Computer Monitor

[CleBrownsfan]

I'm looking to get a new computer monitor but I really have no clue which one to get. I'm looking to get around a 22"-24" screen. The amount varies from $150 -$600 and I really don't know what to look for in a monitor. At the moment I have my desktop hooked up to my main TV (using HDMI) but want to move off the main TV to a monitor. Anyone have any suggestions? I will mostly use the desktop for gaming and I will also watch blu-ray from time to time.

[Ryan S]

Make sure that it has at least 1920x1080

[RomaGoth]

A higher refresh rate makes a huge difference.

[Scoobz0202]

What resolution are you currently at and what card do you have? If it is a drastic jump then keep in mind that it may choke your card.

But, refresh rate can be a thing for gaming. The biggest thing you will come across is the TN panel and the IPS panel.

In that lower end of your budget you will find the TN panel. These are what you will find with most PCs and have probably experienced 95% of the time.

Basically, with these, it's simple from what I've seen. Go to newegg, sort by the size you want, and pick based on 1) From a major manufacturer (Asus, Acer, Dell, Samsung, etc.) so you at least have a decent warranty and 2) Find a stand that you don't find butt ugly. Essentially, that is it, as the TN panels will for the most part be essentially the same. Find a few you like with stands that you won't mind being on display on your desk, maybe scout out some reviews to make sure there are no major red flags, and then purchase. I wouldn't honestly spend more then $200 for a TN panel.

IPS is where you go up in that budget. I have a TN panel, but that is purely due to not having the disposable money at the time. I would own an IPS, though, if I had the money. Dell is actually a major player in the IPS market and have some of the better monitors out there for the money.

23"
Dell UltraSharp U2312HM 23" Monitor with LED Details
Reviews:
Dell U2312HM Review
Here is a review for the 2311 model from anandtech, but the model I linked to is the refresh. Essentially the same.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4880/d...ffordable-eips

There is an Asus that I read about that has the 120hz refresh that Roma praised, and Anandtech praised. Gamers seem to dig it. It is more expensive, though (by about 60 bucks).
Newegg.com - Asus VG236H 23" 2ms 1920x1080 Full HD HDMI multimedia Height & Swivel Adjustable WideScreen LCD 120Hz 3D Monitor w/nVidia 3D Vision Kit hard bundle 400 cd/m2 100,000:1 (ASCR)
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3842/a...ook-at-120hz/1

24"
Dell:
Dell UltraSharp U2412M Monitor with LED Details
Dell U2412M Review
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5550/d...aking-the-bank




Or you could nerd it up and buy two $150-$200 TN panels and have one dedicated to gaming and the other for browsing the web/watching netflix while gaming right next to it.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: maybe if you can, go to a store that has both IPS and TN panels and see the difference if you are unsure. Hell, you may not even like IPS panels (not sure why, though. But I'm sure some don't.)

[CleBrownsfan]

Thanks guys.... appreciate the help.

I have a NVIDIA 570 graphics card. I'm 1920x1080 using my TV but change the resolution depending what game I'm playing.

[Scoobz0202]

Cool, so that won't be a problem then.

[Scoobz0202]

I've actually considered ordering one of these.

ACHIEVA Shimian QH270-Lite Quad HD 2560x1440 16:9 D-Sub Computer Monitor | eBay

Korean 27" IPS. Apparently it's the same panels that go in Apple's monitors but didn't pass their QC for whatever reason. They put them in mediocre stands and slash the fuck out of the price. But you run the risk of dead pixels (if it's only a couple, though, you won't even notice.) and if that happens you have to pay return shipping. Thats probably 50 bucks. But I've read nothing but good things from people, and that price is a steal.

But my 6950 would probably struggle.

[Scoobz0202]

dola -

I came across this, Cle.

Amazon.com: Dell UltraSharp U2312HM 23" IPS LED LCD Monitor - 16:9 - 8 ms: Computers & Accessories

That's a hell of a deal. Dell themselves may follow it up with a sale soon. That is one thing about Dell, you can almost always count on a sale if you are patient.

[Scarecrow]

here you go: http://www.logicbuy.com/deals/dell-p...tor/34150.aspx

Dell P2412H Professional 24" 1080p LED-backlit LCD Monitor
$229 + FREE Shipping (23% off, $70 savings)

Dell.com is offering 24-inch Dell Professional-series P2412H 1080p LED-backlit Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand & 3-year Advanced Exchange warranty for $229* + FREE shipping. Use $70 coupon code: 5DSN98BK2X302X* to get final price.

What makes this deal HOT?
This special $70 coupon code gives the lowest price we've seen on Dell P2412H and $25 cheaper than our last mention.

Why get this & Why you need it?
This $229 deal on Dell P2412H makes it the cheapest 24" Dell monitor with 3-year Advanced Exchange warranty. Features DVI & VGA inputs, 2-port USB 2.0 hub, high dynamic contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1 (typical), energy efficient, 1920 x 1080 resolution, 5ms response time, 250nit brightness, anti-glare screen, Height-Adjustable stand, tilt, pivot and swivel and built in cable-management.

[CleBrownsfan]

You guys rock! Thanks for the links...

One more question. Which is the best cable to use to hook up PC to monitor?

Again, thanks for your input!

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

here you go: http://www.logicbuy.com/deals/dell-p...tor/34150.aspx

Dell P2412H Professional 24" 1080p LED-backlit LCD Monitor
$229 + FREE Shipping (23% off, $70 savings)

Dell.com is offering 24-inch Dell Professional-series P2412H 1080p LED-backlit Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand & 3-year Advanced Exchange warranty for $229* + FREE shipping. Use $70 coupon code: 5DSN98BK2X302X* to get final price.

What makes this deal HOT?
This special $70 coupon code gives the lowest price we've seen on Dell P2412H and $25 cheaper than our last mention.

Why get this & Why you need it?
This $229 deal on Dell P2412H makes it the cheapest 24" Dell monitor with 3-year Advanced Exchange warranty. Features DVI & VGA inputs, 2-port USB 2.0 hub, high dynamic contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1 (typical), energy efficient, 1920 x 1080 resolution, 5ms response time, 250nit brightness, anti-glare screen, Height-Adjustable stand, tilt, pivot and swivel and built in cable-management.

If he uses the Amazon deal, an extra 20 bucks for a UltraSharp IPS from dell is a nobrainer. Even at 300 I'd get the UltraSharps before I'd get a $220 TN from them, but I don't know his finances, obviously.

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by CleBrownsfan

You guys rock! Thanks for the links...

One more question. Which is the best cable to use to hook up PC to monitor?

Again, thanks for your input!

Either DVI or HDMI. I don't think it really matters. HDMI carries audio, but I use headphones, and speakers on most monitors suck anyways.

[MizzouRah]

I love my Dell 24" monitor.

[thesloppy]

My monitor blew up on me a couple weeks ago, so I had to go buy one cold at my local Fry's. On the plus side, that allowed me to actually see them running, which is a luxury I've almost forgotten, with internet shopping. On the minus side, I had no idea of what was new or old, or positively reviewed. I ended up getting this LED back-lit 21.5" LG for $180, because it stood out easily at the store, against other monitors in that range, and I trust LG. I was glad to see when I got home that it's pretty new, and well reviewed. Not the hottest in terms of refresh rate or response speed, but it certainly games well enough for me, and does great with movies. Appears to be on sale for $150 w/ free shipping, at the moment:

Newegg.com - LG E2242T-BN Black 21.5" 5ms Widescreen LED-Backlit LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 DFC 5M:1

[Bobble]

So, say I want to go with dual monitors (or maybe one day dueling monitors that fight it out for my amusement). Are there any monitors that CAN'T be linked up and dualed? Say I wanted to go to THREE monitors just to build a wall I can hide from the Mrs. behind. Any restrictions there?

I've got a Dell Studio laptop with a Radeon HD 4650 if that's needed.

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by Bobble

So, say I want to go with dual monitors (or maybe one day dueling monitors that fight it out for my amusement). Are there any monitors that CAN'T be linked up and dualed? Say I wanted to go to THREE monitors just to build a wall I can hide from the Mrs. behind. Any restrictions there?

I've got a Dell Studio laptop with a Radeon HD 4650 if that's needed.

I have zero experience with multi monitor usage and limited knowledge. It's something I kinda want to do, though.

From what I understand (and I may have some incorrect understanding) is this:

- I think your video card supports 3 monitors. 2 with the DVI ports, 1 DisplayPort.

- I doubt you'd be able to game with multiple monitors, but I could be wrong. I wonder if that card could do modern games. I am unsure on this.

- There really are no restrictions on the type of monitor, as long as it can be hooked up via DVI or with the DisplayPort. You can use different sized monitors. I think all two or three have to use the same resolution, though, so I wouldn't get two extremely different sized monitors to prevent one having to be out of its native resolution.

Somebody else here might have better information.

[stevew]

I'll dual with an HDMI link to my TV all the time. Use my laptop for laptop type things and play a movie/Hulu on a maximized browser window on the other screen.

This process is kind of ghetto looking right now, as I just unspool a 25' HDMI to the couch. When I finally finish my basement, I'll be able to plug an HDMI into the wall that runs into the TV.

[cartman]

There are no monitor dependencies for going two or three headed. The limitations are in the video card, ie. how many displays it can drive, and the types of connections it has. You don't have to mirror the config of the monitors. On my home desktop, I have a 30 inch 2560*1600 monitor and a 24 inch 1920x1200 monitor both connected and running at their native resolution.

As for gaming, most games only run on a single monitor, if they aren't running in windowed mode. Some games render the other monitor useless, while other games will let you move the mouse over and control windows in the other monitor. There is no consistent behavior there.

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by cartman

There are no monitor dependencies for going two or three headed. The limitations are in the video card, ie. how many displays it can drive, and the types of connections it has. You don't have to mirror the config of the monitors. On my home desktop, I have a 30 inch 2560*1600 monitor and a 24 inch 1920x1200 monitor both connected and running at their native resolution.

As for gaming, most games only run on a single monitor, if they aren't running in windowed mode. Some games render the other monitor useless, while other games will let you move the mouse over and control windows in the other monitor. There is no consistent behavior there.

Nice. Do you know if there are any significant differences in behavior between AMD and nVideo cards in how they use multi-monitor support?

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Nice. Do you know if there are any significant differences in behavior between AMD and nVideo cards in how they use multi-monitor support?

Not that I'm aware of. You'd need to check the info in the latest drivers for your card to be certain.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Nice. Do you know if there are any significant differences in behavior between AMD and nVideo cards in how they use multi-monitor support?

In my subsequent research, I think each is coming out with their own capabilities. AMD has Eyefinity: http://www.amd.com/us/products/techn...eyefinity.aspx and nvidia has something similar (surround something, I think).

As further resource, the Wide Screen Gaming Forum has a listing of wide screen and multi-display games Master Game List | Widescreen Gaming Forum