Our First 21:9 Ultra-Widescreen Gaming Reel

[skipclarke]

I received my Dell U2913WM just before Thanksgiving, and spent some time running a handful of games on it to see how they fared. Used the NVIDIA GTX670 for testing, and looking at how each game performed at 2560x1080. We looked at gameplay, menus, HUD and cut-scenes. See the full article for the list of games, and their location in the video.

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[suiken_2mieu]

So would you rather have this 21:9 2560x1080 monitor or a 16:10 2560x1600 monitor?

[dr1v3n l1k3 stol3n]

Thanks for the great review Skip. Have you tried out the DisplayPort 1.2 in and out ports? Does it allow you to daisy chain to a second monitor from the U2913WM?

[Wijkert]

So would you rather have this 21:9 2560x1080 monitor or a 16:10 2560x1600 monitor?

Because of the aspect ratio I would rather have a 21:9 monitor.

[Timobkg]

So would you rather have this 21:9 2560x1080 monitor or a 16:10 2560x1600 monitor?

Because of the aspect ratio I would rather have a 21:9 monitor.

But would you give up your 3x16:9 setup for a 21:9 monitor?

[X3R Kefran]

I received my u2913wm today.
It is a bit strange the first time you see this screen for real

My first feedback is that it is a decent gaming monitor for a screen not designed for gaming in the first place: reactivity is good and I have not noticed an increase in input lag compared to my monitors. I do not have tools to measure those two data but in terms of feeling, it is OK.

For the games I tested, I saw that some games like Borderlands 2 and Assassin Creed Revelations manage the 21/9 format as if it was triple-monitor: the hud is positionned in a virtual central 16/9 screen.

I tested various games. Assassin creed 3 does not manage 21/9 at all. It just sends a 1920*1080 image (with black bars on the sides) even when the correct resolution is selected.

This format is great for gaming. When games are supported correctly, I do not really see any good reason that could make one prefer 16/9 over 21/9.
I do not think that this format can replace a 3*1 set-up. It is just not wide enough. It would require something between 24/9 and 32/9 (corresponding to 1.5 to 2 16/9 screens wide) to really compete with triple wide.

[skipclarke]

So would you rather have this 21:9 2560x1080 monitor or a 16:10 2560x1600 monitor?

Because of the aspect ratio I would rather have a 21:9 monitor.

But would you give up your 3x16:9 setup for a 21:9 monitor?

I vote for 21:9 over 16:10.

With regards to 21:9 vs. 3x16:9, I need a bit more time with it.

[peanut]

I'm in the same boat right now - I have a 3x16:9 setup currently, but I'm considering moving to a Catleap 2B Extreme 120 hz monitor@ 2560x1440.

I'm not sure if the added pixels and 120hz will be enough to move me away from the extra wide resolutions of my existing setup.

[Wijkert]

So would you rather have this 21:9 2560x1080 monitor or a 16:10 2560x1600 monitor?

Because of the aspect ratio I would rather have a 21:9 monitor.

But would you give up your 3x16:9 setup for a 21:9 monitor?

I wouldn’t consider replacing my 3x16:9 setup with a 21:9 screen, but adding it instead, just like skip did in his video. That way you can switch between 16:9, 21:9 and 3x16:9. Will need to add the cost of a monitor stand to the cost of a 21:9 monitor as I currently don't need/use one. Also I would like to have both 3x16:9 and 21:9 at the right height so my neck won't trouble me after long gaming sessions. This last problem might be hard to solve.

The last thing that might be annoying is that even if developers implemented proper triple monitor support the hud would be centered as on a single 16:9 monitor. On a 21:9 monitor those hud elements would be too close to the center.

[X3R Kefran]

I did some additional tests and surprisingly, it is more difficult to make games run correctly in 21/9 than in 3×16/9.
The great tools like flawless widescreen or the fixer are designed to support triple-monitor more than intermediary aspect ratios such as 21/9. Therefore some games are not fixed in 21/9. I could not get games like mass effects ro work properly.

On the other hand, there are some games where one could prefer 21/9 over 3×16/9:
- demanding games such as crysis 2 if you want to play all options maxed out.
- games that have some issues with ultra resolutions such as lego games or fallout 3/nv
- games that may look strange in triple wide, like fifa 13.

The best set-up seems to be 3×16/9 + 1×21/9. It gives you all possible options... but that makes a lot of screens in the same room !

[Wijkert]

I did some additional tests and surprisingly, it is more difficult to make games run correctly in 21/9 than in 3×16/9.
The great tools like flawless widescreen or the fixer are designed to support triple-monitor more than intermediary aspect ratios such as 21/9. Therefore some games are not fixed in 21/9. I could not get games like mass effects ro work properly.

On the other hand, there are some games where one could prefer 21/9 over 3×16/9:
- demanding games such as crysis 2 if you want to play all options maxed out.
- games that have some issues with ultra resolutions such as lego games or fallout 3/nv
- games that may look strange in triple wide, like fifa 13.

The best set-up seems to be 3×16/9 + 1×21/9. It gives you all possible options... but that makes a lot of screens in the same room !

QFT! This exactly the reason I am considering buying a 21:9 monitor to add to my current setup, not replace it.

[peanut]

I wouldn’t consider replacing my 3x16:9 setup with a 21:9 screen, but adding it instead, just like skip did in his video. That way you can switch between 16:9, 21:9 and 3x16:9. Will need to add the cost of a monitor stand to the cost of a 21:9 monitor as I currently don't need/use one. Also I would like to have both 3x16:9 and 21:9 at the right height so my neck won't trouble me after long gaming sessions. This last problem might be hard to solve.

The last thing that might be annoying is that even if developers implemented proper triple monitor support the hud would be centered as on a single 16:9 monitor. On a 21:9 monitor those hud elements would be too close to the center.

I was considering buying a wsgf stand for a 3x16:9 plus a 21:9 setup, however I am worried about the same issue you are - the correct height.

[Wijkert]

I wouldn’t consider replacing my 3x16:9 setup with a 21:9 screen, but adding it instead, just like skip did in his video. That way you can switch between 16:9, 21:9 and 3x16:9. Will need to add the cost of a monitor stand to the cost of a 21:9 monitor as I currently don't need/use one. Also I would like to have both 3x16:9 and 21:9 at the right height so my neck won't trouble me after long gaming sessions. This last problem might be hard to solve.

The last thing that might be annoying is that even if developers implemented proper triple monitor support the hud would be centered as on a single 16:9 monitor. On a 21:9 monitor those hud elements would be too close to the center.

I was considering buying a wsgf stand for a 3x16:9 plus a 21:9 setup, however I am worried about the same issue you are - the correct height.

Maybe skip can shed some light on how this kind of setup feels ergonomically?

[peanut]

I wouldn’t consider replacing my 3x16:9 setup with a 21:9 screen, but adding it instead, just like skip did in his video. That way you can switch between 16:9, 21:9 and 3x16:9. Will need to add the cost of a monitor stand to the cost of a 21:9 monitor as I currently don't need/use one. Also I would like to have both 3x16:9 and 21:9 at the right height so my neck won't trouble me after long gaming sessions. This last problem might be hard to solve.

The last thing that might be annoying is that even if developers implemented proper triple monitor support the hud would be centered as on a single 16:9 monitor. On a 21:9 monitor those hud elements would be too close to the center.

I was considering buying a wsgf stand for a 3x16:9 plus a 21:9 setup, however I am worried about the same issue you are - the correct height.

Maybe skip can shed some light on how this kind of setup feels ergonomically?

Skip and I live in the same city with almost identical setups - I'm hoping one day he'll let me come check out his rig for myself

[norking]

Hi guys

I was thinking it would be the future until realize there is so much hatred by 21:9 (except here)
It's just more natural, if we like to see movies on 21:9 why not gaming also?

[skipclarke]

Hi guys

I was thinking it would be the future until realize there is so much hatred by 21:9 (except here)
It's just more natural, if we like to see movies on 21:9 why not gaming also?

Welcome. There is love for 21:9 here. And great avatar, btw.

[Wijkert]

@skipclarke

Now that you have more time using the u2913, have you experienced any more positive or negative sides to this monitor? Sadly the u2913 is still not in stock in the Netherlands. The estimate is 21 dec I believe.

[skipclarke]

@skipclarke

Now that you have more time using the u2913, have you experienced any more positive or negative sides to this monitor? Sadly the u2913 is still not in stock in the Netherlands. The estimate is 21 dec I believe.

I still really like it. I use it as my main monitor with my Retina MacBook Pro. Gaming wise, I like it about as well as Eyefinity/Surround. Certainly good for getting extra fps if a game is demanding.

[Wijkert]

If you set the u2913 up as an accessory display, can you make so a game starts on that monitor, or do you have to disable surround first? Would you agree that 3 over 1 is the best way to set it up if you want to use 4 monitors?

[bahnzii]

@skipclarke

Now that you have more time using the u2913, have you experienced any more positive or negative sides to this monitor? Sadly the u2913 is still not in stock in the Netherlands. The estimate is 21 dec I believe.

I still really like it. I use it as my main monitor with my Retina MacBook Pro. Gaming wise, I like it about as well as Eyefinity/Surround. Certainly good for getting extra fps if a game is demanding.

I really like the setup you are using for the displays. I have the HD triple stand right now with 3xU2410's and a ZR30W off to the side. I would love to put the 2410's over the 30". Are you using the same stand and just added the 3 + 1 upgrade kit (tall pole + connectors)?

My 2410's are 14 1/4 tall and the ZR30 is 17 3/4 tall so their combined height just seems to make it if that is what you are using.
Cheers!!
(sending you a pm)