Dell 2405FPW Monitor

[paydirt76]

Most of the messages that I see about the Dell 2405FPW monitor, people are either happy with their purchase, still on the fence, or some have complained it is too big. I don't know how people can say the monitor is too big--that's like getting a rack of cooked ribs and complaining that the meat is falling off the bone!

Anyways, I recently got the monitor three days ago and I'm really blown away by it. I got it from www.compudirectpc.com and didn't have any problems with the purchase itself. The monitor is a little wonky to set up and sometimes you have to fiddle with it to get it to display properly, but I didn't have the actual monitor drivers installed (I will try to update in a week or so after more use).

The monitor is HUGE and very nice. I used to have a Samsung 192n (a 4:3 aspect ratio, 19-inch LCD monitor) and it's a big difference! I have the nVidia 6800 GT graphics card which can handle the 1920x1200 resolution. I'm currently using the VGA connector as I had a snag with the DVI connection, but I didn't try the DVI connection a second time yet. The 6800 GT has a DVI output. Newer games, those that have been released since say... 2003, eat up the resolution or they can display at 1600x1200 and you get black boxes on the left and right sides.

I haven't tried DVD movies, but I'm very happy so far!

 

[MAME]

I would like one but they're too expensive!

 

[Continuity27]

The only thing holding me back is when I hear about people talk about backlight bleeding and dead pixels. I know I can send it back, but what if I keep getting duds? Over and over... it's a lot of hassle. And what if it fails a day after warranty?

I'm keeping in mind that I've not heard much about these issues on THIS particular monitor, but I hear it often on smaller widescreen Dell panels, so wouldn't this be even more likely?

 

[Tu13erhead]

The issues you've been seeing have manily been occuring with the older 2005FPW's. Even so, the newer revisions of them have had much less problems.

I'm one of those who currently IS on the fence with this monitor. I recently decided that I will buy it at some point, however I'm not sure whether I want to go with the $959 deal or wait and hope the price drops within the next few months.

 

[paydirt76]

I went with the compudirectpc.com deal because they regularly get some each week, they are backlogged (when I checked last on the Dell website), then I get the extended warranty. I wouldn't worry about those fears Continuity. If it is messed up you can send it back and you are likely to get one that works. You will see the occasional horror story with anything, because if you had something like that happen to you, wouldn't you post all over about it? The people that are happy with them are too busy enjoying them to post that they like them now that they have them.

As far as money, I can understand, but if you have it, these monitors are the best for the money unless you MUST have the super color performance of the Viewsonic which costs around $1700+. I've been waiting a long time to get a new computer and monitor, so I'm a happy camper. If you got the money (don't be running up those credit cards!), and use the computer a lot, then get it!

 

[imverygifted]

i doubt a 6800gt can handle that resolution for gaming, thats the only thing holding me back. my 6800gt at ultra speeds still struggles on my 2005fpw which has a much lower resolution

 

[Continuity27]

Originally posted by: paydirt76
I went with the compudirectpc.com deal because they regularly get some each week, they are backlogged (when I checked last on the Dell website), then I get the extended warranty. I wouldn't worry about those fears Continuity. If it is messed up you can send it back and you are likely to get one that works. You will see the occasional horror story with anything, because if you had something like that happen to you, wouldn't you post all over about it? The people that are happy with them are too busy enjoying them to post that they like them now that they have them.

As far as money, I can understand, but if you have it, these monitors are the best for the money unless you MUST have the super color performance of the Viewsonic which costs around $1700+. I've been waiting a long time to get a new computer and monitor, so I'm a happy camper. If you got the money (don't be running up those credit cards!), and use the computer a lot, then get it!

Good point, those who feel wronged will be heard while those content need not post their feelings, because they are too busy enjoying themselves.

I think I might get this soon. Any deals coming up? Would be nice to save a hundred or so.

 

[paydirt76]

Gifted, I've played Everquest II and it had some slight video lag at 1920x1200 (set close to MAX on options), but everything else has been smooth. I haven't tried something like Half Life 2 yet, but Dawn of War (a graphically intense RTS) runs fine with all the graphics set at MAX.

My system is AMD 64 (3700+), nForce4 mobo, 2 gig Corsair RAM, and the 6800 GT, so there aren't any bottlenecks. The bottleneck with Everquest II could be the network/internet. The 6800GT is a good card (heck, it's $400 or so!). I personally don't/can't notice the difference between 30 and 60 FPS, but I know that I'm not getting 30 with Dawn of War.

 

[Ackmed]

Originally posted by: Continuity27
The only thing holding me back is when I hear about people talk about backlight bleeding and dead pixels. I know I can send it back, but what if I keep getting duds? Over and over... it's a lot of hassle. And what if it fails a day after warranty?

I'm keeping in mind that I've not heard much about these issues on THIS particular monitor, but I hear it often on smaller widescreen Dell panels, so wouldn't this be even more likely?

The backlight bleeding is the 2005FPW, its not an issue with the 2405FPW.

 

[Continuity27]

Originally posted by: Ackmed

Originally posted by: Continuity27
The only thing holding me back is when I hear about people talk about backlight bleeding and dead pixels. I know I can send it back, but what if I keep getting duds? Over and over... it's a lot of hassle. And what if it fails a day after warranty?

I'm keeping in mind that I've not heard much about these issues on THIS particular monitor, but I hear it often on smaller widescreen Dell panels, so wouldn't this be even more likely?

The backlight bleeding is the 2005FPW, its not an issue with the 2405FPW.

Do you recommend this monitor then?

Here's the question I really want answered. Will it do 720p/1080i/1080p through DVI or component? Or am I limited to PC output? I mean, it does 1920x1200 progressive for PCs (16:10), so it should be able to do 1920x1080 progressive (16:9) from devices that output that right? Just wondering.

I might be sold on this monitor. I wonder if my 6800GT SLI system will be able to run things at 1920x1200 at respectable frame rates with full quality...

 

[Ackmed]

Yes I recommend it. It does do 1080i, so I would assume it does the others. I have used my PS2 with GT4 in 1080i, worked fine. I also have my Comcast HDTV coming thru component, for PiP, works fine.

You may want to get someone with SLI and this monitor to tell you for sure if it works. SLI has had problems with WS LCD's since it came out. A beta driver a month or so was supposed to fix it, but it didnt mention 1920x1200 res. I would find out, before I got it. If it does, then great. 2x6800GT's will run it fine, my X850XT/PE runs any game fine at it. Not always with good AA/AF, but otherwise so, it does great.

 

[JBT]

Originally posted by: Ackmed

Originally posted by: Continuity27
The only thing holding me back is when I hear about people talk about backlight bleeding and dead pixels. I know I can send it back, but what if I keep getting duds? Over and over... it's a lot of hassle. And what if it fails a day after warranty?

I'm keeping in mind that I've not heard much about these issues on THIS particular monitor, but I hear it often on smaller widescreen Dell panels, so wouldn't this be even more likely?

The backlight bleeding is the 2005FPW, its not an issue with the 2405FPW.

Agreed I have no issues with back light bleeding with mine either.

 

[MobiusPizza]

hm I'd get 2005FPW instead because of the money I'd have to shred out for the monitor and a better graphic card

 

[Tu13erhead]

How do you control the PiP and PbP functions of the 2405? Through the buttons on the monitor?

 

[Ackmed]

Yes, takes only one button push to turn it on. A few more to more it around if you want, or split the screen.

 

[Tu13erhead]

I caved.

 

[paydirt76]

YES! Another convert. You should be pleased.

I just started a game of Half-Life 2 running it at 1920x1200 with everything set to max and the game runs smoothly. I didn't get exact FPS, but I didn't have any graphics lag. I also didn't get into the more graphically demanding parts of the game, but it handled the start fine.

 

[ponyo]

Sale is coming. Dell end of the quarter is approaching.

 

[RollWave]

I need to get on t he next dell deal, that widescreen goodness is too tempting!

 

[Tu13erhead]

Wow, my monitor shipped today! Even though it said 1-2 weeks to ship! Sweet!

I'm gonna make sure to hang onto all my packaging and whatnot, just in case it goes on sale even further, if I have to I'll return it for a new one to save money, hehe.

Whee!