Suggestions for a new monitor

I'm currently looking to get a second monitor for my computer (it will actually be my primary and my current the secondary), but the sheer number of choices makes it a very daunting task. I basically understand the difference between a LED and a LCD monitor, but that's the extent of my knowledge.  My current monitor does well with gaming, but not so good with my photography, so I'm hoping to get something that will be better in that department.  I don't watch movies too much, so that is not an issue. I can spend up to $400 on it, but would prefer a bit less if possible.

Does anyone have any suggestions?  or at least be able to walk me though the terminology so that I know what I'm looking for?  Thank-you for any help!

-Cait

What size?

1920x1080 or 2560x1440 or high?

What video card is it going to be used?

What is your current monitor?

Is there a price? Please state which currency?

Is it for gaming only or do you want photo/graphic work?

1. 25-27 inch is my preference

2.  uhh not sure,  my current is 1920 x1080, not sure if there is a benefit to higher?

3. Nvidea GForce 560Ti

4. HP 2511

5. Up to $400 USD but if i can get it for less than that I'd be happier

6. Photography is my main use, gaming second

going 2560x1440 on a 550Ti will cause gaming to be bad. Not a strong card for that res, also the cost is higher than your budget.

HP 2511 is not bad, but for photography is not good.

The panel used makes a difference.

TN is fast, smooth but bad color reproduction. IPS, A-MVA, PLS very good for color, slower and ok for gaming.

Here is a list to choose from and look.

LG 27MP75HM-P, ASUS VN279Q both are around $290 - $330

AOC e2752She 27-Inch Class LED Backlit Monitor  I run 2 of the first iteration of this monitor on a Nvidia 660Ti and I don't have a bit of problem. I dual screen while working and I game on one screen while using the other for info gathering and chatting. If you're a Prime member on Amazon you can get this particular monitor right now for $199.99. The link will take you to the Amazon page. The Asus that Kalec mentioned is a really good monitor as well. ASUS VN279Q 27-Inch Screen LCD Monitor $264.78 if you're a Prime member on Amazon, otherwise $299.00. 

I've gone through probably 20 different brands of monitors over the years and by far the best quality I've found is on the ASUS monitors. I also like Samsung monitors but there is quite a bit of parity in their manufacturing process - ie. I have two identical monitors and they each have different color/contrast settings to get the same visual output.

ASUS is usually more expensive than most, but you definitely get what you pay for.

For your photography need probably you could look into Dell Ultrasharp.

This is the one I use : 23 inch

So IPS is better for photography it will be about 10-20 more expensive.  Depending on how much gaming you do my advice is to have identical monitors.  Calibrating different brand monitors can be pain since different monitors no matter how awesome of a calibration job will still have slightly off colors.

Most budget IPS monitors run about 8ms response time which is a little high for gaming.  Granted MMOS dont need super crazy response time the way FPS gaming do, but still your going to want 5ms and under.  TN will be better for gaming and offers lower response time for significantly less price.  Unless your doing commercial grade photography your really not going to notice a whole lot between IPS and TN

My advice is the following these monitors are a great bang for buck.  They range from 21-27inches, if it were me I would go with 23inches.  If your going above 23inches your going to want to sit further than 3-feet from them.  You can select your size within the amazon listing.  P.S. i have been recommending these to friends, family and clients and everyone has been extremely satisfied with them.

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-VS247H-P-23-6-Inch-Full-HD-LED-Lit/dp/B005BZNDS0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398649308&sr=8-1&keywords=asus+monitor

Thanks all!  

Sounds like Asus is the general consensus, so I'm going to go with that.  If I go with the 24 inch, then 2 of them will be just slightly out of planned budget, and I think I can squeeze that. Didn't think about the calibration issue, so thank you for that information!

Photography is just a hobby for me, but I do need a monitor that will show the colors at close to accurate. A monitor color calibrator will get it close if the monitor is a good one.  My current will sometimes show some funky purple fringes that I couldn't adjust out as it wasn't consistent.  I do mostly landscape and I go through a lot of time and ink printing up pictures to see if it's real or a ghost. (I switched monitors for a time with one of my kids to check it out, and it was proved to be the monitor. )

-Cait

I do photography as a hobby as well as graphic design and something I did awhile back was setup a dedicated computer just for my photography and Photoshop work. I got a touchscreen computer that also supports a pen input. Mine is just a basic HP Envy so it doesn't do all the fancy pressure-sensitive stuff, but it works a treat when using Photoshop, Elements, and Illustrator. I'm planning on getting a Surface 2 Pro tablet in the near future to replace the Envy since it is ultra-portable and can do Photoshop and anything else the Envy can do (given that it runs Windows 8). It's not exactly budget friendly but it's something I put aside any extra cash I have at the end of the month until I can finally afford it.