Modern Gaming Monitor Debate - 19-42" 60-120 Hz

Greetings. I am feeling well but I need some advice and to hear debating about some hardware issues. Monitors to be used for PC use - Games - Videos - Pictures - XP/7.

My current system specs are in my signature...If I have a weakest link, let me know...

I am considering upgrading pieces of my rig setup.

I just bought a 42" Vizio 1080p HDTV "120 Hz" SV420M. Running it on my new Ati 5870.


The thing is, my other monitor which is 3 years old (Viewsonic VX922) has smaller pixels, faster response time, and higher refresh rate.

Apparantly the 120 Hz aspect on this HDTV is BS. It is not output 120 Hz refresh. It's 60 Hz. But there is a smooth motion function inside the monitor that can be both good and bad. Generally it is nice, but sometimes the speed looks like fast motion, and sometimes it lags a bit. This combined with some other more minor issues with this HDTV is causing me to consider returning the vizio. I would get $800-$900 back which I could save or spend on other things (Monitor, PC parts, Car USB stereo, Car speakers, _______ etc)



I can't do anything as fast on this screen. Also, there is a text glitch where lines of text start looking weird. This occurred on the 9800 GTX and this 5870.


What does the community say?


Is there a magical monitor that is 75 Hz or greater, with better picture quality, faster response time, significantly larger, and widescreen in comparison with Viewsonic VX922? (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116375)


Any comments or advice regarding any of this material is appreciated. I will be monitoring this thread tonight.

120Hz (and 240Hz) for HDTVs do not work like 120Hz LCD PC monitors. They are completely different technologies both serving different purposes.

PC monitors with "better picture quality" tends to be more expensive that what most people who focuses on gaming generally wants to pay. The panel technology ultimately determines graphic and video quality.

The most popular monitors are based on inexpensive TN panel tech. The Viewsonic VX922 is one such example. The pros include low price and low response times. The cons are poor viewing angles which leads to color shifting, less than accurate colors (but the general consumer will not notice), and at least based on my experience are more prone to blacklight bleeding. This monitors can also show color banding defects as well.

More expensive monitors use VA and IPS panel techs to product better colors, wider viewing angles, and less color shifting. I believe monitors based on these panel techs generally produces less backlight bleeding. In terms of manufacturing costs, TN panels cost the least, then comes VA and finally IPS panels cost the most to manufacture.

Generally most monitors take 75Hz signals and lowers them to 60Hz anyway.

--------------------------------------

I bought an Asus VK246H ('cause it was cheap) for some limited usage. It actually turned out to be good for gaming because of it's low input lag. Here is my review:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ew-updated

Here is a more professional review:

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/rev [...] k246h.html

-------------------------------

Asus VK246H:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236048

Asus VW246H (same as VK verson, but no webcam):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236049

Asus VW266H (25.5" LCD monitor with $30 mail-in rebate):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236047

Interesting.....Thanks for the input.

Further comments desired....

Also, what is the minimum cpu/memory combo one should have with a Ati 5870 graphics card?

Also, is 2x2GB ram the same performance as 4x1 GB?