help me decide: 1905fp or 2005fpw

[Special K]

I did a search already and read a ton of threads about these 2 monitors but I just can't decide. There are deals going on right now to get the 2005fpw for ~400 and the 1905fp for ~270, but they expire monday morning. I have read all the threads and it seems there are always some who hate both monitors. I also considered the L90D+ but have read horror stories about the 8+ dead pixel policy and how they are a pain to return, so I'm kinda leaning away from that option.

Basically I use my pc for normal web browsing, office work, and occasional movies. I play some games, however all the games I like to play are FPS which why I am so concerned with what monitor to buy. It seems someone has a complaint with all of them. Some say the 1905fp ghosts too bad, some say the 2005fpw has backlight issues. My vid card is a geforce 6800 GTO, and my current monitor is a viewsonic 17" aperture grill CRT, if it matters. I have never owned an LCD monitor before.

Another consideration is that if I buy the 1905fp, I would most likely have $ left over to buy a decent 5.1 system, which i figured would go along nicely with the new fps out there. Right now I only have a 2.1 system. On the other hand if I bought the 2005fpw I probably wouldn't be getting new speakers any time soon.

What do you guys think?

 

[fstime]

2005.

 

[MobiusPizza]

hmm I see why you I troubled. If I am you I would be too.

5.1 speakers rocks for both movie and games.
19" thought is not perfect for movie, it's more than sufficient for games. Otherwise you will need a beefy graphic card to run 1600*1280 in 2005FP
20" would be great for movie.
I personally would go for 19" though, since it's big enough for me and I get 5.1 speaker (I am a Audio/Video freak)

 

[MobiusPizza]

Oh yeah, 2005 is too big for office applications. I meant the resolution. It'd be a pain to view text with 1600 resolution. People'd have to manually set large font sizes which may not work for some programs

 

[pekingman]

I have similiar uses for my computer, except for movies (dedicated room for that) and I LOVE my 2005. I personally don't think the text is too small and there is so much desktop space with the widescreen. I will probably never buy another 4:3 aspect again.

 

[duke2106]

I had recently purchased a 2005FPW monitor as well and I love it. It works great with my games, movies, and having space on my desktop is awesome.

 

[SynthDude2001]

2005FPW, no question. From what I've read, the 1905 isn't so hot for gaming anyway, not to mention that 1280x1024 is too low of a resolution for me. Better to buy the monitor you really want now (and wait until later to upgrade speakers) than to want to upgrade your monitor again in a year...

Edit: I've had a 2005 myself since January and I :heart: it.

 

[MobiusPizza]

hmm nvm

personally 1600 is too big for me and require good graphic card so I'd pass.
19" is also more than enough for me.

anyway screw it I can't get cheap monitors here... you know you guys are fortunate

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
2005FPW, no question. From what I've read, the 1905 isn't so hot for gaming anyway, not to mention that 1280x1024 is too low of a resolution for me. Better to buy the monitor you really want now (and wait until later to upgrade speakers) than to want to upgrade your monitor again in a year...

Edit: I've had a 2005 myself since January and I :heart: it.

Have you ever experienced any of the backlight problems that people are complaining about? Do you game much on your 2005fpw? Have you tried doom3 on it? Also what vidcard do you have? Could my GF 6800 GTO handle the widescreen resolution?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
2005FPW, no question. From what I've read, the 1905 isn't so hot for gaming anyway, not to mention that 1280x1024 is too low of a resolution for me. Better to buy the monitor you really want now (and wait until later to upgrade speakers) than to want to upgrade your monitor again in a year...

Edit: I've had a 2005 myself since January and I :heart: it.

Have you ever experienced any of the backlight problems that people are complaining about? Do you game much on your 2005fpw? Have you tried doom3 on it? Also what vidcard do you have? Could my GF 6800 GTO handle the widescreen resolution?

The backlight is even across the screen and I have no problems other than the standard LCD "black is not quite black" issue. I game quite a bit on it, in fact I just played HL2 for several hours earlier. I have briefly played Doom 3 on it, but not very much at all. I have a 6800GT...your 6800GTO will handle the 1680x1050 resolution just fine, although gaming at that resolution may have you scaling back your settings a little bit.

 

[ponyo]

2005fpw without any question. I wouldn't even have to think twice.

Do not cut corners on your display. It's something you look at all the time and will likely use for a long time. 2005fpw is easily worth the premium over 1905fp IMO.

 

[Special K]

So you guys think it would be better to game with the 2005fpw and 2.1 speakers than 1905fp with 5.1 speakers?

EDIT: although I can always buy the speakers later, but I'm not likely to shell out another $400 to get the 2005fpw after already buying a 1905fp...

My only concern is the framerates I will get in widescreen mode.

 

[saltedeggman]

2005

 

[Twsmit]

If your going to be doing any online gaming, your going to be using headphones anyway. Just get the monitor you really want. The 2005 seems like a good dead @ $400. Might as well pick it up.

 

[Special K]

Well, I just ordered a 2005fpw. I hope this is as good as everyone says, and I really hope I don't get a bad one.

 

[Nexworks]

I use the 1905 and love it

 

[bjc112]

2005fp HANDS DOWN.


/thread

 

[w00t]

easy 2005fpw.

 

[dotcombust]

umm.. the 2005FPW- I am very satisfied! .. good luck

 

[vulcanman]

Guys ... can you please recommend a decent ~$40-$60 DVI-capable card for the 2005FPW monitor ? I plan to use the monitor for my business (no games). Clear text is essential. Thanks in advance.

Max

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: vulcanman
Guys ... can you please recommend a decent ~$40-$60 DVI-capable card for the 2005FPW monitor ? I plan to use the monitor for my business (no games). Clear text is essential. Thanks in advance.

Max

Check out eBay. For $60 you can get a used GF Ti4200 128MB w/ DVI.

 

[ExpertNovice]

I received my 2005FPW on Friday. It is being returned for a full refund today. MUCH too bright, even with brightness turned down to 0.

I suggest you go to www.dell.com and search for 2005FPW and look at the problems being reported in the technical forum. People are reporting having to repeatedly send the monitor back to get one that is decent. The most returns I saw they were up to their sixth return and were now only being given refurbished models.

Most of the problems were due to backlighting issues.

Good Luck. Be sure to get a 3 year warranty!

I may try the 2405FPW, if I can find someone local that sells them to facilitate returns.


Update. I'm downloading Powerstrip and Liquid Color to try and calibrate the monitor... also googling for "calibrate LCD" turned up a wealth of knowledge that I will attempt to apply....

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: ExpertNovice
I received my 2005FPW on Friday. It is being returned for a full refund today. MUCH too bright, even with brightness turned down to 0.

I suggest you go to www.dell.com and search for 2005FPW and look at the problems being reported in the technical forum. People are reporting having to repeatedly send the monitor back to get one that is decent. The most returns I saw they were up to their sixth return and were now only being given refurbished models.

Most of the problems were due to backlighting issues.

Good Luck. Be sure to get a 3 year warranty!

I may try the 2405FPW, if I can find someone local that sells them to facilitate returns.

Update. I'm downloading Powerstrip and Liquid Color to try and calibrate the monitor... also googling for "calibrate LCD" turned up a wealth of knowledge that I will attempt to apply....

How do I make sure I get a 3 year warranty? I already bought the monitor.

 

[ponyo]

All new Dell LCDs come with 3 year warranty. Refurb LCDs only have 90 day warranty. Since you bought new, you have 3 year warranty.

 

[Praytus]

first one I bought was perfect out of the box.