Dell 24" Monitors

[sleepyhead]

I have the opportunity to purchase a Dell monitor fairly cheaply (ie abit less than RRP). I've looked at the 2407WFP series, the E248WFP and even the 30" 3007WFP-HC.

All I have currently to drive these bigger monitors is an 8600GT card.

I've read of "ghosting" seen on the 2407WFP-HC (I think it is) which can be fixed if you spend the time setting the monitor up. Not really read much about the E248 other than it uses a TN panel so not fantastic viewing angles. Of course all I have read is that the 3007WFP-HC is just the daddy.

All I need from a monitor is just to display stuff, no need for USB/card readers installed etc.

Is there a pecking order to which monitor to settle for?

I'm pretty sure the 3007WFP-HC is WELL out of my cash flow reach...and I'm sure that will be everyone's number 1 choice.

I've also looked at the Dell homepage and they say they don't make the 2407 anymore...

Anyhow, to surmise...what are the recommendations for me to settle with seeing as all I have is an 8600GT. I use it to play games and watch DVDs (no real HD content yet but probably in the near future).

[wombar]

I've got a 3007-HC and I absolutely love it. You really do have to see one of these things in the flesh to understand how big they are and the super high resolution is utterly fantastic if you're the kind of person who has multiple apps running at the same time.

I work from home so often have IE, Dreamweaver, Photoshop and mySQL open at the same time when I'm doing dev work and I hate work on lower resolution monitor now.

I went through a very similar process to you when I was looking. I started off looking at the 24" which is great, but I need the extra pixels downward for working in Sonar. I've posted a quick mock up of the differences between the common resolutions. As I'm sure you can see, the 30" has a LOT of screen space.



However, if you need to hook up a PS2, XBOX you're probably better off waiting for the 3008 as that has an inbuilt scaler (I think) and lots of connectors that should have really been on the 3007. Your graphics card isn't going to be able to play games at native resolution with eye candy turned on, but it's all about compromise when you get to this kind of resolution. I play all my games at 1280 x 800 because I only have a 7600GS at present though will be upgrading to a quad core, GTS setup very shortly. Watching movies on the 30" is great, but you can't sit 2 feet from the screen and expect it to be crystal clear, it's important to remember that your upscaling to past 1080p so sit back a bit and you'll be fine. I love my monitor for watching films, and I doubt you'll be disappointed.

My advice for what its worth, go for the 30" is you are going to use the resolution, otherwise, go for a monitor with a few more connection options and something that won't make your graphics card cry.

[sleepyhead]

My main concern is the graphics card only being an 8600GT...that and the cost of the 3007WFP-HC!!

To run any games at native resolution of that 30" monster is...well....I'll need to upgrade again. I don't run too many apps at the same time but there are occasions I wished that my LG 19" had more real estate.

Size wise I think the 24" is a better option although, like you said, I have to see one in the flesh.

As much as I desire the 3007WFP-HC, I doubt the 8600GT can power it.

[EDIT]
Just read your edit after I posted. How do games look at lower res NOT on native resolution? Also I generally sit around 4 to 5 feet away when watching DVDs etc. but sit around 1foot away when working on with the PC.
[/EDIT]

[Jay]

no card can run games properly on a 30" at native, most card will not be able to run games maxed out at 24" native either. 8600GT may be able to handle 1680 x 1050 (20.1" and 22")

[wombar]

Yup, like I said it's all about compromise. I don't play a lot of games, but when I do they're usually played at half the native resolution purely because I can hear my graphics card laughing at me from inside my machine when I go anywhere near native rez. Gaming is certainly possible on this monitor, but you have to be realistic at all times.

The 24" sounds like it's probably more your cup of tea, I don't know many people who own this monitor who didn't buy it for a particular reason (photoshopping, web dev etc). It tends to be for people who need the high resolution and don't mind giving up some connectivity options.

It's nice to have 30" of screen space when you're watching movies though

[EDIT]

Games look "okay" but not great because invariably you aren't running at native resolution. If you bumped you current resolution down, you'd probably get an idea of how it looks. Everything is a little blurred but still very playable depending how particular you are. I'm pretty laid back when it comes to that kind of thing, as long as it works I don't mind. You can run at native resolution on this monitor in games, but you're probably talking SLi GTx or Ultras I would guess depending on what game you're playing. Basically, not worth it unless you're super serious about your gaming.

As I said, watching DVDs is great on this monitor and I regularly watch films sat around 4 foot away with no complaints at all. However, you're not going to want to sit 1 foot away from this screen when working, because you actually have to turn your head to cover the entire screen.

[Jay]

I think both the Dells do 1:1 pixel mapping so you can have black bars around your game and run it at a lower resolution.

[shaithis]

no card can run games properly on a 30" at native, most card will not be able to run games maxed out at 24" native either. 8600GT may be able to handle 1680 x 1050 (20.1" and 22")

You would be surprised

I run WoW, UT3 and COD4 all at native on a 8800GTX...40fps absolute minimum and they normally run at 60fps.


Crysis on the other hand is a slideshow even at 1920x1200 and running ANY game at 1280x800 on the 3007 looks so bad you might as well not bother (IMO, at least)

If you are a serious gamer and like state-of-the-art games, either ensure you have a second monitor or stay clear of the 3007, until Crysis I absolutely loved mine to pieces, now I am a bit peeved with it.

[sleepyhead]

I think both the Dells do 1:1 pixel mapping so you can have black bars around your game and run it at a lower resolution.

oOOoo!! Sounds great!!!

Well the 24" sounds like the way to go but obviously the issue is now do I settle for the newer E248WFP with the TN panel or the now discontinued 2407WFP?

[EDIT]
Found out the discount available is quite poor and I can actually buy it cheaper through places like scan! So I won't be buying anytime soon. Thanks for all your help people. Muchly appreciated.
[/EDIT]

[R3MF]

i have both a 2405 and the E248 and i love them both.

[wombar]

Give Dell a call and haggle with them, they're usually happy to offer you money off if you're persistent. I got something like £100 off the sale price on my 3007 (and this was when it was on a very good offer as well) so it was 10 minutes well spent.

I've just upgraded my machine to a Q6600 and a 8800GTS and I can tell you that TF2 at 2560x1600 with all options turned on (2xAA btw) looks absolutely fantastic

[Syd]

i have both a 2405 and the E248 and i love them both.

How much have the new Dell 24's come on since the 2405, I must admit I am still over the moon with mine.

[R3MF]

both look great, would be hard put to say one looks better than the other, but then again the newer E248 is a cheap version of the 240xWFP models.