Which 27'' monitor to choose? Acer vs AOC

[Khaleal]

I own a 21.5 SAMSUNG LED monitor and want to upgrade to something larger like 27''.
My budget for the upgrade is $180. I found 2 monitors that are 27'' and fit my budget.

1. Acer G276HL Gbd 27-Inch - http://goo.gl/DBQFy8
2. AOC e2752She 27-Inch Class LED Backlit Monitor - http://goo.gl/eqrkft

Now, the AOC has 2ms response time (while 6ms for the Acer) and two HDMI ports (while only DVI and VGA for the Acer) but I like the Acer design - with the slim edges - more. I'm not sure what to buy.

I basically use this monitor for programming/graphics work and game from time to time. My build specs are in my signature.

 

[Eximo]

The Acer is a poor choice. It is an older 6ms TN panel. The AOC is a newer 2ms TN panel.

In your price range are a few options, including some 5ms IPS/PLS displays which will have much more accurate color.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/aoc-monitor-i2721vh
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/benq-monitor-gl2760h

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824025232&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[Khaleal]

Can you explain why is the Acer a bad choice? Is it because of the response time? It has better contrast rate of 100M:1. How may I know which monitor has better color accuracy by looking at the specs?

 

[Eximo]

Do not go by contrast ratings provided(especially the crazy 1mil:1 BS). The various manufacturers are not held to any standard and will often provide laboratory conditions for their tests, and those tests will vary to produce the best marketing numbers, not what you would experience in a normal viewing condition. Generally you want to look at reviews of various monitors in a price range. If you can see any monitor you are picking out in person I suggest trying to watch a film on it. This should have quick action and rapid color changes and lighting conditions. This will let you see ghosting issues, color, and viewing angles of the various technologies.

A slight correction that Acer is a VA panel, which is slightly newer, but has its own problems. (Acer has a few 27" monitors with roughly the same model name)

6ms response time for a VA is about average. However this monitor will have ghosting issues when attempting to switch colors rapidly. They give a 6ms response time, but aren't specifying what that response time measures, generally they will list Gray to Gray, but this could be an ideal from say white to black. VA panels are known for having issues switching between colors that are close on the spectrum.

Industry standard is 5ms GTG, and that is for IPS/PLS displays which offer better contrast and color reproduction. Higher quality TN panels will be 2ms or 1ms GTG.

Two of the monitors I listed are IPS displays and are fine choices. The TN panels will provide smoother visuals, so if you play a lot of first person shooters they can be a good choice as well. If you do any type of graphics work, or enjoy seeing movies in proper colors, you will want the IPS/PLS displays.