Widescreen Gaming Forum

okay, now I am with most of you. My last screen was a AS-IPS panel and I absolutely loved it. (loved meaning now its my TV)

So I am left with a 17" LCD.
I really want to upgrade, but I honestly can't afford much. its either wait and don't shop or...start shopping while I want.

I want wide screen(duh) and I'd prefer 1920x1200 or 1080, 1680x1050 is miles from 1280x1024 however.

I'm just curious, what is the best bang for the buck:
In terms of size, Panel Type, Budget.

Well since you already have a nice IPS panel I'd say just get a 24" TN for gaming if your budget is limited. The only reason I'm looking for something bigger and non TN is I want to use one display for everything next build.

24" has the best pixel pitch for 1920x1200 and is just the right size for desktop gaming. For any uses that require a better grade 8 bit panel, you can use your IPS.

I hear you, but with contrast ratios coming a long way than what they where. Makes me wonder if industry wise we will see more of a phase out of IPS/PVA panels.

I'd rather get a 32" LCD and reclaim my NEC to its throne.
but my wife won't let me...:(

I hear you, but with contrast ratios coming a long way than what they where. Makes me wonder if industry wise we will see more of a phase out of IPS/PVA panels.

The only thing they are going a long way with regarding contrast ratios on TNs is gimmicks. By that I mean extremely high contrast ratio presets that ruin color accuracy. Hopefully the consumers will get smart, read up on the reviews, see that these DCR TNs aren't what they're advertised to be, and the manufacturers will stop trying to fool everyone.

Samsung is one of the one's jumping on this gimmick bandwagon the most. TNs will never be as good as 8 bit panels, esp a good IPS. Besides 8 bit color depth, IPS panels have horizontally placed crystals with 2 transistors per pixel, there's just no comparison. On the other hand, a decent TN is still pretty good for gaming only use.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/monitors/display/lenovo-thinkvision-l220x.html

Not for the model reviewed, but it's an interesting read.

To answer your question : 22" is probably the best bang for the buck, but is that size "bang" enough for you ?

And don't think all TN panels are the same; even different models from the same brand can totally differ although their specs look the same. So pick a size and read loads of reviews !!!

I hear you, but with contrast ratios coming a long way than what they where. Makes me wonder if industry wise we will see more of a phase out of IPS/PVA panels.

I'd rather get a 32" LCD and reclaim my NEC to its throne.
but my wife won't let me...:(

Don't mix up Dynamic Contrast Ratio with traditional Contrast Ratio. All those claims of 8000:1, 10000:1 or higher are Dynamic contrast ratio which can be 8-10 time of the traditional contrast ratios. That said the newer panel certainly does have better contrast ration compare to the one just a few years old.

I'm not keeping Dynamic Contrast Ratio's, the standard regular one is what I look at. Dynamic cannot keep up with normal items of interest (like games, or action dvd's)

I do not like 22" LCD's. I've screamed my hate from the top of rooftops. if it was a 1080p res...okay...but 1680? no way. I've just started seeing more and more TN panels hit the market and people begging for them. The price differences are large...Too large. A brand new Dell with a TN 24" LCD = $349 while the 2409 (PVA) = $649. Thats alot more than it should be.

I'm honestly starting to look for a used 24" Dell. It really doesn't matter the year...but I think we are going to start seeing a drop in IPS and PVA panels and its going to suck.

I'm not keeping Dynamic Contrast Ratio's, the standard regular one is what I look at. Dynamic cannot keep up with normal items of interest (like games, or action dvd's)

I do not like 22" LCD's. I've screamed my hate from the top of rooftops. if it was a 1080p res...okay...but 1680? no way. I've just started seeing more and more TN panels hit the market and people begging for them. The price differences are large...Too large. A brand new Dell with a TN 24" LCD = $349 while the 2409 (PVA) = $649. Thats alot more than it should be.

I'm honestly starting to look for a used 24" Dell. It really doesn't matter the year...but I think we are going to start seeing a drop in IPS and PVA panels and its going to suck.

Find a friend (or make a new one) who's office buy from Dell. I just got a 2709W thru a friend's office for less than the 2409 Dell price using their corporate discount. So you should be able to get a 2409 for much less.