Monitor Question

I am shopping for a monitor. I like the LCD's, but Im wondering what the significance of 'RESPONSE TIME' measured in 'ms'. I assume this to be milliseconds, and therefore a smaller response time is better. Am I correct?
I will be using the monitor for gaming, as well as regular applications, internet etc. I dont need speakers in it, and I dont really want to spend a buttload of money. Preferably less than $300....I am looking on DIRECTRON.COM, as they have an outlet in my city, and I can pay cash and pick it up the same day. I dont have credit cards or a bank account.
What are the most important specs to consider when buying a monitor that would be suitable for gaming?
I understand that CRTs may be superior for gaming, and are cheaper than LCD's. What specs are important to consider in a CRT monitor suitable for gaming?
The only thing I dont like about the CRT's is the potential for distortion towards the corners of the screen-even on the flatscreen CRT's.

 

Yes, that is correct.

Ok, here's a little non-technical talk about lcd's, its not exactly how it works but it gives you an idea (nobody cares anyway, especially the salesmen, as long as it sounds interesting and not technical, right?)
When using LCD monitor (Liquid Crystal Diodes) the crystals need time to change from clour to colour hence "reaction time", i don't think it's a significant problem in gaming.
Unless you are a member of the X-men of course, and you've been granted with the ability to react within 0.5 ms and so are able to dodge bullets due to your extreme hand-eye coordination.
If you are a lesser creature like most of us, buy a nice lcd monitor, with low response time to show off to your friends and enjoy the space you created by throwing out that oversized crt monitor.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to say that response time doesn't matter, but LCDs are pretty good for gaming anymore. Anything 16ms or under will be you a good response time. I notice a little blurring with my 12ms monitor, but I've gotten used to it and don't really notice it anymore. And I definitely like the LCD better than a CRT for everything else hands down.

 

Ya of course it matters, at least like a couple of years ago it mattered... not anymore

 

Okey Dokey,
Now that we have discussed response time, lets move on to:
What are the important specs to consider when buying a monitor for gaming?

 

D you have digital out?
If so, i recommend one with a DVI-in port, about size i'd say 19" for high resolution. 1280x1024 minimum but that should be no prob

 

Apparently my graphics card (Radeon x700 Pro) is DVI 1.0 compliant.
That is Digital Video Interface, right?
Ill check out some 19's with 1280x1024 minimum res.......
What about refresh rates?

 

"Ya of course it matters, at least like a couple of years ago it mattered... not anymore"

Sure it does. I'm sure there are still some panels being made that have 20ms response times or worse. They are not very good for gaming since you get some ghosting. (Meaning even non X-men can see a difference between a 25ms panel and a 12ms panel)

Yes, a Radeon x700 Pro has a DVI port. Actually for a 19" most LCDs will probably be 1600x1200. As for refresh rates, it doesn't matter. They mean nothing to LCDs.

If I were you, I'd go to your local computer stores and look at some LCDs. See which brands look best to you. Since that's ultimately what matters. I have an NEC and a Dell and they both look great.

 

P.S. If you watch www.techbargains.com/dellcoupons.cfm you can get a great deal on LCD monitors. For example, my 20" Widescreen Dell monitor cost me about $410. At the same time I bought mine, you could also get a 20" 4:3 for around $300.

 

Anywebsite like that that offer deals for CRT monitors?

 

Heck yeah, the only good thing for gaming for now. Ghosting, low resolution cap, poor response time(unless your blowing 3grand on an lcd), and not many options for refresh rates are all inheritants of LCD tech (for now), So I rather not bother, currently using a 21" syncmaster from Samsung. Sony (i believe) announced new plans for low 3ms response time and affordable LCDs, but they're not out yet and I doubt affordable means <500$.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

 

Purchase Made.

Purchased: One SCEPTRE X-9 Gamer 19" LCD. 1280x1024, 12ms response.
price: $388 out the door, at the DIRECTRON.COM will-call .
Nice monitor, I like it!

How will I ever be able to stand those little rinky-dink screens at work now?

Thanks for your input, guys!