Monitor recommendations. What's good?

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I didn't see a general "Awesome monitors" thread, so here's one.

Currently, I've got an alright 22" Acer, plus an old Samsung 19" 4:3. My wife's looking for ideas for an anniversary present, and I thought maybe I could point her at a new monitor.

I think I'd like something with an IPS panel. Input lag would be an issue, but I don't really play twitch shooters much, and I'm terrible at them, so I don't think a small bit of lag would bug me. I'm thinking something in the 23"-24" range would be fine, and I really don't think I want anything over 1080p resolution. I prefer higher settings for effects versus a crazy high resolution. Price point would probably need to stay under $200.

I'm kind of curious about the ultra widescreen monitors. I like the idea, but the problem is that my computer's pretty old at this point. Getting one of those now means I wouldn't really be able to game on it until I get to build myself a new computer, probably at the end of the year. It'd be awesome though.

Aside from that, feel free to use this thread to post any cool monitors, or show off your sweet/ridiculous/Matrix-esque setups.

For 120hz TN low input lag/latecy monitors I have this Asus..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...

For a TN panel its not terrible..

For IPS panels I'm using these days either the HP Z30i or the Z27i

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...

Both those are tremendous IPS panels but your stuck at 60hz and a fairly high input latency compared to the high end TN panels. But side by side with a TN panel you'll wonder how your eyes don't bleed looking at a TN panel all day long. I'm old these days so input lag isnt anything I get worked up about since if you gave me the fastest TN panel at 120hz I would still get owned online by even a mediocre player. For anything other than twitch online competitive shooters the IPS would be the way to go.

A shot of my triple Z30i setup at home.. powered by 3 Water Cooled AMD 290x's

IMAGE(http://imageshack.com/a/img838/4599/a3bs.jpg)

Yeah, those may be a little rich for my blood.

Lots of people have posted good luck stories about the "Generic" IPS panels from Korea.. check out Monoprice as they have a rebadged version they sell.

TheGameguru wrote:

Lots of people have posted good luck stories about the "Generic" IPS panels from Korea.. check out Monoprice as they have a rebadged version they sell.

I know several people that have gone this route and come away very happy. Just do a bit of research and go in with both eyes open.

Mind providing a little more detail on how things went? Is this the guy they've been picking up? I've hit the point where I need to move on to at least 2560x1440 in order to fit enough stuff on the screen to work productively, and I've been waffling on the specific display selection for a while now.

Uh, for the people I know, one person bought one from QNIX that came from Ebay. The other was a... SEIKI? Maybe? It's been a while. I'm not sure where that one came from but I'd assume Ebay as well.

Although, IIRC, the QNIX is actually a Samsung PLS panel, not an IPS. But very good if you can get a nice one.

Mr Crinkle wrote:

Mind providing a little more detail on how things went? Is this the guy they've been picking up? I've hit the point where I need to move on to at least 2560x1440 in order to fit enough stuff on the screen to work productively, and I've been waffling on the specific display selection for a while now.

I have a pair of the slightly lower-end screens, same panel only lacking some of the fancier input options. They are the exact same panel and glass used in the Apple cinema display, right down to the faint hole in the paint in the center of the top bezel where a webcam might have been hidden. (which is to say it a very nice screen)

I know boogle ordered the same one recently and had to ship it back twice because of fried power supply on the first one and cracked glass on the second. Quality control might be on the lower end, but end result of working through the support process is worth it.

Hmm, I might have to point my wife at one of the Monoprice ones in case she feels like dropping $400.

I don't suppose the sub-$150 IPS panels Newegg is advertising are worth it?

Cathadan wrote:
Mr Crinkle wrote:

Mind providing a little more detail on how things went? Is this the guy they've been picking up? I've hit the point where I need to move on to at least 2560x1440 in order to fit enough stuff on the screen to work productively, and I've been waffling on the specific display selection for a while now.

I have a pair of the slightly lower-end screens, same panel only lacking some of the fancier input options. They are the exact same panel and glass used in the Apple cinema display, right down to the faint hole in the paint in the center of the top bezel where a webcam might have been hidden. (which is to say it a very nice screen)

I know boogle ordered the same one recently and had to ship it back twice because of fried power supply on the first one and cracked glass on the second. Quality control might be on the lower end, but end result of working through the support process is worth it.

Accurate.
Monoprice was good about getting the returns to me, but it was still a hassle to have to double RMA.
I would do it again in a heartbeat however, the panel is great and I feel like at 400USD it's a good deal.

Chaz, thanks for asking this question, I might be in the market myself. Have you decided what to get, after all?

These have all been excellent recommendations, even TGG's "too rich for my blood" ones on the off chance that I manage to hit the lottery.

The wife's still hemming and hawing over what to get me as an anniversary present. She was thinking about getting me a grill, but I put that on hold since we're hopefully moving within six months and I don't feel like having to move a grill. She's apparently not crazy about all my other "what can I get you" ideas being electronics, even though that's pretty much what I've been putting on my gift lists for 25 years now.

If I get a new monitor, it'll probably be the IPS one from Monoprice. The ultra widescreen ones look awesome, but my current machine just can't handle those. I'll definitely be updating if I wind up getting something.

In the meantime, keep adding links for me and others. The monitor thread must not die!

I just don't know what to look for in gaming. Given that at least 80% of my PC gaming for the foreseeable future will be Diablo III and Wildstar, I want something that's not going to have ghosting issues like I did with the monitor before this one (this one's being replaced because it's like 17 inches and maxes out at 1440 by 900, which is lame for my new rig).

So yeah, need a new monitor, hoping to keep it under 400... is that monoprice monitor above good for gaming? It sounds like we've had a few people buy them, any impressions on it? If not great, what should I be looking for, spec wise?

Demosthenes wrote:

is that monoprice monitor above good for gaming?

Yes, it is good for gaming. You might be led to believe that it's sub-par when you compare the response time numbers to other super-fast monitors marketed at gamers, but it is not inadequate in any way concerning speed. Consider looking for something faster if you're going to be competing in the Counterstrike 1.6 finals at Dreamhack. Otherwise, it will meet your needs on that front and blow away your expectations on all others. The brightness, color reproduction, viewing angles, and pixel size are all excellent.

Demosthenes wrote:

I just don't know what to look for in gaming. Given that at least 80% of my PC gaming for the foreseeable future will be Diablo III and Wildstar, I want something that's not going to have ghosting issues like I did with the monitor before this one (this one's being replaced because it's like 17 inches and maxes out at 1440 by 900, which is lame for my new rig).

So yeah, need a new monitor, hoping to keep it under 400... is that monoprice monitor above good for gaming? It sounds like we've had a few people buy them, any impressions on it? If not great, what should I be looking for, spec wise?

From what I read this AOC is one of the better 27" IPS 1440P monitors. Granted its $550 but it reviews favorably with the far more expensive king of the 27" IPS the Eizo EV2736W @ $900ish.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...

I see a refurb 27" HP

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...

At a nice price..I have a few of these at work..solid displays.

Well, with the new announcement of the 1.2a standard for displayport, it's probably worth waiting on a monitor upgrade, for a bit, no?

So I'm considering picking up a 23 or 24 inch monitor, and this deal showed up in my email today:

BenQ XL2411Z for $260 with a coupon code.

It's been years since the last time I looked into monitors, and honestly I'm mostly interested in getting something with good image quality and switchable video inputs (at least two digital inputs) -- a high refresh rate or good response time would be nice, but not essential. That's actually at the top end of what I'm looking to spend, really ($300 max). Any advice?

Thanks!

Thoughts on the refurb Apple Thunderbolt Display @ 799?

Or is http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=114&cp_id=11401&cs_id=1130703&p_id=10509&seq=1&format=2

the exact same monitor?

Yup, that's the exact same monitor with different input options. Monoprice is the way to go unless you have to have HDMI or DisplayPort.

Bought it, love it.

How does the monoprice not have HDMI? I would think they would scrap the VGA for HDMI at this point. Hell, it would probably be okay to just get rid of both connectors and have JUST HDMI at this point.

Kamakazi010654 wrote:

How does the monoprice not have HDMI? I would think they would scrap the VGA for HDMI at this point. Hell, it would probably be okay to just get rid of both connectors and have JUST HDMI at this point.

There's basically the same monitor with HDMI input for like $30 more or so also on Monoprice, but I figured the Dual-Link DVI was good enough.

It's all cost saving. You can pay a bit more and get the exact same panel with VGA + DVI + HDMI + DisplayPort + built-in speakers if you want.

Ah, okay, I didn't see that other one. I guess that makes sense.

I am actually in the market for a new monitor and I think that higher priced monoprice model is exactly what I am looking for.

So, my 30" HP LP3065 just died. Just doesn't show anything anymore, even though the computer is still detecting it. It cost a lot of money, and I really, really don't want to spend another $1300 on the replacement.

The reason I bought it was because it was A) an IPS variant, and B) didn't have any kind of scaler in it. It's just a dual-link DVI-D, and that's ALL. The reason was because my older Dell, um, I think it was 2405, had truly ridiculous input lag, something like a third of a second, which was causing me enormous grief without me ever quite twigging to why. (I was constantly missing clicks and such, and FPSes were just awful.) Back when I was replacing that, input lag was only just becoming something you could ask about, so a no-scaler screen was the best way I could find to minimize the problem.

Here's what I'm presently thinking about:

My prime candidates are the two Monoprice 30 inchers, one at $576 (CCFL, dual-link DVI-D only, almost exactly the same as what I have), and one with DisplayPort and HDMI at $690. I'm leaning in the direction of the $576 model, just because it's so similar to what I have now.... no scaler, IPS, 30", 16:10, 2560x1600, not too expensive.

One other possibility I'm debating is to just repurpose my Panasonic S64 as a computer monitor; the lag is pretty good on that, and the color is excellent, but it's such a large screen in comparison (42" replacing a 30"), that I'd have to adjust my workstation around quite a bit, and the leftmost pixel is cut off. (Doesn't matter as a TV, might be a little annoying as a monitor. Haven't tried it yet.)

Other things I've seen, in looking around a little:

The ASUS ROG Swift looks nice, but that's a 27" 16:9, which basically means it's a wide 24", so it'll be a fair bit smaller than what I'm used to, and it's fairly pricey. I do have an NVidia card, so the G-sync would work, and that's appealing.... but the sticker price and small size aren't, so much.

I saw the Dell 3014 mentioned as being poorly driven in game mode; it apparently has a wide-gamut screen, and a lot of lag when the scaler is on, but it correctly adjusts the colors. In game mode, it's low latency, but just passes the signals through straight, so the colors end up blown out. I have a colorimeter I use for calibration, so I could adjust for that, but the price tag on that screen is very high. If there's some off-brand monitor that has the same problem, but costs less, I could work around that issue.

I think I'll probably end up with the cheapo Monoprice screen, but I figured I'd get some input, in case I missed something obvious.

I was acutally considering getting one of these since the fancy G-Sync monitors are way out of my price range.

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the...

Edwin wrote:

I was acutally considering getting one of these since the fancy G-Sync monitors are way out of my price range.

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the...

I have been using a pair of those at work for the past 6 months. Nothing outstanding about them, but I can't complain about a single thing either. That's a great price.

Malor wrote:

So, my 30" HP LP3065 just died. Just doesn't show anything anymore, even though the computer is still detecting it. It cost a lot of money, and I really, really don't want to spend another $1300 on the replacement.

The reason I bought it was because it was A) an IPS variant, and B) didn't have any kind of scaler in it. It's just a dual-link DVI-D, and that's ALL. The reason was because my older Dell, um, I think it was 2405, had truly ridiculous input lag, something like a third of a second, which was causing me enormous grief without me ever quite twigging to why. (I was constantly missing clicks and such, and FPSes were just awful.) Back when I was replacing that, input lag was only just becoming something you could ask about, so a no-scaler screen was the best way I could find to minimize the problem.

Here's what I'm presently thinking about:

My prime candidates are the two Monoprice 30 inchers, one at $576 (CCFL, dual-link DVI-D only, almost exactly the same as what I have), and one with DisplayPort and HDMI at $690. I'm leaning in the direction of the $576 model, just because it's so similar to what I have now.... no scaler, IPS, 30", 16:10, 2560x1600, not too expensive.

One other possibility I'm debating is to just repurpose my Panasonic S64 as a computer monitor; the lag is pretty good on that, and the color is excellent, but it's such a large screen in comparison (42" replacing a 30"), that I'd have to adjust my workstation around quite a bit, and the leftmost pixel is cut off. (Doesn't matter as a TV, might be a little annoying as a monitor. Haven't tried it yet.)

Other things I've seen, in looking around a little:

The ASUS ROG Swift looks nice, but that's a 27" 16:9, which basically means it's a wide 24", so it'll be a fair bit smaller than what I'm used to, and it's fairly pricey. I do have an NVidia card, so the G-sync would work, and that's appealing.... but the sticker price and small size aren't, so much.

I saw the Dell 3014 mentioned as being poorly driven in game mode; it apparently has a wide-gamut screen, and a lot of lag when the scaler is on, but it correctly adjusts the colors. In game mode, it's low latency, but just passes the signals through straight, so the colors end up blown out. I have a colorimeter I use for calibration, so I could adjust for that, but the price tag on that screen is very high. If there's some off-brand monitor that has the same problem, but costs less, I could work around that issue.

I think I'll probably end up with the cheapo Monoprice screen, but I figured I'd get some input, in case I missed something obvious.

I wouldn't use the TV as a monitor--it likely doesn't support 4:4:4 color sampling, and if it does I believe enabling that adds input lag (this is what I've heard about my ST60). Also you're dropping down in resolution a fair bit, and while the input lag is good for a TV, it kinda sucks for a monitor, for which good ones tend to be around 10-20ms. That monoprice monitor sounds decent to me, and it should have minimal input lag.

plavonica wrote:

My $50 flea-market wonder is failing.

That looks more like a video card problem. Can you borrow another monitor to test with?

I wouldn't use the TV as a monitor--it likely doesn't support 4:4:4 color sampling, and if it does I believe enabling that adds input lag (this is what I've heard about my ST60)

Well, it does support 4:4:4, and full range RGB, and supposedly the lag on this TV never gets all that bad. But, yeah, I think I probably will go for a monitor instead.

and the problem followed the monitor not the cables/video card.

Wow, I've never seen a monitor fail like that. The Acer you linked is a cheap screen, but it'll be better than that.

So I hooked up the S64 to the computer. It looks kind of weird, has some pixel bleed in fine detail, and the text colors come out a little odd. But, man, fire up up a BluRay and it's glorious.

Bad monitor, great television.

If I don't take extra careful care of all my batteries they die within 6 months.

I lost several NiMHs last year, due to a stupidity: I was running them completely flat. If it's just one battery, that's not a problem, but if it's more than one in series (the normal setup), then one of them will lose charge first, and then start getting charged backward by the other cells. This wrecks NiMHs almost immediately.

With NiMHs, you can run them to 95% flat, and the Eneloops will last for literally thousands of charges, but don't drain them completely.

If you were losing LiIon, though, that's different.

Oh, and:

Yeah, this will be the 3rd monitor to do this to me here.

Did they all fail in the same way? I'd look at video card, again, if that's the case.

second edit with another thought: have you tried wiggling the cables around? Does that change anything at all?

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