Alienware OptX AW2310 for $349 - better than ASUS?

[Nintendesert]

The Dell, erm, Alienware AW2310 is on sale for $349, that's $100 off of the normal price. I've been looking to pick up a 120hz monitor and was looking at the ASUS VG236HE for $341 from Amazon.

Both offer free shipping.


Is the Alienware a better pick over the Asus for 120hz monitors now that they are basically the same price?

 

[MajorMullet]

From what I've read about 120hz displays, common consensus seems to be that the Alienware is the best available at the moment.

Another thing to consider would be that the ASUS has a glossy screen while the Alienware does not. Might make a difference if you have a lot of ambient light.

 

[Nintendesert]

I'm going to go and bite on the Dell deal. Might as well take advantage when the price is brought down inline with the ASUS one.

 

[kreacher]

Don't mean to hijack the thread but my question is about the same.

I'm thinking of buying one of these 2 monitors as well but the price difference is much higher (Alienware costs ~$50 more). Does it still make sense to go for Alienware at that price or is the Asus monitor good enough (for online FPS mostly).

 

[jlee]

Don't mean to hijack the thread but my question is about the same.

I'm thinking of buying one of these 2 monitors as well but the price difference is much higher (Alienware costs ~$50 more). Does it still make sense to go for Alienware at that price or is the Asus monitor good enough (for online FPS mostly).

Do you need a 3D display? I have a 23" Samsung (2333, I think?) and to my eyes, it's just fine for gaming. Hell my brother uses my OLD 15" Planar with a 40ms response time and he still kicks my ass multiplayer..

 

[nanaki333]

i have the asus hooked up to my nvidia gaming computer now. it's definitely a sweet display and i have no complaints. well, aside from it being SUPER bright. that's negated when you put on the 3D(sun)glasses though.

i hooked up the same desktop to my 3D DLP too and the asus definitely looked much better for gaming. i got a cheap HTPC to hook up to that TV though and use 3D vision for movies out there since i have 4 pairs of glasses now. i may have to get that wii emulator and try some 3D 1080p wii gaming on my dlp though.

 

[kreacher]

Do you need a 3D display? I have a 23" Samsung (2333, I think?) and to my eyes, it's just fine for gaming. Hell my brother uses my OLD 15" Planar with a 40ms response time and he still kicks my ass multiplayer..

Not at all, I was actually looking for a non-3D gaming monitor (Asus VK246H / Samsung PX2370) but couldn't find anything in stock where I live. From 3D monitor reviews I got the impression that 3D games aren't quite there yet but the high refresh rate is definitely a plus.
As for the response time, I'm getting fragged by everyone and their grandma so I'm choosing to blame the response time for that (considering my awesome FPS skills)

I'll just check the Asus warranty / dead pixel policy and if its the same as Alienware then go for the Asus.

 

[Petey!]

The Alienware reviews are generally slightly better then the Asus, but it's high price was always a deterrent. If it's on sale, and/or you prefer matte to glossy, then the AW is an easy choice.

 

[fb83]

I got in on the Dell deal on the Aw2310 for $349 and I am returning it. Never had a monitor with as much backlight bleeding as this one (including monitors that I have bought for $79). I am returning this even after buying the Nvidia 3D kit and a GTX 570 specifically to jump into the 3D gaming pool!! Not to be totally negative, using Nvidia's 3D vision was pretty cool (but then again its just as cool watching it on my $650 Mitsubishi DLP which I am now obligated to use for 3D viewing until I find a better 120HZ monitor). I can say that for the most part I could turn off vsync with the AW2310 in games and the 120hz monitor produced very good results (better than running at 60Hz with vsync on). Color was ok but FAR from great. When using the LCD conditioning option that the AW2310 has, the colors looked different from top to bottom and side to side with my head dead center of the monitor about 2 feet away! Even my old dell lcd monitor (circa 2001) doesn't have that problem. Don't spend the money just to get a 120Hz monitor. Wait until you can get a great quality 120Hz monitor rather than getting the "best" available now. They just are not quite there yet. People seem to say that you shouldn't expect perfection but that's kinda like a car salesman saying "hey, the all run a little rough". BTW, I have a HP ZR30w and even though it cost about 3 times more, is only 60Hz, and only has a 7ms response time, I have NEVER considered sending it back.