LCD for Gaming / Graphical Work

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jmackay

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Hey all.

I am looking to purchase a new LCD with the new computer I am building.

I play quite a few games, most popular being BF2142 and MMOs.

I also use the computer as a dvd player for watching videos, and do graphic design so having correct color and contrast is a biggie.

I only have $300 max in my budget to spend on one, and would like at least 1024 for the height as I've been using 1280x1024 for a long time and would have a hard time w/ less.

I'm going to have a 8800gts most likely.

I've been trying to learn about all the different types of screens but feel way out of my league, what would you recommend thats good for gaming and graphics?

The Chimei 22 is on sale atm, but I noticed it only has 16.2 vs 16.7m colors. Is it really noticeable?
 
Stay away from 22"s if you want to do design work.

Anything with a TN panels isn't good for design (all 22"s thus far are TN).

Ideally, youd want S-IPS for an LCD. Unless you want to pay big money, your best bet is playing the Dell Lottery for the 2007FPW. You may or may not get an S-IPS.

As an alternative, you can go with the Samsung 215Tw or the HPF2105.

Goodluck, heres some extra info.


http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/dell_panel_lottery.htm
 
jmackay said:
having correct color and contrast is a biggie.
Click to expand...

You can forget about that, unless you stick with CRT. Your contrast will not be anything near what I'd consider "good" with any LCD. So, your dark colors will always be inaccurate. Perhaps the upcoming LED backlit displays will change this.

All of the panels you've listed are TN panels, which is the worst kind of LCD panel for color and viewing angle. S-PVA also has big problems with color shifting, due to poor viewing angles. S-IPS is the only type of panel you should consider, if you're serious about your graphic work.

Dell 2007 S-IPS/S-PVA panel lottery
Most of the 30" monitors, including the Dell 3007
NEC 20wmgx2

A lot of us, graphics people, are finding its best to use an LCD and a CRT side-by-side. The LCD's clarity, perfect geometry, and large viewing area are invaluable, but the CRT's contrast, smooth gradients and perfect viewing angles, for accurate color, are not things that any serious graphics professional would give up.
 
I m also in a similar situation right now, I also need a new LCD that's at least 1024 height (also considering dual setup)... My usage will include a lot of design stuff as I am a computer arts undergraduate at AAU, SF. To name a few: Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver etc. I will also use it for a wide range of gaming. And mainly I always use it for extensive long period of time, at least 12 -17 hr/day (I know, I am crazy... my 3yr old dell 19" lcd lost its brightness becuz of my abuse).

I still can't justify whether to get dual 19" LCD or just a 22" widescreen LCD or maybe even a 24" dell LCD... I only want a lcd that can last long (at least 3yr w/o losing brightness), good colors and contrast and no ligjht bleed/flickering/ghosting those kind of things. CRT just isn't my thing, as I often has access to the Mitsubishi Diamontron at my school. Widescreen is not a must, but I really really need extra work spaces for my deisgn toolbars/tabs. This is why I am also considering dual setup, as they offer me more space than just widescreen. My budget is around 300, but I am willing to pay extra for a good one that satisfy all my need.

Sorry if I stole ur thread OP
 
To those looking into the 22" for design...... DON'T. Its simply not that type of monitor. The TN panel will not produce accurate enough colors and other issues as well.

Go for the Dell 24" or take your chance on the 2007FPW. Otherwise save your money.
 
Skrying said:
To those looking into the 22" for design...... DON'T. Its simply not that type of monitor. The TN panel will not produce accurate enough colors and other issues as well.

Go for the Dell 24" or take your chance on the 2007FPW. Otherwise save your money.
Click to expand...

+1 Agreed
 
Unless you're into professional printing, the accuracy of your colors isn't as big of a deal as most would lead you to believe. From the sound of your post, you're 'design' work is mostly for hobbie or a personal business, so I wouldn't be instantly put off of TN panels if I were you. TN panels don't display 16.7 million colors (8-bit) like CRT/VA/IPS monitors do, so they use a trick called dithering to boost it up to 16.2million (I'm pretty sure 16.7 million colors is a lie for TN panels even with dithering). Dithering is where pixels will flicker (not noticable) in between colors to trick your eye into seeing a certain color. The only thing it really shows up on, is in movies......but beggar's can't be choosers. Banding (noticable/harsh(er) color changes in a gradient) are also a by-product of TN panels and their lack of colors. That said, saying TN panels don't display accurate colors is mis-leading. The colors they do produce, can be perfectly accurate, but they don't naturally produce all the colors neccessary.

To end this probably useless post, I would lean more towards a TN panel for you since you're on a budget and TN panels are decent all-arounders in that price range. There is a sceptre 20" widescreen that I've always wondered if it's a PVA panel or not, but someone else might be able to tell you. i'm tired.....bed time for me.

edit: after reading over this post, i kinda regret submitting it, but there might be some good info in there for you. let everyone else tear it apart first ;)

edit2: i feel like an idiot now after defending TN panels to the grave and about to recommend you this guy (PVA)... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001086 if you can live with a 19", this would be the best option.

 
thespeakerbox said:
Stay away from 22"s if you want to do design work.

Anything with a TN panels isn't good for design (all 22"s thus far are TN).

Ideally, youd want S-IPS for an LCD. Unless you want to pay big money, your best bet is playing the Dell Lottery for the 2007FPW. You may or may not get an S-IPS.

As an alternative, you can go with the Samsung 215Tw or the HPF2105.

Goodluck, heres some extra info.


http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/dell_panel_lottery.htm
Click to expand...


AVOID the Samsung 215TW .. it has serious color banding , contrast issues and also input lag. For gaming its pretty bad, my personal time with this monitor has been nothing but a complete waste, it really doesnt do anything well. It also cant seem to produce a good deep black , instead its more of a deep brown. It heavily distracts from gaming and i would bet for any type of professional photo/video editing it would really be much worse.

For a good all around gaming monitor i suggest either of these 2 :

1. a highly recommended NEC which also doubles a great gaming monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824002319

2. BenQ has a great one here all around well setup, HDMI is a really nice one considering many future monitors are transfering to this standard like it or nothttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824014124

I realize you listed a 300 dollar max but right now to get the best of both worlds this is really your only choices. I would suggest you save some more and get the NEC atleast, otherwise if you get a lesser you will likely be disappointed.
 
Thanks for all the replies, I'll check out the Dell lottery and see if I can't get one at a good deal or something.

The graphic design is more of a hobby, but I like having correct or very close to the right colors. I also have pretty sensitive eyes to refresh rates (old crts make me sick :( ) so the color-swapping might be annoying.

Wish there was a good store around here with them so I could take a look, our local costco only had a few LCDs none of which where the ones mentioned above.
 
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