[nmuleski]

I'm looking to buy a new computer monitor. I'll be watching a lot of movies on it and playing games. Right now I have a 19" and I want to upgrade to a 24".

So my concerns are

A) So I know I need a 5ms or less response time, but is 5ms ok? Or should I really be looking at 2ms or lower?

B) Aspect ratio... How much does it really matter besides being widescreen or not?

C) Contrast Ratio... What should I look for?

D) I notice some of the nicer monitors talk about the color depth and gamut... Is this something I need to worry about?

I'm not a graphic designer or anything but I would like a good monitor with deep blacks and rich colors. Basically what's the difference between the $200 and $500 monitors. Most of them have the same response time, the same resolution capabilities, and the same inputs. Is it worth the extra money for a casual gamer / movie watcher?

 

[JimE]

Re: Looking to buy a new monitor

A) 5ms would be fine...at least I never had any troubles. But 2ms models are in the same price range.

B) Not an issue. Most all of the 24" panels will be 1920x1080.

The big difference in price, would be the panel type. The lower priced models use TN panels. The majority of monitors on the market are TN panels.

For more info, read here: Liquid crystal display - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Tyree]

Re: Looking to buy a new monitor

Any good quality LCD with 5ms Response Time, 250 cd/m2 or better and a minimum 1000:1 Contrast Ratio will be fine for and above your requirements.
I always recommend going to a store and viewing any monitor you are considering before purchasing if at all possible.
Do you have a budget in mind. Samsung is always a good choice and I've been using/selling Acer for the last couple of years with no complaints or problems.

 

[nmuleski]

Re: Looking to buy a new monitor

I went to Best Buy and took a look at some monitors and it told me some things.

Namely that there is a pretty big difference between LED LCD and LCD, and that I don't want anything smaller than 24". Oh and HDMI and DVI are a must.

My budget it roughly $300. Right now I'm torn between a few Samsungs, an HP, and some ASUS'. I know I'd get good quality with the Samsung's, but I can get the same specs for $50-100 less with the ASUS and HP brands.

Anybody have any experience with either of those brands?

 

[Tyree]

Re: Looking to buy a new monitor

I wouldn't be afraid of an Asus.

 

[JimE]

Re: Looking to buy a new monitor

I have two Asus panels now, a 24" and a 22".

 

[nmuleski]

What about Viewsonic? There are some great deals on 24" Viewsonics right now. I know the brand from forever ago but I don't know what's changed since then.

 

[JimE]

Re: Looking to buy a new monitor

Haven't heard anything about them since they went downhill. Check the reviews on a site such as newegg or C/Net.

 

[nmuleski]

Haven't heard anything about them since they went downhill. Check the reviews on a site such as newegg or C/Net.

What do you mean downhill? Last I heard it was a good brand

 

[JimE]

Re: Looking to buy a new monitor

"Back in the day"...or when I was just getting into heavily into computers (ie: mid 90's). The monitor of choice in the budget range, was Viewsonic. That was in the CRT days. As times have changed (ie: LCD's) they haven't stayed at the top of the list. You are more likely to get recommendations for Samsung, Dell, or Asus. To be honest, I didn't even know they were still around.

 

[nmuleski]

Re: Looking to buy a new monitor

Ah, OK.

I think I'll be going with ASUS after all. You can't go wrong with a 23.6" LED w/ 2MS and HDMI, DVI, and VGA for under $200... It was the monitor I was initially looking at but I figured it had to be too good to be true.
Everything I have read in terms of reviews though leads me to believe it's just a really good deal

 

[JimE]

I have the Asus VW2464 and I've been happy with mine.