If you re-cap a monitor correctly with ALL NEW caps, you're highly likely to get many years of use out of it before needing to repeat the process. I'm just now reaching the point where I'll need to re-do a cap job on a monitor, and that's for my Tron, which I originally "cap'd" about 8 years ago.
I also have some monitors in use where I replaced the chassis on the tube with replacements from
Victor Genao, and so far they've all been running famously -- even after a few years of use.
The bottom line is...LCD monitors look ALL KINDS OF WRONG in classic arcade machines, and unless your CRT has a severe case of screen-burn, you should ALWAYS repair your CRT by installing a new cap kit, flyback, or whatever it may need. If the tube is good but the chassis is just beyond reasonable repair, then grab a new chassis for it.
If you DO happen to need to replace the entire monitor, then at least try to buy a used CRT from someone and get it back in shape for your machine. I think an LCD should only be considered when there's absolutely NO OTHER option to be had.
And if you find that you prefer the look of LCDs for classic arcade gaming instead of CRTs, then you'd be better off getting out of this hobby and enjoying MAME on your PC. (It's a hell of a lot cheaper and will save you a ton of room!)
