Monitors

**hex1848** · 02-22-2005, 02:59 PM

Well, I just got my new system. 2.8 ghz p4, 512 megs of ram (I’m going to buy another gig at some point ;-)). SATA, etc...

I'm in the market for a new monitor to go along with it. I've never been much of a gamer, but I know as soon as I say I'll never play a game, I'll get into it hard core. On the other hand I'm big into photoshop/web/graphic development. I would like to get an LCD of some sort, probably 17" (at least).

Anyone recommend an LCD that has a good refresh rate? I want something at least good enough to play most games (with out ghosting) and be able to do artistic stuff with no problem. Or should I just bite the space bullet and get a ~19” CRT?

**Jseek116** · 02-23-2005, 10:53 PM

I have also been in the market for a new moniter. I have been looking around and everyone I talk to says that LG is one of the best on the market for price.

**Yeagermeister** · 03-30-2005, 06:16 AM

Although this has been changing withtin the last few years, LCD's are generally for people who only want to surf the web. If you want a sharper image with a higher refresh rate and no ghosting ( especially for PC games ) , you want to buy CRT only.

**DarkPantherOSX** · 03-30-2005, 06:45 PM

No no no no no no no. LCDs are the best for everything, and its almost like you can't even buy a computer anymore without an LCD. The refresh rate has nothing to do with the monitor its all in your graphics card. Monitors operate just like TV's, almost. A flat panel is really the way to go. They're better on your eyes, and they save space. Plus, its cooler

!

Now, on the topic of what to get. I was at OfficeMax the other day and saw a really nice 17" monitor for $249 (a GREAT bargain) and a great brand. I'd go with that. Lemme know how that works out for you. Another website to try out is TigerDirect. They have some nice monitors on there for good prices.

**labmonkey** · 03-31-2005, 09:29 AM

I agree on TigerDirect....some of the best prices I've seen online, and I've had great service from them in the past.

**8-5-8** · 06-15-2005, 11:00 AM

I live and work in close proximity to an art school and the and all I ever see in the comp labs are CRT's. And I don't think cost is a factor in their choice, as annual tuition easily tops $25k-30k/year. Most of the graphic designers I know use CRT's as well. I have one friend with an LCD and he seems happy with it, but I prefer a 19" CRT over an LCD anyday.

edit: and I also recommend TigerDirect as a great choice for price and service

**Vigcs** · 06-17-2005, 08:40 PM

I recommend www.newegg.com , I've had the best experience with them buying computer parts.

**God** · 06-19-2005, 10:44 AM

Is there a site that would explain all of the various specs on the LCDs to look for and provide ratings?

**CoventryCat86** · 06-19-2005, 10:49 AM

LMAO!!!

Welcome "God"

**dHUTCH** · 08-17-2005, 02:16 AM

Hex on my desktop machine I run one of Viewsonic's new 19 inch flat panel LCD's. Absolutely LOVE the size of the monitor, I'm able to read anything and still have a lot of stuff on the screen at once. I was able to play some games that demanded some pretty high graphics cards on the monitor and had no problem. Im talking like half lifes new engine for graphics which puts a load on almost any new PCI EXPRESS card(new highest standard card, AGP is no longer the king). I have a PCI express card along with that 19 inch monitor and i was seeing 80-100 fps on games like counter-strike source and doom 3. I'd reccomend that brand of monitor to anyone. In fact my dad has a 17 inch LCD monitor from Viewsonic and he loves his too............good product if u ask me

**Jonsey5484** · 08-17-2005, 08:15 AM

Hex, if you want the best picture for your Computer. Buy a grahics card with A/V jacks on it. Hook it right up to the biggest tv you got. I have my Computer hooked to my 42" widescreen. What could be greater than gaming and surfing the net on a 42" widescreen monitor. As long as you have a tv with good A/V jacks in it, you are set, why waste money on another monitor when you probably have a few tv's.

**dHUTCH** · 08-17-2005, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jonsey5484

Hex, if you want the best picture for your Computer. Buy a grahics card with A/V jacks on it. Hook it right up to the biggest tv you got. I have my Computer hooked to my 42" widescreen. What could be greater than gaming and surfing the net on a 42" widescreen monitor. As long as you have a tv with good A/V jacks in it, you are set, why waste money on another monitor when you probably have a few tv's.

Or what Jonsey said would work great but.....this is assuming you would comfortable sitting on your couch with your keyboard in your lap rather than on a desktop. It's all a matter of preference. I actually have my computer hooked up to two monitors and then to my television all at once. I only use the television if I want to watch my recorded TV shows from Media Center. Either way you go, you wont be dissapointed.

**Yeagermeister** · 10-24-2005, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jonsey5484

Hex, if you want the best picture for your Computer. Buy a grahics card with A/V jacks on it. Hook it right up to the biggest tv you got. I have my Computer hooked to my 42" widescreen. What could be greater than gaming and surfing the net on a 42" widescreen monitor. As long as you have a tv with good A/V jacks in it, you are set, why waste money on another monitor when you probably have a few tv's.

lets not mislead people into thinking that hooking a television up to your computer will deliver the same sharpness and quality that a computer monitor can, because that's simply untrue. This is why computer monitors are inherently more expensive than regular TVs. TV = substantially lower resolution (unless you've got an HDTV)

and I still stand by the statement that the use of LCD monitors is limited to either those who dont use their computer for anything other than text, or for those who are trying to save space and are willing to sacrafice quality to do so. This is a consensual opinion amonst the graphic arts/gaming community, and will remain so until the LCD's improve. If you want quality, you want CRT

**SuperChuck** · 10-25-2005, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

lets not mislead people into thinking that hooking a television up to your computer will deliver the same sharpness and quality that a computer monitor can, because that's simply untrue. This is why computer monitors are inherently more expensive than regular TVs. TV = substantially lower resolution (unless you've got an HDTV)

Even with HD, you need to have a proper resolution coming out of the video card or you'll get compression funk.

If you want quality, you want CRT

That depends on your definition of quality. If you want to be playing games at 60 fps, you're probably going to need a CRT. However, if you're staring at text all day (such as, say, a programmer), LCD is MUCH nicer on your eyes. And since most porn is 24-30 fps, that's fine, too.

**SamplerMan** · 10-26-2005, 12:52 PM

I just put together a computer for a buddy's friend and this is the monitor I found to accomodate the budget I was given. When I set it up, I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and the price was just right. Here's a link to it on Newegg.com...

CMV CT-726D 17" LCD monitor