Questions: About Monitors.

Ok well.. my birthday is coming up in a few months from now, and I'm planning on buying a new monitor because this 19'' full screen isn't really cutting it for all the things I do, and I'd rather have it as a secondary screen.

So my question is, does anyone know what I should look out for? What aspect ratios and things like that.. I plan to buy a 22 inch wide screen, what brands are the best to seek after?

Thanks for your suggestions!

PS: I'd like to keep the price range in 200-250$ USD if possible.

Also some other things to note, it has to have a DVI jack in the back of it, I don't use VGA now. Another plus if it comes with a DVI cable.

I would suggest going for something with 1920x1200 resolution (1200p) just to maintain compatibility with HD screens, but then you'd better make sure you run a decent video card. Other things to look for include < 8ms pixel response times, 1000:1 or better contrast ratio, etc...

I'm running an 320mb 8800GTS, but all the monitors with 1900 are 24inch or so, I can't afford that, and most 22 inch has the 1680x blah blah, which seems more suitable.

1680x1050 usually.

Various manufacturers have different ways to specify response time, but generally speaking, all new LCDs have low enough response time. Same with contrast ratio, but it's not so true that they all have good contrast ratios.
Try to stay away from obscure "off-brands".

There's no sense trying to recommend particular monitors because, by the time your birthday comes "in a few months" it would all be different anyhow.

i have this : http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=320-6095

if you can buy, it.. omg its beautiful...

Samsung 226BW

22" of glory

Absolutely beautiful

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001096

Really? I looked at this one http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16824001262 little over my spending limit but if it doesn't go too far, like 20-30$ out then it's ok.

How much is the 226BW? It's deactivated on newegg for some reason.

Don't know what it costs in the States, but this would be my choice.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=17&subcat=949

Then again, I am biased as it's what I currently use. The 2ms response comes into it's own when watching video footage and playing games with fast action.

Hmm seems to 370$ USD converted from Pounds.

It's nice but I don't exactly fancy the style too much (just personally) I am pretty picky.

So.. basically 2ms response time is better than 5? I think mine is a 5 currently.

Lower response time is always better, I still have a 17" Dell with 12ms response time, I haven't found a better monitor since (I lied, my main monitor is a 30" Gateway, but it doesn't count because you shouldn't have to spend so much more just to find something a little better).

A lot of the lower end Samsung monitors (the one's you've been looking at) are utter garbage, and aren't worth the trouble. But at ~250, you get what you pay for.

I like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824116096

the hp w2207h is supposed to be better than the 226cw, that's the version of the 226bw without the panel lottery and with some weird extra feature. The w2207h is supposed to be really.

agree with that, but over on THIS side of the pond, it's been superseded by the even-more-impressive Samsung Syncmaster 2232BW. Can't find it on US sites for some reason.

22" of glorier

Found this monitor. Specs look pretty sweet

This is what I have. I would have gotten the BW model but they were out of stock at the time.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....1831601 37115

5ms is just too slow. Yes, it does make a difference.

Most major manufacturers simply do not have in-house capacity to make all of their LCD panels they need so they subcontract to other panel makers. Virtually all major suppliers do have a mix of panels being used in some of their models but it's transparent the customer as long as they keep the quality from their subcontractors under control. Samsung's mistake was in allowing the quality of the subcontractors to spin very noticably out of control and exposing the whole issue of the so called panel lottery.

Generally speaking the top of the line models are more likely to be made with in-house panels while the mid range models are more likely to have panels from a mix of suppliers including some in house. An example of this is the Samsung 226CW which at last word was still using in-house panels while the 226BW continues to use a mix and probably always will because it is a top seller and volumes are very high. (If the 226CW became popular enough they would probably have to outsource some of the panel supply because of in-house capacity limitations. They might do that anyway though to reduce cost.)

I haven't noticed much lately on the 226BW quality problems so I suspect that Samsung has probably managed to get things back under control. It's been over 6 months since the problem blew up.

Also, HD will still look good on a 1680x1050. But who watches HD DVD's on their computer?

How is 5ms too slow then? It's looking like my options may be limited to that if I can't find a 250$ 'Ish Monitor.

The one I have now is 5Ms and I don't notice much of it.. I get 60 frames in most games so how exactly does it affect things?

Hey, here is a good suggestion. If you are gonna ever decide to cartograph, make sure its not wide screen! You will have to change resolutions to ever be able to get your map checked or compare it. Just words from the wise...from her flat wide screen monitor... >.> I still love it though, just a minor problem. ^^"

I don't even play Guild Wars now so I'm not worried, however I did get Legendary Cartographer so I'm not worried about that either, thanks though.

What a stupid comment to make when 99% of new titles these days fully support a WS resolution.

Ive got a 19" ACER W/S .. Love it! Looks great with guild wars on it
Only cost me $250