I'm looking for a monitor to replace my aging Dell 2005fpw (actually, replace is the wrong word - the fpw will be a secondary monitor in portrait but I digress...). I've spent a lot of time reading reviews and ultimately have ended up going a bit mad at all the options and possibilities.
So I've come asking for some recommendations to get me started. I actually read the 'Looking to Buy a Monitor' thread so here's the little survey, all filled out!
1. What Is Your Country Of Origin?
I'm in the UK.
2. What do you plan to do with this monitor? (ex. Games, Movie Watching, Photo Editing, etc.)
Gaming and Netflix/DVDs. I'm not a hardcore online gamer (although I do dabble) but I would like things to look as nice as I can get. Also it's in a south facing room - so it needs enough brightness to cope with the sun being on it most of the day without me having to keep the curtains closed. Hate feeling like some crazy recluse.
I would like a decent viewing angle, as often more than one person will be watching Netflix/DVDs.
3. What resolution and screen size do you want?
I'll be happy with 1080p - the extra guts needed from a rig to run at 1440 isn't worth it to me, at the moment, I don't think. I'll see where things are in a few years for that.
Size wise, 24" is the requirement. Don't want to go less than that but there isn't really room for more than that, sadly.
4. What refresh rate do you want? (ex. 60 hz , 70 hz.)
I play a lot of games, so I'm wondering if I should want more than 60hz? However, as I said before I'm not a terribly competitive one so will I need the extra speed? I'm more interested in things looking fancy than being faster than everyone else online.
5. How much are you looking to spend?
My budget is, approximately, £200. Could possibly go over but ideally would like to be under.
6. Brands Preferred (ex. Samsung, Acer, Asus, AOC, HP, Viewsonic, etc. )
Back when I bought my 2005fpw Dell and Samsung were basically 'it'. I understand Asus and BenQ are also good now? I could really do with some brand advice.
7. Brands Not Preferred (state reason why)
Any 'no-name' brands. The kind of crap you end up seeing Tesco or Aldi for pennies in a brand you've never heard of. I want quality!
8. Are You Buying More Than One Monitor?
Nope.
9. How Many Displays Can Your GPU Support Maximum? And what GPU and driver version are you using if applicable?
Three, as far as I know.
I have a GTX 760 with the latest drivers.
10. What Port Do You Want To Connect To (ex. DVI-D, HDMI, etc).
This is, honestly, where it gets complicated. My current monitor has my PC connected via DVI, my Xbox 360 via VGA and a Sky+ box via S-Video.
I want, if it all possible, to keep these three things connected to my replacement monitor. The XBox is a launch console, so no HDMI so I'm going to need VGA or Component (VGA obviously will be easier.)
My PC can connect happily via any of the usual modern stuff - HDMI, DVI or Display Port. Any will be fine.
The Sky+ box is the concern and the thing I'm struggling with. It supports Scart or S-Video. That's it. Can I convert either of those to VGA (or even DVI?). I have no idea. It would be a real pain to have to disconnect it. Upgrading it to a SkyHD box isn't an option as that's out of my hands (alas, I wish it were not so!).
Perhaps I could use a VGA/DVI converter for the XBox, connect the PC via HDMI/Display Port and Convert S-Video to VGA? Is that madness?
11. Is This Monitor A Primary Display Or A Secondary Display?
Primary.
12. Is This A Secondary Display For A Laptop?
Nope.
Well, that's all folks. Please help point me in the right direction! I do appreciate it!
EDIT: Also wouldn't say no to it having some USB ports on it somewhere. My current monitor does and I'm used to them. Not essential, just something to think about.
So I've come asking for some recommendations to get me started. I actually read the 'Looking to Buy a Monitor' thread so here's the little survey, all filled out!
1. What Is Your Country Of Origin?
I'm in the UK.
2. What do you plan to do with this monitor? (ex. Games, Movie Watching, Photo Editing, etc.)
Gaming and Netflix/DVDs. I'm not a hardcore online gamer (although I do dabble) but I would like things to look as nice as I can get. Also it's in a south facing room - so it needs enough brightness to cope with the sun being on it most of the day without me having to keep the curtains closed. Hate feeling like some crazy recluse.
I would like a decent viewing angle, as often more than one person will be watching Netflix/DVDs.
3. What resolution and screen size do you want?
I'll be happy with 1080p - the extra guts needed from a rig to run at 1440 isn't worth it to me, at the moment, I don't think. I'll see where things are in a few years for that.
Size wise, 24" is the requirement. Don't want to go less than that but there isn't really room for more than that, sadly.
4. What refresh rate do you want? (ex. 60 hz , 70 hz.)
I play a lot of games, so I'm wondering if I should want more than 60hz? However, as I said before I'm not a terribly competitive one so will I need the extra speed? I'm more interested in things looking fancy than being faster than everyone else online.
5. How much are you looking to spend?
My budget is, approximately, £200. Could possibly go over but ideally would like to be under.
6. Brands Preferred (ex. Samsung, Acer, Asus, AOC, HP, Viewsonic, etc. )
Back when I bought my 2005fpw Dell and Samsung were basically 'it'. I understand Asus and BenQ are also good now? I could really do with some brand advice.
7. Brands Not Preferred (state reason why)
Any 'no-name' brands. The kind of crap you end up seeing Tesco or Aldi for pennies in a brand you've never heard of. I want quality!
8. Are You Buying More Than One Monitor?
Nope.
9. How Many Displays Can Your GPU Support Maximum? And what GPU and driver version are you using if applicable?
Three, as far as I know.
I have a GTX 760 with the latest drivers.
10. What Port Do You Want To Connect To (ex. DVI-D, HDMI, etc).
This is, honestly, where it gets complicated. My current monitor has my PC connected via DVI, my Xbox 360 via VGA and a Sky+ box via S-Video.
I want, if it all possible, to keep these three things connected to my replacement monitor. The XBox is a launch console, so no HDMI so I'm going to need VGA or Component (VGA obviously will be easier.)
My PC can connect happily via any of the usual modern stuff - HDMI, DVI or Display Port. Any will be fine.
The Sky+ box is the concern and the thing I'm struggling with. It supports Scart or S-Video. That's it. Can I convert either of those to VGA (or even DVI?). I have no idea. It would be a real pain to have to disconnect it. Upgrading it to a SkyHD box isn't an option as that's out of my hands (alas, I wish it were not so!).
Perhaps I could use a VGA/DVI converter for the XBox, connect the PC via HDMI/Display Port and Convert S-Video to VGA? Is that madness?
11. Is This Monitor A Primary Display Or A Secondary Display?
Primary.
12. Is This A Secondary Display For A Laptop?
Nope.
Well, that's all folks. Please help point me in the right direction! I do appreciate it!
EDIT: Also wouldn't say no to it having some USB ports on it somewhere. My current monitor does and I'm used to them. Not essential, just something to think about.
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