good thing about buying it from BB is if I don't like it I can easily make a return and stick with what I have.

 

[WT]

I picked up a Benq EW2740L per NCX's recommendation over on [H]. It appears to be one of the top 1080p 27" panels available. Met all of my criteria other than no DVI. I really wanted that DVI port, but after researching it, there just was no reason to ignore a quality panel just because it didn't offer the DVI port.

Best part is, I bought it as a refurb unit directly from Benq for only $194 ($280 new), and after applying for an Amazon CC (-$40) and using my $129 in Amazon GCs, I got it for $34.34 shipped. I've been using TN panels for far too long - it was time to give my eyes a rest.

 

[snorge]

I just bought the Samsung S24D390HL on sale for $199.99 from Best Buy. I am going to be comparing it to my 2 MS TN Samsung this weekend. From what I've read it should be decent for gaming and have a nice picture out of the box. The good thing about buying it from BB is if I don't like it I can easily make a return and stick with what I have.

Well to update my experience with the new Samsung games seem fine, I don't really notice the difference between a 2 MS and 5 MS panel. The thing I'm not so sure about are the colors. Are non-tn panels supposed to look a lot warmer? Everything seems a bit strange to me at the moment. I've done some of the recommended tweaking to the colors and they appear warm no matter what I do. In reviews the screens look similar to mine and they don't seem to complain about it. Maybe my eyes just need more time to adjust.