Help choosing monitors?

[TechnicalEcstasy]

I built a TH2Go gaming system in '06 with 19" LG 12ms LCD's, which are obviously antiques by now. It's time to replace them. My limited knowledge about such things tells me I want LED LCD's. I'm not crazy about wide screen's, but I'll probably go with them since they seem to be so abundantly available.

My question goes a little something like this.... Should I go with 2ms LED's instead of 5ms(I know... DUH!) and I've seen refresh rates of more than 60Hz, which my current ones are. So should I look for something with higher refresh rates as well? Does the refresh rate translate into FPS? In other words, are my current 60Hz LCD's only capable of showing me 60 FPS no matter what my video card does? I ask because I came real close to adding 3 Samsungs to my shopping cart today, but noticed an ASUS one that had a higher peak refresh rate of, I think, 80Hz. Is there a limiting factor in being able to refresh at that rate?

Sorry for all the dumb questions. I just want the best I can get right now without having to sell a kidney.

Anyway, I appreciate any helpful thoughts or input.

[TechnicalEcstasy]

OK well I didn't really have the time to spare for this much research, but I think IPS panels will be the way to go. As far as response times go I'm kind of surprised to see 14ms monitors, but from what I've read that's not as important as I originally thought.

Any input as to which one's are tried and true gaming solutions would be appreciated. I'd like to get my order in to Santa ASAP.

[Paradigm Shifter]

Sorry, I didn't spot this thread earlier or I would have said IPS panels were the way to go. I wouldn't worry too much about LED LCDs - all that means in the backlight is LED based, rather than CCFL.

Refresh rates on TFT panels are more of a shared delusion than anything else; it's response time that is important. However, the very fast response (<8ms) panels are TN type which don't give good colour reproduction.

Are you sticking with TH2Go or are you switching to EyeFinity or nVidia Surround? If you're sticking with TH2Go, I'd recommend staying with a maximum of 1680x1050 res panels (that's the highest the TH2Go Digital can cope with) and checking the relevant thread to make sure they can support 57Hz refresh rate (as they'll need that for triplewide with TH2Go). If you're going EyeFinity, save yourself a headache and make sure you get monitors with DisplayPort connections.

[TechnicalEcstasy]

I intended to switch to Eyefinity, but ran into the Displayport issue you brought up. My current monitors only have VGA inputs and the XFX cards, Mini-Displayport. I RMA'd an active Displayport to DVI adapter after realizing the problem. I also had a problem with running Crossfire which dimmed my monitors. I dont remember all the details, but I think it had something to do with Catalyst, so I uninstalled it for now.

I didn't realize TH2Go was only good up to 1050. If that's the case then I'll certainly go with Eyefinity and either 1080 or 1200's.

Thanks for the helpful info. So the refresh rates don't mean anything? I wouldn't benefit going from 60 to 80 or more with Eyefinity?

[TechnicalEcstasy]

Any thoughts on this HP unit? http://www.compsource.com/ttechnote.asp?part_no=VM633A8ABA&vid=195&src=F

[Gilly]

Those HP monitors are good, but have poor black levels. The Dell U2410 is also a good choice in that specification range, although some of them come with a green tint (think this is now fixed with Rev A02).

[TechnicalEcstasy]

Those HP monitors are good, but have poor black levels. The Dell U2410 is also a good choice in that specification range, although some of them come with a green tint (think this is now fixed with Rev A02).

That's quite a jump in price.

[Paradigm Shifter]

No experience of those HP monitors - as for poor black levels... well there are worse things to have to live with, to be honest.

You should be able to find a DisplayPort-to-VGA adaptor which should work - there is a thread on it in the EyeFinity section of the site...

[Griffin]

Im using the HP zr24w that you linked to in my new eyefinity build. I would definitely recommend them.

[TechnicalEcstasy]

Im using the HP zr24w that you linked to in my new eyefinity build. I would definitely recommend them.

excellent. any thoughts on the "poor black levels"?

[Griffin]

Black levels are a little light, but it hasn't really impacted any of the games i've played, or my work in photoshop.

I have brightness set to 0 on mine, and eveything looks great.

[TechnicalEcstasy]

I changed my mind after doing some research and deciding that I don't want widescreens. Does anyone know of a decent 20" 4:3 IPS panel that would be good for gaming? I know they are hard to find and I haven't been able to find much of anything that was made after the LG's I bought in '06.

[Paradigm Shifter]

Most of the monitors out there now are 16:9, with some being 16:10. 4:3 is a rare aspect ratio now. :(

The HP LP2065 might be worth a punt. They're about £340 each in the UK.

[TechnicalEcstasy]

Its a shame that you cant find something good in 4:3. I'd be all about a widescreen if I only had one, but having 3 kind of defeats the purpose and takes up too much space.

Thanks for the heads up on the HP's. They are definitely a step up from the LG's I have now, even though it seems like they were put out about the same time. 8ms from 12, a ton more adjustability, and digital inputs which would make the eyfinity setup easier.

I just got done reading up on it and it seems like you may or may not get a S-IPS panel? For the price i would hope you get the good stuff.

[Paradigm Shifter]

Don't know, sorry. :(