New Monitor, What's the Right Display/Response Time/Etc

[Zen00]

Hey all,

I'm hoping to pick up my first 24" HD monitor this week at a Black Friday sale. Since there's so many choices, I was hoping to get some input on what's good and what's not.

I hear a lot about the difference between TN and IPS display panels. What's the difference and how can I tell which monitor has which?

Also everyone has a lot of questions about response time. I see mostly 2, 5, and 10ms times. Sometimes it indicates that it's GtG (Gray-to-Gray). What kind of response time is better, and what does this GtG stuff mean?

Here's a new trend in monitors that I've been seeing over this year, LED back-lighting. My current laptop has LED back-lights, and has a fairly poor viewing angle, not that I can't see, just that the colors shift from any angle I look at it, making it difficult to work with graphics on. Is this an inherit fault of the LED back-lights, or just a bad screen?

I'd like to do some gaming, play MW2 (Modern Warfare 2) and graphic design on my computer with this monitor. What would be best for this?

Here's some that I'm looking at right now, what do you think? Link to Newegg Comparison

Thanks all for your help!

[Bearded Frog]

I hear a lot about the difference between TN and IPS display panels. What's the difference and how can I tell which monitor has which?
IPS Panels are better then the more common TN panels. They offer better color gamut and viewing angles. There are also MVA, PVA, and ASV panels. The most common for a desktop monitor is going to be TN because they are cheap and have fast response times (aka it looks great on paper). Here is a good link for more information on different panel types:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD

Also everyone has a lot of questions about response time. I see mostly 2, 5, and 10ms times. Sometimes it indicates that it's GtG (Gray-to-Gray). What kind of response time is better, and what does this GtG stuff mean?
Response time used to be a big issue with LCD monitors. These days its hard to find one that wouldn't be suitable for desktop gaming/ fast paced movies. Honestly just dont even worry about it.

Here's a new trend in monitors that I've been seeing over this year, LED back-lighting. My current laptop has LED back-lights, and has a fairly poor viewing angle, not that I can't see, just that the colors shift from any angle I look at it, making it difficult to work with graphics on. Is this an inherit fault of the LED back-lights, or just a bad screen?
LED Backlighting is great but there are 2 types. RGB LED and White LED. Since "White" LED isn't actually a white it isn't as good as RGB. It is still leaps and bounds better than traditional CCFL backlighting but it tends to have a more cool color. RGB LED is the best thing you could find on a monitor. LED improves not only on contrast ratio/brightness but it also improves on energy use. They use far less power than a traditional CCFL display. They also tend to have deeper blacks as LEDs can be shut off or on in certain locations. That is unless you get an EDGE lit LED LCD, which doesnt have that benefit but gains the benefit of being super slim (if you're into that sort of thing). Here is a good link for more information about backlighting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_LCD

Your issue however is more than likely related to your laptop screen being a TN panel. LED shouldn't affect viewing angles.

I'd like to do some gaming, play MW2 (Modern Warfare 2) and graphic design on my computer with this monitor. What would be best for this?
BEST? A RGB LED LCD with 120hz and an IPS panel. Good luck finding that and if you do have your arm and leg ready. I would just look over the details of each and decide which is most important to you and try to find one in your price range with that feature.

[Zen00]

Awesome, thanks a lot for the answer, it's really helpful.

[j3g]

@Bearded Frog This fulfills all your requirements:
Sharp 32" LED 1080p 120hz X-gen panel LC32LE700UN - sharp.com

currently $599 (if you know how to do bing cash back) - slickdeals.net

[Bearded Frog]

Originally Posted by j3g

@Bearded Frog This fulfills all your requirements:
Sharp 32" LED 1080p 120hz X-gen panel LC32LE700UN - sharp.com

currently $599 (if you know how to do bing cash back) - slickdeals.net

Well while that looks like an absolutely great deal I think 120hz for TVs differs for 120hz on desktop monitors. Very nice deal there though I am sure that is a great display.

[j3g]

wow! it arrived today! its running at 35 watts!!! it is extremely light with excellent build. I quickly loaded left 4 dead and its amazing picture.

yeah, only accepts 60hz as input but refreshes at 120hz