Help, my monitor lit on fire

[Mindflux0]

I had a 21" viewsonic p95f+
It got ****ed up (some wierd electrical problems, horizontal size and focus started getting messed up) then randomly one night started making crackling noises and black smoke was pouring out of it.
So, now I need a new gd monitor but have no idea what to get, LCDs are either low quality or ridiculously expensive. No one has CRTs for me to look at so I can't tell what's worth buying.
I'm looking to spend about $300 (up to 400 maybe).
If anyone has any suggestions as to what would be good to buy for gaming I'd appreciate it. I'd like an LCD so long as it didn't lag too much and had good colors (and doesn't cost $800) but I've always used CRTs.

[primuslesler]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7692277&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01011&id=1138083976201

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7692142&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01011&id=1138083975957





if your wanting to go widescreen this seems good. i will get it in on friday so i cant tell you then if its good or not
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824009085

[Wwing49]

www.craigslist.com Its a selling place for local transactions. I have a flat glass 17" CRT that I could give you for maybe 20 if you are near chicago.

[thedragon7786]

www.newegg.com has a bunch of great lcd's for under 300. Just make sure you get one that has 8ms or less response time, and lag won't be a problem. Viewsonic is a very reliable brand. Even if the monitor is faulty newegg's rma services are great and you will easily get a replacement/refund.

[Encore2097]

I would also suggest a UPS (uninterruptable Power-Supply) with Auto Voltage Regulation (AVR) it seems you might not have the "cleanest" power in your area and besides its always a good invest for protecting expensive components

[damarble]

First, you need to stop in at your local Best Buy, CompUSA, etc, and look at the differnt models, try to demo them. Most of the time the advertised response time doesnt mean squat. Once you find one you like then we can look for it online for cheaper, or a model with a similar panel.

A monitor, and LCD's in particular, is something you have to stare at every day. Everybody responds a little different to different models. I can't own a LCD because there is not one made today that I don't see the ghosting.

Personally, I like the craiglist idea. You can find bigass CRT's for cheap, sometimes LCD's too if you get lucky. Then you can go see in person the exact monitor you will be getting.

[Arca_ex]

NEC AS120-BK, it's a 21" CRT, (CRT FTW, its the only way to game) mine is excellent, I would die for it. I got it for 275 USD shipped, (also considering this is a 68 pound beast)

[mOtH3r_bUrN3R]

I apologize for pushing this monitor like a crack dealer, but I am very impressed with the quality for the price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824014105

bUrn3r

[primuslesler]

BenQ has been known to be very reputable. I would say get it. and maybe that power supply someone else was talking about