Hey guys,

I've decided to get a new monitor but am torn between getting a 28" monitor for $550 or a 30" monitor for $880.
I play games as well as use dreamweaver, photoshop, and visual studio.

30" HP LP3065 - http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-LP3065-LP30 [...] dZViewItem

• 2560x1600
• refurbished
• $880

28" Hanns G - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] pk=28%2522

• 1920x1200
• New
• $550

My question is, How amazing is 2560x1600? Is it worth the price premium over the 28"?

Thanks in advance!

The HP uses an S-IPS LCD panel which is considered the best type of panel when it comes to color accuracy and viewing angles. Hence why monitors using S-IPS and H-IPS panels are expensive. These monitors can truly reproduce 16.7 million colors. Higher end model can have a palette of over 1 billion colors to choose from, but can still only display 16.7 million colors at a time.

The Hanns G uses the less expensive (and generally inferior) TN panel tech. TN panels are generally perferred by gamers 'cause they tend to have faster response times. The downside is poor viewing angles; you will see increasing amounts of discoloration the more off-center you view the monitor. Better LCD techs tend to display less dicoloration than TN panels. Also, TN panels are not known for color accuracy. They can only truly produce 256k colors. Thru a process called "dithering" it can produce up to 16.7 million colors, but they are not accurate.


Playing at 2560 x 1600 resolution will require two very powerful video cards.

Ok, thanks for the reply. At this point I am leaning towards the 28" and using the leftover money to get 2 4850s. I only have a cheap 20" now and a 8800GT, so I am not used to any high quality monitor.

Is it safe to say though that the 28" will still look descent (and better than my acer 20" ) when using photoshop and gaming?

Both monitors use TN panel tech which are generally considered fast, but are notoriously known (by people who care) to have inferior color accuracy compared to more expensive panel tech.

TN panel are made by several manufacturers and therefore some TN panels will be better than others. In my book, Acer is either a 2nd or 3rd tier LCD monitor brand name, Hanns G is most definitely 3rd tier. Therefore, visual quality will probably be the same.

If you want a good monitor that is non TN and in that price range, look at the 24" Dell Ultrasharp 2408WFP. It's smaller than either of those, but it uses S-PVA (not quite as good as S-IPS, but close, and far better than TN), and still has 1920x1200 resolution. It will have much better colors and viewing angles than that 28". Of course, you pay extra because of it.

HP do not use TN type of LCD, maybe except cheapest ones and i am not sure about those.
3065 model use SIPV i think.

Easiest way to distinguish TN displays from others is that TN panels have realy low wieving agle (usualy up to 140°) and SIPV, SPVA and others have nearly 180° wieving angle.

Typical usage of TN panels are in cheap notebooks where if you look from side, you will get realy cripled wiev.

Well it turns out I am on more of a budget than i thought, so i just want to get a big monitor for gaming disregarding viewing angles as I always sit pretty much dead center.

So which one would be better......

ViewSonic VX2835WM 28" Piano Black 3ms(GTG) Widescreen FULL HD 1080p

or

Hanns·G HG-281DPB Black 28" 3ms Widescreen HDMI

As those are both 3ms, they are probably TN. I'd avoid them. The Dell Ultrasharp 2709WFP is a good choice in a similar size range, but has much better colors and viewing angle (which does matter, even if you're in the center). I also wouldn't eliminate the Ultrasharp 2408 from consideration - it is a great monitor too, and has the same resolution as the larger screens.

Well, I really can't afford any more than 550- $600 dollars, but would consider going for a 24" or 26" if I could get a much better quality. What can you recommend at that size in my budget? (also must have descent responce time for gaming)

I am liking the dell ultrasharp 2408 the more I read about it, but are there any 26" monitors with similar quality/price?

I'd recommend the Ultrasharp 2408. It has the best picture quality that you will get in that price range.

Skip the HannsG.

I just sent one back after having it for 3 days. It was a nice monitor...fit and finsh were good, no dead pixels, but the adjustment buttons were hidden and the viewing angle was, in a word, bizzare. The price is right....and if all you want it for is gaming, it will do OK, but even sitting head on, you will notice 'dead' blacks. To get the best view and minimize viewing angle distortion, you will have to actually view the monitor from above....a rather annoying position.

Ok, thanks for the advice. I have made the decision to skip the 28" all together. So now I'm looking for a nice 24" or 26" with good quality but MUST also be good for gaming. I like the Dell 2408 but I've heard that it is not good for games. ????

so pass on the HannsG huh.Thanks in advance for your thoughts. i was considering that model as well.My other considerations were an LG W2452T and a Westinghouse 25.5 both around $400. I to have an 8600gt card and it will be basically for gaming and movies. Any thoughts on those monitors? thanks