Which Monitor? 2 weeks later still searching

Bego2K

Bego2K

Bego2K

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Joined
18 Dec 2008
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114
Location
UK
Hi Guys

I apologise for what I am about to ask as I can see from previous posts that these posts are fairly frequent and realise these must get a little repetitive. However none of these posts have given me the answers I so desperately need.

I am looking for a good all rounder monitor which will primarily be used for gaming but also internet and a small amount of picture editing (photoshop).
Most important features are Glossy/Semi Glossy Screen, at least 24", & cost no more than £400
Features I would like but not absolutly neccesary are 120HZ, good colour reproduction (Gamut), good black levels with if possible no backlight bleed or very minimal.

I have read numerous reviews, forums, comments etc and looked at numerous different monitors of all styles and prices and simply cannot find a monitor which suits my needs. I am more confused now after researching all the technologies for monitors like the difference between each of the panels (TN,IPS,MVA,PVA,etc.), the difference between Glossy vs Matte, why no 1200P on 120HZ & the effect on choosing a large size screen for one panel over a smaller screen size. :confused:
I was holding out for the BenQ XL2420T but then read on here about an extensive review of it and read that its basically only good for CSS and Starcraft.
I like the look of the S27A950 but am not willing to spend £500 as i find this very overpriced for essentially a TN panel (although it does look very nice :) ) also saw the 23" version which is also way overpriced (or so i think).

Any help would be greatly appriciated

Thanks

PS sorry if this post is little all over the place :eek:
 
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BTW if anyone else is having problems figuring out what monitor to get there are two really good websites that can help (unfortunately they didnt help me :( but have guided me in the right direction)
http://www.pcmonitors.org/ this website has some really good extensive reviews
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/selector.htm this website also has some good extensive reviews but also has a "TFT selector" you choose the options you want and it shows recommended monitors. Unfortunately I think its a little out dated atm as it doesnt have some of the newer monitors on there.
 
it's not one of the monitors where there it's known to be common, as in there are plenty of monitors that have it waaaaay worse. The Dell u2412m hasn't really got any competition either as everything else either uses a completely different panel, costs way more or is a different size/resolution.
Just buy it and send it back if you happen to get one that has a bad case of backlight bleed.
 
Axeia said:
it's not one of the monitors where there it's known to be common, as in there are plenty of monitors that have it waaaaay worse. The Dell u2412m hasn't really got any competition either as everything else either uses a completely different panel, costs way more or is a different size/resolution.
Just buy it and send it back if you happen to get one that has a bad case of backlight bleed.
Click to expand...

Is this monitor best suited for my needs? also is it worth going for a glossy screen or is it best to stick to matte?
 
I was holding out for the BenQ XL2420T but then read on here about an extensive review of it and read that its basically only good for CSS and Starcraft
Click to expand...

Find this a bit harsh imo, i have this monitor and i dont play CSS or Starcraft and find it excellent for everyday use, web browsing and gaming (bf3, skyrim mainly).
 
I think you might be better off with a Samsung S24A850D. It actually meets the semi-glossy criteria unlike the Dell which has a very heavy AG-coating. Downside, if it's anything like the bigger S27A850D it might have backlight bleed problems.
Sadly there is very little information to be found on this monitor and only a little bit more about the S27A850D. tftcentral.co.uk has a review of the 27" version for sale but if it's representative for the 24" version is a bit of a mystery. There is also quite an extensive review of the 27" version up the dutch hardware.info site so perhaps working some google translate magic will help you form an opinion.
(I'm Dutch so if google translate is making too big of a mess I could translate a few lines - not doing the entire thing though ;))

Another alternative would be the BenQ EW2430 which has better blacks due to the VA-panel. Might have the upperhand for photoshop use with a true 8-bit (no FRC) panel. Like the Samsung it's semi-glossy and the only potential problem seems to be ghosting but that really depends on how sensitive to it you are yourself.

The Dell is matte (rather heavy AG-coating) so that would lead me to believe that these two monitors might be better suited to your needs.
 
Find this a bit harsh imo, i have this monitor and i dont play CSS or Starcraft and find it excellent for everyday use, web browsing and gaming (bf3, skyrim mainly).
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback but think i might wait for a more extensive review on this one... was just quoting what i read in another review.

Axeia said:
I think you might be better off with a Samsung S24A850D. It actually meets the semi-glossy criteria unlike the Dell which has a very heavy AG-coating. Downside, if it's anything like the bigger S27A850D it might have backlight bleed problems.
Click to expand...

First off thank you Axeia for your reply and suggestions i really appreciate it. Been tearing my hair out trying to figure this out.

On the Samsung :'( Damn that backlight bleed problem, if it wasnt for that this monitor would have been perfect for me :( http://samsungs24a850dw.blogspot.com/

However i have looked at the BenQ and because i currently have a TN panel (I think) the ghosting would be an issue for me as im pretty sure i havent seen any ghosting before. I currently have a Samsung SyncMaster 245B.

Could i get away with the backlight problem on the samsung? i mean im only going to see it when its a dark image right?.
If not would i really notice the ghosting on the BenQ considering as far as a know i havent see this before?

Is there any other monitors like the samsung without the backlight issue and is the backlight issue hit and miss so i may get one thats OK?
 
I don't think there is anything like the S24A850D, the backlight bleed problem is only an assumption based on the 27" version. Perhaps the 24" doesn't have a problem at all, perhaps the reviewers of the 27" model got a particularly problematic model.. who knows.

DSR entitle you to at least 7 days to try it out so if isn't quite what you expected then you can simply send it back and get your money back (you do have to cough up the shipping costs yourself). Same thing with the BenQ, don't like it? send it back.
There really isn't any way to tell whether you will find the ghosting problematic or not, there are gamers that love and gamers that return it due to the ghosting. Only one way to find out in which group you belong.
 
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Axeia said:
I don't think there is anything like the S24A850D, the backlight bleed problem is only an assumption based on the 27" version. Perhaps the 24" doesn't have a problem at all, perhaps the reviewers of the 27" model got a particularly problematic model.. who knows.
Click to expand...

The 24" does have the problem if you look at the enlarged pictures in the link on my last reply it says 24" at the bottom of the picure. you may still be right and the reviewers just got a poor version of it.

I have read PCM2's review of the XL2420T but still havent decided yet. Will let you know what i go for once i decided lol. :o
 
Well i took the plunge and bought the Samsung S27A750D, a little over my budget but basically my decision was made when i went to a store on Saturday and saw the size of a 27". I was a little weary at first as i didnt know what the glossy finish was going to be like and was afraid i would be bothered by lots of reflection. Thankfully this isnt the case. :D
So far im very happy with the monitor and dont think i will be sending it back. :p

Also, did anyone know theres a fan in the base of this monitor. Presumably because the base is crammed with components the fan is needed to keep things cool. Just thought this was interesting as never come across it before.

On a side note i bought with this monitor one of those SoundScience Halo lighting kit. Have had a quick look, not sure if im going to use it yet. Has anyone else got one of these and does it really make a difference?

Once again great service from Overclockers, delivered next day and they even matched the price from another site where i found it cheaper :D
 
The Soundscience lighting kits are for up to 24" ;). As I have a 27" monitor as well I ordered a 1m LED strip elsewhere. Haven't received it yet and probably wont in quite a while but in theory it should be better for the eyes at least.
 
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