Discussion: IPS monitor for Semi-Competitive Gamer. Need monitor expert knowledge and opinions.

[beegeepee]

Hey all,

So with the help of tomshwardware I made this pc last year:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($196.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($116.10 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($328.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 600T White Graphite ATX Mid Tower Case ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Pro 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1026.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-21 11:20 EST-0500)

I finally want to upgrade my current monitor Asus VS247H http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236174 To a dual set-up monitor.

I have decided I want an IPS/LPS Monitor. I also want Glossy screen since I play in my room where I can turn the lights/make it dark (if anyone strongly advises me to go with matte I am open to that idea).

I am semi-competitive gamer so I am looking for a solid performance IPS monitor. AKA high response rate.

Lastly, I can't decide between a 23"/24" 1920x1200 monitor or a 27"/30" 2560x1440 or 2560x1600 monitor.

I have read 24" are significantly more expensive than 23" monitors, but this is partially because the 24" monitors are higher quality (not sure if this is true).

I had originally planned to get a 23"/24" monitor since it is closer size to my current monitor (which I will use as my miscellaneous 2nd monitor) , but now I am leaning towards the 27"/30" Korean monitors because they can be overclocked past 60hz (perhaps I am just unaware that they make 23"/24" IPS monitors that can be overclocked)

If anyone has good advice/opinions/great black friday/cybermonday deals I would greatly appreciate your help in my quest to enhance my gaming experience.

Thanks very much!

BeeGeePee


P.S. if you mention a Korean monitor that can be clocked can you please provide some details on the overclocking procedure. Is it easy/reliable does it reduce the monitors life. Will my GPU be able to even handle most games on high settings at that resolution etc. Also, in the near future I will most likely add a 2nd GPU once mine no longer handles games on its own.

 

[beegeepee]

intersting choice of setup. You have a couple of problems with your desired outcomes. The most obvious is your GPU. That card wont cut the mustard with high resolution gaming, especially if a multi-monitor setup is desired. The second, and almost as important, is the fact that IPS and high refresh rate are virtually oxymoronic. The lowest refresh rate you could realistically expect is 6 +/-1 ms. Overlord computer has some great choices,though. Overclocking your monitor is very simple with Nvidia's 700 series cards. AMD doesnt have built-in support, but it can still be done
For that, you could use software designed by ToastyX, though its not very intuitive. Dont go with any Korean Catleaps, they stopped making their monitors go over 72Hz.
Most of all, even if you do get anywhere over 80-90Hz, you need a GPU that can power your games to that many FPS; expect to dial down the graphics settings in most games. But since you have refresh rate on your radar, i suggest looking into either ASUS VG248QE or Ben-Q XL2420TE. Both are catered tward competitive FPS.

The only FPS I am currently playing is Battlefield 4. I am not remotely competitive in it. I am more competitive in Starcraft 2 and League of Legends neither of which are graphically demanding. So, I am confident my GPU could handle those games maxed out at higher FPS than 60.

I would say refresh rate is the least of my concerns since I am not getting paid to game nor am I into that many first person shooters. It would just be nice to overclock it a little higher than 60hz to get a little smoothness.

So, priority is best picture quality, with refresh rate that won't noticeably affect my gaming experience.

 

[beegeepee]

http://overlordcomputer.com/collections/27-monitors/products/tempest-x270oc-glossy

I am definitely considering this on the advice of Nubitz. If anyone has experience with these monitors I would appreciate the input. Also, as Nubitz pointed out, I probably won't be able to clock them at 120hz with a single 7970. Luckily, X-mas is coming up so perhaps I could snag a 2nd one soon.

 

[beegeepee]

my apologies; when you said responsiveness, i started thinking refresh rate. Since games like startcraft 2 actually have a native rate of 60 Hz and are designed to play at those, you will be perfectly set with a normal IPS monitor, i.e. no overclocking needed. Unfortunately, a 2560x1440 IPS monitor will still cost you an arm and a leg. Dell's U2713HM or ASUS PB278Q wouldnt be a bad choice. Even then, Overlord has good choice that could still suit you A OC270 only cost me $560 total.
Definitely go with glossy, not matte. Your conditions are ideal for a glossy screen.

The Tempest monitors are 8-bit monitors correct (16.7M colors). Also, I have no idea if these specs of the Tempest X270OC are good:

Contrast Ratio: 1500:1
DCR: 5000000:1
Brightness: 380cd/㎡

I am assuming they are since it is a S-IPS monitor. Very exciting stuff, but slightly more expensive than I would like. I was hoping to be in the $350-$450 range. Maybe I can find a good black friday deal of a similar monitor, but it seems unlikely.

 

[bystander]

The best monitor, at least in meeting all your needs would be this:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/eizo_fg2421.htm

It's not cheap, however.

It is a VA monitor (better than IPS in ways) that is 120hz with a Lightboost like pulsing backlight, which greatly reduces motion blur. For a non-120hz TN, it has great response time and latency.

The only problem is it runs around $600.

 

[beegeepee]

@bystander: I think Nubitz summed up my needs pretty well. Visuals is the most important factor for me. However, I would like to reduce the performance sacrifice as much as possible. Basically, if I can get around 8ms or less response time and overclock the monitor past 60hz that would be ideal.

@Nubitz I thought I read somewhere that DVI can't overlock past a certain refresh rate. I don't remember where I read that but it has to be incorrect right. Another thing I read was the Bezel on the Overlord Gaming monitors are sort of excessively large. Is it distracting for a 2 monitor set-up? I suppose it wouldn't matter too much since when I am gaming I will exclusively be using the new monitor. Lastly, have you seen any of the 2560x1600 monitors and are they noticeably better than the 2560x1440? My GPU will struggle to handle either, but I will probably pickup a second GPU either on Black Friday/Cyber Monday or around X-mas. I saw my GPU being sold for like $250 recently, and I can only imagine that will continue to go down.

 

[bystander]

@bystander: I think Nubitz summed up my needs pretty well. Visuals is the most important factor for me. However, I would like to reduce the performance sacrifice as much as possible. Basically, if I can get around 8ms or less response time and overclock the monitor past 60hz that would be ideal.

@Nubitz I thought I read somewhere that DVI can't overlock past a certain refresh rate. I don't remember where I read that but it has to be incorrect right. Another thing I read was the Bezel on the Overlord Gaming monitors are sort of excessively large. Is it distracting for a 2 monitor set-up? I suppose it wouldn't matter too much since when I am gaming I will exclusively be using the new monitor. Lastly, have you seen any of the 2560x1600 monitors and are they noticeably better than the 2560x1440? My GPU will struggle to handle either, but I will probably pickup a second GPU either on Black Friday/Cyber Monday or around X-mas. I saw my GPU being sold for like $250 recently, and I can only imagine that will continue to go down.

Read the review I linked. Nubitz is being overly critical about the VA display. Unless you were doing something where color accuracy was hugely important, you likely wouldn't be disappointed.
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/eizo_fg2421.htm

That said, it is rather expensive.

 

[beegeepee]

@bystander: I think Nubitz summed up my needs pretty well. Visuals is the most important factor for me. However, I would like to reduce the performance sacrifice as much as possible. Basically, if I can get around 8ms or less response time and overclock the monitor past 60hz that would be ideal.

@Nubitz I thought I read somewhere that DVI can't overlock past a certain refresh rate. I don't remember where I read that but it has to be incorrect right. Another thing I read was the Bezel on the Overlord Gaming monitors are sort of excessively large. Is it distracting for a 2 monitor set-up? I suppose it wouldn't matter too much since when I am gaming I will exclusively be using the new monitor. Lastly, have you seen any of the 2560x1600 monitors and are they noticeably better than the 2560x1440? My GPU will struggle to handle either, but I will probably pickup a second GPU either on Black Friday/Cyber Monday or around X-mas. I saw my GPU being sold for like $250 recently, and I can only imagine that will continue to go down.

Read the review I linked. Nubitz is being overly critical about the VA display. Unless you were doing something where color accuracy was hugely important, you likely wouldn't be disappointed.
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/eizo_fg2421.htm

That said, it is rather expensive.

It definitely looks solid. The only real issues I have with it is that it is 1920x1080 instead of 1920x1440 or 2560x1440/2560x1600. Also, it is a matte screen (but I am assuming they have a glossy version). I am not dismissing it as not a quality monitor, it just doesn't seem to fill my highest priorities. Lastly, if at all possible, I am looking to spend less. I will be bargain hunting and trying to find something suitable for anywhere between $350-$500