Gaming LCD's color fix?

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Quality

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 29, 2007
Messages
170
Just a thought, trying to get some input:

I am about to start building a very nice rig and will be investing in a LCD monitor here soon. I started at lower cost solutions but will probably drop the cash on a 24" monster because simply put I want one *grin*. I have been looking into every widesceen lcd I could find that interested me. Here is a brief list (you'll see where I'm goin with this shorty):

Samsung 226 22"
HP w2207
Dell E228WFP
Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP
Samsung 245BW
NEC LCD2470WNX
BenQ FP241W, FP241WZ, and the FP241VW

Now that you see what I have in mind for choices, we all know of the Samsung 226 S-A-C panel issues and the other minor differences between all the good monitors out there. My question is I havn't heard a lot about people using these products for calibrating the above said monitors, the Pantone huey and Datacolor ColorVision Spyder2express? First impression is wouldn't these such products for the most part fix the some of the issues with the S-A-C panels? Are they good products for there cheap cost? After reviewing all the monitors above, I feel I will purchase the BenQ FP241W with the Spyder 2 express. It's just a lot of money my friends and I want this thread to help as many people as it can. If we can get some unbias opinions here as to what you have for a monitor, your honest thoughts as to your satisfaction, and of course recommendation as to cost/value of your monitor. Would you buy it again? I like everyone else I'm sure want the best gaming lcd that is either 22" or 24" with the best color representation and least amount of ghosting. I'm just sick of bounceing thread to thread looking for anwsers.
 
Looks like the 24" BenQ is the best of that bunch, being a P-MVA panel with less color shifting than the S-PVA's and superior colors to the TN's. All of the 22" panels on your list are TN. All of the 24" panels are S-PVA, except the Samsung which is a TN.
 
Thanks Scyles,

Could you explain the difference between a P-MVA panel and a S-PVA panel? TN? Do you have a higher end monitor? Would you recommend it to me? You don't have to answer any of that its just some things I would like to here from people :)
 
I have an S-PVA and a TN. Now I'll go ahead and give a disclaimer... I'm a very picky person when it comes to displays. I do a lot of Photoshop work and I use dual monitors (S-PVA and CRT). Almost everyone I know do not notice the flaws in TN and S-PVA technology until I show them a side by side comparison and draw their attention to specifics. TN's and S-PVA's are probably fine for 90% of people.

I don't like TN's because I notice the loss of color compared to other (true 8-bit) panel types. Newer TN's, like the 22" models, offer better colors due to better dithering. My TN claims to be 700:1 contrast ratio and it looks very washed out compared to my S-PVA when displaying dark colors. TN's are also known to have some amount of backlight bleeding along the top and bottom in nearly every case. The only benefit to TN, in my opinion, is that it is considerably less expensive than other panel types. I don't feel that TN's faster response time is of any significance. I play a lot of PC games and I don't find the TN to ghost any less than the S-PVA.

My S-PVA is fine when I am displaying medium to light colors. When playing Oblivion in clone mode with my CRT, they both look about the same when it is daylight. When it gets dark in the game, however, the S-PVA's flaws become immediately apparent. First, the contrast ratio and dark detail is inferior to the CRT but that goes for every LCD on the market. S-PVA's unique problem is that the dead center of the monitor is very obviously darker than the rest of the monitor. Blacks are crushed in the center, making it very difficult to see directly in front of you when it is dark in the game. Barely turning your head causes the colors to shift noticeably. S-PVA's appear washed out, but don't have the black crush problem when viewed from the side. Take a look at this picture for an example:



So, my advice is to avoid S-PVA and TN if you're looking for the best. If you're not too picky, you'll probably be okay with either. I'm using my S-PVA at a side angle and its alright for web browsing, but I don't do any color critical work, play any games or watch movies on it. Why do I have an S-PVA and a TN? Well, I had a 30% off coupon from Best Buy a while back, so I got a really good deal. I also didn't really know the flaws of S-PVA until it was too late.

P-MVA still has some color shifting, but to a much lesser degree than S-PVA. It has better colors and contrast than TN. Notable P-MVA's include the 20" Acer 2051W and the 24" BenQ you are looking at.

S-IPS doesn't have color shifting problems. It is, to most display enthusiasts, the best LCD technology but its also expensive. Notable S-IPS monitors include the 20" NEC 20WMGX2, 24" NEC 2490 and the 30" Dell (and randomly the 20" Dell...it has a panel lottery with S-PVA).
 
thanks man,

thats about the best description I could ask for! So for gaming, and gaming only, is it worth the extra money for me to spend on the 24 NEC or 30 Dell, or should I just stick to my original choice of the 24 BenQ?
 
Well, unless you've got money to constantly upgrade to the latest and greatest GPU, you should rule out the 30" monitors.

The NEC 2490 is twice the price of the 24" BenQ. If it was only $150 more I'd say yes, its worth it.
 
From this thread: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1161471

The FP241W uses the M240UW01 V0 which is a P-MVA panel, and the FP241WZ &
FP241VW uses the M240UW01 V2 panel which is indeed AUO's new A-MVA panel
Click to expand...

The A-MVA panel is supposed to be an improvement over P-MVA. The thread is long, but there is some information in there that you will find helpful in narrowing down the choice between the three BenQ's.
 
I will be a getting a 8800 GTX. The monitor you are helping me decide to get is part of a new computer build. I am just trying to figure out what icing to put of my cake.
 
I would recommend the LG246 like the benq ( in fact the very same auo optronics PMVA panel) only cheaper and in my opinion better built.

I recommend buying an LCD panel from a traditional store like circuit city or best buy so that if you do have a problem you WONT have a problem returning the monitor, buy one at NEWEGG and you will pay lots of money and have difficulties returning if it is defective.

Also for your new rig buy a good case like the coolermaster stacker, something that is WELL VENTILATED preferably, top,side, front and back with 120 mm fans, those 8800 cards run hot and the stock cooler isnt good be sure to run your 8800 gtx at full fan speed to keep the temps under control.
ALSO get a fortron or even better a PC POWER AND COOLING power supply, dont skimp on a power supply for your new rig, PC POWER AND COOLING Is the best and well worth the investment.
 
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