best gaming LCD monitor

*polonyc2* · 11-09-2007, 12:19 PM

I'm looking to replace my 6 year old Sony 21' CRT monitor...anyone have any suggestions?...I've never purchased an LCD monitor before as I've always preferred CRT's...I'm looking for a 21' monitor but might be willing to settle for 19'...does anyone know the best of the best in terms of image quality...I'm a hard core gamer and need something that will make my games shine

for years it was a widely help opinion that LCD's were inferior to CRT's in terms of gaming...is that still the case?

actual CRT screen sizes were a bit smaller then their spec sizes---viewable size, does this also apply to LCD monitors?...meaning if I purchase a 21' LCD monitor is that the viewable screen size as well?

fvineyard · 11-09-2007, 03:43 PM

LCD measurements should be the actual diagonal screen size. I have a 22" Samsung and I like it very much. Specs were good when I bought it although there is better available now. Low response time is good and now a contrast ratio of 1000, 2000 or even 3000 to 1 is available (higher = better blacks which would be good for gaming).

Another item that may be important to you is some LCD's are available with a glossy coating that allows for brighter and more vibrant colors. If glare will not be an issue in your environment then I would highly recommend the coating myself, although some will not prefer it.

I think you will be happy with the LCD monitor selection available to choose from these days.

Later....

Frank

+ve psi · 11-09-2007, 04:08 PM

If you are looking for image quality stay away from 22". From what I know (I have a 22" Acer) all 22" LCD's use a generic TN panel. I believe they are all 8 bit rather than 16 and the viewing angles are not good. However, if cost is a concern you cannot beat the 22" LCD for value, just be prepared to sacrifice. I think people on this board recommend the high end Dell LCD's. Anything that doesn't start with "E" in its model number.
If you have to go with a 22" you should look at the Samsung 226BW.

HTH

JimTram · 11-09-2007, 05:10 PM

There is a section on gaming monitors in the article. i.e. Samsung SyncMaster 940BW

X-bit labs - LCD Monitors Buyer's Guide: Fall 2007

ATINUT · 11-09-2007, 05:19 PM

My personal preference is for a Viewsonic LCD. My 20inch widescreen, is my second Viewsonic LCD and I haven't had a one bit of trouble with it.

I have the Viewsonic VG2030wm 20inch widescreen, the next step up is the VG2230wm 22inch widescreen LCD. You can't go wrong with the LCD you choose as long as you avoid a cheap generic monitor.

*polonyc2* · 11-09-2007, 09:04 PM

I'm confused...how does a widescreen monitor affect gaming?...if the game does not support widescreen then will it shrink the size down on my screen?...or will I see black bars on the screen as when watching a movie in widescreen format?...does it look really bad like this or does it really not make a big difference?

is purchasing a widescreen monitor the way to go or should I get a non-widescreen LCD?...I can't seem to find many non-widescreen LCD's at 21'+

zapionics<alt> · 11-09-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

...for years it was a widely help opinion that LCD's were inferior to CRT's in terms of gaming...is that still the case?...

I think it is. But CRT technology is at a standstill now due to the popularity of plasma TV's.

Of course the LCD's have much better linearity and no convergence errors, and take up less space on your desk and there is no health concern (as there was with regards the electron beams of a CRT).

I believe that if you run a LCD at its native resolution then it should give a picture as good as most CRT's would for gaming.

zapionics<alt> · 11-09-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

I'm confused...how does a widescreen monitor affect gaming?...if the game does not support widescreen then will it shrink the size down on my screen?...or will I see black bars on the screen as when watching a movie in widescreen format?...does it look really bad like this or does it really not make a big difference?...

I think widescreens will s t r e t c h the picture to fit the screen.
I think there are some monitors that can detect the resolution and put the picture in a box at the right proportions, but I'm not sure which.

ATINUT · 11-09-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

I'm confused...how does a widescreen monitor affect gaming?...if the game does not support widescreen then will it shrink the size down on my screen?...or will I see black bars on the screen as when watching a movie in widescreen format?...does it look really bad like this or does it really not make a big difference?

is purchasing a widescreen monitor the way to go or should I get a non-widescreen LCD?...I can't seem to find many non-widescreen LCD's at 21'+

The majority of widescreen LCD's will stretch a 4:3 format like 1280X1024 to widescreen.

A Widescreen LCD is the way to go, matter of fact, a local computer shop I do a lot of business with, doesn't really sell 4:3 LCD's anymore.

FightingChance · 11-09-2007, 10:48 PM

Software can control scaling; it can scale to fill the whole screen, scale until the picture reaches the top and bottom (bars on sides) or not scale at all (picture at real resolution at center of screen.)

At least, it used to... several iterations of Nvidia drivers have this functionality broken. Search for my post on widescreen scaling woes.

I also was a CRT holdout, and for good reason - earlier LCD's had ghosting and view angle issues I found unacceptable. For a few years now I've had my first LCD, a Viewsonic VX2025WM and I love it - great color, much better contrast than my CRT had, and the ghosting is so low that it's even lower than my CRT's 'phosphor burn' ghosting.

switch_abx · 11-10-2007, 04:53 AM

Go for EIZO. Stunning image quality. And indeed go for Widescreen.

shaihulud · 11-10-2007, 06:34 AM

I still cannot use an LCD to game with. They are just too slow still. LCD’s are finally starting to come in 120Hz panels, but those are very expensive for now. The ghosting maybe gone, or is not a discernable (to some), but the blurring when moving is still there to me. I am hoping that 120Hz panels will remedy this when they reach the desktop market.

I do agree, without a doubt, go for the widescreen.

fvbounty · 11-10-2007, 08:15 AM

I think the ultimate lcd would be one with LED back lighting and 120 Hz, I just think it would be very expensive!

*polonyc2* · 11-10-2007, 08:31 AM

any idea when the 120Hz LCD's will start to appear?

fvbounty · 11-10-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonyc2

any idea when the 120Hz LCD's will start to appear?

I know they have 120HZ lcd tv's out now, I don't know about monitors, samsung has a 20 and 22 inch with 2 rms grey to grey monitors and I think thats is about has fast that there is right now.

226BW LCD - monitors SAMSUNG

11-09-2007, 12:19 PM	#1
polonyc2 Helter Skelter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 7,260	best gaming LCD monitor I'm looking to replace my 6 year old Sony 21' CRT monitor...anyone have any suggestions?...I've never purchased an LCD monitor before as I've always preferred CRT's...I'm looking for a 21' monitor but might be willing to settle for 19'...does anyone know the best of the best in terms of image quality...I'm a hard core gamer and need something that will make my games shine for years it was a widely help opinion that LCD's were inferior to CRT's in terms of gaming...is that still the case? actual CRT screen sizes were a bit smaller then their spec sizes---viewable size, does this also apply to LCD monitors?...meaning if I purchase a 21' LCD monitor is that the viewable screen size as well? __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB Intel E8400 * Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital RE2 500 GB WD5001ABYS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX620 AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Lite-On DVD-RW w/LightScribe LH-20A1L-06 * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP1 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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11-09-2007, 03:43 PM	#2
fvineyard Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 57	Re: best gaming LCD monitor LCD measurements should be the actual diagonal screen size. I have a 22" Samsung and I like it very much. Specs were good when I bought it although there is better available now. Low response time is good and now a contrast ratio of 1000, 2000 or even 3000 to 1 is available (higher = better blacks which would be good for gaming). Another item that may be important to you is some LCD's are available with a glossy coating that allows for brighter and more vibrant colors. If glare will not be an issue in your environment then I would highly recommend the coating myself, although some will not prefer it. I think you will be happy with the LCD monitor selection available to choose from these days. Later.... Frank __________________
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11-09-2007, 04:08 PM	#3
+ve psi Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 325	Re: best gaming LCD monitor If you are looking for image quality stay away from 22". From what I know (I have a 22" Acer) all 22" LCD's use a generic TN panel. I believe they are all 8 bit rather than 16 and the viewing angles are not good. However, if cost is a concern you cannot beat the 22" LCD for value, just be prepared to sacrifice. I think people on this board recommend the high end Dell LCD's. Anything that doesn't start with "E" in its model number. If you have to go with a 22" you should look at the Samsung 226BW. HTH __________________ EVGA 680i, Core2Duo E6600, 2x1G Mushkin HP2-6400, EVGA 8800GTS, OCZ Gamestream 700, Seagate 320 GB/200GB, WD 80GB, 22" Acer LCD, Winxp pro sp2
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11-09-2007, 05:10 PM	#4
JimTram Seabees, USN-Retired Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Camarillo, California Posts: 2,905	Re: best gaming LCD monitor There is a section on gaming monitors in the article. i.e. Samsung SyncMaster 940BW X-bit labs - LCD Monitors Buyer's Guide: Fall 2007 __________________ Intel DP965LT rev 209, Q6700, KVR800D2 4096M (4x1024), eVGA 9800GTX, Seagate ST3300620AS (2x), Audigy 2ZS Platinum, SyncMaster 940BX, Brother MSC7420, Creative Inspire T3000, Sony FDD, Iomega Ext HDD 80GB, Pioneer DVR-212D, Logitech 518, Logitech Extreme 3d Pro Wingman, Antec SLK 3000-B, Antec 550W-Trio, and XPPro SP3. Dell XPS M140, Intel Pentium M750 (1.86GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB), 1024M DDR, 80GB HDD, 8X DVD+/-RW Drive, TV Tuner, and XPMCE.
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11-09-2007, 05:19 PM	#5
ATINUT Just Plain Crazy! Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,251	Re: best gaming LCD monitor My personal preference is for a Viewsonic LCD. My 20inch widescreen, is my second Viewsonic LCD and I haven't had a one bit of trouble with it. I have the Viewsonic VG2030wm 20inch widescreen, the next step up is the VG2230wm 22inch widescreen LCD. You can't go wrong with the LCD you choose as long as you avoid a cheap generic monitor. __________________ Intel D975XBX2 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 8GB's of Mushkin HP2 6400 memory(DDR2 800) Visiontek Radeon 3870X2 videocard HT Omega Claro(Cmedia 8788HD chip) 120GB&200GB&320GB Western Digital harddrives LG DVDROM & LG DVDBURNER HP Deskjet 920C Logitech X-540 speakers Viewsonic VG2030wm 20inch Widescreen LCD Windows Vista 64 Ultimate Who'se the fool that approved the design for this place. - The Dwarf, Sacred Underworld.
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11-09-2007, 09:04 PM	#6
polonyc2 Helter Skelter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 7,260	I'm confused...how does a widescreen monitor affect gaming?...if the game does not support widescreen then will it shrink the size down on my screen?...or will I see black bars on the screen as when watching a movie in widescreen format?...does it look really bad like this or does it really not make a big difference? is purchasing a widescreen monitor the way to go or should I get a non-widescreen LCD?...I can't seem to find many non-widescreen LCD's at 21'+ __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB Intel E8400 * Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital RE2 500 GB WD5001ABYS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX620 AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Lite-On DVD-RW w/LightScribe LH-20A1L-06 * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP1 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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11-09-2007, 10:48 PM	#10
FightingChance Yes, I am better than you Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 4,068	Re: best gaming LCD monitor Software can control scaling; it can scale to fill the whole screen, scale until the picture reaches the top and bottom (bars on sides) or not scale at all (picture at real resolution at center of screen.) At least, it used to... several iterations of Nvidia drivers have this functionality broken. Search for my post on widescreen scaling woes. I also was a CRT holdout, and for good reason - earlier LCD's had ghosting and view angle issues I found unacceptable. For a few years now I've had my first LCD, a Viewsonic VX2025WM and I love it - great color, much better contrast than my CRT had, and the ghosting is so low that it's even lower than my CRT's 'phosphor burn' ghosting.
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11-10-2007, 04:53 AM	#11
switch_abx Xen now Citrix's Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 2,604	Re: best gaming LCD monitor Go for EIZO. Stunning image quality. And indeed go for Widescreen.
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11-10-2007, 06:34 AM	#12
shaihulud Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,230	Re: best gaming LCD monitor I still cannot use an LCD to game with. They are just too slow still. LCD’s are finally starting to come in 120Hz panels, but those are very expensive for now. The ghosting maybe gone, or is not a discernable (to some), but the blurring when moving is still there to me. I am hoping that 120Hz panels will remedy this when they reach the desktop market. I do agree, without a doubt, go for the widescreen.
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11-10-2007, 08:15 AM	#13
fvbounty Eat Wild Pacific Salmon Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Alameda Ca Posts: 5,131	Re: best gaming LCD monitor I think the ultimate lcd would be one with LED back lighting and 120 Hz, I just think it would be very expensive! __________________ New Gaming rig - Asus P5E3 Deluxe Wi-Fi - Intel QX9650 - CORSAIR TWIN3X2048-1600C7DHXIN 2GB PC3-12800 - 150 gig Raptor - 320 gig WD 3200YS - Corsair HX 620 watt PS - EVGA 512-P3-N841-A3 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB - AMD FX 55 - XP-90C & SilentCat 9 - Asus A8N-SLI with Swiftech MCX159 - 2X1024 Corsair 3500LLPro 2-3-2-6 1T - 2X BFG 6800GT OC Zalman VF700-CU - 1 WD 74 Gig Raptor boot - 1 Seagate 7200 sata data - Nec 3500A - Plextor 716AL Slot Loader - Enermax EG 701 AX 600 watt PS - Silverstone Temjin TJ03B case with side window - G7 lazer mouse - Cannon Pixma I8500 printer - Windows XP Pro SP2 Slipstreamed - Dell 2405FPW lcd
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11-10-2007, 08:31 AM	#14
polonyc2 Helter Skelter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 7,260	any idea when the 120Hz LCD's will start to appear? __________________ ASUS Maximus Formula (X38) *** EVGA 8800GT Superclocked 512MB Intel E8400 * Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro G.Skill 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 * Western Digital RE2 500 GB WD5001ABYS Lian Li PC-A70B (black) * Corsair HX620 AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1 * Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 speakers Lite-On DVD-RW w/LightScribe LH-20A1L-06 * Sony GDM-F520 21' CRT monitor (19.8' viewable) Vista Business 64-bit w/SP1 * standard 3.5" floppy drive Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 *** Microsoft Wired Keyboard 500 (Black)
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