The upgrade bug: zr30w or Dell u2711 + next gen videocard

[Grooveriding]

You are lucky to own the 3008WFP. That is an *excellent* IPS panel , sadly the u3011 is NOT as good. The u3011 has an AG coating that is 2-3 times thicker than the one found on most monitors (and the 3008wfp), it really is mind boggling. So thick that it affects text clarity and sharpness (on white backgroundS)

I wish Dell still produced their older IPS panels, IMO they are better than the current batch.

I actually have the 3007 but I've used a 3008 and the coating looked similar. I can notice it on mine and did on the 3008 as well, as you said, on a white background.

I've sort of avoided ever looking at any other 30" panels on the off chance I find one to look noticeably better than mine and get the urge to sidegrade to it. Noooooo. I've never seen a U3011 in person because of this.

 

[blanketyblank]

You might also consider a 27" imac depending on what price they are going for over there.
They are very nice screens + you are essentially getting the computer for free or extremely discounted since a 27" cinema display costs roughly the same price. You can also use the monitor as an external display for more intensive games.

On a side note have you ever considered a projector? I got one this year, and it's amazing for movies and games for the sheer size. I've used many setups before 30", 27", 42", 24", 23",22", 20", and a 17.3" (from SGI probably the most expensive monitor I've ever used).
I find 22-23" monitors to be the sweet spot in terms of price and make decent work monitors (not as good as 24" 1920 x 1200, but half the cost (IPS or VA) or less(TN)).

For play nothing really competes with the pure size of a projector. Sure it's only 1080p max, but for movies that's as good as it gets currently and consoles aren't capable of anything over that.

 

[ManBearPig]

I was able to do the same with Dell, getting my U3011 for under $1,100. It took a while, but I got them down to $1099, with free overnight shipping and a 5 year warranty. Just had to really work them for a good half hour at least.

I really love the U3011 though, even more than the Samsung 305T+ that it replaced.

I am using crossfired 6970's to game on it, Everything seems to run great so far.

Out of curiosity, and for future use, what exactly are you talking about with these people? "Can you please extend my warranty?" "I need that tomorrow."

 

[MrK6]

Out of the two screens listed, I voted for the U2711. I've seen the zr30w in person and wasn't impressed, I think Dell offers a better quality product here. I love my 3007WFP-HC, but I haven't seen the 3011 and therefore won't comment on it, although it may be an option. I have worked with U2711's extensively and they are wonderful monitors. The dot-pitch is just so darn crisp it's amazing.

As far as anti-glare coatings go, you get used to it. As opposed to the alternative (screen glare), I think it's a great trade-off. Well, it's that or sitting in the dark.

 

[biostud]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Regarding projector. I live in a single room so there's no room for a projector, and I don't watch that many movies.

Cheapest iMac 25" is ~$2300

otherwise I should consider looking for used monitors.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Unless i am mistaken the Op has a 6850 still and there's talk of $1,500 monitors lol.

If i had his said system in the sig and $1,500 cash,i would go for a nice z68,a 2500k,8gb of ddr3 ram and grab a 7970.

With some cash left over

 

[Grooveriding]

Does Apple still sell stand-alone monitors ? My parents are big on Apple and their house is full of iphones, ipads, imacs etc.

They have the 27" iMac and man that is one nice panel. Just gorgeous, much nicer than my 30" Dell. I know the 27" have a small dpi which helps but I also think part of the quality is somehow related to the plate of glass they put over their panels. If you have ever seen a Samsung HDTV, they do something similar on some of their models. It really gives a nice result.

 

[blackened23]

Out of the two screens listed, I voted for the U2711. I've seen the zr30w in person and wasn't impressed, I think Dell offers a better quality product here. I love my 3007WFP-HC, but I haven't seen the 3011 and therefore won't comment on it, although it may be an option. I have worked with U2711's extensively and they are wonderful monitors. The dot-pitch is just so darn crisp it's amazing.

As far as anti-glare coatings go, you get used to it. As opposed to the alternative (screen glare), I think it's a great trade-off. Well, it's that or sitting in the dark.

I don't advocate glossy screens, I hate them. I just want a middle ground. Most LCD screens use a *light* ag coating, while many 2010 model IPS screens use a super thick AG coating that hampers the image quality. I like the light coating used on most screens, i'm continually puzzled as to why LG pairs their excellent IPS panels with such a thick AG.

 

[biostud]

Unless i am mistaken the Op has a 6850 still and there's talk of $1,500 monitors lol.

If i had his said system in the sig and $1,500 cash,i would go for a nice z68,a 2500k,8gb of ddr3 ram and grab a 7970.

With some cash left over

uhm......The computer I have now can play all the games I play, as stated in the original post, and therefore the only thing that would be worth upgrading is the monitor, and a new video card that run 2560x1440. If I just needed a larger monitor I could just get a 27" 1920x1080 monitor and keep my current video card as the move from 1680 -> 1920 is not that large. I don't play the most demanding games and don't have to play 8xAA+16AF.

I'm planning a monitor + video card upgrade as stated in the title, and I seriously doubt that my CPU is going to be limiting a single video card running 2560x1440 (or 1600), and I don't need help on finding the right video card. I can't see the monitors IRL and therefore are looking for AT user experience.

 

[nitromullet]

Anand reviewed the Apple 27" Display. http://www.anandtech.com/show/3946/apple-27inch-led-cinema-display-review

It's seems like a pretty nice 27" display for a PC with a few caveats...

-miniDP input only making it not compatible with the vast majority of NVIDIA cards currently available.
-no OSD. Display settings are controlled with software on Macs, so you will need BootCamp to adjust any settings with a Windows PC.
-glossy screen, which some people don't like

 

[CyberdemonVT]

I have been extremely happy with my 2711u. As far as Antiglare goes, you either are driven up the wall by AG coatings, or if you're like me - you can't handle the fact that most of us work or play in imperfectly lit environments and don't like seeing yourself in your screen.

As far as the size goes, I got the 30" Dell and found that I prefer the tighter dot pitch of the 27" (some people will say the dot pitch is too tight on the 27") and found that when you sit that close the extra 3" isn't useful, it's really just more content that you can't see without moving your head around. It's nice for "immersion" content like racing games where you don't need to see stuff on the periphery, but for actual working I found it unnecessary and decided to stick with the 27".

Either way, my vote would be for the 27" - then decide whether or not you hate AG (I am a professional designer so I always stick with the ultrasharp AG panels) and decide whether or not you'd be OK living with a 27" 1080P panel.

BF3 looks glorious in 1440P, but it made me upgrade my setup just to handle - the GTX 580 does pretty well with AA disabled.

 

[blackened23]

Excuse me while I sound like a broken record for a moment For the 27th time, its not merely an issue with antiglare. Lets clear something up. Antiglare coating is fine. I *want* AG coating on my monitors.

However the u2711 and u3011 use an AG coating that is far thicker than the normal on practically every LCD on the market. There were pictures on [H] of a user who removed the AG, and that LG panel (used on the 2711) is 3x thicker than what the typical AG coating is. The beef with u2711/u3011/zr2740/zr3011 is that the AG is too thick. Google it. There are tons of complaints all over the place with how thick the AG is on those panels. Its not that we want glossy screens, I hate glossy screens.....its just the AG on the recent LG panel IPS screens is far. too. thick. 2-3x thicker than normal AG coatings. An antiglare coating isn't supposed to be so thick that you can see "shimmering" on white backgrounds.

Broken record is broken. Sorry and such

 

[rgallant]

Since it's going to be used for movie watching as well, then too heavy AG would probably be a little annoying. So it does seem to point towards the Samsung SA850D. I wouldn't mind saving $700 compared to a 30", and if they have heavy AG coating it might be a deal breaker to me.

-have the SA850D
-no BLB ,
-no dead pix's
bf3
-on faster , I see a bit of motion burr jumping into bf3 for the first 5 min's , then never see it after that. [FOV ?]
-detail\color is stunning in bf3.

-first time seeing true red on a monitor for me.[turned to 42%]
-brightness @ 25% and still is bright, @50%+ you need sunglasses.

first high res. monitor for me so can't compare it to others.
-most gamers go to 27" 1080p 120 hz. , but I never follow the crowd.
-if they had a ips 27"1440 @ 120hz I would have paid the price , but their not even on the radar that I know of.

-hard decisions for sure ,good luck.

 

[adairusmc]

Out of curiosity, and for future use, what exactly are you talking about with these people? "Can you please extend my warranty?" "I need that tomorrow."

I used amazon prime as an example. When they would beat their price, I brought up that I also have amazon prime, so to really win me over they would at least have to give me free 2nd day air shipping - and they came back with free overnight shipping to counter.

The extended warranty came up when I asked what it would cost, and I mulled it over on the phone, maybe a little too long, and the rep offered to talk to his manager to see if he could throw that in for free as well.

I am sure mileage will vary depending on the sales rep you get, but the rep that I got was awesome (and also, the manager he was supposedly talking to is pretty awesome).

 

[biostud]

Samsung SA27850D it is. But I'll probably wait until tax returns/nvidia cards have hit the streets. In the the mean time I'll be looking forward to it

 

[cantholdanymore]

An antiglare coating isn't supposed to be so thick that you can see "shimmering" on white backgrounds.

Ooh! That's what that is. I can see that in my asus pa246q. But it is just a minor gripe for me.

 

[ShadowVVL]

I get it as well it looks almost like shiny grainy glitter I just want to get it removed.I have seen alot of AG coating on samsung monitor that didnt have any problem with but these damn ips panels are loaded with extremely aggressive AG.

 

[lavaheadache]

I have a U3011 and love it definately a step up from the 3007wfp-hc I had. The AG coating is less sparkly in white screens which is a big plus. The biggest reason I would recommed the newer panel is....... INPUTS. Omg does it have inputs.