Author Topic: Need a Monitor recommendation (Read 394 times)

beet1e · « **on:** October 31, 2003, 03:22:37 AM »

I'm finally building my new system after months of RL issues. I've been looking to this board to see what other guys have been building, and I'm settled on the Asus A7N8X deluxe mobo, AMD XP2600 CPU and 128MB ATi Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card. Beyond that, my system will be very much USB based.

My current monitor is the iiyama Vision Master 450 - a CRT job that I've had about 3 years. What I'm seeing on this BBS is that there's not much point having a top VGA card like the Radeon 9800 Pro unless your monitor can match its performance. I saw that Nexx/Replicant had bought a iiyama Vision Master 454 <- (cheaper from that Scan site than direct from iiyama). It's a flat screen. Would it be a good match for the Radeon 9800?

There are also TFT monitors that might be worth considering, but I have two reservations here. One is price, and another is that I've heard they're not the best for gaming. What advantages do TFT screens offer other than space saving? Can you advise?

Wanker · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2003, 07:36:41 AM »

Personally, Beetle, I'd wait on the LCD or TFT monitors for another year or so. They're still a little primitive and pricey. Not quite ready for prime time, for the money you have to dish out. Get yourself a nice flat screen CRT monitor, instead.

YMMV, of course, but I'm not going to bite on the flat panel monitors until I can get one that's at least 21", and will run at 1600x1200 @85hz with sub 20ms response time, and won't break the bank. I'm guessing another year should do it.

zmeg · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2003, 08:12:42 AM »

The power of the 9800 pro would be completely wasted with even the best LCD, go with the Iiyama with its awsom refresh rate.

SOB · « **Reply #3 on:** October 31, 2003, 10:18:59 AM »

I've had a Sony G500 for a couple of years now and love it. Paid about a million dollars for it new, but last I checked it was about $550 and is probably cheaper now (or rather, there are probably better models out now that are the same or cheaper). It's a 21" flat tube. No idea what it does at 1600x1200 and couldn't ever run a res that small, but I'm doing 1024x768 @ 144MHz. I'd stick with a Sony tube tho', whatever brand you get.

Gixer · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2003, 12:55:00 AM »

I picked up a 8mth old HP P1130 21inch monitor, which has Sony Tube. Incredibly sharp image, far superior to any of the other 21 inch monitors we have at work. And those are Viewsonics,Mitsubishi's etc.

Plus at only $500 NZD was a steal.

Agree about holding up on the LCD's they seem too expensive still and your stuck with one optimum resolution and refresh rate.

...-Gixer
~Hells Angels~

beet1e · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2003, 02:06:14 AM »

Thanks guys. You've talked me down the CRT road, and I've ordered that iiyama CRT VM 454.

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2003, 02:17:46 AM »

banana it's not necessary to run TFT's @85hz since they don't flicker like CRT's. Therefore I doubt higher refresh rate is on the design list.

I'd go for a TFT today if money isn't a problem. The image quality is superior especially with 2D apps and the eye strain minimal.

I'd go nuts if I'd have to work 8 hours a day staring at a CRT.

Replicant · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2003, 05:33:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by beet1e
Thanks guys. You've talked me down the CRT road, and I've ordered that iiyama CRT VM 454.

Hey Beetle, I'm using a Radeon 9800 (o/c to Pro) and it's working a treat on the VM 454! BTW I didn't get mine from Iiyama direct, I got it from Ebuyer which was cheaper than Scan when I ordered it. Looks like Scan reduced their price a bit to beat Ebuyer by £5!

(think carriage is more with Scan so works out even).

BTW, I'm running at 1600x1200x32 @ 100hz (104hz according to Iiyama!) and it's very sweet! Scan show it as 90hz on their website but I think they're incorrect. Make sure to download the 'HM903DTA' drivers tho!

In AH it's anything between 50 - 100 fps, mostly around the 90 - 100fps.

My system specs:-

Barton XP2800+
1024mb PC2700 DDR RAM
Radeon 9800 (o/c to Pro) Cat 3.8
MSI KT6 (VIA 600) Mobo
Win XP Home
SB Live Value

PS, if you're struggling with your CPU temp, I just got a Thermalright SKR-800A and knocked 15 deg C off my temp! Now at 40 deg C

qts · « **Reply #8 on:** November 02, 2003, 04:37:27 PM »

It's late, but I've an Iiyama 22" (Visionmaster Pro 510) and it's wonderful.

beet1e · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2005, 10:49:02 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by beet1e
Thanks guys. You've talked me down the CRT road, and I've ordered that iiyama CRT VM 454.

...and here I am, two years later, having taken it to the tip.

It packed up on me on Friday - completely blank screen. The power light stayed green even with the PC powered off, by which I mean it didn't turn to yellow/standby as it should.

I've just ordered a TFT/flat screen replacement.

tapakeg · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2005, 12:46:38 PM »

I have the 510 also and it ROCKS !!