I can't decide on a monitor to buy. $600 Budget

[Zachary Blackwell]

Hello,

I've been doing some research among the "hot" monitors, and after reading countless reviews I can officially say I'm lost. Right now I am using the Samsung SyncMaster PX2370 with an Asus GTX 560 ti GPU, so I'm thinking I could greatly upgrade my current setup. (mostly with a monitor, but I may invest in a new GPU)

What I want:

- I really like PC gaming, but I only seriously play RPG's like Diablo 3 or RTS's like Starcraft 2. I have heard the 3D experience is excellent with these two games, so I would like a monitor that would support it. I am some what anxious to try 3D gaming, but if the technology hasn't matured yet then I am willing to wait.

- I only play competitive FPS games on consoles and I recently learned that the frame rate on consoles is capped at 30-60fps (my current monitor is 60Hz), so if I was to buy a 120Hz or 144Hz monitor then I would get no upgrades there? I want a monitor that maxes out the console experience.

-I would really like to get another monitor the same size as my current, and just use this old one as a secondary monitor. Having two different sized monitor I think would bother me, but it seems like the great monitors I have looked at so far are 27".

What I like so far:

I really stick to brands that are known for quality, and with that being said the Samsung and Asus monitors have stuck out the most to me so far. I know I want at least 120Hz with 2ms response time, but Asus has the 144Hz versions. Is there a noticeable difference? Any input on my situation is appreciated.

 

[slomo4sho]

Upgrade your card to a GTX 670 or 7970 and pick up a ASUS VG248QE

 

[Zachary Blackwell]

Upgrade your card to a GTX 670 or 7970 and pick up a ASUS VG248QE

I did look at this monitor, and it does look like an excellent option. I think it is my favorite non 27" monitor that I have looked at thus far. As for the card, do you have a brand you recommend?

 

[edogawa]

If you don't play first person shooters on the PC then an IPS which has better viewing angles and colour may be what you want if you can skip out on 3D.

If you want 3D, then Asus 144hz is one of the best options for a TN panel since it has a high refresh rate too. You won't get 120/144hz on a console, and it wouldn't matter anyway, competitive first person shooters on a console is a joke, and a better monitor won't help much. (Sorry if that offends you.)

You're highly unlikely to notice the difference between 120 and 144hz.

Here's a couple, but you can browse around for others on newegg.

TN:
Asus 144hz: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313&Tpk=asus%20144hz&IsVirtualParent=1

IPS:
ASUS PA248Q http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236287

 

[Zachary Blackwell]

If you don't play first person shooters on the PC then an IPS which has better viewing angles and colour may be what you want if you can skip out on 3D.

If you want 3D, then Asus 144hz is one of the best options for a TN panel since it has a high refresh rate too. You won't get 120/144hz on a console, and it wouldn't matter anyway, competitive first person shooters on a console is a joke, and a better monitor won't help much. (Sorry if that offends you.)

You're highly unlikely to notice the difference between 120 and 144hz.

Here's a couple, but you can browse around for others on newegg.

TN:
Asus 144hz: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313&Tpk=asus%20144hz&IsVirtualParent=1

IPS:
ASUS PA248Q http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236287

Haha, it doesn't offend me. I think the reason I never really got into PC FPS games was that I got slapped in BF3 (I did encounter some frame rate issues that I didn't care to evaluate). I'm used to raping on COD and Halo... Lol

Thanks for the input. I think since I haven't experienced an IPS yet, I can't know what I'm missing. Honestly I thought this monitor (TN panel) was awesome when I first got it. I am pretty anxious to try my games in 3D though. Maybe it will make Diablo 3 worth playing again.

 

[edogawa]

Yea, console players love to just mindlessly shoot. 😛

3D is pretty awesome, but I think that Asus 144hz is definitely what you want.

 

[Zachary Blackwell]

Yea, console players love to just mindlessly shoot. 😛

3D is pretty awesome, but I think that Asus 144hz is definitely what you want.

Yeah going from a 2.2 KD on consoles to a 1.1 on BF3 wasn't what I expected. I learned right then that I love console auto aim. I may try PC FPS again since I didn't really give it a chance.

 

[Zachary Blackwell]

Has anyone paid attention to the pricing of the Asus recommended above. I don't mind waiting for a good price, and I know memorial day weekend usually has some good pick ups. Also, I have to buy this on Amazon because I have a gift card.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/VG248QE-24-Inch-Screen-LED-lit-Monitor/dp/B00B2HH7G0/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1367456270&sr=1-1&keywords=ASUS+VG248QE

That seems like a decent price right now, but I honestly haven't been looking at monitors over a long period of time to know.

 

[edogawa]

It's a good price, but it will be almost 300 after tax and and regulatory fees I think, at least directly from Amazon.

I don't see it going any lower, but who knows.

 

[Zachary Blackwell]

In the comments it said these only work with 120Hz monitors... Does anyone know if that is a true statement?

http://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-Vision-Wireless-Glasses-Kit/dp/B005XULTG6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top