30" or 3x22"??? Choices, choices, choices!!!

SnowBall · Post by **SnowBall** » 20 Dec 2008, 15:26

Okay, my 30th is coming up v.soon and I have been given the option of something I want upto Â£1000!!! Lucky me (Chrimbo and BDay from family).

Sooooo, what do you think I should do? It is all going on a monitor(s) so would you recommend either 3 x 22" 1680x1080 monitors or a 30" behemoth such as the 3008FPW??? :? :?

I'm really struggling to make a decision...

I love my photography, so think the 30" would be better for the editing? Or would it as I can float the panels on the other screens if I had 3!

I enjoy my gaming - Left4Dead, Fallout3 and Forged Alliance being my games of choice!

My rig should run most things as its currently specced as follows:
QX9650 Extreme
8GB Ram
2x8800GTX cards (don't see the point in upgrading these at the mo!)
I'm currently on a 2405FPW and love the screen estate, but want more!

What do I do oh mighty WSGF people, help me before I explode! :D :D :D

ps - I have to make a choice by end of tomorrow as the 3008FPW is currently on offer on Scan.co.uk!!! :? :?

If you vote, can you give me a reason why you made that particular choice!?

Bard · Post by **Bard** » 20 Dec 2008, 17:59

Obviously, 3*22" would be best for you, that's why you are now here!
note, 30" can never give you surround exprience but 3*22" show your photography*3 on big view.

skeeder · Post by **skeeder** » 20 Dec 2008, 18:19

I wouldn't downsize your main monitor unless you need to. a 3x24's work fine too.

Post by **MobsterOO7** » 20 Dec 2008, 22:03

Keep in mind that 3x1680x1050 is kinda buggy ATM, and might not even work for you.

SnowBall · Post by **SnowBall** » 20 Dec 2008, 23:15

Thanks Fellas...

I'm actually drifting towards the 30" at the moment as I have seen a few people on YouTube add additional monitors with the help of some software called SoftTH or something like that!?

Anybody use this and if so, how reliable/good is it?

Post by **scavvenjahh** » 21 Dec 2008, 14:07

Seems to work pretty good but requires some "work" to adjust each game to your particular config. Check the official site and forum.
And don't forget custom resolutions can turn your 30" panel into a "faux" triplehead setup ;) 2560x683 will give you a basic idea of how cool it is to play with the FOV of a surround setup !

anthonylei · Post by **anthonylei** » 25 Dec 2008, 05:13

as a matter of fact, you got several options and monitor is dirt cheap at the moment (especially 16:9 TN panel), Â£1000 for monitors alone can get you very far

I personally would check Hazro 30" (S-IPS panel) out, S-IPS is great for photo editing, provided you calibrated it. The price is a lot cheaper than Dell (Â£700 from OC UK)

but it lacks the respond time and 'black' level (or dark?), which is not great for gaming.... or you can go for a S-PVA/MVA panel monitor which is between S-IPS and TN

Note: why dont you keep your current monitor???

Option 1

30" (S-IPS) + 2 * 22" (TN)

Use the 30" for photo editing and the 22" for gaming

Option 2

30" (S-IPS) + 2*24" (TN)

This set up would push the budget right on the limit but think about the desktop space you are getting.... :)

Option 3

2*24 (S-PVA/MVA)

Just a final point.... Ask yourself this question, do you need all monitors using the same panel? because all my monitors are TN except the main one which I do most of my work on....

SnowBall · Post by **SnowBall** » 25 Dec 2008, 14:39

Thanks everyone for your help... I opened up a 30" Dell 3008WFP today and am now busy writing this post with it! Talk about screen estate, I thought the 24" was good!!!

Well, I am going to ColorMunki this at some point as I think the colours are a tad off, but will soon get that sorted.

Going to take my other 24" to work as I already have the same monitor there, will set that up as 2x24" monitors...

I am exceptionally chuffed with the screen and am now working out which games I can run as full res and which I have to trim down to 1920x1200!

Might take a while

Kind regards

Paul

ps - How do I go about becoming a 30"er on the forum??? :D

Post by **Tamlin** » 25 Dec 2008, 16:23

ps - How do I go about becoming a 30"er on the forum??? :D

Congrats with new screen!

Here's how to become a 30" on the forum:
http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/groupcp.php?g=8009&sid=b510f2e55a42c1608c330103d0bdfc25

SnowBall · Post by **SnowBall** » 25 Dec 2008, 19:18

Cheers Tamlin, I love it... Going to have a read on the forum and see if I can contribute in anyway!

I've applied for membership of the group! 8)

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