Monitor speed differences?

[Chimera778]

Looking to add an external monitor instead of using the screen on a laptop. What I would like to know now is this, is there really much of a real world difference between monitors listed as 2ms, 5ms, 6ms, or 8ms?

Also, what effect does contrast ratio have? Higher is better?

 

[PP Mguire]

Not really, although some will sit there and tell you they can absolutely see the difference and I would put money down saying they are lying.

Some companies lie about their brightness levels or dynamic contrast levels so I personally ignore that crap and try to look at the monitor I want to buy in person to make sure the colors are satisfactory to me.