Monitor QuestionsFollow

I am currently in the market for a new monitor, and I know that more than a few of you are fairly tech savvy.

I'm looking for a monitor that is around 24 inches for under $200. My video card has an HDMI port and 2 DVI ports (1 single, 1 dual). Ideally I would like this monitor to have either 1 or 2 HDMI Ports so I can hook up a console without having to unhook anything.

Here's the monitor I've been leaning towards after a short time looking around for $180.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236305

This was my conclusion based on Response time(1ms), Screen Size, Resolution, 2 HDMI ports, and it having built in speakers.
Under the power supply it mentions 50/60hz, is this the refresh rate? Does this mean that the monitor won't properly display framerates over 60? With my current monitor, if I don't have V-sync on and go over 60 fps the game looks pretty choppy as if it is 30fps or less. Can I get a 120hz monitor at a comparable price? How big is the difference?

Here is a 144hz 3d monitor for $270 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313&IsVirtualParent=1 . Is that overkill?

Also, how do HDTVs compare to monitors for gaming? I like to play a lot of old school games on my ps1/ps2 and it would be wonderful to be able to hook them up to my display instead of whipping out my old 13 inch TV. I know you can buy stuff to convert composite to HDMI and the like, but it seems overly expensive.

I would much appreciate any feedback on picking the right monitor for gaming. My current desk setup doesn't afford me much room for anything over 24''. Feel free to link me any potentials and lead me in the direction of sites with better deals. I used Newegg when I built my computer because the other couple sites I looked at had the same prices and a smaller selection.

Edit: hmm, i seem to have found a selection of Samsung monitor+TV combos for a decent price, here's one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001810

Edited, May 14th 2013 7:09pm by DamienSScott

I'd actually recommend against built in speakers if you have any kind of desk space whatsoever. The sound quality will be closer to laptop sound than what you'd get from even a relatively inexpensive two PC speaker set.

And if you have a crap ton of desk real estate like I do with my massive Ikea desk, then get two slightly smaller 1080p monitors and a monitor stand to marry them together.

i would also say my tv works quiet well

2 mice, 2 keyboards, 3 monitors, but only 1 beer? Wtf, Wint

Edited, May 14th 2013 8:15pm by Callinon

That is indeed quite smexy, however my desk is right next to my bed and space is an issue on all fronts.

Well since I'm not really getting any helpful responses (no offense) I'm just going to narrow it down myself. After watching some videos I honestly don't think I can tell the difference between 60 and 120hz (if you can even tell by watching a video of a monitor on a 60hz monitor). I don't really feel like spending nearly $300 on a monitor anyway.

I'll probably just stick with one of the 170ish ASUS models. Now if only there wern't 10 models that all seem the same >.>

Usually the Crossfire/SLI software will handle it for you. You'd need 2 graphics cards at the minimum I should think.

I'm no monitor expert, but here is a thread that may help you decide or at the very least clarify the differences...
http://www.overclock.net/t/662628/60hz-vs-120hz-explained

That is sooo sexy.. That is exactly what I want.. So I need SLI and two graphics cards? Guess im looking at over 1k machine huh.. lol

Thank you for that info. I'm getting around 90-120 fps in games like Diablo III and Guild Wars 2 at 1440x900 with max settings, so I'm guessing that forking over the extra cash for a 120hz 1080p monitor probably won't be worth it. Now my decision will have to be between a regular monitor or one with composite ports for my older consoles. I don't think a PC could capture gameplay on a different "TV/monitor channel" so I might just have to find another way to play older games on my PC if i wan't to record/stream footage.

Yeah, I glanced at Newegg's HDTV selection and found it to be lacking for my purposes. I think I've settled on an ASUS monitor. They seem to have great specs and are within my tolerable price range. I know a couple friends that have HDTV setups for their PCs that work well, granted they are 35''+ screens.

Thanks for the input.

This company BenQ Is supposed to make the epitome of gaming monitors followed of course by the Asus.


BenQ Announces Launch of All New XL2720T Professional Gaming Monitor

I think I've narrowed it down to two monitors. One is an IPS panel with 5ms refresh rate, the other is a TN panel with 1ms. Does anyone have experience with both types of panels? I know I could certainly use the wider view angle of the IPS when laying in bed with the lady-friend watching stuff. However I wouldn't want to sacrifice SRS BZNZ gaming by having a higher refresh rate. From what little I've seen I don't think that the 5ms will effect me and my gaming habits too much. I don't really ever play multiplayer FPSs, although I might pick one up eventually to appease aforementioned lady-friend.

As for BenQ and 3D capabilities, both are out of my price range at the moment. 3D seems awesome, but I doubt it would be something I could stomach using enough to warrant buying. I would love nothing more than to go all out on the bells and whistles but I have other things I need to be saving that money for.

I am running 3 27" Dell U2711 @2560x1440 with eyefinity. I used this for 1.0 and with maxed resolution (something like 7680x1440) I had to tune down some of the graphics options, but I ran it fine at around medium specs and that was with 1 overclocked ATI 7970 GPU. Performance depends on games too I mean, I ran FFXIV fine at max resolution meduim settings, but I just had to lower the resolution when trying to play BF3.

You don't need to SLI/Crossfire two cards as long as you use a good single GPU for eyefinity (for Final fantasy), especially if you run it at lower resolution than I did, but it helps of course. One thing though and I could be wrong on this, but I doubt it is very good for the GPUs longevity to push it to its limits constantly. I plan on putting in a second GPU @ ARR release, partly because of the high resolution I run at, but also because I would like to really max out ARR settings.

As for built in speakers I agree with Catwho tbh, there are regular speakers that come pretty cheap and compared to the built in ones the sound is just so much better. I personally use headphones which is always an option too.

When it comes to TN vs IPS I've had both and I much prefer the IPS panel for several reasons, but if nothing else just because of the color. The response time is low enough on both types now that it generally (and by that I mean for most people) doesn't matter. I have to say I think it is more a relic of the past when the difference was actually quite big and reponse times were overall much higher. I think I read somewhere that below 12ms the eye has trouble seeing a difference so unless you are very sensitive or going pro at FPS I doubt you'd suffer from choosing a IPS with 5ms over 1 or 2ms TN panel. Whether the >12ms thing is true or not I don't know, but I doubt you'll be unhappy over the reponse time if you decide to go with an IPS panel.