Need Help Choosing a Monitor

[Setre]

I bought a new computer and now I need a monitor, here are the specs to the new rig:

Motherboard: Intel DP67BG
Processor: Intel Core i5 2500k
Memory: 8GB
Graphics Card: GeForce GTX 580

My problem stims from the fact that I don't know if I should get a 120hz TN monitor or an IPS. I plan to use the computer for playing games (FPS, WRPGs, and Strategy) but also watching anime (of course) and listening to music/podcasts.

The advantage of the 120hz is that, well, it's 120hz. Every game would run that much smoother but outside of games it's useless. The IPS on the otherhand would make everything nice and colorful and is an overall better build monitor than a TN. The IPS I'm looking at currently does 6ms so that's pretty damn good for an IPS. I'm also looking in the 25" range so an IPS is going to be a lot more expensive.

Any suggestions my fellow Japantorians?

[seltzermx]

Wow, looks like you've got quite the rig there. Sadly all I know is about basic PC components and not monitors, so I'd be no help here.

First of all, what's wrong with getting a 120Hz monitor? Also, what's an IPS?

[Setre]

First of all, what's wrong with getting a 120Hz monitor? Also, what's an IPS?

Nothing wrong with a 120hz monitor it's just that it's a TN panel. TN panels are usually cheaper (the ones you see pretty much everywhere) because they use less quality parts in their construction. The colors aren't as good as an IPS.

An IPS is a monitor that's made with higher quality parts than a TN which means it's more expensive. IPS monitors have overall better quality than any TN panel which means the colors on an IPS will always be better.

What it boils down to is quality over performance. With a 120hz TN monitor I'd get the best performance in-game but for normal everyday use the colors would be just like every other TN monitor. But I'd also be able to do 3D with a 120hz monitor as long as I bought some glasses.

The IPS would be a overall better monitor, not only would the colors in a game look richer but reading stuff on the internet would be easier on the eyes. It'd also make movies and anime look better because of the added color richness.

The gamer in me wants the 120hz for the butter like smoothness where as the nerd in me wants the overall quality of the IPS.

Of course this is just what I've learned in the past 3 days while staying up to 2 AM researching this shit. Some information may be incorrect, lol.

[seltzermx]

Hmmm wow, never knew LCD monitors were actually that complex. I really just thought it was about resolution, response and contrast (which are the basics I know about them).

Did you make a decision yet?

[Setre]

Dude, you have no fucking clue.

I always thought there were just computer hardware (motherboards, graphics cards, cooling units, ect) nuts but holy Jesus there are fucking KEYBOARD enthusiasts. Let that sink in for a second. There are people who ARGUE over what keyboard is better, fucking blows my mind. Monitors and computer parts are just the tip of the iceberg.

Really though I find this fascinating and fun. Sure console gaming is easier but PC gaming is fucking deep if you really get into it. Mechanical keyboards vs regular, wired mice vs wireless, fucking IPS vs TN 120hz, and I haven't even started researching speakers.

And no haven't decided on a monitor yet. Here are the ones I'm looking at and reading reviews for if you're interested in going into the rabbit hole with me.

Dell U2410 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260020) (IPS)
HP LP2475w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176104&Tpk=HP%20LP2475w) (IPS)
HP U2311H (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=usl=en&cs=19&sku=320-9270)(IPS)
HP ZR24w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176165&Tpk=ZR24w) (IPS)
Alienware AW2310 (http://accessories.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-8846) (120hz TN)
Planar SA2311W (http://www.planar3d.com/3d-products/sa2311w/) (120hz)

The SA2311W is a bitch to research because it only came out a few weeks ago. I've found only one review and one forum talking about it.

[seltzermx]

Good god, I opened those up and saw more specs on monitors than I ever knew existed. I dread the day when I have to build another rig (built one about 7 years ago and hooked it up to a TV, not a monitor)

[Setre]

Good god, I opened those up and saw more specs on monitors than I ever knew existed. I dread the day when I have to build another rig (built one about 7 years ago and hooked it up to a TV, not a monitor)

See I thought about going with a TV as well, not only would it be easier but it'd also be cheaper. The thing is you loose quality when you move to a TV. For most people it doesn't matter and at one point I wouldn't have cared either but now that I have a "super computer" I want the best quality, lol.

Regarding the monitors I'm thinking about going with the HP UltraSharp U2311H. I read some reviews for it and it has the least ghosting of all the IPS and would make the overall better gaming monitor. I'll probably end up buying a 120hz later but for now the technology is still to new for me to make the dive.