Looking for suggestions on a gaming monitor (<=$500)

Everybody wants the best in current technology, but gaming is one area where having high-performance equipment matters. When the virtual bullets (or arrows, or psionic blasts) start flying, you need to be sure that you can see what you're doing and what's going on. When it comes to PC gaming, it may not be enough to buy the first generic monitor you find. You need a display that looks sharp, keeps you competitive, and has the features you need to make the most of your games.

How you define a good gaming monitor depends on who you ask. It also depends on the type of video game you play, and whether you are sensitive to imperfections. One person might scoff at even the possibility of ghosting, while another couldn't care less about an input lag of a few milliseconds. Thanks to the 3D revolution, there are 120 Hz monitors now in addition to the typical 60 Hz ones. Some gamers won't use anything else, while others are completely indifferent.

There is one requirement for gaming monitors everyone can agree on, and that's a fast response time so rapid movements don't cause ghosting. Response time is how long it takes for a monitor to change the colour of a pixel, and is indicated in milliseconds. You can measure this in a variety of ways.Manufacturers tend to use the method that gives the most favourable results, a reason why you only find 2 ms and 5 ms nowadays mostly. Perhaps go with a monitor that has a true 120Hz refresh rate. A 120Hz refresh rate draws the data twice as many times as a 60Hz and makes the in-game detail come slightly faster and appear smoother. Most 120Hz refresh rate monitors are 3D, if your into that.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. I have x2 670 in SLI as well.I have the BenQ XL2420TX and it's a awesome monitor.

No complaints with it so far. You should check it out it's considered by many to be the best gaming monitor. It will really shine with your 670's. Check these out!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014270

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014288

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236206


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236293
 

explodatron

Distinguished
Jan 11, 2009
99
0
18,640
Thanks for all the suggestions guys, but I ended going with the LG 29EA93-P (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005396)

It has some really impressive specs, and reviews from newegg and anadtech say it's one of the best looking monitors around.