In the market for a 30"

[lopri]

I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on one of those 30"er. I've searched a little bit on here and there, and found 3 nearly identical candidates.

1. Dell 3007-HC
2. HP 3065
3. Samsung 305T

I think the Samsung one use PVA panel and the other two are IPS panels. (I could be wrong)
While Samsung one has the best specs (response time, contrast/brightness, etc.) they are the most expensive and not many retailers seem to carry them. And I heard that PVA panels are inferior to IPS panel, so Samsung is kinda out of consideration right now.

Dell 3007-HC has really no flaw per se, except that it has only one DVI port. It pisses me off because their 24" model has like 4~5 differnet input methods. I use more than one system and being able to switch back and forth is a big plus.

This takes me to the HP 3065. It's almost identical to Dell model, but it has 3 DVI ports. I love this (being able to switch around up to 3 computers on one 30" monitor) but the price premium is just too high. Not many retailers carry HP 30", and there is no way to use coupons or anything. Basically with shipping and tax, this thing will set me back $1,600+.

Compared to that, I can get Dell for ~$1,200. (including shipping/tax/warranty) Or even less if I don't mind slightly used one (I've seen one for $850 on eBay). I just wish the Dell had more than 1 DVI port, but alas, nothing can be perfect, it seems...

So at this point..

1. Should I just get Dell?
2. Should I get HP? Does anyone know how to get HP monitors for less?
3. Should I wait? Will the Dell 3007FWP-HC be the best thing in town for a while, or is there any new panel coming out shortly?

 

[RussianSensation]

I dont want to go thread crap but:

1) If you are a gamer, you might run into some issues trying to run a 30 inch monitor even with 8800GTS since 320mb is simply not enough for 2560x1600 resolution. I am going to go on a limb here and say that you'll need GTS SLI or maybe even 8800GTX SLI to run games smoothly at that rez. Once UT3 and Crysis come out and more next gen games, you'll need to buy 2 more $500 cards. It could get costly pretty quickly to maintain your system.

2) I myself just ordered Westinghouse 37 inch for $800 which has more real estate and resolution that wont make you upgrade every 6 months. However, if you really want the higher resolution, then it makes sense to get the 30 inch. Although I honestly can't see myself spending $1600 on a 30 inch computer monitor when a panasonic 50 inch plasma costs roughly that much and will put almost any LCD to shame when it comes to movie watching. The 24 inch Dell panel is roughly $570 and still has a high rez of 19x12. Or is that too small for you?

If you are set on a 30 inch panel, I would go with the dell since $400 is a significant price difference, and especially, if you can pick up the dell for $850 used.

Here is what the Buyer's Guide says:

"The Samsung 305T panel therefore gets the nod for the display device on our $5000 rig, as you also get two dual-link DVI inputs whereas the Dell LCDs only include one. Like all current 30" panels, this display features a native 2560x1600 resolution; every ounce of horsepower in our 8800 GTS/GTX SLI configurations will be put to the test. For those interested in the improved color gamut of the newer Dell LCD, we would also suggest taking a look at the HP LP3065, which offers the same improved color gamut but also includes three dual-link DVI ports."

 

[n7]

I think you already know my recommendation.

Unless you must have the extra DVI ports, i'd go with the Dell.

2560x1600 > 1920x1080 by miles, so unless you are just wanting big, i wouldn't get a 1080p LCD TV.

BTW, i'll try to get around to testing Oblivion a little for ya this wknd if i get time.

 

[doggyfromplanetwoof]

1200 bucks for a 30lcd is a lil high, but ya go for the dell you rich bastard!

 

[lopri]

Dell is ideal in every sense except.. this...

http://img399.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bighp30655dc3.jpg

Anyone with two or more computer will know! Grrr... why don't dell make one with more than just one puny DVI port? Sigh..

Oh and I considered the 37" Westy, of course. Very seriously, and very agonizingly.. I eventually decided that I'd take bigger screen real estate over immersive gaming experience. I'm in the middle of switching my main rig from Opteron to Kentsfield, and the big screen might come useful for multi-tasking, I think.

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
2) I myself just ordered Westinghouse 37 inch for $800 which has more real estate..

How so? I thought the Westy 37" is 1080P which is 1920x1080. But yeah I saw that deal and it was absolutely mind boggling.

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Here is what the Buyer's Guide says:

"The Samsung 305T panel therefore gets the nod for the display device on our $5000 rig, as you also get two dual-link DVI inputs whereas the Dell LCDs only include one. Like all current 30" panels, this display features a native 2560x1600 resolution; every ounce of horsepower in our 8800 GTS/GTX SLI configurations will be put to the test. For those interested in the improved color gamut of the newer Dell LCD, we would also suggest taking a look at the HP LP3065, which offers the same improved color gamut but also includes three dual-link DVI ports."

This actually very confused (and still does) me. Everywhere I looked says 305T has ONE dual-link DVI port, except the AT article that says TWO.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: lopri

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
2) I myself just ordered Westinghouse 37 inch for $800 which has more real estate..

How so? I thought the Westy 37" is 1080P which is 1920x1080. But yeah I saw that deal and it was absolutely mind boggling.

What I meant was more screen size for videogaming or movie experience not "actual working area". Of course larger screen size creates an insanely different gaming experience. I beat Gears of War on an "pathetic" 1024x768 resolution on a 42 inch plasma and it blows anything away on my 19 inch CRT at 1600x1200 because you feel more in the game and drawn to the experience.

It's similar to comparing watching a movie at a movie theatre to at home. I am sure the movie theatre screen pixel count per area is horrible, but the overall movie experience at a good movie theatre is far better than anything at home on a TV because of the size of the screen alone.

 

[rangda]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
I dont want to go thread crap but:

1) If you are a gamer, you might run into some issues trying to run a 30 inch monitor even with 8800GTS since 320mb is simply not enough for 2560x1600 resolution. I am going to go on a limb here and say that you'll need GTS SLI or maybe even 8800GTX SLI to run games smoothly at that rez. Once UT3 and Crysis come out and more next gen games, you'll need to buy 2 more $500 cards. It could get costly pretty quickly to maintain your system.

With an 8800GTX you can game fine on a 30" monitor, although you will not be able to turn on all of the eye candy in all games.

* CoH demo requires dropping to moderate settings to get acceptable FPS (I don't have the real game).
* FEAR runs fine max settings.
* In NWN2 I had to drop the AA to 2x and drop the texture size to medium (was getting BSOD on vista x64 with high textures)
* Oblivion runs ok with settings almost maxxed out (I disabled a few things I do not recall what but the distance sliders are all at max and grass is on). The only places where the FPS drops are on the platforms where you grab the stone to close the oblivion gate or when fighting near/inside monsters like the storm atronach. Last night I had a fight outdoors with 8+ actors and that got a big choppy as well.

This is with the WHQL 158.24 drives. The beta 158.43/45 drivers are supposedly faster but I have not installed them as all the games I am currently playing are working OK (I'll wait for the next WHQL).

What the future will bring is of course unknown.

However, the original poster has a 320mb 8800GTS and that is not enough video memory to run 2560x1600, the frame rates with that card at that resolution will be totally unplayable. If you want a 30" monitor you will have to step up to a GTX (or better) card.