Looking for a computer monitor on a budget. Is it fine to buy used or should I just buy a new one? There are many used options (Craigslist, Facebook marketplace). I could save up a bit more and get something new as there is Amazon/Newegg/anywhere else there is a deal. There is even a Microcenter not too far away. Really only looking to spend $125 (US dollars) or less if possible.

Believe it or not, I'm using a 1280 x 1024 monitor now because it was being discarded at work. Looking at 1080p around 23". Cheers!

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5 years ago

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i bought a new hp 24w last summer for 100€ and i'm really happy with that one.
my old screen was 'promoted' to second screen now. it's an age old benq g2220hd i bought used in my town two years ago for 25 bucks.

obviously the hp is way newer and better but at the same time you can burn through 4 used cheap ones for the same price and they will keep you supplied for about a decade.

5 years ago
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If you can, shoot for a 144+hz one you will not regret it

5 years ago
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I have not had issues with used monitors. If someone is selling it to you have them turn it on, let you see it, change the resolution on it, etc. and see if it is doing anything weird. My aunt many many many years ago bought a used computer with a used monitor and thought it looked fine. Then when she increased the resolution on it (to a glorious 1024x768) it started squealing badly. It was only silent in 800x600 which is what they had it running in when she bought it. (the Monitor's native res was 1024x768).
I'd likely have it display a nice plain white background and look for anything that stands out.

5 years ago
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5 years ago
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If you can stretch a bit LG 24MP59G-P is $150. Don't buy used unless you know how to check a monitor or get it checked by someone imo

5 years ago*
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Just get the cheapest one that doesn't suck, it's not worth investing in monitor unless it's 144 hz, and you have no possibility to get one within your price range.

I'd recommend something like BenQ GW2270H. It costs like 94 USD here (after conversion), very likely around 2/3 of that for you, has AMVA+ display (much better than TN), is 1080p and 21.5''. It's one of the best budget monitors you can get, although depending on your local market you might find better deals than the ones I have.

It's better to save the remaining money on something else rather than paying 2x as much for something like IPS display, freesync or 75 Hz. Those are really irrelevant things for a budget monitor. I still consider 144 Hz the best possible PC upgrade that you can get, but you need far bigger budget and hardware capable to render at that framerate. Since we do not consider 144 Hz panels to begin with, it's not worth it to pay extra, the cheapest 1080p will do, add a small extra for non-TN display and it's all you could want from one.

5 years ago*
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I do not recommend 21.5'' for 1080p unless you're sitting extremely close to it (like, 20cm away) or have stellar eyesight. I'm using one of those and I have to zoom in almost every website to at least 160% to be able to read text comfortably. Though I am a bit shortsighted and also I can't sit closer than 50cm away without knocking it over with my head every time I get up. Still, even with good eyes (or glasses) and sitting closer you'd probably strain your eyes if you have to read for long periods of time without zooming in. So I definitely recommend spending the few extra bucks it would take to get something bigger.

5 years ago
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I'd say that it depends on the person and everybody should check on his own. If one finds 21.5'' to be indeed too small, it's not hard to find 24'' in similar price, but I'd check first and decide next, 21.5'' is perfectly fine for 1080p, although most setups are between 22'' and 24'' indeed.

5 years ago
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bump, try maybe some Eizo, monitor/display quality is important, i'm not fan of (dominating) lcd tech generally :P fps single player games for example can be so much better when playing on plasma/oled.

5 years ago
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Thank you all for the information so far. It helps that I'm not in a rush to buy something so it gives me a chance to look for sales or for a used item that's just the right fit.

5 years ago
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If you can add another 50 bucks, you could shoot for this for that 144hz goodness. I'm using it as my second monitor, was my primary previously and it works like a charm.

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Monitor-Refresh-FREESYNC-Technology/dp/B07598HLB5?th=1

5 years ago
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Found one on Ebay but since I'm from Malaysia, i'm not sure this works. For what it's worth, https://www.ebay.com/p/Acer-Ed242qr-Abidpx-Black-24-144hz-AMD-FreeSync-VA-Curved-Widescreen-LED/2286843948

5 years ago
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I wouldn't go for the used option on monitors, alot of things that can go wrong, capacitors that blow up, dead pixels which already can happen with new monitors, used ones just risk you getting them faster.

5 years ago*
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This is a very good screen. Have been using one myself for some years and some of my friends bought it, too. No complains yet - https://www.amazon.de/BenQ-GW2470ML-Monitor-Reaktionszeit-Lautsprecher/dp/B0752J4M8N/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

5 years ago
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1280x1024 in 2019 ? Wow lol, i think any monitor would be a huge upgrade for you. Even my first LCD i got in the early 2000s had a better resolution.

I don't know for you but here i'm pretty sure for 20-30 bucks i can get a used FHD monitor. And for about 80 bucks for a brand new one.

This one seems like a good choice to me. 75hz, IPS and it even has freesync, only the size is a bit on the smaller side.

You should tell us what's the specs of your PC tho, and what kind of games are you playing ?

5 years ago*
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Just finished my first budget gaming build in about 8-10 years. It's got a Ryzen 5 1600, GTX 1050TI, and 16GB DD4 2400 memory. It is being used for anything from Minecraft/Plants vs Zombies for my little ones up to Quantum Break and newer games. I play all styles including FPS/RTS/Action games. Since I just built a new PC, I'll be looking to pick up games from recent years I might have missed while playing primarily on PS4.

5 years ago
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That's a pretty solid build you got there, it should be able to run most games in 1080p no problem. For a familly build i would recommend getting something like i linked in my previous post.
An IPS or VA panel for a better image quality and 75hz is plenty enough. Some people are going to tell you to get a 144hz, while it's obviously an upgrade, especially for fast paced games, i don't think it's worth the increased price for your case. In this price range all the 100hz+ monitors use a TN panel, colours are not that good and the viewing angle are really bad in comparison to IPS panels.
An IPS panel with the best viewing angle would be my choice for a familly rig, if you play some coop games with your loved ones you will get a way better experience because not everyone is going to sit right in front of the monitor.

Hope this helps.

5 years ago
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5 years ago
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I've bought multiple used monitors on Facebook marketplace for about 20-25 bucks each, all 1080p. If you really want to go cheap then that is your best bet, but I don't recommend it because for $100 you can get a decent new monitor with a warranty.

All the same, if you do end up buying used make sure you meet somewhere you can plug the thing into your phone/laptop or something to check the pixels. It might look nice but if you get all the way home and plug it in to see some dead pixels you are going to be disappointed.

5 years ago
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I've bought dozens of used monitors, and rarely had any issues. As others have said, test before you buy, to make sure it looks alright. Monitors are absolutely one of the best computer components to buy used, because they are:
-external,
-usually significantly cheaper than new,
-easy to check for functionality,
-rarely die from normal wear and tear (unlike, ex., HDD)
-There are often many on the market, due to businesses, etc., getting rid of them

I think it would be a mistake to buy a new monitor in almost all cases. The money is better spent upgrading memory, graphics card, etc. Used monitors work just as well, as long as you don't live somewhere like a small town, where you might not be able to find many.

5 years ago
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