Looking for a new 22" gaming monitor

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 00:13

Hi, I currently have a belinea 10 20 35 W 20.1" monitor which is nice I still like it, and it was one of the best I could get for the price when it came out. But I feel it shows its age now, also it does not support HD. As I now have a blue ray drive.

So I am looking for a monitor that is under £300, that is very good for gaming. As I am upgrading for Stalker clear sky and fallout 3.

My Belinea does not show black that well, and it has light bleeding in the corners.

I Have a GTX 280, I am not wanting any bigger than 22" as I need to take it to and from uni, so at the moment just 22".

Any help and suggestions would be good, thanks

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 01:39

From looking at all the posts the SM226BW seems a pretty solid monitor, but I am a worried about the panel lottery!!!

I was wanting to get the 226CW but I can not find this in stock anywhere?!!! do they still make it?

Are there any new 22" monitors on the market that out perform the 226BW?

ideally I would like a monitor without speakers or webcam or stuff like that, just a slick display

Thanks for your help

Phil2112 · 8 Sep 2008 at 08:29

I'm after a new moniter and was recommended the Samsung SM-226BW 22" Widescreen.
Going by the reviews it seems a very good moniter for the price,I'm going to be ordering mine this week.

Samsung SM-2253BW Aqua 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black is on offer this week for £131 + vat.HHmmm,,,might get that one.Like you I want to watch HD films and for the price the Samsungs seems a good deal.

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 10:38

yes it does seem a good deal, however I would rather get the 226CW but for some reason no one has it in stock.

Also what is the difference between *** Samsung SM-2253BW Aqua 22" and the 226BW? I heard it is just a cheaper version, but is it not as good?

Anyone got any more opinions?

Thanks

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 11:24

Managed to find the 226CW on amazon. Got it for £233 including P&P which I thought was very good!

lolism · 8 Sep 2008 at 11:43

Phil2112 said:
Samsung SM-2253BW Aqua 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black is on offer this week for £131 + vat.HHmmm,,,might get that one.Like you I want to watch HD films and for the price the Samsungs seems a good deal.

Ordered one of these yesterday, it's going to be a HUGE improvement over my 17" TFT

pallys · 8 Sep 2008 at 11:56

Dont get 226CW, it has massive input lag.

Get the 226BW from OcUK (last few in stock AFAIK). If that fails go for the Samsung 2253BW.

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 11:57

what does the input lag do?

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 11:59

why would it be any different from the 226BW it is essentially the same monitor, just slightly better colours and guaranteed panal made by samsung.

pallys · 8 Sep 2008 at 11:59

nirok said:
what does the input lag do?

Google it.

Its a delay from when you move your mouse to whats displayed on screen.

Thus not good for gaming. The lower the input lag the better.

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 12:38

I have been reading all sorts of opinions on the 226CW, they all seem to think its an amazing monitor, I would prefer to get the 226BW just because its cheaper but , I doubt I will get one of the "s" panels, and apparently *** colour is better on the 226CW. Also some people seem to think that the 226BW true colour ratio is actually 700:1 where as the 226CW is 1000:1 but I do not know if that is true or not.

icey_haj · 8 Sep 2008 at 12:44

What about the Samsung T220?

Perfect_Chaos · 8 Sep 2008 at 12:47

nirok said:
Also some people seem to think that the 226BW true colour ratio is actually 700:1 where as the 226CW is 1000:1 but I do not know if that is true or not.

Specs on most or all monitors arent 100%, so if you want true ratings you would need to check reviews.

The input lag will affect everything not just mouse, so keyboard and controllers etc.. for online gaming it will affect you more since it is basically adding to your ping.

i have the 226BW and it is very good, no ghosting.. and no noticable input lag but only problem i have is a small white blotch on black backgrounds. I guess that is rare since i havent seen many complaints

pallys · 8 Sep 2008 at 13:00

The panel lottery on the 226BW doesn't matter any more, they are all manufacturered to the same spec.

The 226CW is not good for gaming, neither is the T220, both slow at 'reacting' to your input.

Compare monitors here

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 13:01

that was the other thing i heard was the 226CW has fixed the uneven back light problem, which I have read the 226BW has problems with, which maybe the white blotch you are talking about. Well I have ordered the 226CW now, so its too late to do anything about, although If I find *** input lag a real problem, the i will attempt to return it. But to be honest I doubt I will notice it. If its that noticeable , then I don't know why they would sell it as a gaming monitor.

pallys · 8 Sep 2008 at 13:08

nirok said:
that was the other thing i heard was the 226CW has fixed the uneven back light problem, which I have read the 226BW has problems with, which maybe the white blotch you are talking about. Well I have ordered the 226CW now, so its too late to do anything about, although If I find *** input lag a real problem, the i will attempt to return it. But to be honest I doubt I will notice it. If its that noticeable , then I don't know why they would sell it as a gaming monitor.

Well if you dont game online then its OK.

But if you do, then be prepared to add an extra ~30-40ms in addition to your ping.

Putting you to a disadvantage.

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 13:17

to be honest I dont play on-line games, I used to play counter strike, but I prefer off-line FPS RPGs. I am really buying this to play stalker clear sky, crysis, and fallout 3. My favourite games are, Deus Ex, system shock 2, morrowind, stalker, oblivion and hopefully fallout 3!!. So to me colour and contrast ratio is more important. I hope I wont notice input lag, with these games. Thanks for your help.

nirok · 8 Sep 2008 at 13:24

now I am thinking of canceling my order for the 226CW and just getting the bw instead. I dont know what to do!!

pallys · 8 Sep 2008 at 14:13

If you dont care about online, then I'd go for the 2253BW, instead of the 226CW (I would definately NOT buy this monitor, it is poor even for colour)

The Contrast ratio and other manf stats should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Instead click on that link I gave up earlier (digitalversus site) and on step 3 change the filter.

Compare things like delay with CRT, Colours with factory settings, and game rendering with best result. The 226CW has ghosting, has colours over delta 4 (ridiculous their at 9!) etc...

Oh and the 226CW and the 226BW are not the same monitor. They have completely different panels. But its a nice trick by Samsung to make people believe its the successor, when its an el cheapo...

Phil2112 · 8 Sep 2008 at 14:35

hell,,,now I'm confused!!!!! Was just about to order the Samsung SM-2253BW Aqua 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor but not sure now.
Like Nirok I play games like crysis,far cry etc,but also want something that I can watch HD films on,so I guess the big question is,,,,what 22" moniter is good for both games,(not bothered about online) and to watch HD films?????