Need 24-27" Gaming Monitor Advice

[Skippman]

Hi Gang!

So, I'm sure you're all getting tired of these "Recommend a Monitor" threads but I'm truely confused and every review I read seems to make me even more confused than the last one. First, let me give you my system specs.

Intel i5 2500k Processor
eVGA Z68 FTW Motherboard
eVGA GTX 570 Superclocked GPU
16GB G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Creative Labs X-Fi Titanium
OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III SSD
2 X Wester Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS Drive in RAID 0
Lite OnLH-20A1L05 SATA DVD-R/W
Corsair HX620 Modular Power Supply

Right now I'm using a Dell 2405FPW. It's been great for all the years I've owned it. However I feel like it's time to upgrade to something newer with a better response time than the 16ms my current Dell has. I was originally going to go with a larger, 27" display but after viewing text in person on several of the 27" monitors on the market I've come to the conclusion I just can't give up the 1920x1200 in favor of 1920x1080P. A bigger screen plus a lower resolution equals a big drop in image quality.

While I don't do photo editing, I do like vibrant color displays. Everything I'm reading however seems to indicate there has been a sharp drop off in color quality with the most recent generations of TN displays. This is what has me looking at IPS displays, and the Dell UltraSharp series in particular. Maybe you guys can help me out and tell me where I'm going wrong.

My Required Features:
24-27" display size.
1920x1200 minimum resolution.
8ms or less response rate (GtG).
Decent viewing angle.

My Requested Features:
Good color reproduction.
5ms or less response rate (GtG).
Low input lag.
LED backlit

My IDEAL features:
Excellent black level performance.
2-3ms response rate (GtG)
120hz
USB Hub and Card Reader

My primary uses for this display will be gaming and webpage viewing. I do NO photo editing, although my girlfriend may start messing with it, hence my interest in good color reproduction. I'd prefer to avoid ultra high resolutions (2560x1440) just to reduce load on the GPU and keep frame rates and detail levels high.

Right now my top contender is the Dell UltraSharp U2410. It's IPS display will give me excellent colors, it has the USB hub and media card reader, 6MS response time is pretty dang good, and it's a Dell so I know it'll last like my current one.
Any input you can provide would help!

[SKYMTL]

ASUS VG278H 27” 3D Gaming Monitor Review

[Skippman]

Originally Posted by SKYMTL

ASUS VG278H 27” 3D Gaming Monitor Review

Firstly, that's an excellent review and I recall glossing over it before. I really have no interest in 3D as 3D tends to give me a headache, do this brings me to my main reason for not considering the Asus first. It's low resolution. Jumping from 24" to 27" and dropping resolution to me seems counter intuitive. But maybe that's the price I'll pay.

So you'd recommend this over any of the Dell offerings?

[SKYMTL]

Personally, I would recommend the U2713 which we posted today but you don't want to increase resolution....so....

[Skippman]

Originally Posted by SKYMTL

Personally, I would recommend the U2713 which we posted today but you don't want to increase resolution....so....

Fair point. I really like how the U2713 looks on paper, and I'd be more than happy to have the increase in resolution on my desktop, but I worry that my GPU may not be able to keep up with the resolution in 3D gaming as I'd insist on running it in a 1:1.

Do you think the GTX-570 could keep up with it?

[AkG]

My 580 got its ass kicked by the U2713 in modern games. Expect to have to either run in 720p mode (2:1 pixel mapping)...or do what I did...trun the eyecandy down until I got 30fps min frame rates.

[sswilson]

Originally Posted by AkG

My 580 got its ass kicked by the U2713 in modern games. Expect to have to either run in 720p mode (2:1 pixel mapping)...or do what I did...trun the eyecandy down until I got 30fps min frame rates.

ouch!!!!

Would a single 680 still be viable on ultra settings?

[AkG]

Originally Posted by sswilson

ouch!!!!

Would a single 680 still be viable on ultra settings?

Thats what I am hoping. :)

[Skippman]

Originally Posted by AkG

My 580 got its ass kicked by the U2713 in modern games. Expect to have to either run in 720p mode (2:1 pixel mapping)...or do what I did...trun the eyecandy down until I got 30fps min frame rates.

Well that's pretty dang disheartening.

I've had this card for less than a year too.

[AkG]

Oh its not ALL that bad. Its not like you have to turn the settings down to nothing! The 570 is still good kit. Just dont expect to run with all the eyecandy on...unless you like slideshows. ;)