Don't get too hung up on response times, they are measured in two different ways with the faster method usually being quoted, which happens to be the one that occurs less frequently in actual use: a white to black response time is faster than a gray to gray one, but it's not very often you see colours jumping from one extreme to the other during normal use, unless you're running a screensaver for rave parties :-P

Also, don't give too much credence to quoted viewing angles, especially for TN panels, unless you can see the monitor in action. The specifications standard for a given angle to be considered viewable is the image retaining a mere 10% of its original brightness/contrast, in other words you almost can't see jack at that point yet the angle is considered viewable :-P

My decision process would be:
1) Do i want to use a 3D capable monitor? If yes, this restricts choices a lot due to the need for 120Hz refresh rates.
2) What kind of resolution can i comfortably expect to run with my current GPU setup? If i need to upgrade my GPU will i also need to upgrade my power supply? These are added expenses that can easily factor into the complete cost of a monitor change.
3) What kind of monitor size presents a comfortable dot pitch at the aforementioned resolution? For example, if i use a 30" monitor with a lower resolution those pixels will be big enough to start at me ;)

I've never owned a TN panel although i've used many, i went straight from a 17" CRT to a 22" Dell IPS 2209WA ultrasharp with a true zero pixel defects 3 year warranty and on-site replacement.

The monitor features minimal input lag, 8ms gray to gray response time and is vastly superior to TN panels in terms of colours and viewing angles (no discoloration bands on the top/bottom of the panel, true 180 degree viewing angles, in short the colours don't change every time i move my head). Ergonomics and durability of the stand are top notch (height, pivot, even vertical rotation for coding/reading and editing text files).

This model has been replaced by the new series, but i think they are using the same line of LG-made IPS panels (e-IPS, which is an economy IPS panel range). Their new series offers displayport connectors for the new GPUs which my model lacks. It might be worth it to see reviews for them though because a couple of the new models have higher input lag than mine.

The main drawbacks of IPS panels is price (in the higher spectrum monitors used mainly for image/video editing) and increased brightness of black colour. The black can be fixed if you choose a monitor with a built-in polarizer, but i think this increases input lag.

As for ghosting, it was the first thing i tested and the only way to create ghosting was to hook up my head tracker, fire up IL2 and move around so fast that my neck hurt, ie it's perfectly fine for normal gaming use. I also play a bit of Team Fortress 2 from time to time and while i'm not a dedicated FPS player i have no problem ranking among the top 5 people on my team after half an hour so of game time even when playing as a sniper, ie there's no perceptible ghosting and input lag to mess up my aim.

Cheesehawk,

Hope things turn around in the near future. Keep flying and smiling.

binky9

+1

look at hazro

not so expensive

I have one Samsung SyncMaster BX2450 LED.

A very good monior at a reasonble price. Nothing fancy, but a good and fast display.

This, a thousand times this! As goddess is my witness, I will never own TN panels again!

They still go from 1920 * x to 2650 * x, and on the web I'm seeing that for £500, which is pretty expensive to me, and the vibe I'm getting is that the quality may not be as good as I want. I still think a 2200 to 2300 * x screen should be doable, and ought to be a lot less expensive than these silly 2650 * x sizes that even very powerful graphics cards struggle to play games on.

Thanks to all for the excellent comments/advice. I am getting educated.

My variation on the original question now is: What are the pros and cons of 1920X1080 versus 1980X1200. I know the trend in monitors is towards 1920X1080. Why? Again, I am primarily inteterested in flight simulations (COD, ROF, A10, and others), plus some First Person Shooters like the other COD (Call of Duty:MW series).

FYI, at this point in the discussion I am definitely turning towards a 24" monitor, TN rather than IPS because even the "economy IPS" monitors are at least twice the price of TN monitors, and I think I'd want the faster 2MS response time over the IPS 8MS response. I also note that the recommended IPS monitor (Dell U2412M) has dynamic ratio of 2,000,000:1 versus the TN monitor's 30,000,000:1 ratio....that must mean something, right?

Any further advice will be appreciated. Thanks again.

+1

As for IPS and response time, if you get an IPS LED like the LG that I've got you get the best of both worlds. I don't think there are many manufacturers out there that do IPS LED other than LG.

I know it's good because not only do I fly sims I play TF2, DOD or Quake Live and I can be found at the top of the leader board on most servers I play on. I'm 34 and I'm kicking these 14 year olds at their game. :grin: so there is no display lag or ghosting.

As for immersion on larger monitors I'm not having any of it. When you are focused in the game you can't honestly tell me you are aware the monitor is bigger? You develop a tunnel vision. When I watch a movie at a Friend's with a huge TV and I come home and watch a movie at home I can't tell the difference whilst I'm watching. It's like reading a book you don't notice the book when you get engrossed. The only difference is that at the friend's house you have to sit further away. Big TV's are for bigger rooms not for wow factor.