Please can you help me choose a new monitor

slimbob

slimbob

Enthusiast
Hi,
I wonder if someone can offer me some helpful advice. I am looking to buy a new monitor for my desk so I can move my existing monitor down on the floor. Years of manual labour and landscaping have taken their toll on my back and I spend a lot of time on my P.C on my bed now as sitting unfortunately aggravates my back when it flares up.

My old PCS PC is:

Intel Core i5 Quad core i5 -4670 CPU (4 Cores) @ 3.40GHz 6MB
(Intel HD Graphics 4600)
No dedicated GPU
ASUS Z87-K: ATX, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, SATA 6GB/S, XFIRE
WD 500GB Velociraptor SATA 111 6GBs, 64MB cache (10,000 rpm) WD5000HHTZ
8GB Kingston Hyper-X Genesis dual – DDR3 1600MHz X.M.P (2x4GBKIT)
Windows 10 Home 64-bit

My requirements are really basic. I just use Word, YouTube, Watching online video/movies and general online stuff. No powerful video editing software, no powerful photo editing software and no hi-tech gaming.

The only other use is playing my old favourite SNES games on the BSNES emulator. As I don’t have a dedicated GPU and instead use integrated graphics, I don’t have FreeSync or G-Sync capability. Therefore, on my emulator settings I select “Dynamic Rate Control” not “Adaptive Sync” and make sure my monitor refresh rate is set to 60Hz for NTSC games and 50hz for Pal games. Works like a treat!

So, from my understanding and searching on line for my needs:

I don’t need anything above 60hz fresh rate
I don’t need anything above 1080P.
I don’t need speakers built into the new monitor although often they come that way anyway.
I don’t need FreeSync or G-Sync.
I don’t have display port on my P.C so will be connecting with HDMI.

My questions and considerations.

1 – 21.5 or 24” screen?

My current monitor is 21.5” and I sit 34 inches away with no problems. I have never used a 24” monitor before but I could go for one but may have to move it a bit further back like to 36 inches as a big screen can give me headaches (using friends in past). But my understanding is generally the smaller screens normally have higher PPI so not sure what is best a 21.5” a bit closer to me or a 24” a bit further away? Anyway, taking into consideration my requirements do you have any experience or advice?

2 – Response time?

My understanding is 1-5ms is really important for serious gamers playing current games on great systems. As I am only playing SNES games using an emulator on my old P.C is it really an issue for me? My current monitor is 5ms (TN) panel. Some of the monitors that I am considering are 5ms or some are a bit higher like 7–9 ms. Is it an issue or am I best sticking to 5ms max?

3 – Panel type?

I am also not 100% sure about whether an IPS or VA is best for my usage. My understanding is that TN are good for gaming and allow high fresh rates so doesn’t seem applicable for me and my requirements. Would you recommend a IPS or VA? I am edging to IPS?

4 – Good Brands and suggestions

I hear the follow brands often getting praise:

Dell
ASUS
BenQ
LG
Acer
AOC

After a lot of time hunting around the below monitors seem quite a good match for my requirements to my untrained eye. However I am not sure if the more expensive ones are too good for my 10 year old P.C and wasted on it. I have included Argos clearance bargains at the end in case those are more suitable and more compatible with my P.C

21-22” Picks

BenQ GW2283 - £129 – 22 inch actual 21.5”, IPS, 60hz, PPI 102, 2xhdmi 1.4, 5ms, headphone jack, built in speaker, audio in,
https://www.benq.eu/en-uk/monitor/home-office/gw2283.html

Dell SE2222H - £119 – 21.5”, VA, 60hz, 1 x hdmi 1.4, 8-12ms, 6985 4.5 stars, PPI 102
https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/del...onitors-monitor-accessories#techspecs_section

AOC E2270SWHN - £104 – 22” (21.5”), TN, 60hz, 1x HDMI 1.4, 5ms, Headphone out.
https://eu.aoc.com/en/products/monitors/e2270swhn

Cheaper Argos Clearance Option

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9395950?clickPR=plp:63:89
Samsung S22A310 22”, VA, 60HZ, 9ms, 1 HDMI 1.4, no speakers, no audio in, £65,

24” Picks

BenQ GW2480 - £144 24” actual 23.6”, IPS, 60hz, built in speakers, headphone jack, audio in, 5ms, ppi 93, 1xhdmi 1.4, Built in speakers,
https://www.benq.eu/en-uk/monitor/home-office/gw2480.html

AOC M2470SWH - £125 – 24” (23.6”), MVA, 60HZ, 5ms, Speakers, 2x HDMI 1.4, headphone out, 7240 4.5 star https://eu.aoc.com/en/products/monitors/m2470swh

Cheaper Argos Clearance Options

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9421082?clickPR=plp:49:89
MSI Pro MP241 23.8 Inch 60Hz IPS FHD = £85
7ms, 1xhdmi, 92ppi.no speakers

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8173616?clickPR=plp:72:89
HP V24i, 23.8” IPS, 60Hz, no speakers, 1x HDMI 1.4, £102

I can't thank you enough for any help, advice and feedback you can pass my way and if there are any other picks I have missed and overlooked.
Cheers.
Bob :)
 
J

JudyOscar

New member
slimbob

slimbob

Enthusiast
Hi Judy,

Thank you very much for taking the time to give me your feedback and advice about my post I really do appreciate it. I will check out the XL2370-1 - Samsung SyncMaster 23-inch Full HD as you suggest.

Yes the MSI Pro MP241 does look very good but unfortunately it is unavailable for me at Argos stores near to me and also if I travelled. It is also not available for delivery to my address, damn :(. I have been educating myself as much as I can online as there is so many things to take into consideration when picking a new monitor I didn't know about. I appreciate my P.C and my needs are very modest but I just want to make the best choice I can for my budget.

I have a Samsung monitor at present which is 10 years old and has been a real gem. :cool: .

Take care Judy and thank you very much again.
Bob.
 
Scott

Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
To be honest I don't think you can really go wrong given your approach. I would probably over-simplify it and opt for....

Decent Brand (you've listed them)
24" (Better standard, IMO, and readily available)
IPS (Prettier)
5ms Response (Anything more than this and I would suggest the standard of components isn't up to snuff)
ITRO £100-£120 budget

If there's a deal to get sub £100 then fair enough (Ie a higher RRP but older stock sale or something), but I would expect to be paying over £100 for a decent panel.

Given your sensitive eyes it may be worth pushing the boat out for technology directly aimed at this.


A value option would be LED. I've never been a particular fan of the lighting with these but it may be good from a budget point of view.


The MSI panel you were looking at is easily the best value but it's a typical end of stock sale type deal. To get it elsewhere would be £120+.
 
slimbob

slimbob

Enthusiast
Thanks a million Scott for your really helpful feedback!:)
It's funny the BenQ you mentioned below
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-GW248...648552484&sprefix=1080p+ips+24,aps,278&sr=8-3

Has been at the top of my list as the extra £50 seems a really good investment.

I was also considering it's cousin the smaller:
https://www.benq.eu/en-uk/monitor/h...ZIkgR9Uf_2YnMZJuvKjLEoAC8lDDm7sQaAlDBEALw_wcB

But this is a 22" VA panel not 24" IPS. I was confused a bit as some people say VA is the best jack of all trades and great for watching videos online due to the higher contrast ratio, others say VA tend to suffer from slower response times and ghosting/ smearing but a positive is no IPS Glow . So I was a bit confused of what to do. My game playing is very basic (SNES emulator) utilising integrated graphics .

From what you say Scott it seems upgrading to the Benq GW2480 (24" IPS) Panel is a very sensible choice.
Of the two BenQ mentioned above would you still personally go with the 24" IPS.

I am very much looking forward to getting a new monitor I think it will really revamp my whole set up:D .

Thanks very much again for your help and advice and I hope your SimRig is still going strong :cool: What's it like with MSFS2020?

Bob.
 
Scott

Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
It's a personal thing really. VA is definitely a good happy medium, but it's more aimed at people wanting a better refresh akin to TN panels.

IPS is just visually crisper and brighter IMO. IPS glow would be in a black background at night with the lights off. You would need to look for it IMO.

Simrig is going great. Not been on it much of late. Went to play FS2020 the other night and there was a 10GB download waiting on me so I didn't bother.

Flying the jet fighters is fun though :D
 
slimbob

slimbob

Enthusiast
Thanks very much again for your feedback Scott (y)
Really glad to hear your SimRig is still going strong, flying the fighter jets must bloody awesome on that rig :cool: .
 
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