ViewSonic VX2268wm

Nvidia's GeForce 3D Vision technology may have widened the eyes of gamers, but the promise of blasting through the jungle in its 3D glory doesn't come cheap. In addition to the essential active-shutter glasses kit, you'll also have to factor in the cost of a 120Hz TFT monitor, such as ViewSonic's VX2268wm.

If you're already tempted by the lure of 3D, ViewSonic has done a good job of ensuring your first look at its monitor should get a positive reaction. The VX2268wm is a good-looking piece of kit, and its teardrop-shaped base, slender neck and shapely curves effortlessly outdo its sole 120Hz rival, the frumpy looking Samsung 2233RZ.

The ViewSonic celebrates another victory over the Samsung when it comes to inputs - as well as a DVI port, the ViewSonic adds VGA and an audio input, too. The speakers, not surprisingly, are pretty mediocre, but although the VGA input isn't capable of taking advantage of the ViewSonic's 120Hz refresh rate, it's a useful addition for hooking up a secondary PC.

Once Windows springs into life, however, it's hard to become too excited. The ViewSonic's forte is gaming, and 3D gaming at that, but its image quality isn't exactly what you'd expect from a £221 monitor. There's backlight bleed visible along the bottom and left-hand edges of the display, and while the images it produces are bright, the colour reproduction is wayward.

Compared to the best standard 22in monitors around, it's a big disappointment, but put it up against Samsung's 2233RZ and, again, it holds the edge. Skintones are much warmer and more lifelike than the pale, anaemic Samsung, and games look that bit more vibrant and eye-catching as a result.

What's more, it isn't just Nvidia's 3D Vision that benefits from the 120Hz refresh rate. Where standard LCD monitors are restricted to 60Hz, and thus 60fps, real gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the extra fluidity that a monitor capable of 120fps can bring.

Look long and hard at the price at the top of the page, though, and it's difficult to wholeheartedly recommend the ViewSonic. With 3D-capable projectors also on the scene, the ViewSonic may not be the best GeForce 3D Vision option for long; for now it's just about worth the outlay for true gaming enthusiasts. But, when vastly superior standard 24in monitors are available for less money, we're left unconvinced.

Author: Sasha Muller