Bigger or better?

S

Scintir

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
475
Hello, I previously made a thread about what monitor to get to find out that the choices I had my eye on were... well a bunch of POS monitors.

Anyways, I found out that my budget for a monitor is actually bigger (yay) and I was wondering about some things.

First off, I am looking at both 30in monitors with the resolution of 2560 x 1600 and 42in HDTVs with the resolution of 1920 X 1080.

Now, what I wanted to know is what people that use 2560 x 1600 really think of it? Could someone really justify using such a large resolution on a 30in monitor compared to just using a 42in 1080P tv?

The 42in TV is of course cheaper and much larger, but it is all worth it? I personally only game on 1650 X 1050 and I like it especially compared to my old 1280 X 768 resolution on the CRT, so any increase is appreciated.

$1,000 30in LCD monitor 2560 x 1600 VS $800 42in LCD HDTV 1920 X 1080,
which would you all chose?

P.S. I do a lot of gaming and love to pretty much do everything on my computer. I have a PS3 which is hooked up to my current TV with a surround sound set and would eventually like to watch TV on my computer (I will be going to college and I will need to save room).

Items being looked at:

HDTV:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889101176
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889253161

Monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001098
(I like more than a 1 year warranty, especially if I am paying so much for it).

Thanks for the advice, I will really need it.
 
Dont go with such a huge resolution if you do a ton of gaming. Sure it sounds nice, but really is kind of overkill imo. 1080P is 1920 x 1080, so anything above that is really not that noticeable. Plus your videocard has to support such large resolutions. I'd either go with an LCD tv, like the 42", or a monitor of 25 or 26"
 
Currently supporting an HD 4870 and am willing to put in another one for crossfire if it was needed.

I know a lot of people say they don't notice the difference between the two resolutions but then there are people that claim they do, so I was wondering if anyone has any real experience with it here and that might be willing to post some images to compare them if they have the ability.

I am slowly leaning towards the 1080P HDTV because it is pretty damn big and provides a decent resolution.

Thanks for the suggestion, now I am slowly leaning towards the tv ^^.
 
You absolutely will need a second 4870 for crossfire if you get a 30", there's no question at all. In fact, you will probably want a second card with the 1080P HDTV if you are demanding with regard to high settings and AA.

42" is way too big if you'll be using it on your desk, though. I would not go above 32", 36" at absolute largest.

A high quality 30" LCD does not necessarily cost $1000 either -- you can get a refurbished Dell 3007WFP-HC for $750 shipped at Dell Outlet, which has a 3 year warranty just like a new one, and you can likely find a discount code for Dell Outlet or buy a coupon code on Ebay or similar to bring that price even lower.

If you'll be using the display with consoles and watching TV on it, buy a HDTV. If you'll be using it with a PC only I would get a proper PC display like the 3007WFP-HC. If you go with a HDTV and intend to use it with a PC at all make sure you do your research first! Many, I would even go so far as to say most, HDTVs make horrible PC monitors.

If you have good vision, you will definitely notice the difference between 1920x1080 and 2560x1600 -- it is substantial. I'm not speaking from experience with LCDs here, but rather very high end 21" CRTs around 2002, 2003. I personally can tell the difference between 1600x1200, 1880x1440, 1920x1200 and 2560x1600. While my current display tops out at 1920x1200, I do wish it went to 2560x1600.

The concerns with GPU power at 2650x1600 are much greater than at 1920x1200 or 1920x1080, of course. If you have a 512MB 4870 and aren't willing to replace it, I would limit yourself to 1920x1200 and below.
 
My family has a huge problem with refurbished items, so I will probably get yelled at a wee bit if I got one (thus I usually avoid one), but if I do see a good deal for one I might try it.

Also, as I stated I will be going into a dorm, and that has bothered me on the size of that TV. the problem I see though is that for a 1080p 30in HDTV they are pretty close to the price of a 40in TV (well, close in my opinion I guess), so just out of my own problem with wanting every dollar to go as far as it can (as many will often do) I will probably go with the larger screen, even if it is a bit uncomfortable.

I am currently going to look up the specs of the rooms I will be going into and see what distance I can get, but overall yes I will probably end up being at a desk of some sort.
With the TV or monitor I plan to play everything on it. Movies, my PS3, and the computer. I would like this to replace all of my current displays, and I don't care about speakers since I also have two sets >.< (logitech X530 I believe and a pioneer surround sound set).

I see the recommended distance for a 40in TV is like 3-4 feet from it at least, and I think I can pull it off, but as I sit on my computer often and play almost all types of PC games from RTS games to FPS (rts games will probably have a problem), I can say that there may be a problem that bothers me.

Is 2560 X 1200 really worth the cash? As you said you don't have experience but you also say that you can detect the difference very well, but I cannot say for myself. Movies may come to that resolution and I would be ahead of the game, which would be awesome, but for the price would it be worth it the entire time.

:confused:

Having cash to burn can suck sometimes >.<.


Edit: I am usually pretty willing to upgrade my computer. I am planning on being a computer engineer and I just love computer hardware! Upgrade upgrade upgrade and tear apart. Find the ticking in my parts! (also, since I build gaming machines for friends and I am the leader in the parts, I also have a line of people I can sell my parts to afterwards).

Second edit: Wow, I looked at the refurbs and a 3 year warranty is nice. Free shipping (and tax which sucks). I think at this rate you may have pushed me into a refurb =p.
 
Well, the refurbished Dell is not like most refurbs -- it doesn't have some paltry 90 day or even one year warranty, but the exact same 3 year warranty as the new models. Only difference is it costs about $600 less than a new one.

Again, if you do go with a HDTV (and that may be best, considering your wide range of desired uses) do /not/ get one larger than ~32", even if the larger ones seem a better deal. I've tried to use a 42" HDTV on my desk very briefly, and I made it less than a week. It destroyed my neck, and I was constantly having to look left and right to be able to see the whole picture.

You have to also take in to account that you'll likely be paying a considerable premium for a HDTV that's known to be a good PC monitor, as well, so don't just glance over all the ads at Best Buy or Amazon and go "But you can get a 46" 1080P HDTV for $800!" -- chances are it would make a horrible monitor. Expect to pay ~$900-1200 for a quality 32-37" HDTV that's known to be a quality PC monitor. Certainly no less than $800.

Having just moved out of a dorm last year I'll go ahead and state the obvious there -- dorm rooms are small. The likelihood of your sitting comfortably 3-4+ feet from your screen is minimal, and introduces issues with placing the keyboard and mouse you normally wouldn't run in to as well.
 
Can't support Sharp or New Egg as choices...

New Egg -- You need to be able to do your own QA and be able to return the thing, no questions asked...

Sharp -- proprietary pixel structure makes text a bit less clear

Toshiba -- not familiar on the current stuff. You'd want to make sure it truly is PC compatible. Some TVs really are not...

(Please also see other related threads via search function...)
 
silent-circuit said:
You absolutely will need a second 4870 for crossfire if you get a 30", there's no question at all. In fact, you will probably want a second card with the 1080P HDTV if you are demanding with regard to high settings and AA.

42" is way too big if you'll be using it on your desk, though. I would not go above 32", 36" at absolute largest.

A high quality 30" LCD does not necessarily cost $1000 either -- you can get a refurbished Dell 3007WFP-HC for $750 shipped at Dell Outlet, which has a 3 year warranty just like a new one, and you can likely find a discount code for Dell Outlet or buy a coupon code on Ebay or similar to bring that price even lower.

If you'll be using the display with consoles and watching TV on it, buy a HDTV. If you'll be using it with a PC only I would get a proper PC display like the 3007WFP-HC. If you go with a HDTV and intend to use it with a PC at all make sure you do your research first! Many, I would even go so far as to say most, HDTVs make horrible PC monitors.

If you have good vision, you will definitely notice the difference between 1920x1080 and 2560x1600 -- it is substantial. I'm not speaking from experience with LCDs here, but rather very high end 21" CRTs around 2002, 2003. I personally can tell the difference between 1600x1200, 1880x1440, 1920x1200 and 2560x1600. While my current display tops out at 1920x1200, I do wish it went to 2560x1600.

The concerns with GPU power at 2650x1600 are much greater than at 1920x1200 or 1920x1080, of course. If you have a 512MB 4870 and aren't willing to replace it, I would limit yourself to 1920x1200 and below.
Click to expand...

+1 I agree with all of this!

Dave
 
Thanks extremely for the comments. I think I am starting to get really close to my decision. Those refurbs are looking really nice and I am continuing my research on them (so far all good). I think I would purchase the extended warranty to 5 years just incase since it would be a refurb and it is generally a large buy for me.

anyways, I think I may purchase the refurb this weekend when I get all of my cash in order and accounted for, so I will have a bit longer to decide but thanks to all your suggestions I think I will go with that. Next would be another graphics card to power the beast to its full potential ^^.

On another note, II do believe in doing a lot on my monitor, but I think with a nice monitor I might be able to just get an adapter for the ps3. I also think that my room-mate (my best friend is going with me, w00t) will be getting an HDTV for his monitor, he isn't as big into PC gaming as I am so I think I may just leave all the TV viewing to his monitor ^^.

Once again thanks =D, I knew I could trust my [H] brothers, even if you guys do get into fights... (looks at AMD and Intel forums here to see the phrase "fan boy" used in multiple occasions with many..."harsh" comments used to accompany this phrase :p.
 
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