Spec Me a Monitor

Atomic · 30 Dec 2006 at 09:34

After months of thinking I have now bought a Xbox360 package and a 26 inch LCD LGr26 or something like that as my main gaming setup.

However, I want that to be around my desk area with my PC, but I have a Iiyama 17 inch crt screen that is just taking to uch space and contributes so much heat I think it's behind global warming.

Now, my system is a 3500, 1GB Ram (upgrading to 2gb in Feb), and 6800GT (upgrading to the HIS x1950 256MB) soon. I wont be a hardcore PC gamer, but will want to run games like C&C 3 on it and maybe give HL2 another run out in the coming months , so obviously I want a monitor that has no ghosting or things like that. I also like to use Photoshop, Internet and general office apps too, so obviously want the text to be crisp and clear.

I want my monitor to be a TFT, and no bigger or smaller than 22 inches. It must also have DVI.
It must also be no more than £300, and would like a DVI cable included with it...if not do OCUK sell these?

Any suggestions?

Baddass · 30 Dec 2006 at 09:57

the 22" market is pretty similar really, all are based on TN Film panel technology and from a handful of different manufacturers. I'd suggest you could select your screen based on looks, price and features from those available at OcUK

The Samsung SM225BW is a good bet, pretty functional, has DVI etc

Atomic · 30 Dec 2006 at 10:12

I'm not at all fussed about looks to be honest, more about quality of the screen itself.

Does the Samsung come with the DVI cable, and how does it compare to the Video Seven offering? I don't think I'll go with the Asus one as I've read something dodgy about the warranty? Also the Bellina sounds nice, but lacks DVI.

blknoel · 30 Dec 2006 at 11:40

Belinea 102035W is a stunning P-MVA panel
Viewsonic 2025WM is also a P-MVA panel

These are good for movies, very deep blacks, no reports on blacklight bleed, and fast enough for gaming.

Dell 2007wfp, a bit of lottery here, rev A02 and A03 should be S-IPS panels (LG Philips), latest A03 ones could be the new Samsung MVA panels though (cheaper)

Lesser blacks but amazingly wide view angle, loads of inputs and HDCP compliant. Stated 16ms is misleading, in fact it rivals even the fastest TN panel in gaming, no visible ghosting.

And if money is no issue, go for the NEC 20GWX2, also AS-IPS panel, with glossy coating for deeper black and more bright natural color. Very fast and ideal for high image quality gaming.

Oh, they are all proper 20" with dots size of .255 or .258, I like crisp image so I don't fancy big pixel dots, 22" have bigger dots, same resolution, that's all.

Hope that helps