Gaming monitors 2011

Alright all, I searched a bit and realized there is no recent thread summing up the latest and greatest in gaming monitors out there. As Black Friday/Cyber Monday is coming, I thought it would be great to have a quick overview thread with the best models out there currently.

To start us off on the pricey end:
-Samsung C27A750X LED - 27inch

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

everybody on thanksgiving break already?

 

Why would you consider that the greatest 'gaming' monitor out?
27 inch panel @ 1080p, no thanks.

 

I'd like to see some recommendations here, but I'd be much more likely to be influenced by this if you could explain why a certain monitor gets your thumbs-up for gaming?

As for roliath's question: I could see the appeal of a 27" 1080p gaming monitor - you can play from further back (I like to use wireless M+KB, but I'm not playing stuff that needs super responsive speed), and you get a big screen without pushing way beyond the capabilities of higher-end GPUs in terms of playable resolutions. If we're talking about gaming monitors to plug our laptops into, we probably don't want higher resolution than 1080p.

 

I'd take an S-IPS over that "gimmick" lcd any day of the week man. u2711, u3011, 3008wfp, zr24's, zr30's, all great monitors.

 

Displays are a matter of personal preference. For gaming, the only thing that will really give you an advantage is response time; lower is better. That said, it's virtually a non-issue in practical terms. Just get something that fits your size and resolution preference.

120Hz is also something to consider if you're interested in 3D gaming, but it's certainly not a necessity for non-3D gameplay, and 120Hz displays tend to be much more expensive. As for higher-quality IPS panels, it's up to you whether it's worth the price. It won't give you any advantage in games, though.

I just bought a Hannspree SL231 display for my gaming computer. It's a 23-inch LED-backlit display. Fairly straightforward; 1920x1080 resolution, 60Hz, TN panel. Cost me $120, and I think it's an excellent display. No need for anything out of the ordinary.

 

I agree, my post isnt the greatest gaming monitor ever.

I don't see any reason however to rule out 27inch immediately. Size is merely a preference no?

Then again maybe the title should not have been 'gaming' but rather monitor. However, if it were only monitor we could argue about what to use it for to find the best, thus -> gaming as an additional filter.

I thought there were a bunch of criteria that apply, all those that apply to any good screen, and I think it is not that easy at all to pick. Just that on top of all criteria, there is also the 'gaming component' to consider.
I thought criteria would be:
- Viewing angle
- Contrast
- Color
- Brightness
- Image quality
- Features (e.g. height adjustments etc.)

I am by far no expert, that's why I am asking

To take roliath's list in $ terms (amazon as reference):
u2711 ~ $790
u3011 ~ $1100
3008wfp ~ (not available on amazon, next best reference price ~$3000
zr24 ~ $400
zr30 ~ $1160

Also, the monitor I posted, the C27A750X. I thought it was nice, good response time, great on the criteria I posted above. Why would you say it is such a bad choice?

 

I feel that no one makes a "good" 27inch 1080p panel. Viewing angles would be horrible, and I don't care for any TN or PVA monitors. Go S-IPS or go home is my thought. I see too many builds gimped by 100 lcd's, I couldn't bring myself to use that 27inch monitor let alone buy it.
But that's just me, and when buying a monitor I feel that is one area you don't skimp money on.

 

If it was purely for hardcore gaming use, id take a 27" 1080p TN panel any day. (depending on price too)

IPS panels are slower, more expensive and the higher resolutions make notebooks and even desktops gpu's struggle in gaming.

Having pretty colors and extra viewing angles has no use for gaming. Its all about performance and speed of the machine you play on if you want to be competitive.

 

Most IPS Panels are now 1080p so that rules out one of your points there. I game on an IPS Panel and despite the slower input response time, it hasn't affected me at all in FPS or RTS so that is very subjective right there. Lastly, most can get brought at a fairer price these days.

Also having better color and view angles gives you more room to position your display at a more ergonomic position for better eye viewing and less fatigue while gaming. I don't have to only look straight at a crappy TN screen that most external monitors use these days.

 

I was refering to 27"+ ips panels that run 1440 or 1600p. 1600 is over twice the pixels of 1080. Your AW wouldnt be able to run the same gfx settings your running now.

Ergonomics? You just have to sit directly infront of your screen while gaming.. If you arent in that position while using a computer chances are its not good for your long term health. And its not like a TN only had 5 degrees of viewable angle before it washes out.

 

TN panels are still crap compared to the (S) IPS, there is no room for debate against that. But again this "best gaming monitor of 2011" is very subject to debate because some people might like TN panels or don't care for proper color reproduction and prefer large pixel pitch as opposed to the tighter/smaller pixel pitch of better monitors. Some people might enjoy the poor viewing angles, different strokes for different folks. And some people might not even notice the difference in any of it.

And come on, whats the point in having a large monitor if you can't lean back in your chair and hook up a gamepad and play? But than again, I don't play too many games on my laptop compared to my desktop, so I may be a bit biased.