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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For most gamers shopping in September 2007, the strongest overall choice was the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW. Les Numériques described it as the most responsive 22-inch display it had evaluated, with a 1680×1050 native resolution and a stated 2 ms response time. That was a period review judgment—not proof that every unit had identical performance or that it remains the best choice today.
Why the Samsung 226BW led the 2007 field
The 226BW combined the features many buyers wanted at the time: a large 22-inch widescreen panel, 1680×1050 resolution and a manufacturer-rated 2 ms response time. Les Numériques praised its responsiveness and color reproduction, making it a compelling step up from smaller 19-inch displays for mainstream gaming.
The review’s conclusion was unusually strong: “Donc, pour l’instant il n’existe pas plus réactif que ce 226BW, ni en 22 pouces, ni dans aucune autre diagonale.” In context, that means the publication considered it the most responsive monitor it had tested at that time, not a timeless or universally measured ranking.
What the specifications meant in practice
| Specification | 226BW detail | What a buyer should understand |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 22 inches | More desktop and game area than the 19-inch TN models discussed by competitive players. |
| Native resolution | 1680×1050 | Widescreen gaming required a graphics card capable of driving this resolution comfortably. |
| Panel type | TN | TN panels were favored for speed, but viewing angles and image consistency were weaker than on many higher-quality alternatives. |
| Stated response time | 2 ms | A product specification, not an independent guarantee of every pixel transition or of low display input lag. |
Caveats before choosing a used 226BW
Panel variation
The contemporary review reported that 226BW units could use different panel versions and that their behavior could vary. A second-hand buyer should therefore avoid assuming that every monitor carrying the 226BW name has identical color, contrast or motion characteristics.
#1 Best Overall
- 22-inch widescreen monitor offers a 160-degree vertical and horizontal viewing angle
- Samsung MagicColor and 16.7 million colors deliver a clearer, brighter image
- 3000:1 contrast ratio and 0.282-millimeter pixel pitch produce crisp, easy-to-view images
- Samsung MagicBright3 and MagicTune functions create an optimum viewing environment
- Dual interface (analog/digital) design also includes D-Sub 15-pin and DVI-D connections
Limited ergonomics
The stand was one of the model’s weaknesses. Buyers who require extensive height, swivel or pivot adjustment should plan on using a monitor arm or accepting a more limited setup.
TN viewing angles
Color and contrast changed more noticeably with viewing position than on better-performing panel technologies. The 226BW made the most sense for a player sitting directly in front of the screen, not for a group watching from different angles.
Rank #2
- Samsung’s 27” Odyssey G5 QHD Gaming Monitor delivers brilliant visuals for exhilarating gameplay that’s more immersive than ever before.
- QHD resolution (2560 x 1440) boasts incredibly detailed, pin-sharp images.
- With a wide 178° viewing angle, the IPS panel consistently delivers crisp, clear hues from various viewpoints.
- 180Hz Refresh Rate and 1ms response time (GtG) allow fast reactions for ultra-smooth gaming, plus G-Sync compatibility syncs the GPU and panel to reduce choppiness, screen lag, and image tearing.
- HDR10 provides brighter highlights and nuanced shadows for added depth.
Widescreen game support
Some older PC games did not natively support 16:10 resolutions. In those titles, users could encounter stretching, black bars or the need for configuration fixes. The monitor’s 1680×1050 mode was an advantage only when the game and graphics hardware handled it properly.
Alternatives for different gaming priorities
| Priority | Historical candidate | Evidence available in 2007 | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large mainstream widescreen | Samsung SyncMaster 226BW | Les Numériques called it the most responsive 22-inch display it had evaluated and listed 1680×1050 resolution with a stated 2 ms response time. | Panel variation, TN viewing angles, limited stand adjustment and older-game compatibility. |
| Small screen and low reported lag | Samsung SyncMaster 206BW | AnandTech forum buyers discussed it as a low-lag option, including one reported zero-maximum-lag result. | The result was forum-reported rather than a definitive independent consensus; panel and buzzing concerns were also raised. |
| Competitive play at lower resolution | 19-inch 2 ms TN monitors, including BenQ FP93GX and FP93GX+ | A forum participant recommended this fast 19-inch class for hard-core gaming. | This was personal advice, and the smaller display could be less attractive for image quality or desktop space. |
| Experimental 22-inch alternative | Iiyama ProLite E2201W | A participant cited comparative ghosting and input-lag results and considered it faster than earlier choices. | Another participant questioned the claimed “0 ms” result and said it was not then readily available in the United States. |
| Image quality and viewing angles | NEC MultiSync LCD20WGX2 or Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP | Forum discussion treated the NEC as an image-quality choice, while Dell comparisons highlighted color and viewing-angle benefits when the panel version was confirmed. | Neither was the clearest pick for a buyer whose only goal was minimum gaming lag; Dell characteristics depended on region and panel revision. |
How competitive players evaluated these monitors
The fastest option on paper was not automatically the best competitive display. Buyers focused on independently observed response behavior, input lag and consistency rather than trusting a manufacturer’s millisecond label alone. A smaller 19-inch TN monitor could be preferable to a 22-inch model if minimizing lag mattered more than resolution and screen area.
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- QHD Resolution (2560 x 1440) has 1.7 times the pixel density of Full HD for incredibly detailed pinsharp images
- HDR10 provides brighter highlights and nuanced shadow for added depth - making every scene feel more vivid and realistic
- The 180Hz refresh rate minimizes lag for gameplay with ultra-smooth action. Plus, the 1ms response time helps capture your moves in real-time, allowing you to react fast for gaming precision
- AMD FreeSync reduces choppiness, screen lag and image tearing, ensuring that your fast-paced, complex in-game action is stable with minimal stutter
- Ergonomic stand allows for tilt, pivot and height adjustments to maximize gaming comfort
Forum participants also disagreed about operation above 60 Hz. Reports of 75 Hz support and frame dropping were contested, so a selectable 75 Hz setting should not be treated as proof that the LCD displayed unique frames at that rate.
Price context
One AnandTech forum participant reported paying $279.99 after rebates on September 1, 2007. That is a single buyer’s period price, not a market average, recurring price or present-day valuation. Current stock, condition and seller terms for a 226BW are not established here.
Rank #4
- VIVID COLORS ACROSS THE WHOLE SCREEN: Experience stunning colors across the entire display with the IPS panel. Colors stay bright and clear across the screen, even when angles change. Tones and shades are represented consistently with less color washing.
- SMOOTH PERFORMANCE ACROSS ANY CONTENT: Stay in the action when playing games, watching videos, or working on creative projects. The 100Hz refresh rate reduces lag and motion blur so you don't miss a thing in fast-paced moments.*
- OPTIMIZED GAME SETTINGS FOR EACH GENRE: Gain a competitive edge with optimizable game settings. Color and image contrast can be adjusted to see scenes more clearly, while Game Picture Mode adjusts any game to fill your screen with every detail in view.**
- EASY ON THE EYES: Protect your vision and stay comfortable, even during long sessions. Stay focused on your work with reduced blue light and screen flicker.**
- FLEXIBLE ADJUSTMENTS: A slim design adds style to any environment, with a height-adjustable screen to give you the best angle and more versatility. Ultra-thin border bezels make the most of screen space, and you can even pivot the screen for a vertical view.
A practical 2007 buying checklist
- Confirm that your graphics card can drive 1680×1050 at the games you play.
- Check whether your older titles support widescreen resolutions or require configuration changes.
- Inspect a specific unit for panel uniformity, dead pixels, buzzing and stand condition.
- Ask which panel revision is installed; 226BW units were not guaranteed to behave identically.
- Compare observed input lag and motion performance, not only the advertised 2 ms figure.
- Choose a smaller 19-inch TN display instead if competitive latency matters more than size.
Verdict
The Samsung SyncMaster 226BW was the most defensible broad recommendation for a gaming LCD in September 2007: fast for its era, large, widescreen and relatively affordable. It was not a universal winner. Competitive players could reasonably favor a 206BW or a 19-inch 2 ms TN display, while buyers prioritizing image quality and viewing angles had reasons to consider NEC or Dell alternatives.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Compatibility: AC Power Cord Cable Plug for Samsung SyncMaster 205BW B2030 20" LCD Monitor, Samsung SyncMaster 225BW 226BW Widescreen LCD Monitor
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