Hi. 
 
I've decided that, come Christmas, I'll build myself a gaming rig. All I have now is an old laptop that can't run anything, as well as my Xbox. However, seeing as I'm currently using it on my family's big-screen TV, I have to adjust to their times. So I figured that I might as well get a computer monitor now, and use it for my PC as well once it's built, and my 360 until then. I'll need to buy one either way in the end. 
 
However, looking in stores and such, there are so many things to look for. I want a good screen, preferably 24", and HDMI is required. What's the best I can get for ~330$ (can stretch a little, depending on the product) Have any helpful hints or advices you feel like sharing? 
 
Thanks, Robert.
 
(Edit: Wasn't sure which forum to put this in, this one seemed appropriate. If it requires moving, then please do so)

I use a 32'' HDTV for my main monitor and this for my secondary monitor. It's LED, 1080p and looks great. Not a bad price either. It's 22'' but if you want a bigger one they might make it.

Also, additional question. How visible will the difference between 50Hz, 100Hz and 120Hz be to me when I play games on it?

That's the refresh rate. V-Sync will synchronise your framerate to your refresh rate, but you can't see a difference in framrate over your refresh rate since your refresh rate determines how much you are seeing. So, 100fps on a game with a 60hz monitor means you can only see 60fps. 120hz monitors are made almost specifically for 3D support, because it renders 2 images at 60Hz to make the 3D so unless you want to invest in 3D don't get 120Hz.

" @Azteck: For movies 120 hz will be totally visable. You will see ppl move fast and naturally, which doesn't look like film. For my toshiba regza, there isn't much difference for games. For the sony bravia 120hz I own, you will notice an imput lag. However for 120hz hdtvs, one great things compared to other 60hz hdtvs is you won't get any ghosting effect. I myself use a 1080p 120hz hdtv as my main display for my pc. "

" @Azteck: are you european because I don't have 100hz hdtvs here. I am talking about hdtvs and yes ppl still use 1080p 24" monitors. However maybe you should get something that is 1920X1200 resolution for a monitor. I say this because there is 1:1 pixel matching. If you watched a 1080p movie, you will have two bigger black bars on it, yet it will still fit. I only recommended a hdtv if you can recycle a 1080p hdtv. However if you can't, then get a monitor. Remember I only use a hdtv because I was fed up with the size of monitors and I didn't really find a suitable pc monitor with all the features I was looking for, with a good rating. But my point is, you can actually use a hdtv as a pc monitor. Most pc gamers still likes using a smaller pc monitor. I mean my hdtv is $900, not exactly something I will call affordable in terms of a pc display. 
 
More recommendations i'm sneaking in.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001431     "

" @Azteck: you can watch a video review here. They recommended the samsung monitor I posted over this one. http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/benq-v2420h/4505-3174_7-34117968.html     
 
 
sneaking this in. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236103           "

Whatever it is... Get a 1080p.

I'd recommend totally throwing out everything you think you know and researching it hard.  The response times reported by LCD manufacturers are lies.  The colors reported by LCD manufacturers are usually lies.  The contrast ratios reported by LCD manufacturers are usually lies.  Bigger isn't always better.  Look for people that have done lots of comparison & analysis.  AVSForum (which is more focused on HDTVs over monitors) and HardOCP might be good places to start.
 
I'd recommend looking for a monitor that doesn't use TFT TN technology because dithering sucks.  Most people game on 18 bit color displays and don't even know what they're missing.
 
Anyways, the more effort you put in to finding something you will really like the more satisfied you're going to be.

Don't worry about HDMI, you can just get a converter cable.  For about $5, I got a HDMI-DVI cable that works fine with my ps3.  Also make sure it's 1080p and 16:9.  I use a 16:10 for my ps3, and it stretches out the picture, causing for some vertical jagginess.

  This is the one I use, and so far so good!

• Class leading 80,000:1 (max) dynamic contrast ratio
• Side-by-side web page viewing with Dual XGA higher than Full HD 2048 x 1152 resolution
• Enjoy latest movies and blockbusters in the highest resolution available
• Integrated 2 Megapixel webcam

" That's the refresh rate. V-Sync will synchronise your framerate to your refresh rate, but you can't see a difference in framrate over your refresh rate since your refresh rate determines how much you are seeing. So, 100fps on a game with a 60hz monitor means you can only see 60fps. 120hz monitors are made almost specifically for 3D support, because it renders 2 images at 60Hz to make the 3D so unless you want to invest in 3D don't get 120Hz. "

Montiors are the hardest things to buy usually because companies don't feel like you need to know the core specifications of the panel you are buying. 
 
It all depends on what category you fall into: gamer, digital artist, entertainment consumer. 
  
This is also a really simplified list, I'm sure techies will quote this and go beserk and add in all sorts of technicalities, but if you want to get into that level of detail, you should be visiting a forum like [H]Forum or tomshardware or whatever.  

gamer: Go for a high grade TN or MVA panel with low input lag, and good color dithering (good cheating). Most panels are TN panels, cheap tech but some companies do it right. You usually have to spend time calibrating these monitors because they come in so fucked up. MVA is a good compromise between TN and IPS.  

Digital Artist: Go for a S-IPS monitor with good color reproduction, low input lag if you want. S-IPS are usually more expensive and waaaaay better panels when it comes to color quality.  
 
Entertainment (movies, music, web): Nothing more than a good quality TN panel. 
 
I run two monitors for example, an Acer G24 1920x1200 TN as my main monitor and for gaming, and a Dell2007WFP SIPS for texture/color work, and steam chat when in not working.

your pretty much restricted to LCD monitors now your best bet is HP or Acer.

" Hi.   I've decided that, come Christmas, I'll build myself a gaming rig. All I have now is an old laptop that can't run anything, as well as my Xbox. However, seeing as I'm currently using it on my family's big-screen TV, I have to adjust to their times. So I figured that I might as well get a computer monitor now, and use it for my PC as well once it's built, and my 360 until then. I'll need to buy one either way in the end.   However, looking in stores and such, there are so many things to look for. I want a good screen, preferably 24", and HDMI is required. What's the best I can get for ~330$ (can stretch a little, depending on the product) Have any helpful hints or advices you feel like sharing?   Thanks, Robert.  (Edit: Wasn't sure which forum to put this in, this one seemed appropriate. If it requires moving, then please do so) "

$330 is a really good budget for a high quality Full HD monitor. IPS monitors offer superior color accuracy and viewing angles. They are mostly high end though, and therefore do not include HDMI since that is an older technology (they mostly use DisplayPort which is superior in almost every way). Adapters can be found for ~$15. Here is a list of 1920x1080 IPS monitors in that price range: 
 
Dell U2311H
HP ZR22w 
NEC EA231WMi 
ViewSonic VP2365WB 
 
I would recommend the Dell or NEC.

If you're looking for something with HDMI support, tons of other inputs and comes in the size you're looking for, you could always go for an LCD HDTV. I bought a 23 inch 1080p Viewsonic for around 250. My experience with it has been great, and it does everything a monitor can as well as having support for other things (game consoles, DVR ect). However, I'm not sure if there's a distinct advantage for having a dedicated LCD that only works for PC's.

" $330 is a really good budget for a high quality Full HD monitor. IPS monitors offer superior color accuracy and viewing angles. They are mostly high end though, and therefore do not include HDMI since that is an older technology (they mostly use DisplayPort which is superior in almost every way). Adapters can be found for ~$15. Here is a list of 1920x1080 IPS monitors in that price range: 
 
Dell U2311H
HP ZR22w 
NEC EA231WMi 
ViewSonic VP2365WB  I would recommend the Dell or NEC. "

" @Geno said:

" $330 is a really good budget for a high quality Full HD monitor. IPS monitors offer superior color accuracy and viewing angles. They are mostly high end though, and therefore do not include HDMI since that is an older technology (they mostly use DisplayPort which is superior in almost every way). Adapters can be found for ~$15. Here is a list of 1920x1080 IPS monitors in that price range: 
 
Dell U2311H
HP ZR22w 
NEC EA231WMi 
ViewSonic VP2365WB  I would recommend the Dell or NEC. "

If DisplayPort was an option, I'd use it. But seeing as most graphics cards don't use that technology, and there's no such output on the 360, I don't see the use in putting down the extra money for it. And by the time that technology becomes a standard, I'll have upgraded this screen without a doubt.  I have a question though, maybe you don't know it. But if anyone else feels like pitching in, I'd appreciate it. If I were to buy a monitor that didn't have an HDMI-input, but only a display port one (Like the Dell monitor linked above) and used an HDMI-to-DisplayPort adapter, would I get any quality loss in the image, of any kind? "

" @Azteck said:

" @Geno said:

" $330 is a really good budget for a high quality Full HD monitor. IPS monitors offer superior color accuracy and viewing angles. They are mostly high end though, and therefore do not include HDMI since that is an older technology (they mostly use DisplayPort which is superior in almost every way). Adapters can be found for ~$15. Here is a list of 1920x1080 IPS monitors in that price range: 
 
Dell U2311H
HP ZR22w 
NEC EA231WMi 
ViewSonic VP2365WB  I would recommend the Dell or NEC. "

If DisplayPort was an option, I'd use it. But seeing as most graphics cards don't use that technology, and there's no such output on the 360, I don't see the use in putting down the extra money for it. And by the time that technology becomes a standard, I'll have upgraded this screen without a doubt.  I have a question though, maybe you don't know it. But if anyone else feels like pitching in, I'd appreciate it. If I were to buy a monitor that didn't have an HDMI-input, but only a display port one (Like the Dell monitor linked above) and used an HDMI-to-DisplayPort adapter, would I get any quality loss in the image, of any kind? "

DisplayPort is actually heavily pushed by ATI (now AMD), and it would be no mystery if Nvidia were to soon follow. It's a royalty-free connector that has higher bandwidth, which will be needed in the future of high resolutions, 3D gaming and multiple monitors. It's about as "standard" as a standard can be if companies like Dell, HP and AMD are using it. You shouldn't experience any quality loss either since both signals are digital.  
 
If you choose to stick with a lower end model that has a more direct HDMI connection, there's nothing wrong with that either. IPS isn't end all-be-all, especially for gaming. You can get plenty of adequate 24" 1920x1080 HDMI monitors in the $200 price range, which will save you money to boot. The Asus ones such as this one are quite popular.  "

I use the Samsung XL2370 both for PC and 360 gaming, and I love it.

I actually just got a new monitor. It's a BenQ G2420HD. 24" full HD, HDMI, VGA and DVI-D input. I wrote a small review of it on Tested. It's pretty good but since your budget is higher than mine, I bet you can do better.

"

I use the Samsung XL2370 both for PC and 360 gaming, and I love it.

"

120 hz /thread 

" @1DER said:

"

I use the Samsung XL2370 both for PC and 360 gaming, and I love it.

"

I'm glad you said that. How did you go about getting the sound from the game and the image to the screen? Since screens usually don't have speakers that the HDMI cable can send sound through, how did you do it? "

I actually have both the A/V cable and HDMI cable plugged in to the 360 at the same time. You can crack open the A/V cable case pretty easily so that both will fit at the same time.

The A/V cable then runs to a composite to stereo jack like HitmanAgent47 posted a picture of above. That then feeds into a female to female jack which you can plug headphones, or your speakers into on the other end.

Personally, I would go with ASUS. 
 
I'm just trying to decide between a 24" and a 25.5" myself...

I had my Alienware hooked up to my 46" Sony Bravia XBR4 120Hz and it was fantastic.  I also have my PS3, 360, and Wii hooked up to it as well.  For gaming I don't know if I notice a difference when comparing the 120Hz Bravia to my other 60Hz Bravia.  For movies and TV the difference is incredible.  The first time you watch something in 120Hz it's amazing, almost unreal.  It seems like everything is natural flowing.  As for monitors the Apple Cinema or whatever they are called now are excellent fucking monitors, but they are obviously out of that price range.  About three years ago or so when I built my Dell XPS I bought a 24in WFP monitor for it and it was excellent as well.  Dell makes some really good monitors, which is why I would recommend Alienware OptX AW2210 21.5 in.  I've also used Samsung monitors and they were great, but did not compare to the Dell monitor I had.