Looking for a gaming monitor (22" minimum)?

Hi there 🙂

I'm on the hunt for some recommendations for a gaming monitor, ideally at least 22 inches, with a budget of around $400. To give you an idea of my current setup, I'm running an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760.

On top of that, I'm also looking to pick up some speakers and a keyboard, though I'd like to keep the total cost for both of those under $200 combined.
Regarding the keyboard, I’d really prefer something with a lower profile, and if it could have some backlighting to help me see in the dark, that would be great—plus, having extra programmable keys would be a nice little bonus.

Look, if you aren't grinding competitive FPS games or anything where you actually need to spot the difference between 60Hz and 75Hz, just grab an IPS panel. It’s way better—colors look nicer and you can actually see the screen clearly even if you're looking at it from a weird angle on the floor or whatever...

For speakers, I'd probably go with the Logitech Z323. As for a keyboard, either a Logitech G103 or, if you're into that whole backlit thing, maybe a CM Devastator, a Genius KB-G265, or a Speedlink Darksky.

Go with an IPS panel. If you're looking to buy from a place like Best Buy:

Or if you want something with a larger screen, a longer warranty, and a built-in pivot function:

Timothy Kim60 said:You definitely want an IPS panel. If you're looking at options over there:

or maybe something an inch larger with a longer warranty and a pivot function:

I was actually thinking about avoiding Best Buy for this—honestly, I don't really care where I shop, but I feel like I could probably find a better deal elsewhere if I picked up the monitor, speakers, and keyboard all at once. I’ll likely just grab everything in cash.

What's up with these Links prices lately? I feel like they might actually be getting decent deals on stuff.

You could probably just grab that Philips 227 E4QSD from Links; you’d end up paying about the same elsewhere, plus you'd have to deal with shipping fees and waiting around for delivery from other shops.

fadedorca66 said:What's the deal with this Links store? It feels like their prices have actually become pretty reasonable lately.

Honestly, you might as well just grab that Philips 227 E4QSD from Links. You’d likely end up paying about the same at any other retailer, except here you won't have to deal with the extra wait times from ordering elsewhere, plus you might save yourself a shipping fee or two.

alright, thanks! 🙂

p.s. I have a feeling they might have finally gotten their act together.🙄

silvertiger992 said:If you aren't deep into the competitive FPS scene where noticing the jump from 60Hz to 75Hz actually matters, I’d honestly suggest just going with an IPS panel. You get much better viewing angles if you're looking at it from a different position, and the colors just tend to look a lot more vibrant and pleasing overall...

As for audio, I’d probably pick up some Logitech Z323 speakers, and for a keyboard, maybe the Logitech G103—though if you're really looking for that backlit aesthetic, you could check out the CM Devastator, the Genius KB-G265, or even something like the Speedlink Darksky.

I mostly play RPGs

Honestly, this 5ms IPS should be totally fine for what I need.

I was thinking, maybe one of these monitors might be the right way to go?

1. I was browsing through some hardware specs online earlier today and stumbled upon this AOC monitor. It seems like an interesting little unit if you're looking to upgrade a basic setup or just need something reliable for a home office in a place like San Francisco. I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at different displays lately, trying to find that sweet spot between price and performance, though I often end up overthinking these things more than I should. It looks like a solid option for anyone who isn't quite ready to drop a massive amount of money on a high-end gaming panel but still wants something decent to look at for daily tasks. It's always a bit of a gamble when you're shopping around, but this one caught my eye for its specific configuration.

2. I was browsing through some listings on Best Buy earlier today and stumbled upon this specific Dell 22-inch LED Monitor that caught my eye. I'm always looking at these kinds of setups, trying to figure out if a particular screen might fit into my current desk arrangement without feeling too cramped or overwhelming. It’s one of those items that looks straightforward enough on paper, but you really have to weigh the specs against what you actually need for daily tasks. I'm still undecided on whether it's worth picking up, but I thought I'd share the link in case anyone else was eyeing it.

3. I was browsing through some hardware specs online earlier today and stumbled upon this particular listing for an HDMI cable. It’s one of those things you don't really think twice about until you're staring at a flickering screen or a signal that just won't cut it, but looking closely at the technical details can actually be pretty helpful if you're trying to make sure everything in your setup stays stable. It seems like a standard enough component, but I always find myself double-checking these little details just to avoid any unnecessary headaches later on.

4. I was browsing through some hardware specs online recently and stumbled upon this specific speaker setup. It’s one of those pieces of gear that makes you stop and think about how much our desktop environments have evolved over the years. Looking at the details here, I can't help but feel a little nostalgic for the days when we were constantly tweaking our audio configurations just to get a decent soundstage out of our basic setups. It's interesting to see how these components compare to what we're using today, especially when you consider how far consumer audio technology has come since the early days of home computing. I noticed this one actually comes with a built-in speaker—how would you say those speakers hold up in terms of quality? 🤷

5. I was browsing through some hardware specs recently and stumbled upon this AOC monitor, which seems like an interesting little find if you're looking to refresh a home office setup or just need a solid secondary screen for multitasking. It’s one of those pieces that feels right at home on a desk, offering a decent balance between performance and value without being overly flashy. I tend to spend a lot of time staring at panels, so I always appreciate when a display manages to be reliable without demanding a massive portion of my budget. It’s worth keeping an eye on if you're trying to piece together a functional workstation.

I'm starting to wonder if it might actually make the most sense to just go with the one from Links after all? Or perhaps that first option listed under number one is really the better way to go?

Dell 22-inch LED Monitor, 2ms, VGA, HDMI - Full HD $333
Model: AOC e2262Vwh
Display: HP 21.5-inch Monitor
Aspect Ratio: 16/9
Pixel Pitch: 0.248 (H) x 0.248 (V)
Horizontal Frequency: 30-83 KHz
Vertical Frequency: 55-75 Hz
Power Consumption: On: 14.8W; Standby: 0.3W; Off: 0.2W
Power Supply: 90~240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Connectors: D-Sub 15 pin, HDMI
Contrast: Typical: 1,000:1; Dynamic: 50,000,000:1 (DCR)
Viewing Angle: 170° / 160° (CR 10)
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
Standards: CE, cTUVus, Energy-Star 5.0, FCC, GOST, ISO 9241-307, RoHS, TCO 5.0, TÜV-Bauart, Energy-Star, EPEAT Silver
Brightness: 250 (typ) cd/m²
Response Time: 2 ms GtG
Dimensions and Weight: 512.3 × 385.3 × 196 mm, 3.25 Kg

For that kind of budget, you can definitely snag an IPS panel—and honestly, if it’s from Samsung, it'll be just as solid. Go jump on YouTube and search for "IPS vs TN" to see the difference for yourself.

Alternatively, if you're looking for a 23" screen with pivot support, check out that LG model over at Best Buy (you won't find it cheaper anywhere else, plus they'll cover the shipping).

Thanks, I think I'll probably just grab this 21.5'' Philips 227 E4QSD LED monitor from the Links website—it’s got an IPS panel, 7ms response, 250cd/m2 brightness, and a 20,000,000:1 contrast ratio with D-SUB and DVI options in black $350 unless I happen to stumble upon something a bit better locally
.
Unfortunately, that other 23'' model isn't showing up as available on the Links site or at their main warehouse near San Francisco
.

I finally pulled the trigger at Best Buy and picked up an LG IPS231P 23-inch LED Monitor—it’s got a 5ms response time, 250cd/m2 brightness, and a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, featuring D-SUB and DVI connections with that nice wide IPS panel in black, all for $466 and it should be arriving this Wednesday

Thanks so much for all the helpful advice out there! :-*

Hello everyone, I wanted to jump in here and join the conversation started by Sunny. I’m feeling a bit stuck on which direction to go—which of these monitors would you recommend for my setup?

To be honest, my eyes keep drifting toward Dell's model, even though if I look closely at the technical specs, the others might actually offer more bang for my buck... It's one of those things where paper stats don't always tell the whole story. I would truly value any feedback you have, especially if you've actually used one of these in your own home office. And please, don't feel limited to just these three—if there’s another model out there with similar dimensions, performance levels, and, most importantly, a comparable price point, I am all ears.