Gaming: 3 x 24" or 1 x 27/30"?

[Syranthian]

For those who've tried both, is it really difficult gaming on larger (27"+) displays? Or do you prefer it to triple-monitor setups?

I've been wanting to jump into Eyefinity, looking at 3x24" monitors (5760x1200 if possible) primarily for gaming with light non-graphics-related office work. Several reviews suggest triple-monitor just doesn't beat one monster monitor. Others still say 16x10 is a dying format best avoided, though I have an LCD TV for my console gaming and movie needs.

Sadly in Japan Dell is far cheaper than HP, so the ZR24ws are a bit pricey. Any suggestions on a good setup? Am also considering buying a large main display for gaming and going PLP, but matching the side monitors seems tricky. Looking to avoid TN panels and go with an IPS that isn't too bad with input lag.

Prices in Japan (converted to USD):

Dell U2311: $300 (x3 = by far cheapest option, but 1920x1080...)
Dell U2410: $500
ZR24W: $580 (my current choice, but expensive)
Dell U2710: $615
Dell U3010: $1400 (input lag?)
ZR30w: $2000 (!)

Budget is ~$1700, less if I can help it (U2311s are so inexpensive they tempt me despite the smaller resolution and real estate). Unfortunately retailers in Japan do not stock either HP or Dell so I CANNOT preview these before buying, which scares me because of AG coating nightmares mentioned all over the place.

Thank you kindly for any advice or accounts of personal usage...

 

[txfeinbergs]

I just got a Dell U3011 about 2 weeks ago and love it. So far I have played Dead Space 2 and Rift on it. I do not notice any input lag. I also have no problem running 40 frames a second with a single GTX 580 with all options turned on in Rift at max resolution. (and Dead Space 2 is a joke as the graphics card never goes above 20% utilized where Rift is always maxed at 100% utilized).

Can't comment on Eyefinity setup as I have never tried it (nor does it appeal to me as a single monitor is much easier to use from a work standpoint).

 

[wagoo]

Given those prices I'd go for the U2711s. Although you will need some hefty firepower (crossfire or SLI with 2GB+ per GPU) to drive 3 of them nicely.

It is odd about the HP screens having such a mark up over there.

If you decide to do a PLP though, and just game on the centre screen, the U2711 doesn't really have nicely matching wings. Go for the U3010 with Dell 2007fp or some other 20" 1600x1200 screens like the HP LP2065.. Eizo have some too (Eizo are Nanao in Japan I think).

 

[Syranthian]

Thank you both for the responses, it sounds like the U3011 is a beastly option that can definitely work even for gaming.

If I did go one big monitor I'd definitely want to add wings for non-gaming, the problem is there are absolutely zero 1600x1200 screens on sale here, they're all 1600x900 which seems like a subpar compromise. If the 2007fp was available I'd likely pull the trigger, but as it stands....

So I'm stuck again wavering between the 24" options (and am hearing 16x10 is a terrible, poorly supported aspect ratio for gaming offering less visible area (??) than 16x9 anyway) or trying to make something work PLP with a U3011, despite the U2711 being waaayyy more affordable.

Seems like a questionable compromise either way.

 

[Rokodo]

A 24" 16:10 screen offers more pixel real estate (1920x1200) than 16:9 (1920x1080) but now people are saying that games are being designed for a 16:9 field of view as opposed to 16:10 which is where this "Less visible area" comes from. So as wings 16:10 is not an issue. Just keep in mind the differences in pixel pitch if you want to use a 30/27" with 24" wings if that will annoy you. Objects on a 27" will appear much smaller per resolution than on a 24". Yorokonde.

 

[wagoo]

So I'm stuck again wavering between the 24" options (and am hearing 16x10 is a terrible, poorly supported aspect ratio for gaming offering less visible area (??) than 16x9 anyway) or trying to make something work PLP with a U3011, despite the U2711 being waaayyy more affordable.

Don't worry about that stuff, it's more to do with cost per pixel. A 16:10 screen can always natively support the 16:9 version's content, just with borders. In portrait eyefinity 16:10 gives you a wider screen anyway.

One thing I'll say about eyefinity though.. assuming you go portrait, is that it's nice to have a 4th screen in landscape for watching videos on.

If you decide on PLP with the U3011, Yahoo auctions (for some reason more popular than ebay) may be a good place to find side monitors? Make sure they're not TN though.