Which screen to get?

[xDODGERx]

Hey all

Thanks again for helping me out with the parts selection of my rig, by the way. It is running extremely well .

I was meant to borrow a screen from a friend after building my computer but it packed up and I ended up using an old CRT monitor with 1024x768 res. I am planning on getting a screen a bit after Christmas, sometime in January, but I am not sure what to look for in a monitor. I borrowed some previous pcformat mags from a friend about screens but the screens in that mag are all a bit too big for my budget.

I am looking for something costing no more than R1500 and about 20". I do not want to go bigger than that because of the price and also the size of my desk is pretty small. I would preferably go for an LED screen but if there is something else better for the money then I do not really mind. So far all I was able to find that does not look too bad is the Samsung S20A300B. I am not sure about it, otherwise I would not be posting here, so any comments on this screen or suggestions on others?

Thanks in advance for any replies with suggestions

[StarBound]

And here I was gonna say you could get the Samsung S27A950D for about R6000 and the S23A950D for just under R5000.

You should be able to pick up a 23" LED for R1500-1700 but not sure what the rand did so might not be that cheap anymore.

Just remember that if your gaming you want that 2ms screens.

[xDODGERx]

I already had a look at screens with faster response but the 2ms start at about R2000, from where I look up my parts :/

[StarBound]

My recommendations are mostly if not always the lowest I am prepared to go. That said a decent full hd screen with dvi, hdmi, vga and 2ms responce will cost around R2000 for a 23".

If that samsung is all you can afford then that's that basicly. Alternatively you could look at the same spec LG screen and see if you cant shave a bit off the price and/or get a higher spec screen for the same price.

[KALSTER]

To get the most out of your money, I'd say don't worry too much about HDMI. If it has a Dvi port, it will have the same quality visuals. Also don't worry about getting an LED. An LCD will be a huge step up from your CRT and still give you good colour ranges and such. Get something with at least a 2 year warranty.

Given this, I am sure you could pick up a high quality 21.5" Full HD LCD with at least a Dvi port for well under R1.5k. I am still happy with my LG 23" LCD with Dvi. Hasn't given me a second of trouble and the visuals are good. Where will you be buying from?

[xDODGERx]

Thanks for the replies

Then is maybe something like the Samsung P2070 (R1550) worth looking at? I would like to order from Rebeltech, because I find a lot of their pricing good and I know them now after ordering my PC parts from them.

[THE_STIG]

Just remember that if your gaming you want that 2ms screens.

I doubt that, I am sure 5ms will be more than good enough

[Slimshaedy]

Well i got a Samsung BX 2331 for R1500 but then it broke and i got a Samsung SA350 at the moment, which was the replacement screen i received which is better as far as im concerned. Full HD LED 23", HDMI and all the rest... only downside is its a TN panel. but that shouldnt really bother you. I'd recommend it:)

[xDODGERx]

Well the SA350s are a bit out of my budget (more than R2000) and I haven't found any 20" versions of that series in hope for one being within my budget. I am looking at the Samsung P2070 and Samsung S20A300B monitors. The P2070 is LCD with 2ms response and the S20A300B is LED with 5ms response.

By the way, another reason why I would prefer 20" is because it uses lower resolutions which I see as allowing my graphics card the ability to run games maxed out for a small while longer before being outdated with newer releases. In other words, I want to be running games on high to maxed for as long as I possibly can.

Please let me know if these screens are worth looking at for my budget. Thanks for the replies so far, it is much appreciated.

[Stuart]

the S20A300B is LED with 5ms response

You said you wanted 20" and you wanted LED. 5ms response it perfect for gaming. This fits your budget. I'd say you have a winner right here.

[StarBound]

<< not happy with the norm. I need the best.

But yeah 20" LED and 5ms *cough* will do. Can't agree on the 5ms but LED is a better choice than LCD for both colour and power usage.

[THE_STIG]

Is there a difference worth caring about between 5ms and 2ms...I doubt it

So go for the S20A300B it has everything that you wanted, plus it is a Samsung

[StarBound]

I played on a 5ms screen and my eyes couldn't take it. Might not have been the 5ms but that screen left a lasting impression. After that all my screens were 2ms.

[THE_STIG]

Must have been that particular screen, my bro has a 2ms monitor and I have a slightly older 5ms monitor(both are Samsung's). I have used his a number of times and I still have not noticed any difference

[xDODGERx]

Thanks for the help guys. Your comments really helped me, again.

[Ashlee Smith]

Samsung sync master BX2031 LED 20 inch 5ms response time R1200 get it you will never look back, they were even using them to game on at rage

[xDODGERx]

Really? Now looking at it, it does seem like it is better for the price. So should I really go for the BX2031? I just want to be sure from other opinions.

[Slimshaedy]

If it suits your budget then why not?

[ryanrich]

Pfft, I see jack all difference between 2ms and 5ms.

I just built a friend a system with a Dell ST2420L 24" Full HD LED and it was R1,749.

Fantastic monitor for the price...

http://www.wootware.co.za/dell-st2420l- ... nitor.html

[StarBound]

let's do a quick calc. 2ms = 1000/2 so effectively you should see 500 frames max from a 2ms screen. Then take refresh rate which is either 60hz or 120hz. 1000/120 = 8.3ms to show a frame. 16.6ms to show a frame on a 60hz screen.

Either way, I like my 2ms and my 120hz.

[ryanrich]

let's do a quick calc. 2ms = 1000/2 so effectively you should see 500 frames max from a 2ms screen. Then take refresh rate which is either 60hz or 120hz. 1000/120 = 8.3ms to show a frame. 16.6ms to show a frame on a 60hz screen.

Either way, I like my 2ms and my 120hz.

Calculations mean nothing, I'm talking about what I see. I have a 2ms LED and I've been testing this 5ms LED, and see absolutely no difference. If however you do, then go 2ms...