I prefer to not play games in 3D. Aside from the stress it puts on my eyes, there's something about the stereo effect where it never becomes completely seamless. It never melts into the background and, for me at least, is constantly drawing my attention away from the actual game.
However, I understand that there are those who appreciate 3D much more than I do, and if I were going to invest in a 3D monitor, the following five are the ones I'd choose from. Just to be clear, these are the best monitors for 3D gaming, not the best overall monitors that happen to have a 3D component.
1. Acer GD235HZ
| Design and feature highlights | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | DVI, VGA, HDMI |
| Ergonomic options | 10-degree back tilt |
| Resolution | 1,920x1,080 pixels |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Audio | Audio out |
| VESA wall mount support | Yes |
| Included video cables | DVI, VGA |
| Backlight | CCFL |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Screen film | Matte |
| Pixel-response rate | 2ms |
| Number of presets | Five |
| Overdrive | No |
| Picture options | Brightness, Contrast |
| Color controls | RGB, Warm, Cool, and User temperature |
| Gamma control | No |
| Additional features | 120Hz refresh rate |
Service and support
Acer backs the GD235HZ with a three-year limited parts and labor warranty that covers the backlight; this matches the great coverage from other monitors vendors like Samsung and Dell. E-mail support is provided via a form on Acer's Web site, and drivers for the display are available there as well.
Acer backs the GD235HZ with a three-year limited parts and labor warranty that covers the backlight; this matches the great coverage from other monitors vendors like Samsung and Dell. E-mail support is provided via a form on Acer's Web site, and drivers for the display are available there as well.
Conclusion
As a gaming monitor or just a monitor to watch movies on, the Acer GD235HZ is a very good performer with a fast refresh rate, fairly deep blacks, and a level of vibrancy that matches some of the best monitors out there. While it skimps on ergonomic options and looks pretty typical design-wise, it does include the connection option trifecta and a capable OSD with plenty of usefulness.
As a gaming monitor or just a monitor to watch movies on, the Acer GD235HZ is a very good performer with a fast refresh rate, fairly deep blacks, and a level of vibrancy that matches some of the best monitors out there. While it skimps on ergonomic options and looks pretty typical design-wise, it does include the connection option trifecta and a capable OSD with plenty of usefulness.
2. Samsung SyncMaster S23A750D
| Design and feature highlights | ||
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity: | HDMI, DisplayPort | |
| Ergonomic options: | 25-degree back tilt | |
| Resolution: | 1,920x1,080 | |
| Aspect ratio: | 16:09 | |
| Audio: | Headphone jack | |
| VESA wall mount support: | No | |
| Included video cables: | DisplayPort | |
| Backlight: | LED | |
| Panel Type: | TN | |
| Screen film: | Glossy | |
| Number of presets: | 5 | |
| Overdrive: | No | |
| Picture options: | Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness | |
| Color controls: | RGB and 5 color temperature options | |
| Gamma control: | Yes | |
| Additional features: | Samsung proprietary 3D | |
I spent many whole hours playing Dragon Age II and Starcraft 2 to test gaming 3D performance on the S23A740D and during those multiple minutes I was subject to an experience I can only describe as feeling like my eyes were being slowly pulled from my head. I don't mean that as an analogy; that's exactly what it felt like to me. It wasn't a painful experience and is something I could probably get used to, but ultimately it's not worth it, as the payoff just isn't there.
Service and support
Samsung backs the SyncMaster S23A750D with a three-year parts-and-labor warranty that covers the backlight. This matches the best monitor warranties out there, like Dell's. It also offers support through a 24-7 toll-free number, as well as 24- to 48-hour turnaround e-mail and Web chat support.
Conclusion
Samsung's TN panel found in the S23A750D and T27A950 produces some of the most beautiful images I've ever seen, resulting in unparalleled movies and games performance compared with other TN-based displays.
3. LG W2363D-PF
Samsung backs the SyncMaster S23A750D with a three-year parts-and-labor warranty that covers the backlight. This matches the best monitor warranties out there, like Dell's. It also offers support through a 24-7 toll-free number, as well as 24- to 48-hour turnaround e-mail and Web chat support.
Samsung's TN panel found in the S23A750D and T27A950 produces some of the most beautiful images I've ever seen, resulting in unparalleled movies and games performance compared with other TN-based displays.
| Design and feature highlights | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | DVI, HDMIx2 |
| Ergonomic options | 10-degree back tilt |
| Resolution | 1,920x1,080 pixels |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Audio | Audio in, Headphone jack |
| VESA wall mount support | Yes |
| Included video cables | DVI |
| Backlight | CCFL |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Screen film | Matte |
| Pixel-response rate | 3ms |
| Number of presets | 6 (color temperature) |
| Overdrive | No |
| Picture options | Brightness, Contrast, Black Level, Sharpness |
| Color controls | RGB and color temperature control |
| Gamma control | Yes |
| Additional features | 120hz refresh rate, Ambient light sensor |
Service and support
LG backs the W2363D-PF with a three-year parts and labor warranty, which covers the backlight for only one year. That's two years less than other vendors, such as Dell. During the first year of warranty, the company offers repair service in two working days and pays freight shipping both ways for one year. During the second and third year of the warranty, customers pay to ship the monitor to LG and LG pays the return freight to the customer. LG provides live Web and e-mail chat as support options, as well as toll-free phone support.
LG backs the W2363D-PF with a three-year parts and labor warranty, which covers the backlight for only one year. That's two years less than other vendors, such as Dell. During the first year of warranty, the company offers repair service in two working days and pays freight shipping both ways for one year. During the second and third year of the warranty, customers pay to ship the monitor to LG and LG pays the return freight to the customer. LG provides live Web and e-mail chat as support options, as well as toll-free phone support.
Conclusion
The LG Flatron W2363D-PF can be found online for as low as $300. At that price, it's one of the most affordable 3D monitor solutions on the market. Like the Acer GD235HZ before it, the LG handles 3D like a champ; that's not surprising given that most of the 3D burden lies on the software, glasses, and emitter.
The LG Flatron W2363D-PF can be found online for as low as $300. At that price, it's one of the most affordable 3D monitor solutions on the market. Like the Acer GD235HZ before it, the LG handles 3D like a champ; that's not surprising given that most of the 3D burden lies on the software, glasses, and emitter.
4. HP 2311gt
| Design and feature highlights | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity: | HDMI, DVI, VGA |
| Ergonomic options: | 25-degree back tilt |
| Resolution: | 1,920x1,080 pixels |
| Aspect ratio: | 16:9 |
| Audio: | n/a |
| VESA wall-mount support: | No |
| Included video cables: | DVI, VGA |
| Backlight: | LED |
| Panel type: | TN |
| Screen film: | Matte |
| Number of presets: | 5 |
| Overdrive: | No |
| Picture options: | Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness |
| Color controls: | RGB and 3 color temperature options |
| Gamma control: | No |
| Additional features: | Passive 3D |
Service and support
Hewlett-Packard backs the 2311gt with a three-year limited parts-and-labor warranty that covers the backlight -- the same great deal other vendors, such as Dell, provide. HP includes free shipping labels and in-home service, as well as support through its 24-7 toll-free number. Just be aware that the free service ends after one year and HP will charge you after that. HP's Web site offers Web chat and e-mail support that the company says it replies to within an hour.
Hewlett-Packard backs the 2311gt with a three-year limited parts-and-labor warranty that covers the backlight -- the same great deal other vendors, such as Dell, provide. HP includes free shipping labels and in-home service, as well as support through its 24-7 toll-free number. Just be aware that the free service ends after one year and HP will charge you after that. HP's Web site offers Web chat and e-mail support that the company says it replies to within an hour.
Conclusion
The HP 2311GT is one of the cheapest ways to get 3D on a monitor. It's not the best-implemented 3D (and maybe not even second-best), but it does give you what it says it's going to. The $170 HP 2311x is pretty much the exact same monitor, however without 3D features. So, in effect, with the 2311gt you're paying an extra $100 or so for passive 3D. Now, if 3D is something you're looking for, this is currently one of the cheapest ways to get it. However, if you're just looking for a capable monitor, the 2311x should be much better-suited to your needs.
The HP 2311GT is one of the cheapest ways to get 3D on a monitor. It's not the best-implemented 3D (and maybe not even second-best), but it does give you what it says it's going to. The $170 HP 2311x is pretty much the exact same monitor, however without 3D features. So, in effect, with the 2311gt you're paying an extra $100 or so for passive 3D. Now, if 3D is something you're looking for, this is currently one of the cheapest ways to get it. However, if you're just looking for a capable monitor, the 2311x should be much better-suited to your needs.
5. Asus VG278H
| Design and feature highlights | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity: | DVI, HDMI, VGA |
| Ergonomic options: | 15-degree back tilt, 4.5-inch height adjustment |
| Resolution: | 1,920x1,080 pixels |
| Aspect ratio: | 16:9 |
| Audio: | Built-in speakers; headphones jack |
| VESA wall-mount support: | Yes |
| Included video cables: | DVI, VGA |
| Backlight: | LED |
| Panel type: | TN |
| Screen film: | Matte |
| Number of presets: | 6 |
| Overdrive: | No |
| Picture options: | Brightness, contrast |
| Color controls: | RGB and 3 color temperature options |
| Gamma control: | Yes |
| Additional features: | Nvidia 3D, 120Hz refresh rate |
Service and support
Asus backs the VG278H with a three-year casing-and-panel warranty that covers the backlight. This includes its Zero Bright Dot guarantee, which promises full monitor replacement if any stuck pixels are found. The company also offers support through a 24-7 toll-free number, e-mail, and Web chat. At the time of this review, no drivers were available on the company's Web site for the VG278H; that's surprising, given that the monitor was released weeks ago. That's not a deal breaker, of course -- the monitor does come with these files -- but an online repository for such support is always welcome. The monitor's manual, however, is available on the site.
Asus backs the VG278H with a three-year casing-and-panel warranty that covers the backlight. This includes its Zero Bright Dot guarantee, which promises full monitor replacement if any stuck pixels are found. The company also offers support through a 24-7 toll-free number, e-mail, and Web chat. At the time of this review, no drivers were available on the company's Web site for the VG278H; that's surprising, given that the monitor was released weeks ago. That's not a deal breaker, of course -- the monitor does come with these files -- but an online repository for such support is always welcome. The monitor's manual, however, is available on the site.
Conclusion
The VG278H excels at 3D and its 120Hz refresh rate creates a noticeable (if you look for it) improvement in the amount of motion blur in games. 3D technology has still yet to make a convincing-enough argument to persuade me appreciate it the way I'm sure most movie and video game companies out there would like me to. However, when things are done well, the giving of props is warranted.
The VG278H excels at 3D and its 120Hz refresh rate creates a noticeable (if you look for it) improvement in the amount of motion blur in games. 3D technology has still yet to make a convincing-enough argument to persuade me appreciate it the way I'm sure most movie and video game companies out there would like me to. However, when things are done well, the giving of props is warranted.
Normal games and movies performed well after a bit of tweaking, but didn't match the best monitors out there. Also, its connection options are difficult to access and the OSD has a clunky design, but I do appreciate the ergonomic options.
Source: CNET/ Josh Miller
I really love things in 3D because it makes things so much fun. My room mate is saving up for a 3D TV but he just had to buy a bunch of acer repair parts for his school computer. Hopefully one day he can buy one.
ReplyDeleteYes Brett I too love things in 3D , I hope your friend buys a 3d monitor soon so u can also enjoy the experience
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