Help me find a gaming monitor!

[supitza]

I currently own a Samsung T260HD (link), which, in this day and age, only still exists in my house and in 90s tech museums. I get a lot of tearing, it's forever stuck on 59Hz and i feel it's bottlenecking the rest of my rig.
Because technology makes me somehow confused, I thought I'd ask the testies for help. I kind of understand what G-sync and Freesync are, but not really. I understand what "refresh rate" is, but I'm not sure if I should go for a 144Hz monitor, considering my current spec (detailed in my signature). Do I really need 4K?
I don't care too much about the GTG response time, because I don't play anything competitively.

Things to keep in mind:
1. I have a Nvidia GTX 970 4G, which I plan to upgrade to a 1070/1080 closer to SC release.
2. I only have space on my desk for a 25.5" monitor or smaller.
3. I am very poor and live in SE Europe, and any monitor that was released in the last few months will probably take 1-2 months more to hit the stores here.
4. Budget suggestions, please. Prefferably under $350.
5. I never finish anyth

 

[KingNerd]

http://www.pinnaclemicro.com/computer/dsku.php?g=365-1403&m=Sun+Microsystems&c=REF&elink=gpf&gclid=CM332bC0mM0CFcQjgQodV8EAFA

And it's only $250!

 

[KingNerd]

Alright honest answer, I used to work for a company that did some business with Pro gaming teams and MLG, they exclusively use BenQ monitors for all their tournaments and they generally buy 300 or more a year to carry around with them. I use BenQ at the house, my dad does, blah blah blah. They are freaking awesome for gaming, if you want the best one for your size and situation then go with this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014384&cm_re=benq-_-24-014-384-_-Product
but if you want the cheap one go for this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014345&cm_re=benq-_-24-014-345-_-Product

 

[supitza]

Alright honest answer, I used to work for a company that did some business with Pro gaming teams and MLG, they exclusively use BenQ monitors for all their tournaments and they generally buy 300 or more a year to carry around with them. I use BenQ at the house, my dad does, blah blah blah. They are freaking awesome for gaming, if you want the best one for your size and situation then go with this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014384&cm_re=benq-_-24-014-384-_-Product
but if you want the cheap one go for this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014345&cm_re=benq-_-24-014-345-_-Product

Thank you! I'm reading reviews for both of them right now!

 

[Phil]

I have a Benq 144hz refresh rate, I instantly noticed the sharper image with higher refresh rate, I had read a few reviews and instead of going for a larger monitor like a 26 or 30 inch with some other features it was suggested to get something with a higher refresh rate and I am glad I did, biggest difference imo. Love my benq no issues after a year.

 

[Frisbeerocker]

Some thoughts:
With the 960 you have now, I'd suggest going with 1080 resolution. You would be sacrificing a lot of performance to go up to 1440.
Don't buy a crazy amazing and expensive gaming monitor if you plan to get a cutting edge gpu in a year or 2. If you get a newer gpu, you are going to want to step up to a 1440 @120 Hz.
So really what you need is something to get you through until the next build.

In that case, don't spend more than $200, or really $150.

I have had good experiences with Samsung monitors in this category. Acer as well, even though it had some quirks. Dell also makes really good monitors.

I'd give links but I'm at work on my phone.

 

[Derkerter]

I just picked up one of the Samsung curved monitors and that thing is the prettiest monitor I've ever used. I'd link, but on Mobile. They make a 24 of it i think. Benqs are also great.

 

[mromutt]

this is what I am running, good specs low price :) its 1080p if you dont care about 4k like me you might like this one https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-24GM77-B-24-Inch-LED-Lit/dp/B00P0EOX1S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465399081&sr=8-1&keywords=lg+24gm77

 

[supitza]

I have a Benq 144hz refresh rate, I instantly noticed the sharper image with higher refresh rate, I had read a few reviews and instead of going for a larger monitor like a 26 or 30 inch with some other features it was suggested to get something with a higher refresh rate and I am glad I did, biggest difference imo. Love my benq no issues after a year.

144Hz refresh rate might make a difference even in 1080p, so I might just go that route. Cheapest 144Hz monitor. But than again...

Don't buy a crazy amazing and expensive gaming monitor if you plan to get a cutting edge gpu in a year or 2. If you get a newer gpu, you are going to want to step up to a 1440 @120 Hz.
So really what you need is something to get you through until the next build.
In that case, don't spend more than $200, or really $150.

...I'm not sure if it's worth it, because the price difference between 60Hz and 144Hz is quite a lot.

I just picked up one of the Samsung curved monitors and that thing is the prettiest monitor I've ever used. I'd link, but on Mobile. They make a 24 of it i think. Benqs are also great.

Curved monitors are way out of my budget. All except this one.

this is what I am running, good specs low price :) its 1080p if you dont care about 4k like me you might like this one https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electroni...UTF8&qid=1465399081&sr=8-1&keywords=lg+24gm77

It's not that I don't care about 4K, but that I can't afford it. Maybe when I'll upgrade my gpu, I'll do a 2-in-1 combo and buy the card and the monitor at once, leaving me divorced and homeless. :)

EDIT: I learned how to multi-quote from @Blind Owl . Ahem, sorry. ADMIRAL Blind Owl.

 

[Derkerter]

Curved monitors are way out of my budget. All except this one.

Picked mine up for $200, is a 27 though
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-S27E510CS-Curved-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B011WAFUGA?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01

They are coming down in price as time goes by

Here's a 24 curved.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LC24F390FHNXZA-Screen-LED-lit-Monitor/dp/B01CX26WPY?ie=UTF8&keywords=samsung curved monitor&qid=1465442627&ref_=sr_1_6&s=electronics&sr=1-6
So far, I like the quality of mine, it's sturdy, and the curve does seem to make a difference, and the low blue has made a very noticeable difference later at night.
This being said, and I'm saying it again, BenQ is great. I like the curve since I plan on having a cockpit set up some day within the next year, and I figured I might as well nab them now. This is it (my 27) next to my 23. You can actually see the curve a bit.