Best Gaming LCD's 19''+

decidence

decidence

Genkai Conqueror
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I'm looking for a LCD Monitor for gaming that will work well with FPS Games (HL2/CS/DOD). I want opinions from people that have experience using a recent LCD with these games in the past 6 months. I don't want a LCD that shows any ghosting or colour distortion.

Looking at a price range of $250-$450 USD

My top two at the moment that I'm considering...

Samsung 19" 940BF BLK 1280x1024 700:1 2MS DVI LCD [$299 CDN]
Viewsonic 19" VX922 1280X1024 650:1 2ms DVI BK/SL LCD [$319 CDN]

Note: I can notice the difference between 85 and 100 frame rate when playing FPS's so I don't want something that will gimp my frame rate either.
 
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Of all the new LCD's that I've bought most have pretty good response time, and personally I could not tell between them as long as they were below 6-8ms. You need to keep in mind however they report the "fastest times" not the average. Meaning the average could be much higher.
This in my opinion makes it a non-issue as long as its a new monitor. The biggest difference that I can tell right off is image clarity and color.

The best brands in my opinion are Dell's and Samsungs. Samsungs at least you'll be able to see a display model at alot of stores, Dells however you will only know if you buy it. Unfortunately the best monitors I've bought have been from Dell, so if you go that way its gonna be hit and miss.

Newegg has the Samsung cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16824001230
 
I got the Higher-end 19" dell and I love it, but I have'nt played a shooter on it yet, but I watch a lot of movies anf it's always great.
 
I know what kind of rig you have Deci, and some of the stuff you do. You will never, ever, ever regret spending the extra couple hundred on a Dell 2407FPW. I have the 2405, but the difference between the 2 models lies strictly in the shell (2405 more black, 2407 almost entirely silver).

I bought one at Christmas time during Dell's Deal of the Day thing. $800cdn before taxes and such. I thought it was kind of a waste of money, but jesus H christ was I wrong.

After purchasing it I went through and re-played a bunch of games to see if I could find any ghosting.

Doom Legacy. Postal 2. Painkiller. FEAR. Half-Life 2. Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter. Doom 3. Quake 4. Oblivion. Prey.

Nothing... all of them looked flawless. In fact, I see more ghosting in FFXI than any other game (understandable due to the horridly low max FPS).

Hold off until xmas, I betcha the 2407s will be on sale just like last year. I financed it through Dell and paid it off in 4 installments of $250 I think. Made it easier to afford during the holidays.

You have a pretty bitchin' video card, right? Running at the native 1920x1200 shouldn't be a problem.


edit: the 2 you recommended, are they using 8-bit panels? Those prices look low for 8b but I havent really watched LCD prices lately. If you want to avoid colour distortion, you need 8-bit.
 
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Decidence, I currently use the Dell 20.1" Widescreen monitor at my house. Price is under 500 (above your range, but its just a suggestion).

Refresh rate is quick, doesn't hurt my eyes, and there is very little dead pixels on the monitor when I first got it (possibly 1-2). I forget who actually makes the monitor, but I am very happy with my purchase so far.

Link: http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=CADHS1&sku=320-4688
 
Dell's LCD monitors exclusively use Samsung TFT panels. I believe they use GEM decoders.
 
And there you have it. ^^
 
What's all this stuff I hear about LCD monitors capping your frame rate to 75? With my CRT if I fps_max in Counter-Strike to 75 I can notice the difference big time compared to uncapping my FPS, I want shit to look and play as smooth as my CRT but have a nicer picture and take up less space on my desk.

I don't care about movies or any other applications really. All I use my home machine for is gaming and the occasional movie or programming side project.
 
I've never heard of that, but I can believe it. Might be a hard vsync cap? That or they're misconstruing the info. I'm pretty sure LCD panels have a hardcap of 75hz for refresh rate, but the frames refresh in a completely different manner than CRT displays.

60hz on LCD = ~120hz on CRT

Just checked my Ultrasharp 1907FP here at work, caps at 75hz. I imagine that's what they're talking about.
 
I have an LCD (Samsung SyncMaster 150MP) that I use for my PC as well as my PS2. I love it, the only complaint is that it runs dark when I'm using the PS2. Not sure if you're a console gamer, but if you are, I'd check out the video quality on all inputs. Interestingly, I use the PIP alot. I would've never thought it, but I like it. :)

I also checked out the speaker quality, but if you have externals you're going to use, it might be moot.
 
crookedmidget said:
I have an LCD (Samsung SyncMaster 150MP) that I use for my PC as well as my PS2. I love it, the only complaint is that it runs dark when I'm using the PS2. Not sure if you're a console gamer, but if you are, I'd check out the video quality on all inputs. Interestingly, I use the PIP alot. I would've never thought it, but I like it. :)

I also checked out the speaker quality, but if you have externals you're going to use, it might be moot.
Click to expand...

Not a console gamer, will be used with PC only.
I have nice external speakers but don't use them often, FPS gaming is meant to be played with good headphones so you can hear the most minute sounds from the proper direction.
 
I actually have the Samsung one you mentioned and I love it.
 
Can you play HL2/CS:S/DOD:S at over 100 FPS? Do you notice ghosting in games with fast movement like the ones above?
 
I'll clock Half-Life2 for you tonight. I haven't noticed much ghosting at all. Very smooth.
 
This doesn't work for high end monitors but it will help you decide between a good monitor and a crappy monitor, its the old "ghosting test".

All you do is start up the windows marquee screen saver and have it scroll across the screen, you can change the settings and watch what happens.

Crappy monitors fail this test miseribly, a good monitor will display the text nicely.
 
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