Looking for [H] advice for a new monitor

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KillerFry

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 1, 2008
Messages
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Hey there, guys!

For some reason I am itching for a new display. There's nothing wrong with my VG248QE other than the size. I guess I want a little bit more of real estate.

After spending a few days looking at options, reviews and what not, I'm liking the idea of not only a larger screen, but better resolution; maybe even getting on the 4K bandwagon. But I've noticed a funky, and probably unhealthy for the community, trend:

If I were to choose a fast monitor for gaming, I would hear people say "bah, it's TN!".

If I were to choose an IPS to get good colors, I would hear people say: "bah, it's only 60Hz!".

Now I feel like there's no real good option!

Anyway, so far, I think I've identified my main options:

* Asus PB287Q/Samsung U28D590D.- Because they're affordable 4K monitors. Yeah, I know. Bah, it's TN and only 60Hz!

* Asus PB278Q.- This I like because it's IPS, and 1440p. Bah, it's only 60Hz!

* Acer XB280HK.- Seems like a good compromise, with it being 4K and G-Sync enabled. Bah, it's TN and only 60Hz!

* LG 34UM95.- I just found this one and... for some reason... I like it? There's something about it not being "conventional" that captivates me. Bah, it's only 60Hz!

* Asus ROG Swift.- Honest to God, if this was in stock somewhere, I would buy it hands down and not even think about all of this. Bah, it's TN!

Now, for the obligatory "what do you do with it?" part: mostly gaming. But not competitively. Actually, I like single player games the most. Skyrim, Batman Arkham series, Alien Isolation right now, have Shadows of Mordor in the list next. There's some FPS in there, like Borderlands, Bioshock and the like, - no CoD nor BF, though -, but I don't compete online, just enjoy it. And, of course, Blizzard: WoW, SC2 and D3.

I do some photo editing, but not professionally; I do it as a hobby. And I'm actually kinda bad at it, hahaha. With this, I guess, what I mean is that color reproduction has never actually been my thing, but I figure that if I'm not competing and don't need the fastest refresh rates, then having pretty pictures sounds like a good trade off... maybe?

For some reason, the top choices in my mind are the Acer XB280HK and the LG 34UM95 - since the ROG Swift can't be found. But I've always had the idea that Acer is a budget, low quality brand, heh. If the XB280HK were Asus or Samsung or LG, I probably would've gotten it already.

So... yeah! Anyways, I guess I'm only opening a can of worms, but any opinions are welcome!
 
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That list of currently popular alternatives imho should include 32", 1440p, VA, "Bah, it's only 60Hz!", displays .. :)
 
All of the properly tested (no Acer tests) 4K TN's except for the Asus and iiyama have almost 2 frames of input lag and the Samsung's glossy black bezel ruins the perceived black level. The Asus has a nice matte grey bezel and a height adjustable stand. Most 4K TN's (the lenovo uses glass which is extremely reflective and makes blacks look grey) use grainy matte coatings which combined with scaling issues, defeat the point of owning a 4K monitor IMO.

There are better options like overclock-able IPS/PLS Overlord Tempest/Yamakasi (same monitors with different casing and stands) and Qnix QX2710/X-Star DP2710 with 1x Dual-Link DVI. More information and review links here.
 
I guess I've been scared of the Korean monitors because of QA issues, I will look into them.

Church said:
That list of currently popular alternatives imho should include 32", 1440p, VA, "Bah, it's only 60Hz!", displays .. :)
Click to expand...

This is the first time I see mention of VA monitors; are they something like the Samsung S32D85K?
 
NukeDukem said:
You should look into overclockable Korean monitors. Qnix Evolution, Yamakasi Catleap, Overlord Tempest.... IPS, 1440p, 96-120Hz... best of all worlds!
Click to expand...

NCX said:
There are better options like overclock-able IPS/PLS Overlord Tempest/Yamakasi (same monitors with different casing and stands) and Qnix QX2710/X-Star DP2710 with 1x Dual-Link DVI. More information and review links here.
Click to expand...

Okay, I need a bit of education here as to what I'm looking for. For example:

* Is it better that it only has DVI input? As I seem to understand, that helps with reducing the input lag.
* Why, even by the same seller, do prices fluctuate so much between what seems to be the same model?
* I see that one should look for some reputable sellers, like dream-seller. Any recomendations?
* Do I have to look for an explicit mention of "Pixel Perfect"?
 
KillerFry said:
Okay, I need a bit of education here as to what I'm looking for. For example:

1.) Is it better that it only has DVI input? As I seem to understand, that helps with reducing the input lag.
2.) Why, even by the same seller, do prices fluctuate so much between what seems to be the same model?
3.) I see that one should look for some reputable sellers, like dream-seller. Any recommendations?
4.) Do I have to look for an explicit mention of "Pixel Perfect"?
Click to expand...

1.) The multi-input monitors have a frame of input lag and either drop the extra frames when overclocked=stuttery motion or barely overclock. They have a few other issues not worth mentioning since the matte, name brand multi-input 1440p monitors do not cost much more and can be easily returned and exchanged depending on where one lives.
2.) They price the same monitors differently to catch buyers who don't check prices
3.) Accessorieswhole and sellers part of BCC Korea (excellentcastle, storywithstory and a few others) or sellers who offer to pay for return shipping if the monitor has problems.
4.) If you want. Most sellers will refund the extra they charge for PP monitors if you find pixels with issues.
 
KillerFry said:
..
This is the first time I see mention of VA monitors; are they something like the Samsung S32D85K?
Click to expand...
I rather meant Benq BL3200PT. Of course it's nowhere as fast as "gamers TN", but you also told that you don't pursue such. Otherwise i find it to be good overall on many accounts generic monitor fitting most average users. Not as expensive as 30", good picture but with better blacks and without wide gamut of IPS, reasonable common resolution not requiring gpu upgrade and not causing scaling issues as with 4K. No too ultra wide screen aspect ratio as with 34" 21:9. Think of it like - good 27" but bigger. Not differing too much in some specific aspects .. but also not having flaws of those differing too much, fine evolutionary upgrade/safe bet.
 
If money isn't an issue then you should definitely go for an ROG swift. It was made specifically for gaming and will give you the best gaming experience. As for the only con of the monitor being "bah, TN panel! yuck!", let me just say this... what people don't seem to realize is that even though IPS panels have "vastly superior color" :rolleyes: than TN, at the end of the day, it's STILL LCD. The contrast of an IPS panel when compared to OLED or Plasma is crap, and the motion clarity is even more crap. IF you really cared so much about having the "best color" for gaming then why go IPS if you cannot even get anywhere near OLED/Plasma color and contrast with IPS displays? But you know what you can get on an LCD that's just as good as CRT? The motion clarity. The Swift's ULMB mode will let you have this. So why bother with IPS/VA for the whole "better color" thing when at the end of the day it STILL won't be as good when stacked against OLED/Plasma? The Swift on the other hand WILL be as good as CRT when it comes to motion clarity. Just my 2 cents. Anyways I hope I was able to provide some helpful insight :)
 
Man, I just wish the ROG Swift was available somewhere; I'd take it, hands down.

Well, all of this has been informative. I think I will hold off in my decision a little bit; it's not like I'm in a bad position with my current screen. Probably wait for the ROG Swift to be in stock.

... or if a local FW900 appears out of the blue! :p
 
Thank you KillerFry, for starting this thread. I am in the exact same boat as you, and you wrote this much better than I would have.

I actually became enthused about getting a larger monitor after seeing the LG 34UM95 at Microcenter, and then after seeing the video review on youtube. It started me researching monitors, and was about to post a similar thread.

I play a lot of the same games you do, and am looking forward to getting Shadows of Mordor. I really like the ultrawide view on the LG, but am not exactly confident in the monitor's quality after reading a few threads. I have also considered the Benq BL3200PT, but it seems there are a few issues with it as well, such as a banding problem. Plus I have not found one to look at yet.

I currently have a Benq GW2450 which is a VA panel, and I have been very happy with it. Thanks to NCX who gave me some advice a couple of years ago.

I was initially thinking I wanted something larger than 30"....however, after reading about the Qnix monitor NCX mentioned, that maybe for now 27" would be fine. I want a monitor that will be more immersive. I am seriously thinking of gambling and trying the Qnix Pixel Perfect from Amazon...then again the LG from Staples mentioned in another thread seems to be a good deal....selecting a monitor is probably the hardest decision to make when it comes to a gaming system. :D
 
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