$600 Budget, 3 monitors

[Dave1122]

I'm the GTA area, Canada.
Is it possible to get a setup of 3 22-23" monitors for about $600?

I know I wont be getting the best, but I am having a difficult time finding monitors in my budget that look good and have a small bevel.

Thanks
Dave

[Abram]

You will likely have to wait for a sale, but certainly. Just a little while ago someone was inquiring about a 23" 1080 display that was $165 or so. But I Do recommend that you get all three at once, that way you're more likely to get a set with close manufacturing dates, and matching color.

Or do what i did, and get two now for the side displays , and get a higher quality center display later on.

Thin bezels and low prices usually don't meet. Some folks overlap their bezels, but i think that just looks weird.

Just had a quick look at the fuckershop site and they have a LG W2353V for $180 a piece. You can also get big-box stores to price-match online prices. I've saved about $2000 doing that over the years. IF you do, remember to get the extra 10% of the difference of the new, matched price.

[Dave1122]

I know a lot of people recommend the Dell Ultrasharp series of monitors. They look like they have a small bevel too. I think I was looking at a Dell 2311 for about $350 (more affordable compared to the 24" model at $550 - $200 less for a loss of 1").

There is also an LG Model, LG W2343T-PF, 23", going for $160/each (I can certainly pick up 3 in my price range).

There is also another model I saw (LG E2240T-PN, 22" LED Widescreen Monitor, 19200x1080, 5ms, 5000000:1(DCR),- Black, VGA and DVI) - for $200 on sale (CC). I wonder if this is a good price for an LED. I know I'm going down in size, but only by 1"

I also see a Samsung BX2350, 23" Widescreen LED Monitor, 1920x1080, 2ms, 5,000,000:1(DCR), VGA, HDMI for $270 each

I wonder if I don't get an Ultrabright from Dell (preferred option), will an LED LCD be the next optimal choice (I liked one at a store that was amazing to look at with a think bevel, but had a ghastly base!)

Thanks for the help
Dave

[Slinky]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009266

These work just fine.

[Abram]

IF yo ever want to mount them, make sure they have VESA mounts. Getting rid f the default stands is much cooler than one expects. Even a single screen on a movable arm is damned handy.

[Dave1122]

Would you say the Dell U2311H is a good alternative? It's an IPS panel, and I can grab it for about $320 each

If I go this route, I'll only buy 2 for now.

I was looking at monitors in the store, and the LED (lcd) monitors certainly LOOK better (sharper, more vibrant, etc), and I was leaning towards those. I even found LED monitors that were not that much more expensive than the regular LCD counter part.

Now I'm just wondering if LED is even worth it. E.g, stick to a cheap LCD (tn) panel and forget the LED, or move to an IPS panel, even an entry level one.

Do I have to worry about the Hz of any of the models I buy, in order to work with widescreen gaming? Or is that something that adjust automatically

[Abram]

I use a single Dell IPS and I've pretty happy with it, so sure. Plus IPS is great for viewing from off-center. I personally have no experience with LED, but I think that a IPS LCD panel would still be superior to a LED TN. All displays will do at least 60hz, so that's not a real issue.. If you want to use 3D glasses, like Nvidia has, you'll need 120hz.

So sure, buy those two.

Edit: Hey i was just looking at the Dell.ca website and they have the monitors you're looking at on sale for $239

[Dave1122]

I use a single Dell IPS and I've pretty happy with it, so sure. Plus IPS is great for viewing from off-center. I personally have no experience with LED, but I think that a IPS LCD panel would still be superior to a LED TN. All displays will do at least 60hz, so that's not a real issue.. If you want to use 3D glasses, like Nvidia has, you'll need 120hz.

So sure, buy those two.

Edit: Hey i was just looking at the Dell.ca website and they have the monitors you're looking at on sale for $239

WOW! Thanks for that! I checked earlier today and it didn't say that ($100 off).

I actually just picked up 2 Samsung BX2440 LED. I know these are TN Panels, but they do look stunning. To boot, these have a VESA mount, so when I move to 3 panels, I can grab that universal mount I see on the link.

Now I'm torn. :) That is a great deal on the u2311H. Any bit of research I do does seem to suggest it's not as good as the 2410, and its not necessarily as good as the one preceeding it (2309, 2209?). And I've heard this Samsung monitor is very nice...

Hmmm... decisions. I did pay more for this BX2440 than the Dell is currently be sold for.

[Gilly]

LED is used to reduce power consumption, and to allow thinner screens. Sometimes it helps with black level, contrast etc, but that is also down to the panel itself. So you can gain very little by searching just for LED backlight (or sidelit) screens.

[Abram]

Go for the IPS displays. It's a great price, and the difference compared to TN is ridiculous. This u2410 i have now is the first IPS i've ever owned, and i love it. I doubt I'll buy TN ever again.

Samsungs are great monitors, but it's still TN. If you were staying with a single display, I probably wouldn't try so hard to convince you , but since you're going after a multi-monitor setup, GET THE DELLS. Uhh.. i assume they have the VESA mount - all Dells I've seen, do.

You have no real reason to NOT get the Dells.

Be sure to post some pics when you get it all set up.

[suiken_2mieu]

Go for the IPS displays. It's a great price, and the difference compared to TN is ridiculous. This u2410 i have now is the first IPS i've ever owned, and i love it. I doubt I'll buy TN ever again.

Samsungs are great monitors, but it's still TN. If you were staying with a single display, I probably wouldn't try so hard to convince you , but since you're going after a multi-monitor setup, GET THE DELLS. Uhh.. i assume they have the VESA mount - all Dells I've seen, do.

You have no real reason to NOT get the Dells.

Be sure to post some pics when you get it all set up.

I've used dell monitors for my last two monitor setups. I love dell monitors. I just got my first IPS a few weeks ago, and I can never go back. TN's just don't have the color I like.

[soldierguy]

I really like the Dell monitors too. I see on their site as mentioned earlier
that the Dell Ultra Sharp 2209WA 22inch is on sale for $279. Maybe tax
and shipping. I don't know. But that's a great value. For sure the color is
super with these monitors.

I just bought 2 more Dell G2410H 24inch monitors to allow me to finish my
3x1 Eyefinity setup, but knew I wouldn't be as happy as I "could be" with the
color of this less expensive,but less performing choice. I already had one of the monitors and wanted to have all 3 the same etc. And before I was using a single Samsung TV with much better color. I'm happy with what I have because it fit my budget, and as long
as I don't have to compare with the better Ultra Sharp side by side, I just pretend :).

After I paid sales tax etc these 3 24" monitors cost about $250US each. And with three
24" 1920x1080 monitors that all good, just not as good color--I'll save up for next time.

But I'm happy with it. Goodluck. Hope you can swing the ultrasharp units for your needs/they're the best looking that I've seen. Course I haven't seen everything.

[maryparker]

Any updates? Were you able to choose what brand of monitor are you going to buy?