Spec me a monitor(s) again...

David_VI

David_VI

David_VI

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Hi, I did a thread a while back because my Samsung Syncmaster 226 is dying (Takes forever to turn on).. But turned out I didn't have the funds :(

So now I do and I figure times have changed and i've got a few different opinions.

This is my set up atm.
I am borrowing the BenQ from my folks (a monitor spec'ed to me from here, cheers OCUK). On the left is the dying monitor.

DSC_0126.jpg


Since borrowing the BenQ I realised it feels a bit small for me. Especially on this desk and considering I was used to the Samsung with a smaller monitor next to it.
I use two monitors for music production, gives me more space but I find it feels odd gaming on just one as its on the right handside, something just doesn't right, like its not as engaging (Does anyone understand what I mean?)


To the spec.

I'm wondering if I should get just one decent sized monitor to sit in the middle or two a bit smaller? :\ (EDIT: since decided one monitor will do, see post 7 http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=21769541&postcount=7)
I suppose one might be better as it might make gaming feel a bit better than looking to the right all the time.. and I can always use my other 1440x900 if I want to double and move them around when I go from gaming to music stuff where I require space to move about.

Hope this isn't too confusing.
I don't really have a budget but under £300 would be good. around £200-£250


Thanks guys!
David

Edit: refined what i'm after, check post 7
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=21769541&postcount=7
 
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Is that the BenQ G2222HDL? If it is the problem with the cheaper bigger (27") monitors is that they don't give you any extra workspace, it will be the same 1920x1080 pixels to work with as on the BenQ. The only higher res monitors that would fit your budget can be found in the catleap thread, the resolution those have (2560x1440) does require a fair amount of graphic power to game on.

If your videocard is not up to snuff then fitting both the monitor and a videocard able to get you decent framerates would be quite impossible with that budget. So the sensible thing to do is probably to get two monitors of the same size and perhaps mount one of them on a monitor arm so you can move it back and from the gaming/normal work position? Can't really see much off the desk itself on the picture so if a monitor arm can actually be attached to the desk without drilling holes is up to you to find out.

The 226bw can most likely be fixed relatively easy at low costs, think I mentioned that in the previous post as well.
 
Thanks for the reply.

Yeah while thinking further on it, I think I just want to get a decent monitor, bigger than the BenQ so it sits well in the middle of the desk.

I can use my old 1440x900 monitor for when I want more space for music.
So I suppose waiting for reccomendations on a good monitor, better than the BenQ, or at least same but bigger!

Edit:
Just realised the BenQ is 21.5 inches so that's probably why it feels so small.
Can you get a decent monitor for gaming under 300quid at 24 or 25 inches?
I'm running the spec in my sig but with a 560ti 2gb atm.

Edit2: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-053-BQ&tool=3
Is that seriously that cheap? Why? If its as good as the 5 star reviews say I might as well buy it now.. :|. I know nothing when it comes to monitors.
OR
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-001-HS&tool=3
Hanns.G HZ281HPB 27.5, Higher res which may help out a little bit..
Cheers.
 
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David_VI said:
That said..

Benq XL2420T 24" TRUE 120Hz
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-051-BQ

More expensive (probably a bit too much) and smaller but better quality, LED and 120hz. Just have no idea if I will notic e how good it is compared to having a bigger monitor that is 60hz..

I hate choice that I do not understand.
Click to expand...

If you are gaming a lot, that monitor is all you need, it's so damn good for gaming.Check the thread you will see a lot of happy customers including me.

If you are on an AMD card you may want to consider one of the Samsung 120hz panels instead to use the 3D too then if you wish.(Nvidia for the BenQ mentioned before)

In my view if you going to get a large monitor like mentioned before go for 2560x1440/1600 res otherwise you may aswell go for one of the 120hz panels although i personally prefer 120hz/3D gaming over the higher resolution and find 24 inch with 1920x1080 ideal for my gaming.
 
More replies! thanks.

I've actually been doing more research. I should look things up before making these kinda threads but then again the replies help me do the research...

Yeah I realised 27" was a bit silly! I believe its just my worry due to the desk and never feeling comfortable gaming in my current setup even though the Samsung and the BenQ i'm borrowing are quite good. Like I said before I think its probably just the angles and having two monitors but only using the right handside one. So ended up thinking I should just get a big monitor and stick it in the middle of the desk :p.
When on Flight Sim I often move the monitor over a ft closer to the edge of the desk, sitting on some books because it feels too far away and not immersive, that said I am using a flight chair which puts more space between yourself and the desk compared to getting up close with legs under table with a normal chair.. (Plus I don't really use Fight Sim anymore)..

In my forum searching so far I have tried to figure out if I need/should get 120hz, is the price difference that much to make it worthwhile? Considering i'm not a major FPS gamer, I play Team Fortress 2 but not really any other multiplayer ones, the other games I can think of I play that are FPS are TheHunter (Thats hardly fast paced) and games like the Half Life series, Portal, Payday: The Heist, L4D.. Ok I play more FPS than I thought but when I read other threads people seem to refer to BF2 and CoD a lot, which I think are more reliant on the twitch fast reflexes compared to the games i've listed..

To summarise so far. 27" seems a bit pointless now considering the loss in quality.
I think i'm looking for the best 24" for around £250. (Can go over if its worth).

Bigger than 24" would be good but their doesn't seem to be monitors above 24" but below 27" .

Regarding the Samsung fixing. I will give it a go when I can, nothing to lose afterall. But still i'm looking to get a new monitor and I usually run the Samsung next to a crappy 1440x900 my woman got with her purple PC 5 years ago! (Which my parents are borrowing while I borrow the benQ).
IF I can get the Samsung fixed its win win as I can use that with the new monitor when i'm doing music production or gaming/simming/creating while having a movie on the other monitor.
May I add I watched the video showing how to fix the samsung and my problem is different (maybe its the same cause however).. The blue light just flashes like its in standby for a long period of time (around 10mins) before the monitor properly comes on.. During that time it does flicker on then off, but not repetitively like the vid. Still could be same problem?

Cheers guys, I really appreciate the help, especially considering my erratic changes in choice and updates.. Always get there in the end and have never been let down though! !
 
If you're after a 24" the interesting monitors are:
 
Thanks!

Quite a range of prices there! I suppose i'll have to read the reviews, but then again it seems obvious the most expensive will be the best :|
 
Axeia said:
If you're after a 24" the interesting monitors are:
Click to expand...

I like the BenQ but it is the most expensive. I think I would like to go 120hz but price seems a bit too steep. May I ask why you picked out this one and not say the cheaper Benq XL2410T 24" http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-043-BQ&tool=3
?

Its in the price range but I keep finding myself overly confused with there being so many monitors and most of them having 5 star reviews, doesn't help!

I might just get one something as I can always send it back under DSR. Might even try a 27" just for curiosity, although I don't know how much this is abusing DSR.. Just seems difficult to buy something when you can't try before you buy,
 
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David_VI said:
Regarding the Samsung fixing. I will give it a go when I can, nothing to lose afterall. But still i'm looking to get a new monitor and I usually run the Samsung next to a crappy 1440x900 my woman got with her purple PC 5 years ago! (Which my parents are borrowing while I borrow the benQ).
IF I can get the Samsung fixed its win win as I can use that with the new monitor when i'm doing music production or gaming/simming/creating while having a movie on the other monitor.
May I add I watched the video showing how to fix the samsung and my problem is different (maybe its the same cause however).. The blue light just flashes like its in standby for a long period of time (around 10mins) before the monitor properly comes on.. During that time it does flicker on then off, but not repetitively like the vid. Still could be same problem?
Click to expand...

Sounds like it could indeed be the caps, and for a couple of £'s, it's well worth the try :)
 
I opened it up and yup. Ordered a repair kit :) Been years since I soldered though. But also ordered a monitor, BenQ 24", the cheaper one though! May DSR it we'l see!

David
 
David get the XL2420T do not get the XL2410T......the XL2420T is a fair bit better and worth the difference ask them to change it for you if you already ordered it's worth it trust me.
 
You sound like you're trying to stop something awful from happening so i'll take your word for it.

I'll get it the morrow and most likely DSR it then!

Meanwhile could you give some reasons? The one I ordered still had good reviews, I didn;'t think I could warrant spending nearly £300 so went for the next step down.

David
 
The backlight bleed seems to be non existent on this version whereas before it was noticeable majority of the time and the XL2410T had more ghosting aswell as crosstalk in 3D games.(pretty sure once calibrated this produced better colours aswell)

You may want to check this http://www.pcmonitors.org/monitor-reviews/benq-xl2420t (which Axeia already linked, it's a good review and says there that it's a good bit better than the XL2410T)

I know it's fairly expensive for a TN panel but if you gaming a lot this monitor will last you a fair while and it's even made me play my games a lot more often now due to being able to use 3D too when i wish which can look stunning in some games.
 
Diggsy said:
Excellent, sounds like you might be in luck. Just take your time with the soldering and you'll be fine. Check out this video...

http://youtu.be/AFsO-Qz0MGE?hd=1

And this link for tips :) ...

http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/soldering.html
Click to expand...

Yep Yep. Did a bit of research before I decided to pry open the monitor. I've not soldered since school but i'm sure I can manage it if I check out some guides or youtube vids. :) No loss though if I fail as I didn't know I could fix it, so nothing to lose really!

Sycho said:
The backlight bleed seems to be non existent on this version whereas before it was noticeable majority of the time and the XL2410T had more ghosting aswell as crosstalk in 3D games.(pretty sure once calibrated this produced better colours aswell)

You may want to check this http://www.pcmonitors.org/monitor-reviews/benq-xl2420t (which Axeia already linked, it's a good review and says there that it's a good bit better than the XL2410T)

I know it's fairly expensive for a TN panel but if you gaming a lot this monitor will last you a fair while and it's even made me play my games a lot more often now due to being able to use 3D too when i wish which can look stunning in some games.
Click to expand...

Yeah I looked up stuff but asummed you get these kinda things with most monitors around this price. So the other monitor totally gets rid of the problems with the one I got?

I will probably check it out first though, its at home in a box! and see how it is. I don't know any better though as most the monitors I already have aren't great. I will most probably DSR it though, especially if it has any pixel problems.

Just DSR seems such a fuss. Have you ever used DSR, if so how much did it cost you to send the item back? Should I use a courier and not the post office? This is all that concerns me about DSR I suppose... I must be a bit lazy.

Cheers
 
David_VI said:
Yep Yep. Did a bit of research before I decided to pry open the monitor. I've not soldered since school but i'm sure I can manage it if I check out some guides or youtube vids. :) No loss though if I fail as I didn't know I could fix it, so nothing to lose really!
Click to expand...

Just take your time and you'll be fine. Remember to let the iron get well up to temperature before using it, then don't hold it on each solder point too long as you risk damaging the solder pads on the PCB. Oh and a little fresh solder should help release the old stuff.

It's pretty easy, I'd never soldered before and managed it fine, although I did almost destroy a solder pad by holding the iron on it too long :eek:
 
Barry1987 said:
Seriously just buy the Samsung S23A700D 23" 120Hz 3D LED (comes with VAT return from Samsung so you only pay £200) or the Benq XL2410T 24" 120Hz 3D


  • They're the best bang for buck (on the website at least)
  • 23-24" is perfect for a monitor. You don't need any higher unless you want so screw up your eyes
  • They are 120HZ and 3D!
Click to expand...

I bought the BenQ you recommended. that's what the last few posts are about because I was recommended to change it and get the other BenQ.

I haven't opened the box yet. I may do, I don't know if i'll notice any of the issues people claim, unless the backlight bleed is really bad. Still surely it is worth the money? I'm no expert on monitors hence all this back and forth'ing.
 
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