Help me buy a PC monitor please!

[jamesy]

There's so many options out there at the minute that I'm not really sure what to get. After doing some research it seems like a 24" and 1080p monitor will suit my needs well. It has to be good for gaming as that's my main reason for upgrading.

I'm not fussed about 3d but I see alot of the 3d monitors can run at 120/144hz in 2d? Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it worth paying the extra considering I'm not mad on 3d.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-070-BQ

Failing the whole 120hz extravaganza IPS type monitors seem to be the best at the minute as well so I'd probably go for one of them if they're response times are quick enough for gaming. Also is 27"/1440p worth considering or is it more than likely that you'll need a super pc to run anything well on it?

Cheers!

[speedlolita]

For competitive gaming - perhaps consider a 120/144Hz display. Otherwise don't bother. Even something like the U2412M would be a fantastic monitor for gaming casually.

I'd really recommend going for an IPS display too - like the U2412M. After using my U2410 for so long I went and used a TN panel at a mate's house and it just looked awful.

Only issue with the U2412M is that it doesn't scale 16:9 properly (1080p) on it's 1920x1200 display so games would be at the wrong aspect ratio if you were to plug in a console.

If you have the computing power then a 1440p monitor may be worth considering but that pushes up the price considerably. Again, I'd recommend either an Asus ProArt PA279Q or a Dell Ultrasharp U2713HM if you wanted 1440p.

Best price performance would probably be the Dell U2312HM currently though.

[jamesy]

Cheers speedy! I'll have a look at those recommendations now.

Edit: I'm not worried about getting that extra millisecond ahead of someone in battlefield or anything like that. It's only for extra silky smoothness would I consider 120hz to be of any use to me.

[eastyy]

i would say if you find screen tearing and stuttering annoying and you have a more recent nvidia graphics card might be worth waiting for a the g-sync moniters

[speedlolita]

There may be other panels to consider but I hugely favour the Ultrasharp over most displays. Anyone who has one will understand why.

i would say if you find screen tearing and stuttering annoying and you have a more recent nvidia graphics card might be worth waiting for a the g-sync moniters

That technology isn't going to be ready for another year or so though. I think it'll be something special potentially if it gathers interest though.

[eastyy]

That technology isn't going to be ready for another year or so though. I think it'll be something special potentially if it gathers interest though.

i am very very susceptible when it comes to screen tearing and stutter so i think the whole idea of g-sync (if it works as well as sites have been saying) is great and literally my upgrading of my current rig will be based on it

[jamesy]

That g-sync tech does look pretty awesome. I can certainly see the benefit of it but im not sure its something I'm too concerned about right now. Speedy, out of curiosity why do you recommend the ultrasharp displays over its competitors?

[fallenangle]

I've been using the Dell U2412M for a number of months now exclusively for XB360 gaming as I, still, haven't completed my desktop build. If there is any problem with the XB360 1080p scaling to the 16:10 (1920x1200) monitor it has passed me by because I think it looks great. Fills the screen with no obvious distortion or motion blurring.

Black levels are good and although there is some backlight bleed in the corners you can see when the screen is dark over time and use I'd swear it has reduced. With the games I've played on it like Metro 2033 and Half-Life 2/Ep1/Ep2 which features a lot of shadowy, low light locations I rarely even noticed it.

It does have Issues at 720p (odd ghosting artifacts) when I've used it with my original softmodd Xbox via Component (very usefully the U2412 supports Component through VGA) but otherwise I've not been disappointed.

I would say though that if I was buying another 23"-24" monitor I'd be looking at the ?60 cheaper Dell U2312HM and IIyama Prolite IPS range too.

[speedlolita]

Aspect ratio scaling is something that really bothers me, U2412M looks like a cracking display for PC use though.

[charlesr]

I just got a Dell IPS 1080p 22" for ?66 (refurb, no stand cos I just bolt it to the wall with VESA). See the bargains forum. Seems ok. I don't know anything about these things though.

[briareos_kerensky]

It does have Issues at 720p (odd ghosting artifacts) when I've used it with my original softmodd Xbox via Component (very usefully the U2412 supports Component through VGA) but otherwise I've not been disappointed.

I wouldn't know about the U2412M (I was considering that monitor as well), but on two other Dell monitors (2408 and 2410) the component input and signal processing weren't that great, especially if there's internal scaling by the monitor.

[fallenangle]

One thing I forgot to mention was that I've used the Dell U2412M for the BBC iPlayer via the XB360 too and its been fine for that except when it comes to quick, vertical scrolling text like end titles. Whether this is due to the monitor or my internet speed/connection I don't know but it isn't at all pleasant trying to read them.

I've noticed no such thing with games (eg. Forza 4) but I thought it important to mention as there could be some motion blurring issues with this monitor which the more demanding gamer might find objectionable.

[jamesy]

I just got a Dell IPS 1080p 22" for ?66 (refurb, no stand cos I just bolt it to the wall with VESA). See the bargains forum. Seems ok. I don't know anything about these things though.

I seen that earlier, looks to be a good buy, especially at that price. I'd need a stand though as it would cause me all sorts of hassle without one. Did you notice the colours to be significantly better than your old screen?

There's just so many different options to choose from with reviews all saying different things. Not to mention the fact I can't decide whether to go for an ips panel or a 120hz/144hz one. Either way I hope it'll be a big step up from my current 19" 1366x768 screen.

The 2412m was a front runner for me but I may need to use it for consoles a fair amount so the 16:10 ratio has put me off it.

[charlesr]

The colours are loads better even with my VGA cable. I'm told it'll be even better with DVI. The same people are selling stands for ?20 each. 3 left. I'm not saying you SHOULD get one. I'm just saying it's astonishing value for money. I don't put much importance on my screen though because I don't game on it or do any pro photo work etc, so I'm not qualified to say if it's any good for that stuff. Caveats!

[speedlolita]

I found that using VGA from a DVI port vastly superior than VGA from a VGA port.

You have an IPS panel now Charles, far superior to any TN display.