LCD Advice please!

[DanUK]

Hello,
I hope you can help me please.

Recently, I got a new PC for personal use which was just the box itself.
This cost me £580 GBP (around 1035 US Dollars), the specification of the machine is:

- Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz with HT technology.
- Motherboard: Gigabte GA-8I848PM (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN).
- Motherboard chipset: Intel Breeds Hill i848P.
- 800MHz FSB.
- Memory: 512MB (PC2700 DDR SDRAM).
- BIOS Type: Award Modular (9/17/04).
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5500 (256MB).
- Sound (though I'd upgrade this): SoundMax Integrated digital audio (Gigabyte)
- HDD: ST3160021A (160GB, 7200RPM, ULTRA-ATA/100).
- NEC DVDrewriter drive.
- Communications: Intel PRO/100 Adapter NIC.

However, I am now wanting to buy a new LCD Monitor to accompany it, with a budget of £500 GBP (around 890 US Dollars) and wondered if you could look over the following, and pick which one you'd want, or to provide me with recommendations. I ideally want to stick within Sony, Samsung or Dell brands.

The ones I've been looking at (as it must be either 19" or 20") are:

Sony LCD Monitor 19 Inch, SDM-HS94PB http://www.johnlewis.com/Shopping/Product.aspx?ARA=Computing&CAT=Computers&SCT=Computers&PRT=Monitors&Type=SKU&Id=230205704

Dell Ultrasharp 1905FP 19" http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=21632&c=uk&l=en&cs=ukdhs1&category_id=211&first=true&page=productlisting.aspx

It would be used for light gaming, but mainly office type.
Out of the two, would you recommend the Sony? I am more keen on that one (Even though the price is higher).

Also, the "Contrast ratio" is better on the Dell, does this make a big difference, and what actually is it?

Many thanks in advance!
Looking forward to hearing your views on the above, or other recommendations!

Regards,

[PeOfEo]

You are leaving out some other fine brands.
Viewsonic, philips, and nec-mitsubishi are also contenders. I also hear lg electronics is pretty good too. I would shop around at newegg (http://www.newegg.com/app/manufact.asp?catalog=20&DEPA=1) or some other good online reseller before you buy.

My mom owns a view sonic and it is pretty nice. I need to start shopping for an lcd myself.

I would look at the response time, contrast ratio, and the pixil pitch.

[theuedimaster]

Yea, the LGs look good outside and inside. Anyways man, why did you get the PC2700 ram? That is bottlenecking your system, you should have a PC3200 to run it at full potential.

[DanUK]

Hi there.
Thanks for your replies.

Unfortunately that was the RAM in the system when I got it (it is not a self made PC), I will look at updating that to 1GB soon when I get some spare cash!

What does the contrast ratio actually mean, how bright it appears?

What are your views on that Sony?

Regards,

[theuedimaster]

Well first of all, remember Sony's give quality stylish products. Also remember, Sony sometimes horribly over prices. That is the case with their monitors in my opinion. If you are willing to spend the bucks, then go for it, especially if you want it to look good "on the outside" at your home. If not, you should be able to get a quality one around $400 or less.

EDIT: Never Mind! I take that back! You will get a very good deal on the sony.

[theuedimaster]

http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_HS-Series_19_in_Flat_Panel_LCD_-_SDM-HS94PB/4505-6482_7-30975258.html

As you can see, you get an awesome deal with awesome ratings! I'd pick that one.

[DaveSW]

http://www.planetmicro.co.uk/product_info.asp?stockcode=M004752

[DanUK]

Hello,

Thank you very much for your advice and links.
I will be getting the Sony one! :)

[DanUK]

Hiya.

Also this samsung one - http://www.johnlewis.com/Shopping/Product.aspx?ARA=Computing&CAT=Computers&SCT=Computers&PRT=Monitors&Type=SKU&Id=230205707

would you still recommend the Sony over this?

Thanks!

[PeOfEo]

dan... you shoulda built it man!

[DanUK]

hello again,

yes, I know. :( However I am totally impressed by it.
I've never had a Fujitsu Siemens PC before, but I am so impressed by the quality and so on - very solidly built inside and out too, v.impressed!

What did you think of the Samsung, not as good as the Sony?

:)

[theuedimaster]

The price difference is substantial between the sony (being much less) than the samsung. Go with the sony davesw pointed out.

[PeOfEo]

You beat me to it. I was about to say I think the sony is a little better, but the samsung is still pretty good, and that 100 bucks you save is very good too.

[DaveSW]

I have a sony monitor (CRT though) and they are an excellent brand if you can afford them. It appears from http://www.planetmicro.co.uk/results_subcat.asp?man=16&title=19+inch+TFT+Monitors&subcat2=results_subcat.asp%3Fsort%3Daz%26man%3D%26title%3D19&sort=az&images=1&subcat=221 that they even have the Sony you want (the pb) in stock.

Actually I bought a cheap TFT there yesterday ;)

[PeOfEo]

a 'cheap' tft?

[DaveSW]

£146 for a 17" is cheap in my book. :)

[PeOfEo]

146.00 GBP                =                 273.227 USD
United Kingdom Pounds        United States Dollars

Cheapish, for a 17 that is good, but almost 300usd is a pretty penny in my book. That is 1/3 of my bank account right there.

[DaveSW]

well I sold it on plus commission, so it's dirt cheap in my book!!