Cheap triple-monitor setup vs single 120hz monitor

[uhh3000]

Having finished my build a couple of months ago, I've been gaming on my 42" TV for a while. Now, I love my tv and it's awesome having a screen this big, but I wanna get myself a good monitor setup in the next month or so to really get up close and immerse myself. I originally wanted a BenQ XL2420T 24" 120hz monitor, but started thinking that for the ~$400 price tag, would it be possible to get some decent 60hz, 1920x1080 monitors for a triple-monitor setup? I'd be willing to go a little over that budged, maybe $450 or $500, but I wanted to ask you guys if you think I'd be able to get some good, quality monitors that aren't necessarily top of the line, but are still nice. Any suggestions? My primary use is gaming btw

 

[jaguarskx]

Gaming on 3 monitors is very demanding so you need a powerful graphics card to begin with; or two. I recommend at least a GTX 670 w/ 4GB of VRAM or the Radeon 7950 w/ 3GB of VRAM. But that will not last you very long as more demanding games come out. If you are going to play really demanding games then I recommend the GTX 690 or HD 7990.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sapphire/HD_7970_Toxic_6_GB/6.html

 

[scannall]

Having finished my build a couple of months ago, I've been gaming on my 42" TV for a while. Now, I love my tv and it's awesome having a screen this big, but I wanna get myself a good monitor setup in the next month or so to really get up close and immerse myself. I originally wanted a BenQ XL2420T 24" 120hz monitor, but started thinking that for the ~$400 price tag, would it be possible to get some decent 60hz, 1920x1080 monitors for a triple-monitor setup? I'd be willing to go a little over that budged, maybe $450 or $500, but I wanted to ask you guys if you think I'd be able to get some good, quality monitors that aren't necessarily top of the line, but are still nice. Any suggestions? My primary use is gaming btw

The 27" 2560x1440 IPS panels from Korea are a great deal. Currently starting at around $290 delivered. Just search eBay for 2560x1440. I bought one about 6 months ago, and it's been great.

 

[DarkSable]

Gaming at 120Hz with ultra settings is also demanding, but my 2GB 670 does the trick.

I have that BenQ monitor, and love it to freaking death. Triple monitor setups have driver issues, and you have to be sure to get monitors with thin bezels.

What it comes down to, really is what TYPE of gaming you're doing. I play a lot of competitive shooters and RTS's, so the BenQ gives me an advantage there. If you're in it for racing games, immersive RPGs, ect, then I'd go with the triple monitor setup. (Where it really shines is with vehicle games - cars and planes.)

 

[jaguarskx]

But not as demanding as gaming at 5760x1080 resolution.

 

[uhh3000]

Well I currently have the gtx 670 ftw 2gb version and just remembered the whole vram thing. With all the expenses of another gpu, more monitors, more chance of doa, etc etc, I really think I might just go with the 120hz BenQ.

Would it be overkill to add another card in anyways so I can always have 100+ fps?

 

[quilciri]

The 27" 2560x1440 IPS panels from Korea are a great deal. Currently starting at around $290 delivered. Just search eBay for 2560x1440. I bought one about 6 months ago, and it's been great.

+1, but the ones capable of 120hz (you have to overclock them yourself) are $400-500. I've hit 104hz on the Catleap I'm using.

They're well worth it, however.

 

[bigcyco1]

As far as which monitor is for you all depends Response Rate


The response rate of an LCD monitor refers to how quickly each pixel on the screen can change color. The lower the response rate, the faster the screen updates. If you are playing fast-paced action game for example, where the images change quickly, if you're playing on a monitor with a slower response rate, you may experience what is known as "ghosting". Ghosting happens when the previous image displayed on the screen can still be seen as a blur for moments after the image has changed.


When choosing the best gaming monitor, the response rate is perhaps the single most important factor to consider. Ghosting and motion blur can ruin your overall gaming experience. The faster the response rate of your monitor, the less ghosting you will see.


I would say that an LCD with a response rate of 5ms is the minimum for gaming. Lower than 5ms is better of course (remember that the lower, the faster), and the very best gaming monitors on the market have extremely fast response rates such as 2ms and lower to avoid any ghosting/blur issues completely.



LED vs LCD Monitors


LED monitors are the exact same as LCD monitors, except they use LED backlighting which provides some advantages such as a brighter and sharper display, thinner screen, and lower power usage.


LED monitors currently cost a little more than a standard LCD, but if you want the best gaming monitor then I would definitely suggest you buy one. If not, a standard LCD monitor with a good response rate will do just fine.



What Size Monitor?


Ultimately, the size you go for is totally up to you and how much you're willing to spend. Obviously the larger the screen, the more expensive it will be, but for the best gaming monitor experience I would suggest at least 19", and go for a widescreen LCD if you can. Nothing beats gaming on a nice, decent-sized widescreen monitor.


If you want the most immersive gaming experience possible and you have the money to spend, go for a quality 23" or 24" screen, or even 25" and above. After gaming on such a massive screen you won't ever want to go back to a smaller screen!



Contrast Ratio


The contrast ratio of a monitor can be a helpful spec to generally compare picture quality between different monitors. In general, the higher the contrast ratio, the better the picture quality.


With high contrast ratios your screen can produce deeper black levels, which creates a more immersive and visually sharp experience. Keep in mind that the contrast ratio isn't always an accurate measure of image quality, so don't use it solely to compare two monitors as there's more to it than that.



Viewing Angle


If you look at an LCD monitor from an angle, you will notice that the image appears dimmer and the colors can look weird. At extreme angles the entire image can even disappear. The viewing angle of an LCD monitor is the angle at which you can still view the screen clearly, and is usually listed in the monitor's specifications list.


The greater the viewing angle, the better, but for gamers the viewing angle doesn't really matter because you are looking directly at the screen the whole time. But there are some people who will consider the viewing angle important, for example if you need to show presentations with your LCD monitor.



Matte vs Glossy Screens There are two kinds of modern LCD screens: matte (anti-glare) and glossy. Both have their pros and cons and are a subject of many discussions.


Matte screens don't get glare or reflections on them; however, the same rough surface (polarizer) that reduces the intensity of reflected light results in less contrast and brightness since the light from the LCD screen has to pass through it. Matte screens diffuse light instead of reflecting it so they might be easier to read outdoors, if the backlight provides enough brightness. You don't have to worry about reflections unlike with a glossy screen. One of the downsides of a strong anti-glare coating in matte displays is a grainy "crystalline" pattern which is mostly visible when viewing text on a white background.


Glossy screens have vibrant colors and high contrast and brightness because they have a smooth, high-gloss surface. As a result, it is often the choice for movies or gaming. However, strong lighting sources in the environment cause glare on these screens which is not only annoying, but can also cause eye strain and pain. If the lighting isn't adequate, you will also see distracting reflections on the screen. Some graphics designers may find the colors inaccurate, although that mostly depends on the LCD matrix. Glossy will work great for you if the lighting in your room doesn't create any glare on the screen. 120Hz
Why a 120Hz Refresh Rate Computer Monitor?
120Hz Vs. 60Hz
120 Hz vs. 60Hz Refresh Rate - Source: BenQBoth response time, the time it takes for a pixel to go from black to white and back again, and input lag, the difference in time that it takes for you to input a command into your computer and see it displayed, are very well-known terms in the gaming community. Few gamers think about the impact that a higher refresh rate will have on their game.


What is Refresh Rate?


Refresh rate is basically the amount of times in a second that a monitor will draw the data which it receives. Most TN and IPS panel monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate. In order to really see all the advantages that come with a 120Hz display you should be gaming at an FPS well above 60.


Benefits of 120Hz:


1. Details are more crisp, smoothly rendered, and lifelike.
2. More Responsive.If you're looking for the best 3D monitor that will also play great in 2D, then you should choose between the BenQ XL2420T and the ASUS VG278H. Both incorporate nVidia's 3D Vision 2 with 3D LightBoost which greatly improves the overall 3D experience.

While the BenQ doesn't disappoint as far as specifications with a 2ms response time, 120Hz refresh rate, low input lag, and a great picture, The XL2420T comes with a lot of other features built-in to this monitor specifically for gamers including FPS Mode, RTS Mode, Intuitive OSD, S. Switch;Height Adjustment, and Game Mode Loader.

If you just want this monitor for the 2D technology, then you might want to consider its predecessor, XL2410T, which is significantly cheaper and has many of the same features as the XL2420T, but has nVidia 3D Vision rather than 3D Vision 2. Depending on budget and what you like TOP NOTCH Gaming Monitors


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001414#top
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VS239H-P-23-Inch-Full-HD-Monitor/dp/B008DWITHI/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260047#top
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236206#top
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014270#top
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014288#top
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236292

 

[uhh3000]

Best answer selected by uhh3000.

 

[uhh3000]

As far as which monitor is for you all depends Response Rate


The response rate of an LCD monitor refers to how quickly each pixel on the screen can change color. The lower the response rate, the faster the screen updates. If you are playing fast-paced action game for example, where the images change quickly, if you're playing on a monitor with a slower response rate, you may experience what is known as "ghosting". Ghosting happens when the previous image displayed on the screen can still be seen as a blur for moments after the image has changed.


When choosing the best gaming monitor, the response rate is perhaps the single most important factor to consider. Ghosting and motion blur can ruin your overall gaming experience. The faster the response rate of your monitor, the less ghosting you will see.


I would say that an LCD with a response rate of 5ms is the minimum for gaming. Lower than 5ms is better of course (remember that the lower, the faster), and the very best gaming monitors on the market have extremely fast response rates such as 2ms and lower to avoid any ghosting/blur issues completely.



LED vs LCD Monitors


LED monitors are the exact same as LCD monitors, except they use LED backlighting which provides some advantages such as a brighter and sharper display, thinner screen, and lower power usage.


LED monitors currently cost a little more than a standard LCD, but if you want the best gaming monitor then I would definitely suggest you buy one. If not, a standard LCD monitor with a good response rate will do just fine.



What Size Monitor?


Ultimately, the size you go for is totally up to you and how much you're willing to spend. Obviously the larger the screen, the more expensive it will be, but for the best gaming monitor experience I would suggest at least 19", and go for a widescreen LCD if you can. Nothing beats gaming on a nice, decent-sized widescreen monitor.


If you want the most immersive gaming experience possible and you have the money to spend, go for a quality 23" or 24" screen, or even 25" and above. After gaming on such a massive screen you won't ever want to go back to a smaller screen!



Contrast Ratio


The contrast ratio of a monitor can be a helpful spec to generally compare picture quality between different monitors. In general, the higher the contrast ratio, the better the picture quality.


With high contrast ratios your screen can produce deeper black levels, which creates a more immersive and visually sharp experience. Keep in mind that the contrast ratio isn't always an accurate measure of image quality, so don't use it solely to compare two monitors as there's more to it than that.



Viewing Angle


If you look at an LCD monitor from an angle, you will notice that the image appears dimmer and the colors can look weird. At extreme angles the entire image can even disappear. The viewing angle of an LCD monitor is the angle at which you can still view the screen clearly, and is usually listed in the monitor's specifications list.


The greater the viewing angle, the better, but for gamers the viewing angle doesn't really matter because you are looking directly at the screen the whole time. But there are some people who will consider the viewing angle important, for example if you need to show presentations with your LCD monitor.



Matte vs Glossy Screens There are two kinds of modern LCD screens: matte (anti-glare) and glossy. Both have their pros and cons and are a subject of many discussions.


Matte screens don't get glare or reflections on them; however, the same rough surface (polarizer) that reduces the intensity of reflected light results in less contrast and brightness since the light from the LCD screen has to pass through it. Matte screens diffuse light instead of reflecting it so they might be easier to read outdoors, if the backlight provides enough brightness. You don't have to worry about reflections unlike with a glossy screen. One of the downsides of a strong anti-glare coating in matte displays is a grainy "crystalline" pattern which is mostly visible when viewing text on a white background.


Glossy screens have vibrant colors and high contrast and brightness because they have a smooth, high-gloss surface. As a result, it is often the choice for movies or gaming. However, strong lighting sources in the environment cause glare on these screens which is not only annoying, but can also cause eye strain and pain. If the lighting isn't adequate, you will also see distracting reflections on the screen. Some graphics designers may find the colors inaccurate, although that mostly depends on the LCD matrix. Glossy will work great for you if the lighting in your room doesn't create any glare on the screen. 120Hz
Why a 120Hz Refresh Rate Computer Monitor?
120Hz Vs. 60Hz
120 Hz vs. 60Hz Refresh Rate - Source: BenQBoth response time, the time it takes for a pixel to go from black to white and back again, and input lag, the difference in time that it takes for you to input a command into your computer and see it displayed, are very well-known terms in the gaming community. Few gamers think about the impact that a higher refresh rate will have on their game.


What is Refresh Rate?


Refresh rate is basically the amount of times in a second that a monitor will draw the data which it receives. Most TN and IPS panel monitors have a 60Hz refresh rate. In order to really see all the advantages that come with a 120Hz display you should be gaming at an FPS well above 60.


Benefits of 120Hz:


1. Details are more crisp, smoothly rendered, and lifelike.
2. More Responsive.If you're looking for the best 3D monitor that will also play great in 2D, then you should choose between the BenQ XL2420T and the ASUS VG278H. Both incorporate nVidia's 3D Vision 2 with 3D LightBoost which greatly improves the overall 3D experience.

While the BenQ doesn't disappoint as far as specifications with a 2ms response time, 120Hz refresh rate, low input lag, and a great picture, The XL2420T comes with a lot of other features built-in to this monitor specifically for gamers including FPS Mode, RTS Mode, Intuitive OSD, S. Switch;Height Adjustment, and Game Mode Loader.

If you just want this monitor for the 2D technology, then you might want to consider its predecessor, XL2410T, which is significantly cheaper and has many of the same features as the XL2420T, but has nVidia 3D Vision rather than 3D Vision 2. Depending on budget and what you like TOP NOTCH Gaming Monitors


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001414#top
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VS239H-P-23-Inch-Full-HD-Monitor/dp/B008DWITHI/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260047#top
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236206#top
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014270#top
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014288#top
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236292

Thank you very much for this detailed reply, it gave me a few bits of info that I didn't know. After an unexpected water pump failure on my truck this morning, my extra spending budget is cut short, so I'm gonna go with this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236153

Honestly, as cheap as it is, it'll still be the best monitor I've ever owned (was previously using a 720p 19" monitor on my old rig), and that price will allow me to buy a couple more in the future whenever I upgrade to some 4 gb 670s in sli so I can have a gaming powerhouse. Thanks for all the info from everyone on here, and merry Christmas!!