Dell 2408WFP-HC & 8800GTS 512MB?

[sleepyhead]

I am planning to purchase the above Dell Monitor (after using the TFT selector thing on TFTcentral) in the next couple of months (sooner if my sister pays up what she owes me).

Obviously my 8600GT 256MB would struggle to play games at 1920x1200 resolution.

I was thinking of the 8800GTS 512MB instead of finding another 8600GT to SLi.

There are concerns, in that I have read about the 2408WFP-HC having input lag and whatnot but I don't know how true this is as people can be VERY pendatic.

My uses for the above combination; watching movies/TV series and playing games.

The question being, is this a good combination? Should I look for a different GFX card nearer the time of monitor purchase? Is the 9600GT a better option? Is the BenQ FP241W a better/cheaper choice?

Monitor
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

GFX
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

I am open to any suggestions...after all my own initial thoughts/purchase of the LG 19" and 8600GT was a poor one (I now know I was 1080i/p resolution video and gaming experience).

[MSIC]

I know of no particular problems with the 2408 (although happy to learn if anyone else knows of any).
And i'd say that your idea of an 8800GTS 512MB is right on the money too.
Possibly consider a 9800GTX for 1920 x 1200 resolution, but you wouldnt be upset with the 8800GTS by any means.

[Platinum]

I have that monitor and have yet to see any noticable lag, currnetly running a 8800GT on it and its starting to struggle, COD4 with the details whacked up to max can get frame rates down to around 30FPS and UT3 averages about 30FPS, of course with lower detail settings its fine but I cant see the point in haivng a screen of that quality to run games at low detail settings
Im planning to upgrade next month when the new cards come out.

[this_is_gav]

Unless I was wanting the massive selection of input options the 2408 offers (which I did) I'd have to say there are better alternatives. I'd have gone with the BenQ FP241W myself if I didn't want the flexible range of inputs.

That said, my 2408 is very good, but the already quite poor input lag on LCDs is almost doubled on some 2408s. I'd consider another, but they appear to be inconsistent from one to the next - as with most of the 24" Dells since the 2405 (which seemed quite stable in comparison). Mine does suffer from backlight bleed in 2 corners (can't remember if they're the top or bottom ones), but I don't even notice it.

[sleepyhead]

Unless I was wanting the massive selection of input options the 2408 offers (which I did) I'd have to say there are better alternatives. I'd have gone with the BenQ FP241W myself if I didn't want the flexible range of inputs.

That said, my 2408 is very good, but the already quite poor input lag on LCDs is almost doubled on some 2408s. I'd consider another, but they appear to be inconsistent from one to the next - as with most of the 24" Dells since the 2405 (which seemed quite stable in comparison). Mine does suffer from backlight bleed in 2 corners (can't remember if they're the top or bottom ones), but I don't even notice it.

This partially gets my goat as spending £400+ on a monitor for it to have "issues". Then again you say you don't notice it so, again are people being very pedantic about it?

With your replies I am settled with the choice of gfx card (unless the 8800/9800GTX falls in price to the £140 range by the time I upgrade) and just down to input selection on the BenQ and Dell monitor (essentially it may be used for a PS3, XBox360 as well as my pc).

Thanks for the replies and easing my woes. Again, alternative suggestions are MOST welcome.

Also thanks for informing me about the 8800GT not quite coping at native resolution as this was a cheaper gfx option I was thinking of.

[MSIC]

I was told about backlight bleedgin being a problem on my (now 4 year old) Dell 2005FPW, which in my mind meant some sort of shafts a light emerging blinding into my eyes.
In reality you can only see a minor bit of a lighter area in a corner when the machine reboots, but never once in use.

I still love my Dell, cost me £350 at the time (quite the bargain for a 20" back then) but it still runs well.

[kevpuk]

I too have a Dell 2005FPW and the only time I have noticed backlight bleed is as MSIC says above.....all black sceen on reboot or such like......never an issue when gaming/movie watching/desktop use and so on......

As the OP alluded to, I cannot help but think that there are too many pedantic views on 'issues' which to me equates to the likelihood that most 'non-cheapy' monitors are actually pretty good

Oh, and i would love a 2408 too......need some pennies

[GAteKeeper]

Cant say much about the 2408 but I have a 2405 and a 8800GTS and can run most modern games at native res at resonable settings.

If you can I really would go and have a Mrk I eyeball of all the monitors your interested in because it really comes down to personal choice. The thing to remember is that you only get 1 set of eyes (currently) and if you balls them up staring at a poor quality panel theres not an awful lo anyone can do about it.

GK

[chuckskull]

I'd say the GTS 512 is the best bang for buck at that res. You wont be able to completely max out some modern games(COD4 and crysis spring to mind). Most games will run on high settings with smooth frame-rates.

Might be worth waiting that couple of months, new cards coming from nvidia and ATi soon. If nothing else it'll push the 8800 prices down a little.

[SiM]

I'd say the GTS 512 is the best bang for buck at that res. You wont be able to completely max out some modern games(COD4 and crysis spring to mind). Most games will run on high settings with smooth frame-rates.

Might be worth waiting that couple of months, new cards coming from nvidia and ATi soon. If nothing else it'll push the 8800 prices down a little.

You can't play Crysis at high detail at 1920x1200 with a GTS (or a GTX).

[MSIC]

You can't play Crysis at high detail at 1920x1200 with a GTS (or a GTX).

You don't know how he can play.
He might be really good!
Now I can't play crysis at that res.

[SiM]

You don't know how he can play.
He might be really good!
Now I can't play crysis at that res.

Lol 15fps is not playable for anyone

[doddsy]

I've got a 2408 (run off of a 9800gtx) and would recommend it to everyone. Input lag really isn't a problem, and I really can't imagine that most people would even notice it let alone be hampered by it (unless you're a pro gamer?). I'm also currently running my 360 through it and it's fantastic with that as well. Great monitor!

[chuckskull]

You can't play Crysis at high detail at 1920x1200 with a GTS (or a GTX).

You wont be able to completely max out some modern games(COD4 and crysis spring to mind).

Crysis is an exception though, most things will run fine on high settings, just not the "highest" or "extreme" settings that are ubiquitous in games now. The refreshed GTS is pretty powerful, and overclocks easily. Dell monitors also scale really well which will come in handy on the more demanding games.

Though my advice would still be to wait for the new cards next month or end up pining for another new card by christmas.

[sleepyhead]

hehe, the 8800GTS is just in the price range I am looking at, so whatever arrives in the next few months may mean 8800GTX or 9800GTX would fall in that price bracket. Who knows.

At least I know now the 8800GTS is able to cope well at 1920x1200 resolution.

What has me confused now though is Scan labelled the Dell as 2408WFP-HC and PCBuyIt have it just as a 2408WFP.

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

PcBuyIt Monitors Dell

Scan say 3 year warranty on their site and PCBuyit have 4 years. Confused, I sure am. Are they the same monitor or are there differences?

[D.M]

hehe, the 8800GTS is just in the price range I am looking at, so whatever arrives in the next few months may mean 8800GTX or 9800GTX would fall in that price bracket. Who knows.

At least I know now the 8800GTS is able to cope well at 1920x1200 resolution.

What has me confused now though is Scan labelled the Dell as 2408WFP-HC and PCBuyIt have it just as a 2408WFP.

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

PcBuyIt Monitors Dell

Scan say 3 year warranty on their site and PCBuyit have 4 years. Confused, I sure am. Are they the same monitor or are there differences?

Dell only sell one 2408 which in fact is a 2408WFP-HC, so both are right

Also some retailers are able to offer a better warranty so again, its the same monitor just a different deal they had with Dell