Looking for Best Computer Monitors under $300

Hey fellow Oz-bargainers!

I've been running the same old monitor for the past decade (seriously, it came with an old Dell tower in 2007 and has been a beast) but now it's time to upgrade. It's feeling a bit outdated in today's 1080p/QHD/4K saturated monitor market. So one simple question: What is the best monitor I can buy under $300 that will hopefully rival my current monitor? A few things first:

Here is my current monitor with is specs on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-E228WFP-Widescreen-1680x1050-res…

I game in my spare time and I'm running a GTX 1070 so resolution performance isn't an issue, its just to make things look prettier at this point lol. I do play demanding games occasionally such as Witcher 3 and other recent titles that are released/coming out, but I primarily play games like Overwatch/CS:GO and I do play in competitive modes so it would be nice to not have HEAPS of ghosting or anything like that (I'm really not fussed, I'm not looking for pro specs here, I probably won't notice since anything could be an upgrade over my current monitor). Refresh rates greater than 60Hz would be AWESOME but I think at this price point I'm asking for a bit much lol.

My GPU has HDMI, DVI and Display Port so no issues there.

I will be using my current monitor as a second display for Spotify and more productivity. I would like at least 1080p as well, and the new monitor can be the same size as my current one, I don't mind on size.

Additionally, If there is a deal that is really good but costs a little more than $300 e.g. $350, then let me know! I might consider it if it's a really good deal!

Cheers guys!

EDIT: Removed misleading title

Comments

  • $300 will only get you some feature sets (listed below). You can't have all the nice things under a $300 dollar budget, but generally speaking for that price bracket you'll expect perhaps 75hz resolution, Freesync support, IPS panel (with 3 to 5ms response) or a TN panel with 1ms response.

    Nvidia doesn't support FreeSync, but uses G-sync, which is a proprietary standard which is anti-consumer because panels with it cost a bomb.

    144hz panels usually cost above $300, but achievable if you look at no-name Korean LCD panels, you can search for X-star, Yamakasi or Crossover on google for reviews and examples.

    There are also 1440p panels for under $300, but generally speaking they will not be IPS, probably using VA, TN or PLS panels.

    You can use this search tag and sift through all the deals posted before to get an idea of what to expect
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/tag/lcd-monitor

    this seems popular.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/aoc-q3279vwf

    • Thanks for that, yeah I wasn't expecting G-sync or FreeSync but 75Hz IPS sounds great

    • +2

      which is anti-consumer

      Not really. Nvidia develops G-sync displays with manufacturers because it won't allow non-high quality displays to carry Nvidia branding. So any G-sync display you buy is high quality. And it's not equivalent to Freesync, it delivers better quality.

  • +1

    At your price point you should consider second-hand, you can find 144hz monitors on Gumtree for ~$300 at times.

    144hz/1080p >>> 60hz/1440p in general, and particularly for you as you spend some time gaming.

  • One other option (though they have no stock up currently but did last week) is to consider Dell outlet (http://www.dell.com/learn/au/en/audhs1/campaigns/dell-outlet…?)

    Where you can get brand new (or refurbished your choice) monitors at discount.

    I recently bought an "AS NEW" Dell UltraSharp U2417H for $227 where this would sell otherwise for about $350.

    If you're not rushed on making a purchase could be worth waiting for next batch to be released unless a good deal pops up otherwise

    • Do you know how often they refresh the list? That sounds like a really good deal, I know Dell monitors are quite good

      • Having a look through deal history it seems like maybe every fortnight or so?

        It would vary with their orders, I think many of the as-new monitors that get listed are either cancelled orders or excess product.

        I'd be inclined to check the list maybe weekly?

      • Can't PM you but stock has gone up today

        • Cheers man, I got the notification so this worked lol

  • I would recommend going higher than 1080p. I bought a 4K IPS monitor, and now whenever I look at a 1080p monitor that is 21"+ I can see every pixel and it looks blurry. Look for one of the QHD ones maybe, I think I have seen a few of them on here around $300.

  • I picked up a 22" AOC monitor from the road side a few months ago. awesome monitor. I picked up a second identical 22" AOC monitor for $10 off ebay. I'm really impressed by them.

  • I 100% recommend the 'LG 25" 21:9 2560x1080 60 hz Full HD UltraWide IPS LED Gaming Monitor (25UM58-P)'.
    I bought this from Kogan a few weeks for $229! the 29" version is $329, I personally didn't want to pay $100 for only an extra 4" of screen size. It is an absolutely stunning monitor and excellent value for money. I use it for gaming quite frequently and I have a GTX970, so I'm maxing the graphic settings at 60fps as it is a 60hz monitor, and it looks really good! I particularly went after the widescreen monitor because i multitask frequently for studying and programming, and I like to have two windows side by side, occasionally four, so the widescreen aspect really works well.
    The monitor also has 4 1/2 star rating from over 100 reviews on Kogan alone.

  • +1

    Viewsonic VA2719-2k

    https://www.computeralliance.com.au/27-viewsonic-va2719-2k-i…

    27 inch, 1440p and IPS.

    Then later you can use it as a second monitor to your 144hz 1440p g-sync monitor :-)

    • Another vote for this monitor, local 3 year warranty and VESA mount. I ended up going for a Korean monitor for $400~ish AUD but this was the best monitor I could find around $300 for 1440p/IPS/75Hz

      Cheaper delivered (for me anyway) from PLE at $309

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