Which 30" Monitor to buy for gaming?

[corfe83]

My ancient 19" Samsung CRT is starting to die, and I'm looking to finally upgrade to an LCD. I don't mind spending more, I just want to get the best 30" gaming monitor that's available right now, a monitor that will (hopefully) last me at least 5-8 years.

I will mostly be gaming with it, and doing some development / web browsing.

My question is - which monitor to get? I've ruled out the Samsung 305T, because of display lag (because of the S-PVA technology panel). I've also ruled out Apple (I just don't like the apple "look").

This leaves me with either the HP LP3065, or the Dell 3007-HC. Reviews and specs lead me to believe they are very similar, and so I'm having trouble choosing between the two. Does anyone have either of these monitors?

My priorities are the absolute lowest response time / display lag. After that, contrast ratios, build quality, cost, etc. become a factor.

 

[imported_K3N]

Do wait the Dell 3007-HC has a response time of 12ms not 12ms GTG right?

Anyway if so, i would get the Dell, dell has a great reputation when it comes to these high end lcd monitors...

 

[tuteja1986]

Dell 3007-HC but how ever i like the Samsung 305T with gaming since its got better color image quality.

 

[gramboh]

I'm assuming you know/are ok with the video card setup needed to play 30in 2560/1600. I thought the 3007WFP was S-PVA but I could be wrong. I recently changed from a Samsung 19in CRT (997MB) to a 2407WFP (S-PVA) and am happy with it. I am an FPS gamer (online) and at first I had a problem with it and was playing terrible, but after a few weeks I am used to it and playing as well as I used to. It's awesome.

 

[Srfrbum]

Westinghouse 37 incher FTW......................... Newegg only 1000, beats everything.

 

[Atty]

A 1920x1080 37'' or a 2560x1600 30''....hmm....I'll take my 30''.

I've heard good things of all the 30''s, just search around for reviews. (I believe the HP was the best rated, also find a few 8800GTX's to power that thing at native res.)

 

[GEOrifle]

Why don't buy LCD TV ? Prices are ~~same and can use for DVD-PC-PS2-PS3-Xbox360
and watch TV chanels, i saw SAMSUNG 23-26-32" and it has much better image than PC LCD's.

 

[terentenet]

Dell 3007WFP-HC and HP LP3065 are practically the same panel-wise. Both S-IPS, both cover 92% gamut, both are great displays.
@K3N, both are 8ms. Not mentioned if BW or G2G. 11ms was for the 3007WFP. We're talking the newer -HC model.

Differences:
1. Looks. Different color theme, different stand.
2. Dell offers JUST 1 Dual Link DVI input, HP offers 3 Dual Link DVI inputs.
3. Dell has a card reader, HP doesn't

Get whatever you need. I only need a DVI, I got the Dell. I am very happy with it. Doesn't have any issue.
If you need more than one DVI input (more computers linked to a single monitor), get the HP.

Coming from a NEC 20.1" WGMX2, I thought colours won't be as nice and vibrant, but are better on the Dell 3007WFP-HC 30". More natural, shades are better, due to the 92% gamut. HP should be the same, Dell and HP used the same panel.
If you get the 30" Dell/HP, have at least one 8800GTX to power it. Anything below will kneel in front of the 30 incher. Even one 8800GTX sometimes falls under 30 FPS in certain games at native res. 2560x1600.

LCD TV vs. LCD PC Monitor; get whatever suits you better. But quality wise, I'd take 30" @ 2560x1600 over 37" @ 1920x1080 any day of the week.
Depending on your video card(s), the 37" LCD TV might be the good choice for you.
2560x1600 means 2 times more pixels than 1920x1080; For gaming at 2560x1600, 8800GTX is a must.

 

[jdoggg12]

Its all personal preference - the difference in picture quality in my 37" 1080p westy and my friends 30" dell is not very huge - plus, he has a HELL of a time driving that monitor even with his 8800gtx at the native resolution.

I'm sitting 2ft away from my screen right now and i see NO pixelation, it is THAT good.

If you must pic between your two though, i hear better things about the dell

 

[terentenet]

Originally posted by: jdoggg12
Its all personal preference - the difference in picture quality in my 37" 1080p westy and my friends 30" dell is not very huge - plus, he has a HELL of a time driving that monitor even with his 8800gtx at the native resolution.

I'm sitting 2ft away from my screen right now and i see NO pixelation, it is THAT good.

If you must pic between your two though, i hear better things about the dell

Yes, as I said, the 37" might be the smart choice. Gaming at 2560x1600 is why I advice many to get 8800GTX SLI.

 

[corfe83]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I really want the 2560x1600 resolution - it's just a matter of personal preference. I know it might be harder to run games at native res, but benchmarks say it shouldn't be too bad. I'm going to get an 8800 GTX that is stock overclocked by 10%. I don't want to do SLI for power consumption / crazy expense issues.

I was hoping someone would give me a reason that really would drive me to choose either Dell or HP - but it sounds like they're mostly the same monitor (I don't care about 3 DVI ports or a card reader). I'll probably just get whichever I find a better deal on...

 

[terentenet]

Originally posted by: corfe83
Thanks for your replies everyone. I really want the 2560x1600 resolution - it's just a matter of personal preference. I know it might be harder to run games at native res, but benchmarks say it shouldn't be too bad. I'm going to get an 8800 GTX that is stock overclocked by 10%. I don't want to do SLI for power consumption / crazy expense issues.

I was hoping someone would give me a reason that really would drive me to choose either Dell or HP - but it sounds like they're mostly the same monitor (I don't care about 3 DVI ports or a card reader). I'll probably just get whichever I find a better deal on...

Dell is cheaper. At least in Europe. I was able to find the HP for 2400 euros, I got the Dell with 1500 euros. I also don't care about 3 DVI inputs. Maybe corporate users care.
A single 8800GTX will handle allmost everything at 2560x1600. Don't enable too much AA/AF though.
Also, wait for R600 XTX to appear. I don't trust the benchmarks we've all seen on DT. I want a real comparison between 8800GTX and HD2900XTX at high res. Reviews should be out soon.
I admit, I am Nvidia biased and will stick with Nvidia all the way. I still want the HD2900XTX to compete with 8800 Ultra, even beat it. That should force Nvidia to release the 8900GTX.

 

[gramboh]

Originally posted by: GEOrifle
Why don't buy LCD TV ? Prices are ~~same and can use for DVD-PC-PS2-PS3-Xbox360
and watch TV chanels, i saw SAMSUNG 23-26-32" and it has much better image than PC LCD's.

Not sure how a 32-37inch TV @ 1920x1080 has better image quality than a 24in PC LCD at 1920x1200, the pixels are huge on the TV compared to the PC monitor.

That said, having a 37inch display is pretty awesome if you are sitting the correct distance from it. For me, I'd be fine using an LCD TV for gaming/media viewing, but for desktop use I prefer the clarity of the PC.

 

[corfe83]

Originally posted by: terentenet
Also, wait for R600 XTX to appear. I don't trust the benchmarks we've all seen on DT. I want a real comparison between 8800GTX and HD2900XTX at high res. Reviews should be out soon.
I admit, I am Nvidia biased and will stick with Nvidia all the way. I still want the HD2900XTX to compete with 8800 Ultra, even beat it. That should force Nvidia to release the 8900GTX.

I'm Nvidia biased too, but you raise a good point - I heard a website say the R600 will be available around May 19th (who knows if it's accurate, but I think everyone agrees the R600 must be coming out soon).

It's probably better to wait until it comes out, either to buy the R600, or buy a cheaper 8800 GTX (or Nvidia's response to the R600).

 

[boglwe]

Does anyone have the HP or Dell 30 inchers, and if so, how is it during FPS games? IS there any lag?

 

[boglwe]

found this iin a review
"Of course this is likely not to please one audience ? the pro-gamer ? as there?s been a lot of talk about input lag on S-PVA screens. Input lag is the amount of time it takes between the monitor receiving an image and displaying an image. This gives a feeling of lag from the time when you move the mouse, and your viewpoint changes or reaction is shown onscreen, and may even appear as if there?s been a slight audio desynch. This is highly disconcerting for twitch reaction gamers, and generally occurs on response time accelerated monitors. While we didn?t notice anything that could be considered detrimental, hardcore gamers would be best playing it safe and going with the HP or the Dell to negate any possible effects for their large screen pwning."

 

[n7]

lopri has the HP.
A bunch of us have the Dell(s).

I just have the 3007WFP; there are people here with the 3007WFP-HC also, but i forget who.

I've never noticed any input lag on mine, nor really on my S-PVA 20".


The 305T has better calibration out of the box than the Dell 3007WFP-HC does, but when calibrated (see behardware's review), the Dell is better (HP would be also).

But that's really because IPS > S-PVA overall.

Also the Samsung has no HDCP, which is a hilarious joke, & by hilarious i mean that Samsung must have been smoking something good with that oversight.

So personally, i'd recommend either the 3007WFP-HC, or the LP3065

 

[boglwe]

yea, I actually am very interested in the HP, hold up with games well like Quake Deathmatch, or CSS? I mean, thats all i really need to know, heh. But, then, I found this Hanns G 28 inch 1980x1200 someone says its a TN monitor, but I dont know what that is.

 

[SickBeast]

I know I keep saying this, but I'm not a fan of the 2560x1600 monitors.

The resolution is great in 2D, but good luck in finding a solution to drive modern 3D games...

I would go with either a Dell 2407 or else the 37" Westinghouse. Both run at around 1080P which is manageable for even an 8800GTS. You'll probably save at least $1000 over going with the 30" Dell or whatever.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: gramboh
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: GEOrifle
Why don't buy LCD TV ? Prices are ~~same and can use for DVD-PC-PS2-PS3-Xbox360
and watch TV chanels, i saw SAMSUNG 23-26-32" and it has much better image than PC LCD's.</blockquote>

Not sure how a 32-37inch TV @ 1920x1080 has better image quality than a 24in PC LCD at 1920x1200, the pixels are huge on the TV compared to the PC monitor.

That said, having a 37inch display is pretty awesome if you are sitting the correct distance from it. For me, I'd be fine using an LCD TV for gaming/media viewing, but for desktop use I prefer the clarity of the PC.

They're only huge if you sit 2' from the screen.

If you put it in your living room 8' from the couch, it will look just as crisp as the 24" screen, if not more so.

The lack of inputs on the 30" Dell screen paired with its impractical resolution make it a no-go in my books (plus it's quite expensive for what you're getting).

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
The lack of inputs on the 30" Dell screen paired with its impractical resolution make it a no-go in my books (plus it's quite expensive for what you're getting).

I agree completely, if they would add the same inputs as the 24" to the 30" I think it would be more appealing to people.

Plus, I don't ever want to be locked into having to buy the top of the line GPU or perhaps two of them to run new games at native resolution. That's a really expensive commitment over the next few years.