Quality gaming monitor on the cheap

[uptech]

I'm looking for a monitor and I'm willing to pay up to $300. I'm short on cash, so I'm looking for something "the cheaper the better."

I want it to be at least 22" or 23". Since my main activity will be gaming (and I'm picky/have good observational skills), I want it to be with the least visible ghosting. Since I'm also going to play competitive FPS games (CS, CoD, etc.), I also need a good response time. And of course good color quality and contrast as I occasionally work with Photoshop, watch movies and read. 120Hz isn't necessary, as I'm already overstepping with that price range here.

 

[Fourstaff]

I don't play competitive shooters, but I can survive on competitive Starcraft II using any monitor. Would get IPS, unless you are very fussy with ghosting and whatnot. LG IPS224/234 is my pick if you are over this side of the pond (cheap as chips, reasonable colour reproduction, reasonably good screen performance), not sure what you will get in US.

 

[uptech]

I don't play competitive shooters, but I can survive on competitive Starcraft II using any monitor. Would get IPS, unless you are very fussy with ghosting and whatnot. LG IPS224/234 is my pick if you are over this side of the pond (cheap as chips, reasonable colour reproduction, reasonably good screen performance), not sure what you will get in US.

As I've mentioned, I am picky because I notice small details easily.

I'm also not from the US.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

LG IPS224/234 is my pick if you are over this side of the pond (cheap as chips, reasonable colour reproduction, reasonably good screen performance), not sure what you will get in US.

IPS 226 user here and couldn't be happier for the $ I paid

 

[SaltyFish]

Find an old CRT? Never had input lag, ghosting, or color reproduction issues with good old CRT. All these "issues" you hear about such are from LCDs.

A high quality CRT can get you a resolution of 2048x1536@60Hz. Some can even go up to 75Hz. The ViewSonic P97F+SB, NEC MultiSync FP2141SB, and Sony GDM-F520/Dell P1130/IBM P275 are good examples. If you must have a widescreen version, there's the famous Sony GDM-FW900... but good luck finding a deal on that.

If you don't want a CRT and can extend your budget a bit, there's the Yamakasi Catleap. It's around 360 USD or so I think.

 

[Fourstaff]

As I've mentioned, I am picky because I notice small details easily.

I am afraid we will be of limited help here, since that the amount of compromises we see varies a lot from person to person.

 

[uptech]

IPS 226 user here and couldn't be happier for the $ I paid

I can't get 226 here, and the 236 has horrible ghosting issues and pretty bad colors.

Find an old CRT? Never had input lag, ghosting, or color reproduction issues with good old CRT. All these "issues" you hear about such are from LCDs.

A high quality CRT can get you a resolution of 2048x1536@60Hz. Some can even go up to 75Hz. The ViewSonic P97F+SB, NEC MultiSync FP2141SB, and Sony GDM-F520/Dell P1130/IBM P275 are good examples. If you must have a widescreen version, there's the famous Sony GDM-FW900... but good luck finding a deal on that.

If you don't want a CRT and can extend your budget a bit, there's the Yamakasi Catleap. It's around 360 USD or so I think.

Which Yamakasi Catleap are we talking about here? And how's the quality? I see it's Asian, and in my experience, parts come of poor quality from there. No offense anyone, just had a lot of bad experiences with that.

I am afraid we will be of limited help here, since that the amount of compromises we see varies a lot from person to person.

That basically can be applied to any "request help" thread.

 

[mrw1986]

Dell U2312HM...hands down the best sub-$300 you can get. It's IPS with the FASTEST input lag.

 

[uptech]

Dell U2312HM...hands down the best sub-$300 you can get. It's IPS with the FASTEST input lag.

Heard it has some quite bold color and ghosting issues.

 

[mrw1986]

Heard it has some quite bold color and ghosting issues.

You must be thinking of the wrong monitor. Bold color? You mean accurate color? If you like washed out/crappy colors go with a non-IPS. Ghosting? I play BF3, TF2, and tons of other high action games and watch movies on it and have never seen ghosting. I'm sure the hundreds of thousands of U2312HM owners could testify to that.

Read some reviews on it before making such outlandish claims.

Two very reputable sources:
http://flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=showfull&id=1317112577
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2312hm.htm

 

[uptech]

You must be thinking of the wrong monitor. Bold color? You mean accurate color? If you like washed out/crappy colors go with a non-IPS. Ghosting? I play BF3, TF2, and tons of other high action games and watch movies on it and have never seen ghosting. I'm sure the hundreds of thousands of U2312HM owners could testify to that.

Read some reviews on it before making such outlandish claims.

I mean bold as in serious. As in serious color/contrast and ghosting issues.

And I did read reviews, that's why I've made that claim in the first place. On what else could I base my claims?

 

[erocker]

I see it's Asian, and in my experience, parts come of poor quality from there. No offense anyone, just had a lot of bad experiences with that.

FYI all of the parts in most monitors come from Asia.

 

[mrw1986]

I mean bold as in serious. As in serious color/contrast and ghosting issues.

And I did read reviews, that's why I've made that claim in the first place. On what else could I base my claims?

People who dislike Dell, because there are a lot of them.

Also, again, I have yet to see any complaint about ghosting. I personally know 5 other people with this monitor and they all have zero complaints. One of them even plays competitive CS:S.

 

[Sir B. Fannybottom]

I have an Acer S200HL and it's amazing! It's only around $100 and it's 1600x900 with beautiful colors and a decent response time. If I were you I would get three of these monitors for some eyefinity!

 

[SaltyFish]

Which Yamakasi Catleap are we talking about here? And how's the quality? I see it's Asian, and in my experience, parts come of poor quality from there. No offense anyone, just had a lot of bad experiences with that.

It's supposed to be pretty good... borderline legendary. It even has its own thread here:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162310

Read up on it. It's quite informative. There are similar such threads on other tech forums as well. Regardless, your constraints make it somewhat difficult and that's probably the best option short of hunting down a higher-end CRT.

 

[uptech]

FYI all of the parts in most monitors come from Asia.

I meant stuff invented/created by an Asian company. In most cases, in my experience, it comes poorly made.

People who dislike Dell, because there are a lot of them.

Also, again, I have yet to see any complaint about ghosting. I personally know 5 other people with this monitor and they all have zero complaints. One of them even plays competitive CS:S.

Well that's an easy argument to use.

Interesting. More than one review said it has ghosting issues - it leaves a visible trail, and I saw pictures proving that. Input lag, however, is perfect. That I definitely agree with.

I have an Acer S200HL and it's amazing! It's only around $100 and it's 1600x900 with beautiful colors and a decent response time. If I were you I would get three of these monitors for some eyefinity!

It's not available for purchase here. :/ If it was though, I'm looking for a 1080p one.

It's supposed to be pretty good... borderline legendary. It even has its own thread here:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162310

Read up on it. It's quite informative. There are similar such threads on other tech forums as well. Regardless, your constraints make it somewhat difficult and that's probably the best option short of hunting down a higher-end CRT.

Thanks, I will check the thread out.

I'm definitely not going for CRT. I hate CRTs, they make my eyes sore even at 120Hz. I had to use one again for a while, couldn't stand it.

 

[Jetster]

List your hardware, were you buy from

Can you get a Dell UltraSharp U2312HM IPS-Panel Black 23"

Samsung has some great reviews also

 

[uptech]

List your hardware, were you buy from

Can you get a Dell UltraSharp U2312HM IPS-Panel Black 23"

Samsung has some great reviews also

ATI 7970 and Intel 3570K is my hardware.

I buy from a site not in English, so you won't understand it anyway.

Yea, we've discussed about it with mrw1986. Your input would be appreciated, just read a few posts up of mine and his.

 

[Fourstaff]

I buy from a site not in English, so you won't understand it anyway.

Google Translate is our friend Give it a shot anyways, we have a few people here who can do Chinese, Tamil, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Malay.

 

[cdawall]

Which Yamakasi Catleap are we talking about here? And how's the quality? I see it's Asian, and in my experience, parts come of poor quality from there. No offense anyone, just had a lot of bad experiences with that.

Plenty of different versions of that monitor. Would be the best bang for your buck high end S-IPS panel out there.

 

[uptech]

Google Translate is our friend Give it a shot anyways, we have a few people here who can do Chinese, Tamil, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Malay.

Instead, I looked through the list of available monitors, here's what I came up with to add to the list: Samsung S23A700D and Dell U2412M.

 

[newconroer]

FYI all of the parts in most monitors come from Asia.

I did snicker...and then I thought..wait that's a good point.
Are there any American/NA manufactured monitors? I want to help boost the economy.

 

[RCoon]

BenQ G2420HD - 24"
That's what i use, 24" 5ms 1920x1080, decent response time, and its around $190-200 for you guys.

 

[uptech]

BenQ G2420HD - 24"
That's what i use, 24" 5ms 1920x1080, decent response time, and its around $190-200 for you guys.

Read some pretty bad reviews about it, in all departments.

 

[Bo$$]

Asus VE276Q brilliant while gaming blacks aren't amazing but it's fine for 90% of the time