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NEC PA301W or Dell U3011?

post #1 of 39
Thread Starter 
Hello everyone. I want to buy the monitor for my new system. I want to get a 30-inch monitor. I will play games, use for work, watch Blu-Rays, etc. Over the course of two years, I hope to buy 3 monitors (for a 3, 30-inch monitor setup). Since I am going to buy the same model, I have to choose carefully. AS these curerent monitors get older, the price comes down. I plan on purchasing the 2nd and 3rd monitor when they get cheaper.

My PC has Asus Extreme-Z motherboard with i7 2600K with 16 GB Corsair Dominator RAM, as well as two EVGA GTX 590s in Quad Sli - all overclocked and watercooled.

I know the NEC monitor is much more expensive than the Dell. Assuming cost is not an issue, which would you choose? And why? Also, does the NEC monitor provide something that I do not see which justifies a $1000 cost increase?

Your opinions are greatly appreciated,

Vailen
    
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post #2 of 39
Unless you're doing photo sensitive work, I don't recommend getting the NEC over the Dell - also remember that 30" monitors don't typically come down much if any in price. They all hover around the $1000 - 1200 mark.

I personally love my Dell U3011, it has a lot of features, excellent colors, and great viewing angles. Some don't like the AG coating on it, it doesn't bother me. If you have a chance, I would recommend checking out the monitors in person as that's the best way to judge a monitor.

At the very least, read all the reviews you can find, and most importantly, remember to buy a color calibrator, its essential, otherwise you're just wasting $$ on a high end monitor that can do so much more than what it comes factory calibrated with
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post #3 of 39
Thread Starter 
Thanks appleg33k85. If the prices do not drop much over time, then I should stick with the Dell U3011 so I can get more later.

Regarding the color calibrator, can you recommend a really good one? This 30-inch monitor will be my first high-end monitor. Thus, I really want to make sure I use the monitor to its full potential. Is there a high-end color calibration kit you can recommend?

Thanks,

Vailen
    
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post #4 of 39
As a former owner of the 3008WFP and a now owner of the NEC PA301W, I'd recommend getting the Dell.

Don't get me wrong, I love my NEC, but the Dells go on special every once in a while, while the NEC will never go on special. The price will go down at end-of-life, but not to the level of the U3011 on sale.

You can get a Spyder3 Pro now or wait for new tools to support the Eye One Display 3/Pro, which is a great colorimeter.

But if you want it now, get the Spyder3 Pro. Also these monitors come factory calibrated in Adobe RGB and sRGB modes. See if those modes are to your liking first before spending the extra money right away.

The one good thing, is that with a calibration package you will have good colors for the life of the screen.
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post #5 of 39
I love my Dell U3011, got it around a month ago, its perfect
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post #6 of 39
Thread Starter 
@10e...is this the color calibration unit you are recommending:

EyeOne Display 3 PRO with ChromaPure Standard ($575):
http://www.curtpalme.com/ChromaPure_EyeOneDisplay3.shtm

I believe the above bundle includes the software.

Thanks,

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post #7 of 39
That's the correct unit. I'm not 100% sure about their software but that's the new I1D3.

They're right, it is super fast, and seems accurate.
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post #8 of 39
Have you considered the ZR30w from HP? You mention you play games and I could easily notice the delay on the U3011, but plenty don't. I would just keep that in mind. Perhaps try the U3011 and return it if you don't like it.
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post #9 of 39
The U3011 is very easy to calibrate with the OSD, if you can get a deal on one go for it.
I got mine NIB with a 3 year Dell warranty through a deal on Logicbuy.com for $1100 shipped.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Crest View Post
Have you considered the ZR30w from HP? You mention you play games and I could easily notice the delay on the U3011, but plenty don't. I would just keep that in mind. Perhaps try the U3011 and return it if you don't like it.
The difference is virtually unnoticeable.
The Dell is higher quality so for what they price these for thats what I would go with but to each his own.
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post #10 of 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by amstech View Post
The U3011 is very easy to calibrate with the OSD, if you can get a deal on one go for it.
I got mine NIB with a 3 year Dell warranty through a deal on Logicbuy.com for $1100 shipped.



The difference is virtually unnoticeable.
The Dell is higher quality so for what they price these for thats what I would go with but to each his own.
It was very noticeable for me, but that's anecdotal obviously. Dell is higher quality? how so? The stand feels better on the U3011 I will say, but the enclosure for the monitor itself is as good or nicer I would say.
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