Hey guys i got a question

[quiksilverx181]

I been lurking here for a few days and finally decided to sign up, so this is my first post and i dont know if im posting in the right place. Anyways, im in the market for an LCD since im goin off to college and i have almost no space at all on my desk. I have a 19" CRT Trinitron monitor from like 5 years ago, and I wanna replace it with a 17" LCD with 16ms response time. My price limit is $350. I was looking at these LCD's on newegg.com and I saw some good reviews about them, altho i dont know too much about LCD's. I am a heavy gamer but the reviews say these are fine for gaming. Can you guys take a look and tell me what u guys think? http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...180-018&DEPA=0 and
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...198-001&depa=1

[kram 2.0]

Welcome to PC Mech forums

Do you live in the United States? BestBuy is doing a sale on Samsung 17" LCD Monitors with the 12ms response time...you might want to check it out. I believe it's a nationwide sale. It's 430 USD with after MIR and everything, trimmed down to 350 USD.

kram

[quiksilverx181]

yep im US, so is that monitor that you suggested good?
EDIT: also mind you that I am on a EXTREMELY tight budget above $350. Im a poor college student, thats almost my entire months salary (450 bux) I wouldnt have money for food that month, since rebates take 8 weeks for retreival. It does look nice though, what do you guys think of this in terms of reliablility and performance?

[Panama Red]

I have two of these and two more in the hands of customers. Excellent display and quality. Some criticize the lack of DVI connection but the VGA works great for me.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=232008

[quiksilverx181]

Interesting, looks good. Are they any good for gaming, do you know? Also, what do you think of that Samsung 17" LCD by bestbuy for 350 after rebates? Its a 12ms response time http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....product&cmp=++
EDIT: let me make a correction, is it just me or does the best buy site thing say that the price of 459 is before rebates? Or is it the price after rebates? someone plz clarify thanks

[Panama Red]

Don't know about gaming as I don't game on mine. One customer does and has reported no compaints. Don't know the games tho. Keep in mind that any purchase from BB will be taxed at the retail amount before the rebates. Here's a good gaming review of the Solarism monitor.

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_cont...EF29FF0F7F97E4

[quiksilverx181]

I was reading the review, and i noticed that it said that while not gaming, the text was somewhat blurry and the color wasnt very accurate. What is your personal experience (i run win xp pro) also what is the deal on the warrenty with these? Like for how long and dead pixel policy and general return policy etc. (i ask u becuase you have purchased a bit of these)

[quiksilverx181]

Also, i was checking out some LCD's with DVI connections, and i came across this one at newegg: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...172-042&depa=1 Its got 16ms response, DVI and 17" screen. Got good reviews too. What do u guys think?

[kingoftowns]

i believe samsungs warranty is three years, beware though that it does only cover defects and they DO NOT consider a dead pixel a defect i have had to deal with their warranty before and it seems that they consider anything that happens to the product after a couple of days "wear and tear" and they do not cover that, best buy sells their own three year warranty and they say it will cover a pixel dying but it is pretty pricey, i think they charge like $150 for it and on a $350 screen i don't really think its worth it, but thats your call

[quiksilverx181]

Originally Posted by kingoftowns i believe samsungs warranty is three years, beware though that it does only cover defects and they DO NOT consider a dead pixel a defect i have had to deal with their warranty before and it seems that they consider anything that happens to the product after a couple of days "wear and tear" and they do not cover that, best buy sells their own three year warranty and they say it will cover a pixel dying but it is pretty pricey, i think they charge like $150 for it and on a $350 screen i don't really think its worth it, but thats your call

I dont think the BB one would be right for me then. So what do u think of the few newegg monitors i posted as well as the solarism the other guy posted?

[quiksilverx181]

Ok, im close to my final decision, but i cant decide between these 2 monitors. The first one : http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...172-042&depa=1 has DVI input as well as 16ms response rate (both lcds are 17") and this one has some good reviews from newegg. This one: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...180-018&DEPA=0 got outstanding reviews from customers, but lacks DVI input. This one has 16ms refresh rate also. I want to know which one YOU guys would go with based on customer reviews/specs found in those links. I would like a lot of responses and when u say which one u would go with, please state a reason. Thanks guys

[fedz]

I'd go for the Iliyama. They are known LCD makers and have turned out some very good models. Besides, it has a DVI input

fedz

[fedz]

Here's my choice:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...014-053&depa=1
No dvi but that's not a huge minus.

fedz

[quiksilverx181]

Well i really like the fact that the DVI is on the IIyama. Not a bad find tho. I know BenQ makes some decent LCDs. Oh man, so many choices.

[Tophinator]

I concure with Fedz. I have that same monitor for my comp and it is worth every penny. Its the only monitor that I found that had a sub 25ms response time and a full 3 year parts and labor warranty with all the other specs I wanted to. I feel your pain about money I am a poor college student as well and its not easy. But I would buy something nice with the 3 year warranty because down the road you dont wanna be dishin out more cash for a new monitor.

Also that BenQ has absolutly no ghosting at all and it doesnt blur when you move across the screen like so many cheap LCDs and some CRTs do. And I mainly play games like Doom 3 and Rainbow 6: 3

[quiksilverx181]

Originally Posted by Tophinator I concure with Fedz. I have that same monitor for my comp and it is worth every penny. Its the only monitor that I found that had a sub 25ms response time and a full 3 year parts and labor warranty with all the other specs I wanted to. I feel your pain about money I am a poor college student as well and its not easy. But I would buy something nice with the 3 year warranty because down the road you dont wanna be dishin out more cash for a new monitor. Also that BenQ has absolutly no ghosting at all and it doesnt blur when you move across the screen like so many cheap LCDs and some CRTs do. And I mainly play games like Doom 3 and Rainbow 6: 3

Hmm, can u help me find a Online review of that monitor? I been searchin but im not that good of a googler :\. Also, have you played any Counter-Strike or anything at all on it? (btw it has a 16ms response time, not 25) Also, any other games that arent so dark as doom3/rainbow six 3 cuz ghosting shows more in lighter games. Lemme know thanks

[fedz]

lol I'm a student too. That's why I recommended that LCD.
DVI does not make a noticeable difference to VGA,so forget about that and save some $$$. The benq has good reviews on newegg and aria, and that's good enough for me!!

I could also sell you a NEC multisync LCD 1800 (18"), my trusty LCD, for $320. No dead pixels or faults whatsoever.

fedz

[quiksilverx181]

Originally Posted by fedz lol I'm a student too. That's why I recommended that LCD. DVI does not make a noticeable difference to VGA,so forget about that and save some $$$. The benq has good reviews on newegg and aria, and that's good enough for me!! I could also sell you a NEC multisync LCD 1800 (18"), my trusty LCD, for $320. No dead pixels or faults whatsoever. fedz

K, just as long as its good with gaming and movies, (and obviously text) then its good nuff for me. I was looking at the Benq on MonitorsDirect.com and i liked their policy of u can return it for whatever reason for 30 days if u dont like it. I WILL do that if i dont like it and its a good idea i think. Are they a quality vendor? Are they as reliable as newegg or as safe/secure for online credit card?

[fedz]

I don't know, sorry! I live in the UK. I think newegg has a return policy too.
Anyways g2g, so I'll answer tomoz earliest.
Go for the BenQ on newegg; it's safest (tried and tested).

fedz

[quiksilverx181]

Thanks for the help fedz. Does anyone else here on the forums know about MonitorsDirect.com and how reliable they are/experience u had with them?

[quiksilverx181]

Whoa! Look at this! http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...001-158&depa=0 What a deal dont u guys think? Is it too good to be true or is this for real?!?!? (also, does monitorsdirect.com ship to the United States? )

[Punked Out Comp]

im no expert but arent LCDs supposed to be crap for gaming? I know they finally came out with ones that are actually good gaming monitors but those are like $600 which is more than 2 times ur budget.

[quiksilverx181]

Originally Posted by punked out comp im no expert but arent LCDs supposed to be crap for gaming? I know they finally came out with ones that are actually good gaming monitors but those are like $600 which is more than 2 times ur budget.

Well, no offense, but what i do need is experts. You are totally wrong in the fact that all good gaming monitors are over $600. This one is supposed to be really good and its under $400. Thats why i wanted someone who has experience in LCDs. So i can make sure this is a good one

[quiksilverx181]

no ones going to answer?

[Panama Red]

That Samsung you linked is a great looking deal. 12ms, 600:1 contrast ratio, no freight. And Samsung has a good reputation. I'd buy it if I were you. No DVI, keep in mind.

[quiksilverx181]

Originally Posted by Panama Red That Samsung you linked is a great looking deal. 12ms, 600:1 contrast ratio, no freight. And Samsung has a good reputation. I'd buy it if I were you. No DVI, keep in mind.

Difference wont be too big would it? (not that i could afford the DVI version of the 710 anyways)

[Panama Red]

Can't answer that personally as all of mine are D sub only. I've never seen any tests comparing the two connectors and most folks will offer opinions based on hearsay without any personal experience.

[quiksilverx181]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Can't answer that personally as all of mine are D sub only. I've never seen any tests comparing the two connectors and most folks will offer opinions based on hearsay without any personal experience.

One last question. Which formats will hook up to my video card? Its a made by ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 128mb 256 bit. Will it take D sub, Analog, and DVI? Or which ones will it take? Thanks

[Panama Red]

Your vid card should handle either DVI or D sub (which is the same as analog).

[quiksilverx181]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Your vid card should handle either DVI or D sub (which is the same as analog).

Ahh ok, cool, and i made my final decision: Im going with the Samsung 710N-Black from www.dell.com for $395. Its the 17" with 12ms response time and I appreciate all your guys's help whoever helped me in this thread. Special thanks goes out to Panama and fedz.