Good Gaming LCD Monitor?

[Turbo91Bird]

I am looking for a good gaming LCD monitor to play games like Half life 2, dvd's, etc. Any ideas or parameters I should be focusing on? Thanks

[shadowbreaker513]

16ms response time or lower

1280x1024 resolution or higher

17" or more

[ZeratulsAvenger]

This is one of the cheapest but also one of the best rated as far as I can see for good games... There was a review of it somewhere I just read recently, got a Buyers Choice type award. Just a possibility

[spyder003]

Here is one that I've been looking at lately.

[shadowbreaker513]

That one looks pretty good. Resolution is a bit low though. It is good however, that it has a DVI connector. That's almost a necessity when it comes to LCDs

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by shadowbreaker513 16ms response time or lower 1280x1024 resolution or higher 17" or more

I've heard RJ reiterate this time after time but the 16ms time or whatever is advertised on the monitor is almost always irrelevant - it's the minimum response time. The maximum response time tends to be much higher. Just get a good brand decently priced monitor and you'd be well off - most 17" LCD Monitors have a native resolution of 1280x960 or 1280x1024.

One of the few brands that crossed my eyes when I was looking for a monitor was indeed BenQ - they developed their name in the monitor industry. However, I was warned against it as they tend to have ghosting with games, have somewhat questionable picture quality, etc. The LG that was linked by Zertuls looks very nice though.

kram

[Turbo91Bird]

Is having a 19" monitor really worth 100 bucks more?

[kram 2.0]

Up to preference. To me, 17 inches is big enough.

kram

[Hi Ho]

Remember that a 17in LCD is almost as big as a 19in CRT because of the "border" on CRT monitors. If a 19in CRT is big enough for you then a 17in LCD will probably do fine.

[Turbo91Bird]

Love the mustang in your sig. Is that yours?
Ok, I will probably go with the 17in LCD then and I will check out the parameters you all gave me.

[Turbo91Bird]

Also, what is the reason I would need DVI?

[tomster2300]

I know you have to have 19" or more on a crt monitor to reach a 1600x1280 resolution -- is that true on a lcd monitor as well? When it says recommended or native resolution 1280x1024, is that the max?

DVI is a nicer type of plug for monitors than your regular VGA plug in that you'll find one most monitors and video cards. I dont know the technical specifics though on why it's better.

[mrmister1]

When it says the recommended native resolution it is the resolution that will work best on the monitor. It may have higer resolutions.

[RJ]

No. Native resolution is max. resolutions. You can't get higher. If you want 1600x1200 you need a 20" TFT.

RJ

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by Turbo91Bird Also, what is the reason I would need DVI?

DVI is not merely a different shape of plug. DVI allows the monitor to receive the digital signal directly from the video card. With a VGA connection, the digital signal from the video card has to be converted to analog, sent along the cable and then converted back to digital for the monitor. Because there is no converting with DVI, the picture is supposedly more clear and sharp.

Personally I have a 17" LCD with VGA and it is an incredible picture. Much nicer then a CRT.

[Turbo91Bird]

I ordered that 17" LG LCD so hopefully it holds up to its reputation.

[DragonNOA1]

Make sure to post back on how it works out for ya. I would like to know if you like it or not.

[Turbo91Bird]

No problem

[tomster2300]

Originally Posted by Alaron56 DVI is not merely a different shape of plug. DVI allows the monitor to receive the digital signal directly from the video card. With a VGA connection, the digital signal from the video card has to be converted to analog, sent along the cable and then converted back to digital for the monitor. Because there is no converting with DVI, the picture is supposedly more clear and sharp. Personally I have a 17" LCD with VGA and it is an incredible picture. Much nicer then a CRT.

Alaron56, is your LCD good for gaming?

Does the refresh rate of your monitor affect gaming? Mine only has a 60 mhz refresh rate and has a max resolution of 1280 x 1024 -- it is a flat screened CRT.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by Turbo91Bird I ordered that 17" LG LCD so hopefully it holds up to its reputation.

LG is a great monitor brand - they even make some of Apple's desktop monitors and I have to tell you, Macintosh Apple Monitors have the crispiest, and sharpest picture I've ever seen.

kram

[RJ]

Does the refresh rate of your monitor affect gaming?

No, it doesn't.

Mine only has a 60 mhz refresh rate and has a max resolution of 1280 x 1024 -- it is a flat screened CRT.

Well, for CRTs you should set the refresh rate high in order to reduce flickering. 60 Hz is good for TFTs, but not for CRTs.

RJ

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by tomster2300 Alaron56, is your LCD good for gaming? Does the refresh rate of your monitor affect gaming? Mine only has a 60 mhz refresh rate and has a max resolution of 1280 x 1024 -- it is a flat screened CRT.

My LCD is fine for games. I play Doom3, Unreal Tournament, Call of Duty and Battlefield 1942 without any problems. My screen has a resolution of 1280x1024 and a response time of 16ms. I havent noticed any ghosting.

After getting an LCD, I'll never go back to CRTs. The picture is much more clear and bright.