Best all-around + gaming 24" LCD monitor?

I just built a new rig and have not even received any of the parts yet. Still waiting, and I have not made a final decision on the monitor I want to get yet. I've decided I'd like to go with a 24" monster of a screen, simply because bigger is better :) and also because that way, I get full HD support and I can hook my Xbox360 up to it as well via the component input.

I've done a ton of research and what I found is that it's incredibly hard to research LCD monitors. Many reviews are old
and do not take into consideration firmware revisions. The list of contendersis short. Here they are:

• UltraSharp 2407WFP 24"

• SAMSUNG 244t-BK Black 24"

• BenQ FP241W

Since the Samsung and Dell use the exact same panel, the Samsung probably is a no-choice at this point. But the Benq monitor received fantastic reviews here, here, here and here. The newer version, BenQ FP241W Z, has also been released in the meantime, but the price premium is hardly worth the inclusion of BenQ's BFI (black frame insertion technology to reduce ghosting around the edges of the screen).

I found the Dell 2407WFP for $500 flat, brand-new, on Craigslist and could go pick it up as early as Tuesday. At$500, it's a freakin' STEAL, considering it would cost me about $630 to get it shipped to me from Newegg, and probably even more with faster shipping.

Do you guys know more on this topic? I don't know where to take my research any more.. I've spent the past three days doing focused monitor research while building my rig and I'm still not done.

By the way, Gamespot really needs a more serious TECH section. Right now I can't take it terribly seriously :). I wish Gamespot had hardware roundups and reviews that extend beyond looking at the latest GPU's--reviews of hardware specifically tailored to gaming. It would make sense for such a huge and cool game related network as Gamespot.

Anyway, help me make a decision! Any comments, suggestions are welcome. Before I forget, here's the setup of my new rig:

I just built a new rig and have not even received any of the parts yet. Still waiting, and I have not made a final decision on the monitor I want to get yet. I've decided I'd like to go with a 24" monster of a screen, simply because bigger is better :) and also because that way, I get full HD support and I can hook my Xbox360 up to it as well via the component input.

I've done a ton of research and what I found is that it's incredibly hard to research LCD monitors. Many reviews are old
and do not take into consideration firmware revisions. The list of contendersis short. Here they are:

• UltraSharp 2407WFP 24"

• SAMSUNG 244t-BK Black 24"

• BenQ FP241W

Since the Samsung and Dell use the exact same panel, the Samsung probably is a no-choice at this point. But the Benq monitor received fantastic reviews here, here, here and here. The newer version, BenQ FP241W Z, has also been released in the meantime, but the price premium is hardly worth the inclusion of BenQ's BFI (black frame insertion technology to reduce ghosting around the edges of the screen).

I found the Dell 2407WFP for $500 flat, brand-new, on Craigslist and could go pick it up as early as Tuesday. At$500, it's a freakin' STEAL, considering it would cost me about $630 to get it shipped to me from Newegg, and probably even more with faster shipping.

Do you guys know more on this topic? I don't know where to take my research any more.. I've spent the past three days doing focused monitor research while building my rig and I'm still not done.

By the way, Gamespot really needs a more serious TECH section. Right now I can't take it terribly seriously :). I wish Gamespot had hardware roundups and reviews that extend beyond looking at the latest GPU's--reviews of hardware specifically tailored to gaming. It would make sense for such a huge and cool game related network as Gamespot.

Anyway, help me make a decision! Any comments, suggestions are welcome. Before I forget, here's the setup of my new rig:

MoeRL

Change your CPU,CPU Cooler, and Sound Card.

To Q6600 for $266 after July 22nd

To Thermalright Ultra 120: Extreme for $55

To a Auzentech Prelude

Edit really though, If you get alittle cheaper parts (your prices are alittle high) you could fit in a 8800gtx in their for no added cost.

Change your CPU,CPU Cooler, and Sound Card.

To Q6600 for $266 after July 22nd

To Thermalright Ultra 120: Extreme for $55

To a Auzentech Prelude

Edit really though, If you get alittle cheaper parts (your prices are alittle high) you could fit in a 8800gtx in their for no added cost.

projectpat2007

You do know what date it is, right? It's June 16th. You're suggesting I change my CPU to one that will have a price of $266 on JULY 22nd? I built my rig a day or two ago and I want it up and running by Tuesday or so. Your suggestion would have me waiting for a full month. No thanks. I can always upgrade to the Q6600 later and might even do that, selling the 6600 I am now getting either locally or on eBay or what-have-you. No biggie.

Why the Thermalright Ultra? Zalman's make excellent coolers. The're just nothing wrong with it.

The soundcard is coming.. I definitely want to get an Auzentech, but I held off for the moment. I'll add it later.

Thanks for the suggestions, but they were all completely unrelated to the thread. How about you give me a monitor suggestion? :)

Dell's monitors are amazing, and I believe the 2404WFP has a better quality panel than the Samsung. S-IPS vs PVA. :)

I consider Dell to be the 2nd best LCD monitor manufacturer, after NEC.

[QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

Change your CPU,CPU Cooler, and Sound Card.

To Q6600 for $266 after July 22nd

To Thermalright Ultra 120: Extreme for $55

To a Auzentech Prelude

Edit really though, If you get alittle cheaper parts (your prices are alittle high) you could fit in a 8800gtx in their for no added cost.

MoeRL

You do know what date it is, right? It's June 16th. You're suggesting I change my CPU to one that will have a price of $266 on JULY 22nd? I built my rig a day or two ago and I want it up and running by Tuesday or so. Your suggestion would have me waiting for a full month. No thanks. I can always upgrade to the Q6600 later and might even do that, selling the 6600 I am now getting either locally or on eBay or what-have-you. No biggie.

Why the Thermalright Ultra? Zalman's make excellent coolers. The're just nothing wrong with it.

The soundcard is coming.. I definitely want to get an Auzentech, but I held off for the moment. I'll add it later.

Thanks for the suggestions, but they were all completely unrelated to the thread. How about you give me a monitor suggestion? :)

Sorry.

Was alittle uptopic, I was assuming you didnt already have the rig. (Even though first sentence say opposite) :)

Also, The Thermalright Ultra kills the Zalman, it cools much better and you can use any 120mm fan you want..so it can be as quiet as you would like.

(Still no Moniter Suggestion) :)

Dell..

I would kill for that monitor lol

Definitely the Dell.Hiryuu_

Dell's monitors are amazing, and I believe the 2404WFP has a better quality panel than the Samsung. S-IPS vs PVA. :)

I consider Dell to be the 2nd best LCD monitor manufacturer, after NEC.Hiryuu_

The 24" Dell is also S-PVA, exact same panel as the Samsung...

Dell's monitors are amazing, and I believe the 2404WFP has a better quality panel than the Samsung. S-IPS vs PVA. :)

I consider Dell to be the 2nd best LCD monitor manufacturer, after NEC.

Hiryuu_

I don't know.. I'm torn. That's why I made this thread.

I've heard about NEC making great monitors, but wouldn't EIZO be at the top?

Yeah, just found out that the 2407WFP uses S-PVA panels as well.

Oh well, either is fine I suppose.

Yeah, that was a typo.. meant to put 2407WFP.

I don't know about you guys but I would go with a Veiwsonic or a Apple HD moniter. Thats my choice. I've Always used a Viewsonic on my PC and never had a problem and they run great!treytakahashi

Viewsonics usually aren't too bad, some models are very nice but Apple is just way overpriced.

I'm getting that BenQ model. TrueReligion_

Which one? The Z model or the regular one? I'm still debating.. I could have the Dell 2407WFP for $500 brand-new, as I said.. or the BenQ I mentioned in my first post for about $700, shipping included. It's a touch choice :/

Sorry.

Was alittle uptopic, I was assuming you didnt already have the rig. (Even though first sentence say opposite) :)

Also, The Thermalright Ultra kills the Zalman, it cools much better and you can use any 120mm fan you want..so it can be as quiet as you would like.

(Still no Moniter Suggestion) :)

projectpat2007

The Zalman will do just fine. I think you're heavily exaggerating by saying "the Thermaltake KILLS the Zalman". Got any benches of that? Proof?

Thanks.

The Zalman will do just fine. I think you're heavily exaggerating by saying "the Thermaltake KILLS the Zalman". Got any benches of that? Proof?

Thanks.MoeRL

The Thermalright Ultra 120 and Ultra 120 extreme does KILL the Zalman 9700.

[QUOTE="MoeRL"]The Zalman will do just fine. I think you're heavily exaggerating by saying "the Thermaltake KILLS the Zalman". Got any benches of that? Proof?

Thanks.LordEC911

The Thermalright Ultra 120 and Ultra 120 extreme does KILL the Zalman 9700.

OMG! That is awesome!

I'm definitely gonna get that for my new rig!

[QUOTE="MoeRL"]The Zalman will do just fine. I think you're heavily exaggerating by saying "the Thermaltake KILLS the Zalman". Got any benches of that? Proof?

Thanks.LordEC911

The Thermalright Ultra 120 and Ultra 120 extreme does KILL the Zalman 9700.

There you go.

The Thermalright Utra 120 Extreme is the best air cooler out today, and some people I have talked to said it's temps are damn-near cloes to water.

The Zalman is a waste of money, and it temps and OC ability really do blow.

The Thermalright Ultra 120 and Ultra 120 extreme does KILL the Zalman 9700.

LordEC911

The Zalman still is one of the best performers on the market. Not as good as the Thermal, I'll now admit, but for my purposes it will be just perfect. What Anandtech did there is EXTREME overclocking. I won't be doing any of that.. in fact, this will be my first time experimenting with overclocking. Ever. I sure as hell won't try to push for 3.7 and 3.8 and 3.9GHz.. I'll make smaller steps and see how far I get.

So yeah, if you're really going to squeeze every last drop of performance out of your CPU that you can, then the Thermaltake would be the one to buy. For everyone else, you have other great options to choose from, such as the Zalman I went with.

Can we get back to monitors, please? WTF.

The BenQ has an HDMI port and (subjective) reviews say it has better colours than the Dell. Probably not worth $200 but meh, in the UK the price difference is so little (it's a case of 30pounds from UK retailers) I would go for the Benq. See if you can shop around for better deals.

I've had the Dell for a year and it's absolutely fantastic, either way you'll get an outstanding screen.

Dell Ultra no question it is the best monitor on that list.frizzyman0292

Dell ULTRA? WTF.. where do you see Ultra? Do you mean the Dell 2407WFP? And what makes you say that? I'm inclined to think the BenQ is better than the Dell in the most important area: image quality.

I don't really look at side-features like the included card reader, USB hubs and crap like that. I can get that for 15 bucks on Newegg. Big deal. In a monitor what I'm most concerned about is image quality, contrast ratio, performance, response time.. you know, the stuff that actually matters. In those areas the BenQ seems to beat the Dell, but I'm still unsure cause it's hard to find good reviews online.

What makes you think the BenQ is worth $200 over an amazing Dell LCD?Hiryuu_

Absolutely nothing. That's my point. In any review I've read of the BenQ and whenever the Dell was mentioned, it always said the BenQ had noticeably better image quality.

I *could* get the Dell for $500 locally from a guy who's selling it brand-new (found the deal on Craigslist). Thing is.. if I do that, as I understand I will have ZERO warranty on the item, and that's pretty damn bad. I would like to have warranty.

And if I buy the Dell online, it will cost me about $620 or $630 shipped vs. the BenQ at about $700 shipped. 70 bucks is not that huge a jump up when considering a noticeable difference in quality, I'd say. ANd buying the Dell at $500 without warranty probably is a pretty bad idea :(

Good point. I forgot it carries "Ultrasharp" in its name.

The BenQ has an HDMI port and (subjective) reviews say it has better colours than the Dell. Probably not worth $200 but meh, in the UK the price difference is so little (it's a case of 30pounds from UK retailers) I would go for the Benq. See if you can shop around for better deals.

I've had the Dell for a year and it's absolutely fantastic, either way you'll get an outstanding screen.

jollyriot2k1

Thanks for the comments. I'm not in the UK so the small price difference does not apply to me. In the US, the price difference is about $70 to $80, which is not small, but not considerable either. It's a tough choice.

Then again, if I have to get it shipped and buy it online, I might as well go for the BenQ, because that price difference is small enough. Where the decision becomes much harder is with that local deal I mentioned. I could have the Dell for $500, and that's a juicy $200 less than the BenQ would cost me. The biggest problem I have with that is that I don't know whether the warranty will be transferrable. If not, the deal is pretty crappy.

I bought the 24" dell screen last year and i'm very happy with it have't had any problems , got my wii xbox360 and pc hooked up to it

I have an important update. I kinda did a 180 here and decided to go with a 22" instead for now. I will cut the cost by 50% and get an Auzentech Prelude at the end of the month as well as the best true surround sound gaming headset money can buy. The latter I'm about to make a new thread about (what sentence structure...) so you guys can help me with that too.

The monitor I picked is the Samsung 226BW, which has unanimously been called an AMAZING monitor by every review and forum post I was able to find. Many sources call it the best 22" monitor, and the nice thing is that it's not just the best for SOME applications.. but for everything. In other words, for gaming, in terms of image quality, sharpness, color and contrast and the rest.

I'll get on the 24" bandwagon some other time. I'm much better off saving the money and getting a Prelude AND a sweet headset than I am on blowing it on a 24" screen. All I'm getting with a 24-incher is 2 more inches of screen real estate plus true HD support. So yeah.. I won't have a second monitor that will ideally display content from my Xbox360, but the 360 is already hooked up to a 32" HDTV in my apartment, so whatever.

Thanks for everybody's patience and help :)