New monitor before the end of the year. $800 budget. 40" 4k or 34" 21:9 or ??

doug_7506

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Before the end of the year i'll be grabbing a new monitor. Looking for advice on my purchase.

Currently:
27" 2560x1440 Koren - Starting to die. Has vertical bars across the screen. Thinking the PCB is going out.

Use:
Evenly split between gaming and work.

Thinking about:
Dell U3415W (34" 3440x1440 IPS) - Really love this monitor. Brought mine to the office and decided to leave it there. Does everything I want it to do. Love the dell warranty (3 years), love the stand, love the picture quality, love the 21:9 aspect, love the curve, etc. Really hard for me to say that I don't like something about it. Maybe more vertical space??

Samsung UN40JU6700 (40" 4k) - Really tempted to try 4k. While i love the 21:9 aspect, 4k will give me more viewing area overall. However i'm equally worried about using a TV as a monitor.

Other thoughts?

Budget: $800
 
Before the end of the year i'll be grabbing a new monitor. Looking for advice on my purchase.

Currently:
27" 2560x1440 Koren - Starting to die. Has vertical bars across the screen. Thinking the PCB is going out.

Use:
Evenly split between gaming and work.

Thinking about:
Dell U3415W (34" 3440x1440 IPS) - Really love this monitor. Brought mine to the office and decided to leave it there. Does everything I want it to do. Love the dell warranty (3 years), love the stand, love the picture quality, love the 21:9 aspect, love the curve, etc. Really hard for me to say that I don't like something about it. Maybe more vertical space??

Samsung UN40JU6700 (40" 4k) - Really tempted to try 4k. While i love the 21:9 aspect, 4k will give me more viewing area overall. However i'm equally worried about using a TV as a monitor.

Other thoughts?

Budget: $800

I got the U3415W and love it. I had to return my Predator X34 for multiple issues. The U3415W screen is identical. The only thing missing is the Gsync and overclocking to 100hz, which isn't guaranteed. The Dell is made very well, and everything is buttery smooth on the rig in my sig. I can't tell a difference between it and the X34 honestly. Guess I'm not picky enough or I don't get the placebo effect other do. Plus, the 3 year warranty, which includes them shipping you a new monitor before you ship the defective one in, is probably the best warranty and service you can get right now.

Mine overclocked to 75hz easily as well, but I've since set it back to 60 hz. I really can't tell the difference, and forget sometimes I'm not using the X34. Except that the Dell works perfectly. The X34 definitely didn't do that. Not that I have the Dell, I can't believe I paid nearly double for the X34. Definitely not worth it at all.

As far as the 4k monitor, you just need a monster rig to run games with them. I know there is a Philips one that a lot of people like, but the need for a powerful rig is among one of the complaints it gets.

I got my U3415W for $700. I know you can go to Microcenter and they will price match Amazon and give it to you for $749, which is what I did. I got $50 more off because of the X34 hassle, but $750 for this monitor is a great deal. I've heard it goes as low as $650 sometimes, so you might catch a Black Friday deal.
 
If you go 4k, and cant run that res, you can always run a custom resolution like 3840x1646 to still get your 21:9 goodness. Although I'd probably use 3840x1600 due to me use to using 7680x1600.
 
I keep trying to warn people but most of them don't listen. Don't go with gimmicks. Go with rock solid, supported hardware.

21:9 is stupid. Games are never going to support it as well as 16:9 because it's niche crap. Until game consoles are 21:9 by default, that aspect ratio is a waste of money and time.

Fallout 4 just shipped with 21:9 hassles, for example. It's going to happen with virtually every game.

Ignore gimmicks and exotic aspect ratios. Just get the highest quality resolution/refresh rate/screen combo you can afford.

The only reason G-Sync and FreeSync are sort of okay is because developers don't actually have to do any extra work to support those. Those are the only exotic technologies that I can recommend.
 
I got the U3415W and love it. I had to return my Predator X34 for multiple issues. The U3415W screen is identical. The only thing missing is the Gsync and overclocking to 100hz, which isn't guaranteed. The Dell is made very well, and everything is buttery smooth on the rig in my sig. I can't tell a difference between it and the X34 honestly. Guess I'm not picky enough or I don't get the placebo effect other do. Plus, the 3 year warranty, which includes them shipping you a new monitor before you ship the defective one in, is probably the best warranty and service you can get right now.

Mine overclocked to 75hz easily as well, but I've since set it back to 60 hz. I really can't tell the difference, and forget sometimes I'm not using the X34. Except that the Dell works perfectly. The X34 definitely didn't do that. Not that I have the Dell, I can't believe I paid nearly double for the X34. Definitely not worth it at all.

As far as the 4k monitor, you just need a monster rig to run games with them. I know there is a Philips one that a lot of people like, but the need for a powerful rig is among one of the complaints it gets.

I got my U3415W for $700. I know you can go to Microcenter and they will price match Amazon and give it to you for $749, which is what I did. I got $50 more off because of the X34 hassle, but $750 for this monitor is a great deal. I've heard it goes as low as $650 sometimes, so you might catch a Black Friday deal.

Yeah, the reviews for the predator has been less than stellar. I really love my u3415w. But I could see me enjoying something a little bigger.

If you go 4k, and cant run that res, you can always run a custom resolution like 3840x1646 to still get your 21:9 goodness. Although I'd probably use 3840x1600 due to me use to using 7680x1600.

That is the plan. I keep my monitors for so long that it doesn't really make sense for me to buy monitors for only my current configuration.

The more i think about it, the more 40" 4k just seems like a good idea.

I keep trying to warn people but most of them don't listen. Don't go with gimmicks. Go with rock solid, supported hardware.

21:9 is stupid. Games are never going to support it as well as 16:9 because it's niche crap. Until game consoles are 21:9 by default, that aspect ratio is a waste of money and time.

Fallout 4 just shipped with 21:9 hassles, for example. It's going to happen with virtually every game.

Ignore gimmicks and exotic aspect ratios. Just get the highest quality resolution/refresh rate/screen combo you can afford.

The only reason G-Sync and FreeSync are sort of okay is because developers don't actually have to do any extra work to support those. Those are the only exotic technologies that I can recommend.

I really like my 21:9, but agree with its limitations. I have to use additional software to get the aspect to work with several older games. Also, most movies don't support it. While watching a movie on it that does support it is epic, there are few and far between that do. With that said, I still really do like my 21:9 that I have at work.
 
I keep trying to warn people but most of them don't listen. Don't go with gimmicks. Go with rock solid, supported hardware.

21:9 is stupid. Games are never going to support it as well as 16:9 because it's niche crap. Until game consoles are 21:9 by default, that aspect ratio is a waste of money and time.

Fallout 4 just shipped with 21:9 hassles, for example. It's going to happen with virtually every game.

Ignore gimmicks and exotic aspect ratios. Just get the highest quality resolution/refresh rate/screen combo you can afford.

The only reason G-Sync and FreeSync are sort of okay is because developers don't actually have to do any extra work to support those. Those are the only exotic technologies that I can recommend.

Fallout 4 is a mess on a lot of levels, 21:9 has nothing do do with it. I play all sorts of games, TW3, Mad Max, FFXIV, Batman AK, Mortal Kombat X, Eve Online, Rocket League, Cities Skylines, etc. and have never had an issue with 21:9. I disagree about 21:9 being a gimmick. It's a beautiful format, and it won't be long before it's "the" format.

I will agree about going with going with proven hardware, and the U3415W is as proven as it gets in the 34" ultrawide landscape. It's solid, has a great warranty, and no "gimmicks". It provides an immersive high res screen, but doesn't require as much power to run as full 4k.
 
If you decide to stay 21:9, consider the LG. I got to see both the Dell and LG (UM95) side by side earlier this year at Frys, and while both looked great the LG had better contrast, and seemed to have more motion smoothness, but they were displaying different things. You do pay a premium for the LG, though.

I play too many twitch games so I'm planning on trying to snag the Dell Gsync model during their BF sale, but otherwise I'd likely be very happy with the U3415W.
 
...it won't be long before it's [21:9] "the" format.

Never going to happen. In few more years we will see wide adoption of virtual reality and 8K 16:9 sets.

As for present time, walk down the nearest electronics store and tell me how many 21:9 TVs you see. Vizio made an honest attempt once, but felt short (pun intended) of expectations. If you are employed in TV industry and propose your company to make another ultrawide set, you are seriously risking to get fired.
 
If you decide to stay 21:9, consider the LG. I got to see both the Dell and LG (UM95) side by side earlier this year at Frys, and while both looked great the LG had better contrast, and seemed to have more motion smoothness, but they were displaying different things. You do pay a premium for the LG, though.

I play too many twitch games so I'm planning on trying to snag the Dell Gsync model during their BF sale, but otherwise I'd likely be very happy with the U3415W.

They use the same panel, so one might need to do some calibrating to get them to look the same since they come with different default settings. I know when I was at Microcenter surrounded by multiple monitors of varying brand and size, the Dell looked better than the other 21:9 screens. Actually, the only monitor that even compared was th u3014. My wife even commented on how the U3415W "looked the best". I use a custom ICC profile and calibrated mine with settings I found on here. It looks amazing, way better than factory.

Never going to happen. In few more years we will see wide adoption of virtual reality and 8K 16:9 sets.

As for present time, walk down the nearest electronics store and tell me how many 21:9 TVs you see. Vizio made an honest attempt once, but felt short (pun intended) of expectations. If you are employed in TV industry and propose your company to make another ultrawide set, you are seriously risking to get fired.
Monitors aren't tv's. We'll see what the future holds, not going to argue about it.
 
Before the end of the year i'll be grabbing a new monitor. Looking for advice on my purchase.

Currently:
27" 2560x1440 Koren - Starting to die. Has vertical bars across the screen. Thinking the PCB is going out.

Use:
Evenly split between gaming and work.

Thinking about:
Dell U3415W (34" 3440x1440 IPS) - Really love this monitor. Brought mine to the office and decided to leave it there. Does everything I want it to do. Love the dell warranty (3 years), love the stand, love the picture quality, love the 21:9 aspect, love the curve, etc. Really hard for me to say that I don't like something about it. Maybe more vertical space??

Samsung UN40JU6700 (40" 4k) - Really tempted to try 4k. While i love the 21:9 aspect, 4k will give me more viewing area overall. However i'm equally worried about using a TV as a monitor.

Other thoughts?

Budget: $800

Subscribed. I'm in the exact same boat with an $800 budget. My Korean 27" is actually fine, but I just want an upgrade. I've been told to take a look at the Wasabi Mango (same korean concept as our 27" screens where you buy on ebay and either pray or pay for pixel perfect), and indeed for a little more than the Dell U3415w I'd be getting real 4K and way more monitor and screen real estate (fucker is 42" after all).

I went to Microcenter and looked at the U3415w in-person and I guess I expected it to be bigger. You can get it as low as $675 at Jet, but I still hesitate because I'd basically be paying a lot of money for a net gain of 33% horizontally from the monitor I have now; vertical is the same.

I'll be curious what you decide.
 
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Subscribed. I'm in the exact same boat with an $800 BUDGET. My Korean 27" is actually fine, but I just want an upgrade. I've been told to take a look at the Wasabi Mango (same korean concept as our 27" screens), and indeed for a little more than the Dell U3415w I'd be getting real 4K and way more monitor and screen real estate (fucker is 42" after all).

I went to Microcenter and looked at the U3415w in-person and I guess I expected it to be bigger. You can get it as low as $675 at Jet, but I still hesitate because I'd basically be paying a lot of money for a net gain of 33% horizontally from the monitor I have now; vertical is the same.

I'll be curious what you decide.

I will say that when I was looking at all the monitors at Microcenter, the U3014 looked massive compared to the ultrawides. I completely skipped the 30" era, and did a double take when I saw it.
 
I will say that when I was looking at all the monitors at Microcenter, the U3014 looked massive compared to the ultrawides. I completely skipped the 30" era, and did a double take when I saw it.

I will agree with that. I had a 32" Acer (2560x1440) next to a 34" Dell (3440x1440) and the 32" Acer just seemed massive with the vertical space. That is why I'm leaning to the 40" curved samsung. Just think that it would feel very immersive.

Subscribed. I'm in the exact same boat with an $800 BUDGET. My Korean 27" is actually fine, but I just want an upgrade. I've been told to take a look at the Wasabi Mango (same korean concept as our 27" screens where you buy on ebay and either pray or pay for pixel perfect), and indeed for a little more than the Dell U3415w I'd be getting real 4K and way more monitor and screen real estate (fucker is 42" after all).

I went to Microcenter and looked at the U3415w in-person and I guess I expected it to be bigger. You can get it as low as $675 at Jet, but I still hesitate because I'd basically be paying a lot of money for a net gain of 33% horizontally from the monitor I have now; vertical is the same.

I'll be curious what you decide.

Great. I would love to hear what you decide on.

It really is a BIG difference though when you sit in front of it though. I have the korean 27" at home and the dell 34" at the office. You really do enjoy the extra space. However, i do feel the 40" 4k would be more immersive. Never tried one yet though, so I really don't know.
 
My Korean 27" is actually fine, but I just want an upgrade.
IMO you should wait for next year and see what new models get introduced. Only a few months away. Typically by March you've got a pretty good idea of what is coming for the year.

2015 gave us the 1st really affordable 4K monitors/TV's. Maybe in 2016 they'll get downright cheap. A $3-400 Wasabi Mango-esque-but-maybe-a-bit-better-overall monitor would be a heck of a deal. Or maybe at least we'll see non-expensive 144/120Hz 4K 38"+ with Freesync/Gsync monitors.

Well...maybe Freesync versions anyways, Gsync versions will probably go for a premium.

Personally I'm still holding onto my HPZR2740w for now. Its served me well for the past 4 years or so now but the monitors today are getting good enough that there is a fairly visible difference in image quality/response time so a 2016 monitor should be a pretty good step up.
 
However, i do feel the 40" 4k would be more immersive. Never tried one yet though, so I really don't know.
They're a lil' too big at typical PC monitor viewing distances. You'll actually get some minor image distortion and/or are forced to use your peripheral vision more often.

If you move them back 6" or so farther than normal and increase text size a bit (125-150% of normal) they're juuuuuust right.

Don't have one but that is my experience using a buddies set up. He had to use a TV wall mount arm in order to get the viewing distance just right without moving his whole desk back from the wall. Sorta like this. Dunno if that is the same model he used but looks lots like it. He didn't have the arm extended though, it was almost flat against the wall and tilted down a bit. His previous monitor used a mount that sat on his desk and was closer.
 
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I21:9 is stupid. Games are never going to support it as well as 16:9 because it's niche crap. Until game consoles are 21:9 by default, that aspect ratio is a waste of money and time.

That assumes you want it for gaming. For productivity stuff (office, photo/video editing, coding, browsing, etc.) it already works perfectly fine.
 
That assumes you want it for gaming. For productivity stuff (office, photo/video editing, coding, browsing, etc.) it already works perfectly fine.

so why get it when you can get a 4K screen with more vertical pixels for the same price?

BTW I got the Dell 27 in IPS 4K and its too small personally. I would love to have the 32 in for games and productivity but for pure gaming I am unsure if 32 or 40 would be better but 27 is definitely too small.

I do think 32-34 probably be best but 40 does sound fun. Although, I am think 40 in might be reserved for 8k gaming.
 
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so why get it when you can get a 4K screen with more vertical pixels for the same price?

BTW I got the Dell 27 in IPS 4K and its too small personally. I would love to have the 32 in for games and productivity but for pure gaming I am unsure if 32 or 40 would be better but 27 is definitely too small.

I do think 32-34 probably be best but 40 does sound fun. Although, I am think 40 in might be reserved for 8k gaming.

i think 40" is the sweet spot for 4k since it is the same dpi as a 27" 2560x1440 monitor and the same dpi and the 34" 3400x1400 monitor (~110dpi). So everything would be the same size, but just with more vertical and horizontal space. 110 dpi seems to be the sweet spot for me at least.
 
They're a lil' too big at typical PC monitor viewing distances. You'll actually get some minor image distortion and/or are forced to use your peripheral vision more often.

If you move them back 6" or so farther than normal and increase text size a bit (125-150% of normal) they're juuuuuust right.

Don't have one but that is my experience using a buddies set up. He had to use a TV wall mount arm in order to get the viewing distance just right without moving his whole desk back from the wall. Sorta like this. Dunno if that is the same model he used but looks lots like it. He didn't have the arm extended though, it was almost flat against the wall and tilted down a bit. His previous monitor used a mount that sat on his desk and was closer.

the 40" samsung ju6700 is 36.2" x 21.0"
the 34" dell u3415w is 32.47" x 14.65"

so we are talking about an additional ~4" horizontal space (or 2" to the left and right) and an additional 6-7" vertical (or 3"-3.5" up and down.)

really doesn't seem like much.
 
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the 40" samsung ju6700 is 36.2" x 21.0"
the 34" dell u3415w is 32.47" x 14.65"

so we are talking about an additional ~4" vertical space (or 2" to the left and right) and an additional 6-7" horizontal (or 3"-3.5" up and down.)

really doesn't seem like much.

It doesn't seem like much but when looking at them on top of each other it does look like a lot. I am currently having the same dilemma.
 
really doesn't seem like much.
The 34" will be right on the edge of what is tolerable at typical viewing distances. Even then you'll find you'll be moving you head or eyes around more than you would with a 27" at the same distance to find what you're looking for just in the horizontal plane. Add in the increased vertical size of the 40"+ monitors, which will add a up/down component that is very strange to deal with if you're only used to moving your head or eyes side to side a bit, and then suddenly its all just too much.

There are plenty of people who own 40"+ monitors who comment about this issue so its hardly strange or unique and certainly not BS.
 
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