Monitor for Graphic Design

[okdawn]

Hello, I am looking for a monitor for graphic design. I am willing to spend a decent amount but would prefer to stay under $1000. Around $700 would be optimal. Probably want 20-24".

My system:
850 Watt Power Supply
ASUS P7F7-E WS SuperComputer LGA 1156 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Xeon X3450 Processor, quad 2.66GHz cores, 8MB L3 Cache
DDR3 Memory 4GB DDR3-1333 Dual Channel Memory (2 x 2048mb)
1024MB NVIDIA Geforce GTS 450, PCI-Express 2.0 Dual Monitor

Thanks in advance for any & all input given.

 

[rofl_my_waffle]

If you are serious about graphics design, you would need a IPS monitor and a colorimeter for calibration.

Some higher end monitors have intergrated LUT (look-up table) which stores the profile of the monitor created by colorimeters for improved color accuracy. Going without an intergrated LUT is fine as well because they are a bit expensive.

The all time favorite H-IPS monitor without intergrated LUT would be the Dell U2410. It can be calibrated with great color accuracy and works for both sRGB and Adobe RGB colorspace.

If you want a 14-bit 3D LUT, the NEC PA241 is a good choice but its twice as expensive. Its probably not worth it in my opinion since the Dell has the exact same LCD panel with similar W-CCFL backlighting.

You might want to consider the Dell U2711, which is a 27" variant. The resolution is 2560x1440 which is plenty of desktop space for graphics work.

As for colorimeters, I recommend the i1 Display 2. NEC brands the same colorimeter as the blue-eye pro, its the same thing. I think you can find them on ebay for like $100 - $200. Theres also the Spyder 3 which is cheaper but not as good but still good enough (I have one too). The software that comes with the Spyder 3 isn't that informative though.

 

[jaguarskx]

I recommend the 24" NEC LCD2490WUXi2.

It is a revised version of the much renowned NEC2490WUXi. The primary differences with the newer version are:

1. Wide Color gamut of 96% vs. 72% of the older version.
2. Increased static contrast ratio of 1000:1 vs. 800:1
3. The maximum typical luminance has decreased from 400 to 320 cd/m². No really a concern since those values are still far above optimal luminance settings.
4. Lack of a A-TW filter which were found on older versions of high end NEC monitors. Basically reduces white glow which is common to all IPS monitors.

One of the best features of high end NEC monitors is ColorComp which basically helps even out the backlight so that is consistent across the monitor. Also helps ensure colors are consistent and gradients are smooth. The 12-bit LUT helps as well.

At $680, it's a bargain compared to how much it used to cost just a couple of years ago.

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/NEC-Display-MultiSync-LCD2490WUXI2-Widescreen-LCD-Monitor/4073628/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&mr:trackingCode=C5D4B2DB-420D-E011-B690-001517384909&mr:referralID=NA

 

[okdawn]

The NEC is the one I have been looking at. Is it necessary to get the 24" or is a 20" or 22" in the same model comparable? All reviews point to the 24" so I'm wondering if... say a NEC 2290 or a 2090 is the same thing but different size?

Also is researching "NEC LCD2490" the same as adding the WUXi2?

 

[jaguarskx]

The "WUXi" series only comes in 24", 26" and 30" sizes. The "W" refers to wide screen.

There are smaller sizes in NEC's "90" series, like the 20" LCD2090UXi andthe 21" LCD2190WUXi. However, those are 4:3 monitors with 1600 x 1200 resolution. They are also only around $100 less than the 24" LCD2490WUXi2 which is 1920 x 1200 resolution.

Basically any search on "NEC LCD2490" will result in reviews for the original version since there are no professionally written reviews on the revised WUXi2 version.

 

[okdawn]

Thanks!

 

[cdpage]

I'm looking at two monitors right now.

the Dell U2410 and HP 2475w

On reason i like these monitors is that they rotate. as a design, i often find that when work gets to be tall, i want the monitor on the side to give me as much of the image as possible.

something to consider.

 

[okdawn]

I'm looking at two monitors right now.

the Dell U2410 and HP 2475w

On reason i like these monitors is that they rotate. as a design, i often find that when work gets to be tall, i want the monitor on the side to give me as much of the image as possible.

something to consider.

I ended up with the NEC described above. It also rotates, tilts & raises.
I like the monitor but am having issues with my eyes. Staring at the screen for hours seems harder than on my CRT. Sometimes I wonder if its too bright but I did the display brightness & contrast setup.

 

[jaguarskx]

Do you have enough ambient light?

It just may take a little longer for you to get used to the florescent backlight of the monitor. I would recommend you take a short break every hour or so.

 

[cdpage]

I'd like to suggest you follow the 20/20/20 rule

every 20 min,
look 20 ft away
for 20 seconds

this should help strengthen your eyes, as well as re-leave some stress cause by your monitor.

As Jaguar says, make sure you have some ambient light also. Ideally not florescent lights, as they too run at a frequency that may be bothering your eyes.

 

[okdawn]

Thanks for all the replies!
I keep getting emails to pick the 'best answer' but there are several on here. I can't pick just one.

And cdpage, I will give 20/20/20 a try!

 

[jaguarskx]

You get e-mails to remind you to pick the best answer?

 

[okdawn]

You get e-mails to remind you to pick the best answer?

Yes I've probably received 5 or 6.

 

[jaguarskx]

Might be a setting in your profile you can change.

Anyway, hopefully the 20/20/20 rule will help you adjust to your LCD monitor. I would also try some eye drops 'cause your eyes may be drying out. I don't mean the crap like Visine which "takes the red out of your eyes". They actually dry out your eye.

I mean something like Refresh or Thera Tears which are preservative free. They are a bit pricey though. I bought a 0.5 ounce (15mL) bottle of Thera Tears for $10 since I had eye surgery.

 

[cdpage]

I ended up with the NEC described above. It also rotates, tilts & raises.
I like the monitor but am having issues with my eyes. Staring at the screen for hours seems harder than on my CRT. Sometimes I wonder if its too bright but I did the display brightness & contrast setup.

Are you using the Default monitor settings? most monitors are set a little too bright, fatiguing your eye more quickly.

If you haven't already, calibrate the monitor.
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/nec_2490wuxi.htm

this will help you a little, it is the 2490wuxi, but if you have the 2490wuxi2 version, calibration settings will be different. but it should at least give you an idea.


Jaguar pointed this model out to me as well. (really wish there was a thorough review on this 2 out there)

Jaguar, do you have the wuxi or wuxi2? if you have the 2 did you calibrate? if so, did it take the brightness level down? if so, is there a way to pass settings along?

 

[jaguarskx]

I have the 1st version of the the 26" NEC LCD2690WUXi, therefore the calibration will be different from the 24" model.

I use a color profile from TFTCentral which doesn't set the brightness / contrast. I manually set them myself. I typically have them set to 41.1% / 48.5%, however since I had eye surgery recently in one eye. I lowered the settings to around 5% / 15% and have been slowly increasing it back to my standard settings.

I also have the Black Level set to 46.1%.