Displays Should I upgrade my monitors?

[GeorgeStorm]

Hey,
As above, I'm currently deciding whether I should sell one or both of my current monitors (U2311H in portrait and Hanns.G 28")
And then get a 27/30" IPS panel with a 1440/1600p res.

Been looking at the cheap 27" ones from Korea, which use the same LG panels as all the others as far as I'm aware, just without the fancy stands etc, which isn't too much of an issue.
Main uses for my PC are gaming, watching various media, then just browsing/working

The choices I can think of are:
1) Stay as I am, spend money on other things maybe
2) Sell my Hanns.G then get a 27/30"
3) Sell both and get a 27/30"

Not sure how much I can afford, would depend how much I'd be able to sell my current monitors for etc.

Or ofcourse should I spend my money elsewhere entirely :P
What would people recommend?

[GuilleAcoustic]

Hard question. Why are you willing to upgrade ? If you aren't limited by your current monitors the answer is "NO". If you really higher res or the bigger display surface of a 30", then "YES".

You already have a 28" screen, that is quite big. In your position, I would only change to get a better quality screen. For example an IPS if you need wider angles, or more accurate colors (which even TNs can provides if you choose them well).

1600p for gaming, not sure it is a good reason to change a monitor. It's nice for software like photoshop ot 3DS, where you can have more "tools" displayed ... but only for gaming, it's wasted money. But as always, this is my point of view and only involves me

EDIT :

for example here would be my reason for upgrading :

- Better image quality (color accuracy, contrast, viewing angles, etc)
- More option (portrait mode, detachable stand, more inputs)
- Bigger screen

Right now I'm using a 17" Eizo screen. I'm looking for bigger but I do not want to lose on anything the Eizo gives me (colors, contrast, light sensor, awesome stand, build quality) ... this involves that even a 23" / 24" ends up being in the 300/400 euros at least

[GeorgeStorm]

I wouldn't say I'm limited by my current monitors, merely think it's any area I would get a benefit from improving.
Oh sorry if I didn't make it clear, the only monitors I'm considering are IPS 1440/1600p models.
I am starting to get into photography a little, and am playing around with photoshop now, I can definitely see the advantages of more room (and the better colours)

[GuilleAcoustic]

IPS are nice but do not guaranty the color accuracy . For example, my old Eizo (bough in 2004) has a TN panel that is more accurate than "cheap" recent IPS. IIyama has some TN screen that really are accurate (only issue is the viewing angles).

Now it's always frustrating to realize that you were looking at your TN from a slightly too "low" angle and that your work on colors (could it be colorization or picture enhancement) is completly biased .

IPS is a nice choice for viewing angles. I have no idea about 27" and above IPS pricing (at least for accurate models).

[GeorgeStorm]

Well, better colours isn't the main reason for going to IPS, it's because TN panels don't seem to get any higher res than 1920x1200, and if I were to buy a new monitor, I'd like more pixels please

[GregTheRotter]

Originally Posted by GuilleAcoustic

IPS is a nice choice for viewing angles. I have no idea about 27" and above IPS pricing (at least for accurate models).

Not sure how accurate the U2711 is. I'm sure pretty accurate although obviously not in the £1k+ bracket. I got mine for £550.

[GuilleAcoustic]

Colors are accurate, but the contrast is below the average. It also suffers from reverse ghosting issue (which is bad for gaming) and consume a lot (86W @200cd/m²). Nice screen for image processing, but not suited for gaming.

[GregTheRotter]

Can't say I've ever been able to notice ghosting. Even on my NEC 20WGX2 which had an even slower response time than what this does. As they say, you can't have everything.

[GuilleAcoustic]

Originally Posted by GregTheRotter

Can't say I've ever been able to notice ghosting. Even on my NEC 20WGX2 which had an even slower response time than what this does. As they say, you can't have everything.

True .... I'm only saying that from a few review. User experience is always better .

[GeorgeStorm]

If I were to replace my current Hanns.G with a 1440p monitor, then it wouldn't need a decent stand or anything, since it won't be moving about really, just sits there in landscape mode, and so I'd end up with a better looking (in theory) physically smaller, but in terms of pixels, larger screen.
Reasons to go for the DELL over a cheaper model is the stand.general build quality really, and I'm not sure if that's worth doubling the price :/

[GoodBytes]

As I already mentioned on another thread you participated in, the Dell has A LOT more than the stand:
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showpost....31&postcount=8

[Spreadie]

I used to run two 22" 1680x1050 TN panels, but now have a Dell 3007.

Even for a relatively old monitor, the Dell is stunning. I can only imagine the newer models are even better. 2560x1600 is excellent - I cannot recommend it enough.

Of course, I now have a real need for a GTX 670.

[GuilleAcoustic]

Originally Posted by Spreadie

I used to run two 22" 1680x1050 TN panels, but now have a Dell 3007.

Even for a relatively old monitor, the Dell is stunning. I can only imagine the newer models are even better. 2560x1600 is excellent - I cannot recommend it enough.

Of course, I now have a real need for a GTX 670.

or two

[GeorgeStorm]

Well, when it comes to the OSD, only things I've touched on this DELL is the brightness settings, so that's not much of an issue to me
The 1 input isn't a problem for me
Not sure about the colour processor, not the main reason I'm looking at IPS in this instance
Power adaptor isn't much of an issue, will just be sitting under my desk most likely
The illumination thing is interesting, although is that present on the korean models on ebay? Haven't heard much about it (although haven't done THAT much reading)

Warranty wise I've heard you get refunded postage if there is an issue, and I can cope without a monitor for a week or two if something were to happen (or I could just buy another at that price :P)
And the lack of scalar, I currently use a monitor without any, and run/play 720p stuff full screen, not it's not quite as sharp as 1080p content, but it's not earth shattering, I'd still rather have it full screen than not very big (if that's what you're meaning)

Edit:
Just reread this, not meaning to be agressive towards you, I can see the benefits in general, merely trying to work out which of them will affect me, and as a result whether it's worth double the price.
Ideally I'd like to get a U30 and keep my U23 in portrait, but that isn't going to happen I don't think...

[Teelzebub]

Originally Posted by Guille Acoustic

Colors are accurate, but the contrast is below the average. It also suffers from reverse ghosting issue (which is bad for gaming) and consume a lot (86W @200cd/m²). Nice screen for image processing, but not suited for gaming.

I game on mine all the time not noticed any ghosting at all and I think a excellent screen for gaming suppose it's a matter of opinion.

[GuilleAcoustic]

Originally Posted by Teelzebub

I game on mine all the time not noticed any ghosting at all and I think a excellent screen for gaming suppose it's a matter of opinion.

Exactly .... that's why I only make my decision with side by side comparison in a shop (same with audio stuff, nothing is better than the user ears). Out of topic, are you happy with your Momentus XT ?

[GeorgeStorm]

The reasoning I'm even considering the cheaper models from korea is due to the cost, I can literally get for the same price as one DELL :/

So, what would people's recommendation be, wait until I can afford a U30? Just get a U27? Keep/sell one/both of my current monitors?

[Parge]

Originally Posted by GeorgeStorm

The reasoning I'm even considering the cheaper models from korea is due to the cost, I can literally get for the same price as one DELL :/

So, what would people's recommendation be, wait until I can afford a U30? Just get a U27? Keep/sell one/both of my current monitors?

Sure, get a cheap korean version, but you have to be prepared for the fact that you might get one with a load of dead or stuck pixels. Can you live with that?

I've got a U3011 and I love it, but I'm sure the U2711 is almost as good, and you wouldn't be disappointed. I haven't seen it, but I'm pretty sure anything IPS would compare well to that HannsG which is a budget monitor even by TN standards.

You could even go for something like the 3007WFP - less inputs - but still Dell quality.

[3lusive]

If you're considering the Korean ones, see this site for a good breakdown of the various models. They're not all the same. http://www.swiftworld.net/2012/04/14...ls/#QH270-LITE

They are all glossy except for one, however. I saw an Apple cinema at the weekend, with the curtains closed, and I have to say the contrast and sharpness was amazing. If you can handle the light and prevent reflections, a Korean display might be a decent purchase seeing as they're much cheaper. Most of them are rejected Apple cinemas.

[GeorgeStorm]

Well, if I go for the cheapest they could have up to 5 dead pixels, but I could spend a little more to get it pixel perfect (around £250 I think)
When it comes to the Hanns.G, I've been very pleased with it, while the DELL U2311H does looks slightly better when compared side by side, it's nothing major, and it's stand is easily it's biggest selling point for me, feels far better made than the monitor itself.

I'm keeping an eye out for some of the older DELL 30"ers

Yeah, I knew they weren't all identical, and yeah I know the panels themselves are good, the downside being the shell they're in etc.