What's better? aw2310, U2312HM, U2412M or s23a950d

[kranch]

Hello,

I am planning to buy a monitor for my laptop to be used with gaming and photo editing. I am currently using both alienware m11x and macbook pro 15". And hopefully will use the same monitor when I am able to build a desktop a year or two from now. I was thinking about these models from Dell and Samsung:

Dell
- aw2310
- U2312HM
- U2412M

Samsung
- S23A950D

I prefer to limit the size to 24" since i usually play at arms length. and anything bigger strains my eyes @_@. I like the 120hz rate of AW2310 and S23A950D but will mostly use it for 2D gaming. Not really a fan of 3D gaming. The other two Dell U2312HM and U2412M seems to be good but doesn't have the 120hz rate. I would really like the 120hz mainly because they say its better for fast motion games? and it looks clearer than 60hz monitors? I have tried series 7 LED TVs from samsung and can see the difference from series 5, not sure if it is mainly because of the hz rate. Anyway, what could be the best monitor on my choices? =)

 

[kranch]

I recently went to a local Dell Shop and checked on their monitor. I wanted to get the AW2310 because of its 120hz rate but the sales person there did not advise to get one and get the Ultrasharp or T-something series instead since I'm not going to use it's 3D capability. He advised that the 120hz can only be used during 3D mode. 2D model can only go to 60hz. Is this true? has anybody used 120hz on 2D before? and is it noticeable especially when playing FPS games?

I also tried to change the rate from 60-120hz on the demo unit and the desktop fonts and icons got blurred and shattered. Not sure if video playback improved because the sales person tried diff videos before and after. the color of the video after setting the freq to 120hz became washed out. I was not able to check what cable was used.

 

[MagicPants]

I have a AW2310 and I have used its 120hz capability in 2D.

What sort of 2d games do you play? 120hz might help if has a fast scrolling background.

 

[kranch]

Hi MagicPants, thanks for the reply. Currently I am playing MW2, StarCraft 2, and WoW. In the future I would also like to play BF3 and other FPS. Is the differnce between 60hz and 120hz noticeable in 2D for these games?

 

[MagicPants]

Oh, lol I thought you meant 2d like flash games. I wouldn't call it noticeable, but it's detectable as long as you have a (some) pretty good graphics card(s).

I'm not blown away by the aw2310, I usually game on an IPS monitor.

 

[kranch]

Ok. Thanks! It seems the added cost of the aw2310 is not worth it if not goong to use it for 3D and don't have a high end graphics card. Im beginning to lean on the IPS now. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[malikq86]

TRUST ME...get the Samsung S23A750D for $299 @ tigerdirect or the S27A750D for $400....it is the best overall monitor for gaming. The colors are very similar to IPS...and the monitor/screen quality is best of any 120hz. IPS is good...but you should really get 120hz for gmaing...and Samsung has done a great job. 750D monitor design is better than 950D..but you have to have a DisplayPort on your graphic card...if you don't than get the 950D.

FYI - I have both IPS and 120hz. If I had to pick one...I'd pick Samsung 750D. And no I don't use it for 3D..2D gaming is very good on it. IPS is better for work/web because of 1200p...but 120hz is significantly better for fast pace gaming.