Good monitor for gaming and video under $220?

[guitarfreaknation]

Hey all. I am looking to buy a new monitor since my current one is way outdated (1280x1024). Anything of 1950x1080 resolution since I am planning on getting a new GPU (or 2 in CrossFire) later on. My budget is around 230 bucks.

Few things Im still wondering about:

1. 5ms vs 2ms, is there a noticeably difference?
2. Best res? 1650x1050 vs 1950x1080?
3. HD is considered anything over 1080? so 1650x1050 is only 720p? (I dont get how it works).

Any specific suggestion would really help.

 

[Mussels]

1. no, not really.

2. 1920x1080

3. anything over 1280x720 is considered HD. 1680x1050 is not a 16:9 ratio, so its not part of the 'HD' standard (1280x720@60Hz is 720p, same with 1920x1080)


IMO, look at all the various 23.6" 1080p monitors around - they all tend to use the same samsung panel, just the features vary a little. My advice is to make sure to get one with HDMI inputs, since you can always hook up a games console, set top box, blu ray player etc etc should you ever want to.

 

[guitarfreaknation]

1. no, not really.

2. 1920x1080

3. anything over 1280x720 is considered HD. 1680x1050 is not a 16:9 ratio, so its not part of the 'HD' standard (1280x720@60Hz is 720p, same with 1920x1080)

So 1920x1080 is Full HD. K cool.

 

[TIGR]

Check this. A good option for the price, I think.

1. I personally don't notice a difference between 5ms and 2ms, but it varies from model to model, even of the same rating.
2. 1920x1200 is a good choice. The extra pixels can certainly be worth it in some games and movies.
3. 720p is 1280x720. 1080p is 1920x1080.

 

[guitarfreaknation]

Check this. A good option for the price, I think.

1. I personally don't notice a difference between 5ms and 2ms, but it varies from model to model, even of the same rating.
2. 1920x1200 is a good choice. The extra pixels can certainly be worth it in some games and movies.
3. 720p is 1280x720. 1080p is 1920x1080.

I think I saw the exact same monitor at Fry's but 30 bucks more expensive.
But yeah looks good. Some of those reviews though are a bit sketchy.

 

[Mussels]

thats the asus monitor my housemate has, same panel as my samsung. great screen, no problems.

he uses his for a 360 (VGA) PS3 (HDMI) and PC (DVI) and has no problems with it at all.


oh and its very low power - 33-34W when in use, never goes above that on default brightness (which is rather bright)

 

[guitarfreaknation]

thats the asus monitor my housemate has, same panel as my samsung. great screen, no problems.

he uses his for a 360 (VGA) PS3 (HDMI) and PC (DVI) and has no problems with it at all.


oh and its very low power - 33-34W when in use, never goes above that on default brightness (which is rather bright)

Nice. I am not sure though if I should purchase online or at the store (even though the price will deffer) since I am not a big fan of requesting RMAs and customer support over the phone and web.

 

[entropy13]

This is what I have right now, slightly smaller, slightly lighter, slightly less power consumption, but no HDMI though.

 

[Mussels]

This is what I have right now, slightly smaller, slightly lighter, slightly less power consumption, but no HDMI though.

with the low power consumption it has (which i tested at the wall) it really doesnt matter. these things are so low power they're almost free to run.

 

[guitarfreaknation]

This is what I have right now, slightly smaller, slightly lighter, slightly less power consumption, but no HDMI though.

with the low power consumption it has (which i tested at the wall) it really doesnt matter. these things are so low power they're almost free to run.

In any case, power consumption is probably the least of my concern.
yeah i see alot of owners of Acer monitors here.

EDIT: it would be nice to have HDMI just in case though...

 

[Mussels]

In any case, power consumption is probably the least of my concern.
yeah i see alot of owners of Acer monitors here.

EDIT: it would be nice to have HDMI just in case though...

the asus also has a unique feature of having SPDIF audio out (RCA/coax), allowing you to have HDMI in, and then passing the audio out to digital speakers like Z5500's or something. Might be useless, might be helpful.

 

[MohawkAngel]

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824112018

Saw this model. Scpetre never heard of but integrated speakers and free shipping for 199$ at newegg

VGA-DVI-HDMI and Audio plugs. 2 X 3 watts speakers

 

[guitarfreaknation]

the asus also has a unique feature of having SPDIF audio out (RCA/coax), allowing you to have HDMI in, and then passing the audio out to digital speakers like Z5500's or something. Might be useless, might be helpful.

Good to know since my MoBo has the digital output.

 

[Mussels]

Good to know since my MoBo has the digital output.

its not an input, its an output.

HDMI audio+video goes in, SPDIF audio goes out of screen, into sound system.

 

[guitarfreaknation]

its not an input, its an output.

HDMI audio+video goes in, SPDIF audio goes out of screen, into sound system.

hmmm. so i do not need to connect SPDIF from MoBo into monitor THEN into digital speakers?

 

[Mussels]

hmmm. so i do not need to connect SPDIF from MoBo into monitor THEN into digital speakers?

no. just go straight to speakers in that case. Like, if you had PS3 with HDMI audio - this is how you'd get the audio OUT of the screen, and into something that sounded better.

 

[MohawkAngel]

Since you dont have the integrated speakers in that one the digital sound signal from HDMI goes out using SPDIF. You have to plug it somewhere. With a scrren who got integrated speakers you wont need this spdif connection cause the hdmi plug will transfer the sound directly into your screen integrated speakers.

 

[guitarfreaknation]

no. just go straight to speakers in that case. Like, if you had PS3 with HDMI audio - this is how you'd get the audio OUT of the screen, and into something that sounded better.

Since you dont have the integrated speakers in that one the digital sound signal from HDMI goes out using SPDIF. You have to plug it somewhere. With a scrren who got integrated speakers you wont need this spdif connection cause the hdmi plug will transfer the sound directly into your screen integrated speakers.

Ok I get it. Excuse my noobishness.

 

[Mussels]

Since you dont have the integrated speakers in that one the digital sound signal from HDMI goes out using SPDIF. You have to plug it somewhere. With a scrren who got integrated speakers you wont need this spdif connection cause the hdmi plug will transfer the sound directly into your screen integrated speakers.

the asus model DOES have speakers. housemate thought it didnt as well, but it did when it arrived - some sites just label it incorrectly.

 

[MohawkAngel]

Im thinking about getting this Sceptre screen....anywone ever heard of that ?

 

[guitarfreaknation]

I have a few logitech speakers and a sub so if the monitor has em or not, wont be a problem.

 

[MohawkAngel]

LG Flatron W2242TQ 1680X1050 2ms response high contrast ratio and 16:9 ratio

 

[Mussels]

LG Flatron W2242TQ 1680X1050 2ms response high contrast ratio and 16:9 ratio

1680x1050 is 16:10

 

[MT Alex]

I'd stick with this one: Asus. It's the same one posted earlier, with a rebate. I also own this one and it's great for a TN panel. Arrived fast, with no dead pixels.

 

[guitarfreaknation]

1680x1050 is 16:10

ha, yeah just noticed that too.