New Monitor Time??

demon8991 · 15 May 2012 at 00:41

Hi Guys,

Just built the below spec (see sig) and was wondering whether I should be upgrading my monitor too which I have linked below.

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=fed&sku=320-7345

I don't follow monitor developments too closely so I don't know where we are at in terms of the current technology. Are there any new advancements worth waiting for and would I even see a big improvement on what I have now?

All advice we be much appreciated.

demon8991 · 17 May 2012 at 00:22

What you guys think?

Sycho · 17 May 2012 at 00:42

If you are gaming a lot then perhaps get a S23A700D for 120hz/3D however if you are gaming often but doing photowork/video editing/watching movies a lot then a 27 inch IPS like a HP ZR27W would be more ideal as it has low input lag too.

However i heard from a knowledgeable tech friend that 4k resolution monitors are 1-2 years off from being sold though they probably will cost a lot.

If you are happy with current keep what you got to be honest.(remember that the 7970 is ideal for high resolutions due to the 3GB vram too so perhaps 27/30 inch is your best bet afterall aka HP ZR27W/30W are in my view amongst the best ips models.)

Vegeta · 17 May 2012 at 00:48

First of all how much would you like to spend? And what is the purpose of your monitor? I'm guessing since your new rig appears to be gaming orientated and you like 24" screens I would go for this.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...m_medium=landingpage&utm_campaign=BenQXL2420T

24" monitor with low response time and 120Mhz instead of the usual 60 so when your card produces more than 60fps it won't go to waste. It can make a big difference and make the game more responsive and enjoyable with no tearing.

If you want more than 24" and want to consider 27" then I'd go for this.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-165-SA&groupid=17&catid=1120&subcat=

It's a much better looking monitor aesthetically but once again has 120Mhz.

Difference between the two? Both 1080P so the 24" will have better pixel density (although 1080P at 27" looks crisp to me) and the 24" is Nvidia 3d compatible 2.0 whereas the first is not. It is tridef which is a another form of 3d but not quite as good as Nvidia 2.0 (you may not be bothered about 3d).

Me personally... I went for the 27" Samsung but the more expensive model:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-166-SA&groupid=17&catid=1120&subcat=

Because my card is a GTX 480 and doesn't have displayport unlike your 7970 which does have displayport capabilities.

demon8991 · 17 May 2012 at 01:03

Sycho said:
If you are gaming a lot then perhaps get a S23A700D for 120hz/3D however if you are gaming often but doing photowork/video editing/watching movies a lot then a 27 inch IPS like a HP ZR27W would be more ideal as it has low input lag too.

However i heard from a knowledgeable tech friend that 4k resolution monitors are 1-2 years off from being sold though they probably will cost a lot.

If you are happy with current keep what you got to be honest.(remember that the 7970 is ideal for high resolutions due to the 3GB vram too so perhaps 27/30 inch is your best bet afterall aka HP ZR27W/30W are in my view amongst the best ips models.)

Vegeta said:
First of all how much would you like to spend? And what is the purpose of your monitor? I'm guessing since your new rig appears to be gaming orientated and you like 24" screens I would go for this.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...m_medium=landingpage&utm_campaign=BenQXL2420T

24" monitor with low response time and 120Mhz instead of the usual 60 so when your card produces more than 60fps it won't go to waste. It can make a big difference and make the game more responsive and enjoyable with no tearing.

If you want more than 24" and want to consider 27" then I'd go for this.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-165-SA&groupid=17&catid=1120&subcat=

It's a much better looking monitor aesthetically but once again has 120Mhz.

Difference between the two? Both 1080P so the 24" will have better pixel density (although 1080P at 27" looks crisp to me) and the 24" is Nvidia 3d compatible 2.0 whereas the first is not. It is tridef which is a another form of 3d but not quite as good as Nvidia 2.0 (you may not be bothered about 3d).

Me personally... I went for the 27" Samsung but the more expensive model:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-166-SA&groupid=17&catid=1120&subcat=

Because my card is a GTX 480 and doesn't have displayport unlike your 7970 which does have displayport capabilities.

Thanks so much for your help guys!

The system i have built is mainly for gaming, is there any news of 1440p 120hz 27" monitors being made avaliable? As i would love a 27" but have heard mixed reviews with regard to having 1080p on a larger screen.

Vegeta · 17 May 2012 at 01:08

demon8991 said:
Thanks so much for your help guys!

The system i have built is mainly for gaming, is there any news of 1440p 120hz 27" monitors being made avaliable? As i would love a 27" but have heard mixed reviews with regard to having 1080p on a larger screen.

I don't think there is at the minute and when there is the prices will be stupid for a while so get a 27" 1080P like me for a few years until the new ones come out and the prices are affordable.

Luckily for me I'm using a 1080P Toshiba Regza 32" tv at the minute as my monitor! So once my Samsung arrives the pixel density will be a big improvement by my standards.

Sycho · 17 May 2012 at 03:49

There isn't no 120hz 1440p monitors yet afaik but there is this : http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18387717 which people are very happy with though it's a long ship route and not sure how awkward a return would be if any stuck/dead pixels.

demon8991 · 17 May 2012 at 06:06

Sycho said:
There isn't no 120hz 1440p monitors yet afaik but there is this : http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18387717 which people are very happy with though it's a long ship route and not sure how awkward a return would be if any stuck/dead pixels.

That's annoying I am not sure what to do, as if I am honest during my 3 system builds over the last 8 years I've only had two monitors so I tend not to update them as often so would rather get one that is future proof.

Would love a 1440p 120hz 27" and feel if I get a top spec 1080p 120hz 24" now I will be changing it in a year or so.

Is the jump from 60hz to 120hz on a 24" really that great? Will I notice a massive difference?

PorkPieCat · 17 May 2012 at 11:15

not done any gaming yet, but the difference in general tasks is very much night and day. the human eye can only see bla bla frames per second must be a myth. i've had my s23a700d for about a month and everyone who's seen it can see the difference between 120 and 60hz. there's even a difference between 100hz and 120hz when moving the mouse or windows about, though not the big difference that 60 to 120 is. if you have the money, buy a 100/120hz monitor. everything else feels sluggish in comparison!

Sycho · 17 May 2012 at 12:24

demon8991 said:
That's annoying I am not sure what to do, as if I am honest during my 3 system builds over the last 8 years I've only had two monitors so I tend not to update them as often so would rather get one that is future proof.

Would love a 1440p 120hz 27" and feel if I get a top spec 1080p 120hz 24" now I will be changing it in a year or so.

Is the jump from 60hz to 120hz on a 24" really that great? Will I notice a massive difference?

I can notice it easily but it varies per person, in fast paced scenarios you really can notice it more like debris flying around in BF3 and sprinting in areas in Skyrim.(areas where fps is really high you will see more benefit)

3D can be pretty good, you need to make sure you give your eyes time to adjust to it before judging it like adjust the depth higher slowly each time if you are feeling any eyestrain for example and make sessions gradually longer slowly.

The Samsung S23A700D is a beautiful monitor and even if 120hz 1440p monitors came out anytime within 1-2 years you probably would have no problems selling it anyway.