Need a new LCD for a gaming computer, $250

So, I've just built a brand new gaming computer, and it's looking pretty awesome. Got it all set up, put together and all. Only problem is, I just found out that my monitor died in the same event that trashed my old computer. So, help me Tom's Hardware: you are my only hope.

Budget: $250 or less. I've already spent a bucketload on the tower, so less is preferable.
Prospective Uses: In order, video games, internet/general apps, more games, movies. Also, I want to be able to plug an XBox into it if needed.
Specs I Want: 24" or larger widescreen, max resolution at least 1900 x 1080, color contrast 1000:1, 5ms GTG response time (though I'm not horribly picky), HDMI port

Why_Me, the wonderful soul who helped me build my new computer, has recommended this monitor:

ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail

It looks very good, and I'm pretty sold on it, but I'd like to know if there's anything better out there. So, monitor-loving-denizens of Tom's Hardware, what should I get?

Message edited by MasterAaron on 09-29-2009 at 02:52:25 AM

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I would second that recommendation.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

It has 1920x1080 instead of 1920x1200, now, besides from slightly stretched games and desktops that's not a bad thing but you can get 1920x1080 monitors for a lot less money, while you can also get a 1920x1200 for under $250.

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------------------------------ CPU: Intel Core i7 920 @3.2Ghz, MOBO: Asus P6T SE, RAM: 3x 2gb OCZ Platinum OCZ3P1600LV6GK, GPU: Sapphire HD 5870, PSU: Corsair HX520W, HDD: Seagate ST31000528AS 1Tb 32mb, COOLER: Scythe Mugen (S775 version), CASE: Coolermaster CM690
Reply to Gulli

Gulli wrote :

you can also get a 1920x1200 for under $250.

The options on Newegg are pretty limited at 1920x1200.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20x%201200

There are only 11 listed and the only one I'd consider is this one which is $50 over budget before MIR.

ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers w/ component connector - Retail $299.99 - $30 MIR

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Reply to shortstuff_mt

shortstuff_mt wrote :

The options on Newegg are pretty limited at 1920x1200.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20x%201200

There are only 11 listed and the only one I'd consider is this one which is $50 over budget before MIR.

ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers w/ component connector - Retail $299.99 - $30 MIR

How about this one? http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] e=10008938

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------------------------------ CPU: Intel Core i7 920 @3.2Ghz, MOBO: Asus P6T SE, RAM: 3x 2gb OCZ Platinum OCZ3P1600LV6GK, GPU: Sapphire HD 5870, PSU: Corsair HX520W, HDD: Seagate ST31000528AS 1Tb 32mb, COOLER: Scythe Mugen (S775 version), CASE: Coolermaster CM690
Reply to Gulli

Gulli wrote :

How about this one? http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] e=10008938

It's out of stock, $70 over budget, and has a 5ms response time. The OP wanted at least a 3ms response time. I don't remember the OP asking for a monitor with an integrated TV tuner card, so I don't think he'd be willing to pay $70 for it.

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Reply to shortstuff_mt

shortstuff_mt wrote :

It's out of stock, $70 over budget, and has a 5ms response time. The OP wanted at least a 3ms response time. I don't remember the OP asking for a monitor with an integrated TV tuner card, so I don't think he'd be willing to pay $70 for it.

Ok, my bad.

But here's a 1920x1080 with 2ms: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] e=10009786 for $180 and here's a 1920x1200 2ms for $280 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] t=celebros

BTW, does the OP know that the human eye can't discern between 5ms and 3ms?

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Message edited by Gulli on 09-29-2009 at 02:08:55 AM

------------------------------ CPU: Intel Core i7 920 @3.2Ghz, MOBO: Asus P6T SE, RAM: 3x 2gb OCZ Platinum OCZ3P1600LV6GK, GPU: Sapphire HD 5870, PSU: Corsair HX520W, HDD: Seagate ST31000528AS 1Tb 32mb, COOLER: Scythe Mugen (S775 version), CASE: Coolermaster CM690
Reply to Gulli

How about this http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] t=celebros ?
Could anyone tell if it's any good?

Reply to gecko666

Gulli wrote :

BTW, does the OP know that the human eye can't discern between 5ms and 3ms?

He didn't, actually. =P

I was kinda distracted when I wrote that - forgot to mention that I'm willing to accept a range of response times. Not because I knew about what you just mentioned, but because response time isn't anything like a big concern as long as it's at least decent. (I don't play competitive FPS, so I'm not exactly at major risk for tearing with a good modern monitor.

Gulli wrote :

It has 1920x1080 instead of 1920x1200, now, besides from slightly stretched games and desktops that's not a bad thing but you can get 1920x1080 monitors for a lot less money, while you can also get a 1920x1200 for under $250.

Are there actually noticeable stretching problems with 1900x1080? I've never heard that before, but I know jack-all about monitors and my old monitor was a 19" 1200x1080, so I haven't played with 16:9 before.

And finally, I really don't care about a TV tuner, since I assume that you wouldn't need that just to handle an XBox.

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Reply to MasterAaron

MasterAaron wrote :

He didn't, actually. =P

I was kinda distracted when I wrote that - forgot to mention that I'm willing to accept a range of response times. Not because I knew about what you just mentioned, but because response time isn't anything like a big concern as long as it's at least decent. (I don't play competitive FPS, so I'm not exactly at major risk for tearing with a good modern monitor.

Are there actually noticeable stretching problems with 1900x1080? I've never heard that before, but I know jack-all about monitors and my old monitor was a 19" 1200x1080, so I haven't played with 16:9 before.

And finally, I really don't care about a TV tuner, since I assume that you wouldn't need that just to handle an XBox.

If all you're gone do with it is use it for your Xbox then 1920x1080 is fine (it has the standard TV widescreen ratio of 16:9), it's just that I wouldn't like desktop PC with a 1920x1080 monitor.
So if it's only for the Xbox you should get a cheap 1920x1080 monitor.

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Message edited by Gulli on 09-29-2009 at 06:40:57 PM

------------------------------ CPU: Intel Core i7 920 @3.2Ghz, MOBO: Asus P6T SE, RAM: 3x 2gb OCZ Platinum OCZ3P1600LV6GK, GPU: Sapphire HD 5870, PSU: Corsair HX520W, HDD: Seagate ST31000528AS 1Tb 32mb, COOLER: Scythe Mugen (S775 version), CASE: Coolermaster CM690
Reply to Gulli

Gulli wrote :

If all you're gone do with it is use it for your Xbox then 1920x1080 is fine (it has the standard TV widescreen ratio of 16:9), it's just that I wouldn't like desktop PC with a 1920x1080 monitor.
So if it's only for the Xbox you should get a cheap 1920x1080 monitor.

This is primarily going to be for a PC; the XBox thing might happen occasionally, but rarely. So what's the problem with 1900x1080 for a PC? Is this a matter of personal preference for you, or does it actually cause graphical problems/complications?

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Reply to MasterAaron

MasterAaron wrote :

This is primarily going to be for a PC; the XBox thing might happen occasionally, but rarely. So what's the problem with 1900x1080 for a PC? Is this a matter of personal preference for you, or does it actually cause graphical problems/complications?

It's a matter of preference, most games will run with that resolution, others will stretch or have black bars, and the desktop/browser will be stretched.

------------------------------ CPU: Intel Core i7 920 @3.2Ghz, MOBO: Asus P6T SE, RAM: 3x 2gb OCZ Platinum OCZ3P1600LV6GK, GPU: Sapphire HD 5870, PSU: Corsair HX520W, HDD: Seagate ST31000528AS 1Tb 32mb, COOLER: Scythe Mugen (S775 version), CASE: Coolermaster CM690
Reply to Gulli

I support Why_me's recommendation. I have the same monitor, and its amazing.

Reply to Upas

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