New Monitor

[Narcotic]

Hey, OCC members I'm looking for some advice and tips on a new monitor.

 

My biggest bottleneck right now is my terribly old monitor, it's 1440x900 which I haven't had complaints over, but I'd prefer a new one.

 

Firstly, I'd like to ask preference of refresh rate speeds.

I hear tons of people saying that to the human eye, there is small difference between 5ms and 2ms, or that the size can make a huge difference in refresh rate (example a 27"+ sized monitor with 5ms vs 2ms). 

I have seen both speed monitors in action and there appears to be a small difference, but I don't know if it's just because I KNOW there is a speed difference, opposed to actually seeing it (funny how the brain works).

 

 

I'm a gamer, looking for a monitor around 27" with good picture and without noticeable refresh speed delays.

ALSO, I prefer no speakers built-in to it, which seems to be harder to come by for some reason.

 

Thanks, and will be checking back

-Narcotic

[IVIYTH0S]

What's your max budget?

[bp9801]

Refresh rate refers to 60Hz, 120Hz, etc. Response time is the 5ms and such times you're mentioning. And in that regard, no, there's basically no difference between 5ms and 2ms, and for some people they won't be able to notice anything under 8ms anyway. Response times are almost always reported as grey-to-grey as well, which is the fastest possible time and not the time it takes to go from black to white to black. So a 2ms grey-to-grey may actually be an 8ms black-white-black time, which would be more realistic.

 

One thing to look for, and sadly one that isn't widely reported, is the input lag of an LCD screen. TFT Central tests input lag on any monitor they review, just they don't always have every model you may be considering. They are pretty extensive in terms of reviews, not to mention looking at specifications of individual panels, so regardless of what you're considering or recommended, I suggest looking for reviews there.

 

 

Now, that all being said, like IVI asked, what budget do you have in mind? There are 27" monitors that can cost around $1000, others are down around $250, and then everything in between.

[kennethk]

Refresh rate refers to 60Hz, 120Hz, etc. Response time is the 5ms and such times you're mentioning. And in that regard, no, there's basically no difference between 5ms and 2ms, and for some people they won't be able to notice anything under 8ms anyway. Response times are almost always reported as grey-to-grey as well, which is the fastest possible time and not the time it takes to go from black to white to black. So a 2ms grey-to-grey may actually be an 8ms black-white-black time, which would be more realistic.

 

One thing to look for, and sadly one that isn't widely reported, is the input lag of an LCD screen. TFT Central tests input lag on any monitor they review, just they don't always have every model you may be considering. They are pretty extensive in terms of reviews, not to mention looking at specifications of individual panels, so regardless of what you're considering or recommended, I suggest looking for reviews there.

 

 

Now, that all being said, like IVI asked, what budget do you have in mind? There are 27" monitors that can cost around $1000, others are down around $250, and then everything in between.

This.

 

And I always suggest giving HDTVs a go if you're on a low budget. I really see no difference but that just depends on how picky you are or if you you're the type of person that brags about what you got.

 

Personally I'd rather get a 32" 1080p HDTV for $250. Those little difference really wont make a difference if you're not a hardcore gamer. 

[Narcotic]

Ah, sorry for the refresh rate/response time mix up.  I guess my knowledge isn't too great with monitors haha.

 

My budget is sort of around $250-$350 I suppose.  I would prefer a monitor over an HDTV (even though I do sometimes plug my HDTV into my tower and it looks fine).

 

My friend got a pretty good looking Samsung, I'm not sure how they level out with price/quality.

[l1il]

http://m.ncix.com/categories/products/1003-LCD-Monitors

 

Sorry for the m. site, I'm on my cell phone. This 27 in benQ in on rebate at ncix.

You got Samsung that does pretty good screens and Asus also. LGs are a mixed bag, some people like them, some don't.

[bp9801]

No worries on the mix up; they can be easily confused imo.

 

In that price range, you'll mostly be limited to a resolution of 1920x1080, even with the 27" size. There's ones like the Lenovo LI2721S with an AH-IPS panel for $300, the LG 27EC33V-B with an IPS panel (maybe AH, not sure) for $260 (reguarly $320), and the ASUS VX279Q with another AH-IPS panel for $300 (regularly $330).

 

Jumping up to 27" monitors at 2560x1440 requires a bit more money involved, unless you go for one of the Korean 27" IPS monitors off eBay.

 

Samsung makes some very good monitors, just they can be pricey. Some aren't, but others are, like the ones with the PLS panels. I used a Samsung monitor for years until I got my Dell, and aside from the Samsung just starting to wear down due to age, I recommend them if you can find one for a good price.

[Narcotic]

http://m.ncix.com/categories/products/1003-LCD-Monitors

 

Sorry for the m. site, I'm on my cell phone. This 27 in benQ in on rebate at ncix.

You got Samsung that does pretty good screens and Asus also. LGs are a mixed bag, some people like them, some don't.

 

I've heard some great things about BenQ, though reading some reviews some people were complaining of ghosting.  Any personal experience with them?  Those people may have just had a bad batch or something.

 

Not interested in the speakers, but for the price I'm interested in the monitor overall.

 

No worries on the mix up; they can be easily confused imo.

 

In that price range, you'll mostly be limited to a resolution of 1920x1080, even with the 27" size. There's ones like the Lenovo LI2721S with an AH-IPS panel for $300, the LG 27EC33V-B with an IPS panel (maybe AH, not sure) for $260 (reguarly $320), and the ASUS VX279Q with another AH-IPS panel for $300 (regularly $330).

 

Jumping up to 27" monitors at 2560x1440 requires a bit more money involved, unless you go for one of the Korean 27" IPS monitors off eBay.

 

Samsung makes some very good monitors, just they can be pricey. Some aren't, but others are, like the ones with the PLS panels. I used a Samsung monitor for years until I got my Dell, and aside from the Samsung just starting to wear down due to age, I recommend them if you can find one for a good price.

1920x1080 is plenty enough for me, I don't really need the best of the best resolution haha.  Honestly, I just want a solid upgrade (which is just about anything) with a fast enough response time that I don't see any ghosting or lag of any sort.  

That Lenevo is really nice looking, I like the low profile sides on it.  But 14ms response seems high to me.  

 

The LG is a decent looking one, I'm considering that.

Better yet, I sort of like the ASUS.

-What would be the difference between the two?

 

Also, what does (for example the LG) the "IPS 200 cd/m2" mean?

(Just for the greater good of knowledge.)

 

AND, I was just browsing the internet, and noticed someone mentioning something about the GTG (I'm not sure what that means anyway, presumably something with the color).

 

QUOTE: "Do you know if that is 5ms GTG? If that is the case, the color response may be higher, and you might notice some ghosting."

 

Is this true, GTG having something to do with the greater color-quality and may cause faster action games/movement to cause ghosting?

Edited September 22, 2013 by Narcotic

[Prunes]

The 200 cd/m2 is a measurement of the backlightning, I believe. cd/m2 = candela per square meter. Candela is a way of measuring the amount of light. Most monitors I've seen range from around 200 to 350. Whether more is better, I don't know. For that you might wanna wait for bp or someone.

[l1il]

The Lenovo with 14ms gray to gray seems to have a very bad transition rating, meaning that ghosting would be perceptible by some people. Remember that 60 images per seconds is 16.7 ms per frame. Being gray to gray means that more pixel constrast involves more switching time.

 

About the BenQ, I could not confirm or infirm if there is any ghosting nor higher input lag than the others. As BP previously mentioned, this spec can be obtained only on some review sites. If you are playing

MMOFPS or racing games, this is a rating you will want to be as low as possible. Strategy, RPG and most of the time, single player FPS, it is not critical that much.

 

200 or 250 cd/m2 is the luminosity density. If you have a 22 in at 250 cd/m2 and a 27in at 250cd/m2, the 27 is going to be providing more overall lightning since you have more surface.

 

Another thing would be to get in store and visually compare those. The problem being that most of the stores keeps TN LCD's on display only, because IPS renders better contrast at the cost (traditionally) of input lag/pixel switch time.

[bp9801]

The 200 cd/m2 is a measurement of the backlightning, I believe. cd/m2 = candela per square meter. Candela is a way of measuring the amount of light. Most monitors I've seen range from around 200 to 350. Whether more is better, I don't know. For that you might wanna wait for bp or someone.

 

Precisely, and in most cases anywhere around 300cd/m² is going to be perfectly fine. Higher or lower is just a matter of taste.

 

As for the response time, never really heard of GTG causing an effect on color response. Ghosting, it could, but like I said, some people won't be able to see anything under 8ms anyway (and even then some don't notice anything under 16ms).

 

 

A lot of IPS panels have response times in the 8ms and higher range, yet people still game on those just fine. My monitor is 8ms GTG and there isn't a lick of ghosting on it, although that's helped by the extremely low input lag. So sure, that Lenovo has a 14ms response time, but none of the consumer reviews I've read on it (no professional ones yet) listed it as a con.

[Narcotic]

Thanks for the responses guys, the cd/mc2 stuff makes a bit more sense to me now.
 
I'll be ordering the ASUS VX279Q in 2 days, unless the OCC community has any negative testimonies to it.

 

Thanks again for the help, I'm not so knowledgeable to information on monitors.

-Narcotic