What are the best monitors

**buchanan** · #11 19th Apr 2008, 16:05

ok thanks alex, i was wondering if it would be ok with my card. when i break into the money i will definately get a new card but i can't afford it right now i don't think

would my card even run a 24 inch monitor? and why (out of interest) isn't there a 22 inch that you would recommend, is it a resolution thing?

**alex** · #12 19th Apr 2008, 23:59

Your card will run a 24" screen no problem, but don't expect to be gaming on it at it's native resolution. Unless it's chess, or Tetris or somesuch.

It's not a resolution thing regarding 22" screens (although the larger pixels do have a small bearing on things imo). I just haven't come across one yet, that once set up, is something I'd pay money for.

**buchanan** · #13 20th Apr 2008, 00:21

could i expect my 6600gt to play games at native (is that maximum?) resolution on a 20 incher?

cheers

**alex** · #14 20th Apr 2008, 01:57

It'll depend on the game to be frank, but I reckon you'll struggle. Especially with any kind of detail/AA/AF setting.

It's no biggy though to be fair, scaling technology for TFT's is old hat now.

**buchanan** · #15 20th Apr 2008, 02:05

thanks alex, is scaling using a lower resolution?

i found the 206 you recommended on ebuyer:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125098...oduct_overview

there is also this one with similar specs but slightly higher resolution and a slightly lower price, is it as good or better than as the 206 bw?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132115

cheers

**alex** · #16 20th Apr 2008, 02:10

Yup, correct, that's what scaling is.

I wasn't overly impressed with the 2032 when I installed one on a pc I built, but, that was back when it was over £200.

At £160 it's a more attractive proposition.

The only problem is that the 206 is only a few quid more and it's the much better screen. So based upon that I still couldn't recommend the 2032.

Seriously, you could put these side by side and you'd see the difference.

**buchanan** · #17 20th Apr 2008, 02:18

if it even just a bit better it would warrant the money, how is it better? if i get the 20 inch, i'll go for the 206

if i did decide to go for a 24 inch, with a view to upgrading my video card in the future, is there a particular one you would recommend?

**buchanan** · #18 20th Apr 2008, 03:40

would i be able to play consoles (ps2 xbox 360 and ps3 when i get one down the road) on the 206? it doesn't have as many connector types on the back as some others?

cheers

**alex** · #19 20th Apr 2008, 03:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by buchanan

if it even just a bit better it would warrant the money, how is it better? if i get the 20 inch, i'll go for the 206

if i did decide to go for a 24 inch, with a view to upgrading my video card in the future, is there a particular one you would recommend?

I found dark scene re-production to be a lot better, this is particulary useful for scene's in movies. And it was better when gaming too. Ignore the spec's to a degree when looking at monitors, if you get the chance there's no substitute for seeing them working.

If you're going to be gaming on a 24" at it's native resolution then you've a few choices; 9800GTX, 8800GTX, 8800GTS or 8800GT (512mb version). The stock spec's of these card's do show a definitive gap but it get's confusing when looking at 3rd party manufacturer's overclocks.

Basically, on a high-end card, that's going to be used for gaming (as well as other things) on a 1920x1200 monitor look at the memory bandwidth, number of stream shaders and the frequency the shaders are clocked at. Everything else is secondary (not saying it's not important, just secondary). Bottom line: shop around.

But you'll also need a decent (think 3ghz) dual-core cpu (or quad if that's your preference) to prevent bottlenecking when you have such a talented card.

**alex** · #20 20th Apr 2008, 04:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by buchanan

would i be able to play consoles (ps2 xbox 360 and ps3 when i get one down the road) on the 206? it doesn't have as many connector types on the back as some others?

cheers

True, but you do get analogue (D-Sub) and digital (DVI-D) connectors.

You can purchase an xbox video/audio cable (I have one) that connects from the 360 to the D-sub connector. Despite the majority of 360 games being able to be displayed in at least 720p the 360 struggles to upscale them without looking like it's zoomed in, so using this analogue connection won't be the limiting factor you think.

You can also (for the PS3) get an HDMI to DVI-D lead. Granted HDMI allows more bandwidth but on a console it isn't an issue, and as both allow digital signals then you won't lose out that way either.