In need of some advice!

NeoSync 05

NeoSync 05

NeoSync 05

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3 Jan 2008
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18
Location
Glasgow
I have recently built myself a new computer so I'm now looking for a decent monitor to go with it. I am pretty clueless about monitors so thought I'd try get some advice.

I'm looking for a monitor about 23" ideally for gaming costing around £300ish. I could maybe splash out a little more if push comes to shove. I'm just looking for something to take advantage of the new computer... Can post the spec if that helps any.

Thanks in advance!
 
Hi there,

I would suggest going for for either a nice IPS panel monitor like this (great colour accuracy, wide viewing angles, good responsiveness) or a 120Hz TN monitor like this (inferior image quality/viewing angles to IPS but superior responsiveness, no input lag and 120Hz means fast-paced games will play even smoother than on a fast 60Hz monitor).

Personally I would go with the Dell U2311H (IPS), here is an in-depth review.

If you are prepared to spend a bit more, then the next most expensive monitor to look out for is the 27in 2560x1440 res, IPS panel Hazro HZ27WC (non-glass) or the Dell U2410. These are clearly bigger and more expensive than what you asked for, but both are lovely monitors and great for gaming (though the hazro has it's share of troubles which I would recommend looking into before you decide to buy it).
 
I had been looking at the dell as I know they make some pretty decent monitors. But had read that it's not really the best for gaming? The 27" hazro would be nice but atm I don't have much room for something that size. And the 24" dell is really nice but damn pricey :P

I was wondering if it would be better waiting on the new samsung 23" and if it really warrants the £400 price tag?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-164-SA&groupid=17&catid=1425&subcat=
 
Yea, the dell isn't the best at gaming (as in there are monitors that handle motion better), but it is still a great monitor for gaming - and the quality of the panel used makes it a wonderful package overall. If you have a look at the review of the U2311H in my above post, you will see how it performs compared to other monitors.

As for the Samsung 23in, I really don't know as there haven't been any in-depth reviews published AFAIK. Just by looking at the specs, this is a monitor that uses a TN panel and has the 3D system built in. Considering a similar (and separate) 3D kit costs £110 if you buy from Nvidia (for use with a "dumb" DVI-D 120Hz monitor) then a fair chunk of the samsung's price must be made up by the in-built 3D kit. If 3D doesn't interest you then you may want to look elsewhere and save some money.
 
To be honest I had never really considered 3D monitors. As I've said I am pretty clueless about most things monitors, but the only thing I've seen so far with 3D is nVidia. I'm currently running an ATI 6950 would this work with the 3d monitors? The thing that may sway me would be 3d movies, which would be pretty sweet.
 
The best 3D gaming experience will be had with a nvidia graphics card and a 120Hz monitor which uses a dual-link DVI input. Such a system gives you 1080p @60Hz per eye and only works with nvidia graphics cards in 3D.

For 3D gaming with an AMD graphics card you require a 120Hz monitor/TV with a HDMI 1.4 input (like that samsung you linked to) or a monitor that is specifically designed to work with it's own paired glasses via a DVI connection (not many of these). With the HDMI 1.4 3D system, the output image is limited to 720p @60Hz per eye or 1080p @24Hz per eye due to bandwidth and spec restrictions on the HDMI 1.4 connection (dual link DVI offers much more bandwidth). Also bear in mind that nvidia 3D also works with HDMI 1.4 displays using the 3DTV play software.

For 3D gaming with an AMD graphics card you need to buy middleware software from a company like DDD (with Tri-Def) or IZ3D which allows you to run the games in 3D. In contrast, with Nvidia's system the 3D implementation is all done in-house - many say this is a better approach. For playing 3D video it is a bit simpler as you just require a compatible 3D graphics card (nvidia or AMD), a 3D display and a media player that supports 3D video playback (like Power DVD11 Ultra).

Also, I should point out that one of the biggest draws of 120Hz monitors is not 3D gaming but playing games in the standard way (2D) but making use of the higher refresh rate to achieve a smoother (more CRT-like) gaming experience in fast paced games. To do this you can use either a AMD or Nvidia graphics card and just need a 120Hz monitor with a dual-link DVI input.
 
Oh right, so the only way I'd be able to watch movies in 3D would be to pay for extra software? Ah well that isn't really the most ideal thing. I'd rather have a 1080p monitor over 3D in that case.

I was in Ayr earlier looking at the Benq XL2410T just to get an idea of what it was like. The reviews on here seem to sing its praises, however, it seems to have mixed reviews on the forums. I play occasional FPS but not much; I'm more an RTS/MMORPG player but like the flexibilty. I'm guessing the Dell would be able to handly FPS well if one day I decided to switch to FPS for a while?
 
Aye, to play Blu-ray 3D you would need to pay for extra software - but tbh to play standard Blu-rays on a PC you need to pay for similar software anyway (since there is no free Blu-ray playing software).

That said, you do usually get basic Blu-ray playing software when you buy an internal blu-ray drive like this. This software is usually a cut down version (eg it only allows stereo sound and does not support 3D blu ray), but it does work well for playing standard blu rays. What it also offers is a reduced cost upgrade to the full version of the software (for around £35) and this full version does support surround sound and Blu-ray 3D.

As for the BenQ 120Hz, I would give it a miss. There are supposedly some pretty annoying issues with it. Instead, If you are set on going 3D I would suggest going for this LG, this ASUS, wait for some in-depth reviews of the new Samsung 120Hz monitors or buy a good 3DTV.

However, based on your uses I would go with an IPS monitor like the Dell (or the 27in hazro) since these monitors will look much better than the TN panel monitors in RTS/MMORPGs, can also handle the fast movement in an FPS when you play them and doesn't require you to buy a new graphics card or expensive 3D hardware/software.
 
cmndr_andi said:
The best 3D gaming experience will be had with a nvidia graphics card and a 120Hz monitor which uses a dual-link DVI input. Such a system gives you 1080p @60Hz per eye and only works with nvidia graphics cards in 3D.

For 3D gaming with an AMD graphics card you require a 120Hz monitor/TV with a HDMI 1.4 input (like that samsung you linked to) or a monitor that is specifically designed to work with it's own paired glasses via a DVI connection (not many of these). With the HDMI 1.4 3D system, the output image is limited to 720p @60Hz per eye or 1080p @24Hz per eye due to bandwidth and spec restrictions on the HDMI 1.4 connection (dual link DVI offers much more bandwidth). Also bear in mind that nvidia 3D also works with HDMI 1.4 displays using the 3DTV play software.

For 3D gaming with an AMD graphics card you need to buy middleware software from a company like DDD (with Tri-Def) or IZ3D which allows you to run the games in 3D. In contrast, with Nvidia's system the 3D implementation is all done in-house - many say this is a better approach. For playing 3D video it is a bit simpler as you just require a compatible 3D graphics card (nvidia or AMD), a 3D display and a media player that supports 3D video playback (like Power DVD11 Ultra).

Also, I should point out that one of the biggest draws of 120Hz monitors is not 3D gaming but playing games in the standard way (2D) but making use of the higher refresh rate to achieve a smoother (more CRT-like) gaming experience in fast paced games. To do this you can use either a AMD or Nvidia graphics card and just need a 120Hz monitor with a dual-link DVI input.
Click to expand...

Very important information:cool:

Btw andi you seem to be pretty knowledgeable in monitor section aswell or should I dare say 2nd only to PCM2.
 
Monitor arrived today, sadly I was working late so only just managed to get it set up and have a quick play.

Wow... The colour and sharpness is unbelievable compared to my last monitor! However, I've noticed that there is a kind of orange glow in the bottom left corner while there are dark images on the screen. Is there any way to minimise this?
 
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