DescentBB

Very good article at X-Bit Labs, Contemporary LCD Monitor Parameters: Objective and Subjective Analysis

Table of contents:

- Response Time of Monitors and Eyes
- Input Lag
- Contrast Ratio: Specified, Actual and Dynamic
- Color Reproduction: Color Gamut and LED Backlighting
- Color Reproduction: Color Temperature
- Workplace Ergonomics and Monitor Setup

Most of the stuff he says makes sense, except the input lag not making a difference. Anyone with a stable high speed internet connection should have no problem sniffing out a 50 MS difference in ping. The difference in D3 between 50 MS and 97 MS is titanic, almost anyone would notice it. It is pretty obvious that 47 MS alone doesn't make much difference and if you had a 47 MS ping constantly, it would be extremely close to LAN quality. However 47 MS + additional latency both from your own reaction time and from the computer/connection/server all adds up, and anywhere you can reduce it helps.

I happen to have a dualview using an LCD and a CRT together, if I move a window around on either monitor it seems perfectly responsive, however if I move the window up and down while it is on both screens at the same time, then it becomes obvious the LCD has a small input lag. It isn't the kind of thing you will perceive just looking for it, but if you are playing a close game in online multiplayer 50 MS can make a very noticeable difference in the quality of play.

Gaming doesn't follow the same rules of perception as a reflex test or bad audio/video sync in a movie. And I don't think I am all that unusual being able to tell a 50 MS difference in online latency, almost anyone playing D3 should be able to perceive a difference of 50 MS clear up to 250 MS.