New monitor for real-time 3D art

StormTheGates

Hi guys,

I've had my first contract as a games art freelancer for a little while now and I've decided it's time to upgrade my ageing Philips 21" monitor with something a bit bigger and better. It's been a long time since I've bought a monitor, so I'd be interested to hear what monitors you guys would recommend between 21" and 24" (inclusive). Any brands I should avoid in particular?

I've also got a 19" Samsung monitor paired with it which I'd like to replace too, I suspect I'll work towards getting a matching pair. Desk space is a little limited at the moment so I may have to get one widescreen and one 4:3 anyway.

StephenVyas

StormTheGates wrote: »

Desk space is a little limited at the moment so I may have to get one widescreen and one 4:3 anyway.

I've found those monitor wall mounts to be extreme effective, if your desk is situated close enough to a wooden brace in the wall.

Can't really offer up any help on the monitor choices though. Goodluck!

skankerzero

I've bought several Crossover 24Qs and love them all.

Look into those and if you're interested in buying one, buy it off Amazon from an American seller.

They are one of the best bang for your buck monitors out there.

ZacD

For making art, you'll want an IPS display for color accuracy. 2560x1440 and 2560x1600 high resolution displays are starting to come down in price. What is your budget? The cheapest korean panel 27" LED IPS at 2560x1440 resolution run about $350-$400+ and you can get them from normal resellers like http://www.monoprice.com/Product?ab3=b&utm_expid=58369800-11.R-enhtUGRrSdHz5vzpVS2g.1&c_id=113&cp_id=11307&cs_id=1130703&p_id=9579&seq=1&format=2&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monoprice.com%2FCategory%3Fc_id%3D113%26cp_id%3D11307%26cs_id%3D1130703

These monitors will have cheaper feeling build quality, and less features.

If you just want a solid monitor, look at Dell ultrasharps. They have some decently priced 1080p monitors.

If you have an Nvidia 600 or 700 series graphics card, you might want to look at G-Sync monitors if you play games.

StormTheGates

I'm definitely not going to have space for a 27" monitor as well as a second monitor on here, I'm in the corner of the front room in our one bedroom flat on quite a small desk at the moment. Properties in the UK are smaaall. I'm pretty sure 24" is going to be my absolute max. I'd rather have two smaller screens than one large one.

I've got an Nvidia Quadro 6000 on long-term loan from a very generous friend of mine, not sure if that alters anyone's recommendation.

ZacD

Quadro 6000 supports up to 2- 2560x1600 monitors on DVI and DisplayPort, no G-Sync support though. If you want 2 matching monitors in the future, make sure the monitor you pick has display port support, most monitors should.

StormTheGates

As for budget, well, I'm not going to say it's not an issue but I'll happily save for something that'd be a worthwhile investment. My current monitors still work perfectly fine, I'd just like to upgrade them.

StormTheGates

Ok cheers, will do.

skankerzero

look into a monitor arm.

You can have one monitor at normal position and the other above it.

Also, if you make characters, try having a vertical monitor to model on.

EarthQuake

If you have limited desk space, 2 Dell 23"s might be a good idea, they're pretty cheap and you can regularly get them around $230 each. Good quality e-IPS panel, not super high end but much much better than the crappy TN panels you'll get in pretty much anything cheaper. Only 1920x1080 not *1200 though. My wife has one of these and its hard to tell the difference between my technically superior 2408wfp or 23" apple cinema.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=320-2807

For a little less you can get a similar e-IPS based monitor from ASUS, but the monitor stand is crap compared to the dell.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236335

If you want an 8-bit IPS panel, you can't go wrong with the U2413. If you need the best color accuracy this is a good bet, though its about the same price as two of the 23's:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=320-9567

The first two are 6-bit panels which may show some banding in gradients (though I can't really see it on the 6-bit e-IPS in my laptop or my wife's monitor).

ZacD

The Asus monitor is actually a bad option because it only supports HDMI or VGA in. You'd have to get adapters for that one to work.

EarthQuake

ZacD wrote: »

The Asus monitor is actually a bad option because it only supports HDMI or VGA in. You'd have to get adapters for that one to work.

Yeah the big difference between the asus and the dells in these specs/price points are the stands and connections, with dells being much better there. The panels are likely the same.

eld

ZacD wrote: »

The Asus monitor is actually a bad option because it only supports HDMI or VGA in. You'd have to get adapters for that one to work.

HDMI and DVI are nearly the same thing though so those adaptors/cables are a negligable cost.

ZacD

He only has 1 DVI port on the Quadro 6000, so he'll need a display port to hdmi if he ever gets a 2nd one.

skankerzero

The Dell Ultrasharps support Display port.

Screw hdmi.

Brygelsmack

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but I'm also looking into getting a new monitor. Does anyone have any experiences with Dell's U2412M Ultrasharp IPS? I'm considering picking one up because it's fairly cheap and has good reviews. I use my computer for gaming as well, is it any good for that?

ZacD

It's a good monitor, it's fine for games.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Dell-UltraSharp-24-Inch-LED-lit-Monitor/dp/B005JN9310/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top"]Amazon.com: Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

Brygelsmack

Thanks ZacD. Are there any better options for $460 at most? No larger than 24".

ZacD

Under $460, I'd want to get a crossover 27q but those are 27in.

Brygelsmack

Yeah, those are too large for me. Nothing else you would recommend or would you go for the Dell?

ysalex

skankerzero wrote: »

I've bought several Crossover 24Qs and love them all.

Look into those and if you're interested in buying one, buy it off Amazon from an American seller.

They are one of the best bang for your buck monitors out there.

Hey man, really interested in one of these, but they all ship out of south korea, nothing from america. Where do you buy them?

skankerzero

ysalex wrote: »

Hey man, really interested in one of these, but they all ship out of south korea, nothing from america. Where do you buy them?

I got two from Korea and one from the states. (off Amazon)

The 27q might be outdated now, but there are newer models. I strongly suggest Amazon and look for 'no dead pixels allowed' policy. Make sure the power adapter is the correct voltage for your region too.

I'll check where we got the 3rd one and reply back here this weekend.

I honestly love it. Once you go 1440p, 1080p just seems so small.

ZacD

ysalex wrote: »

Hey man, really interested in one of these, but they all ship out of south korea, nothing from america. Where do you buy them?

The cheapest perfect pixel I can find is this one on Amazon [ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FIXMAE8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1E2RGA2MHICFA&coliid=I1DH99W7HH2MF6"]Amazon.com : CROSSOVER 27QW IPS LED 27" LG AH-IPS Panel 2560x1440 DVI-D (Dual-Link) PC Monitor *Perfect Pixel : Computer Monitors : Computers & Accessories[/ame] It is a glossy model though. Here's a matte one for $10 more [ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CI3EQA2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1E2RGA2MHICFA&coliid=I2Z0P6EJLLN7XR"]Amazon.com : QNIX QX2710 LED Evolution ll 27" 27 inch 2560x1440 Samsung PLS (LG IPS) Matt Screen Panel PC Monitor *Perfect Pixel : Computer Monitors : Computers & Accessories[/ame]

ysalex

Those amazon links don't work for me but I appreciate you looking them up. I was considering ordering this one: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FIXMAE8?cache=cf56330d500b9922fb11b2207f0c6ad8#ref=mp_s_a_1_3&qid=1393455104&sr=8-3"]CROSSOVER 27QW IPS LED 27" LG AH-IPS Panel 2560x1440 DVI-D (Dual-Link) PC Monitor *Perfect Pixel:Amazon:Computers & Accessories[/ame]

ZacD

Your link doesn't work as well XD silly Amazon, just search perfect pixel CROSSOVER 27QW IPS LED 27 and perfect pixel QNIX QX2710 LED Evolution, they should be $360 and $370.

skankerzero

I have the glossy one. I do wish it was matte. That's the biggest con I can think of for this monitor.

The Korean monitors are either cinema display or ultrasharp guts depending on the factory they came from.


Also, they only have brightness + and - buttons. No other adjustments. I did some color tests, and they don't seem to need anything more to be honest. The color is great on these.

StormTheGates

Thanks for all the info guys! I think I'll probably end up getting a pair of Dell Ultrasharp 23" monitors if I can fit them on my desk. Be good to keep this thread going though, for others who want new monitors too.

ysalex

Also wanted to say thanks, I bought a pixel perfect 27" QNIX (matte).

So now i'll have a dell 23" 1920X1200 as my reference monitor next to this monster.

Do other character artists actually sculpt with their monitors in portrait mode?

thomasp

ysalex wrote: »

Do other character artists actually sculpt with their monitors in portrait mode?

i did try that back in the day with non-widescreen displays at 1600x1200 but overall i found the screen too narrow. well suited to characters in theory but very hard to adjust to for the eyes.
i only very briefly tried again with a 1920x1200 monitor. couldn't stand it at all.

skankerzero

ysalex wrote: »

Also wanted to say thanks, I bought a pixel perfect 27" QNIX (matte).

So now i'll have a dell 23" 1920X1200 as my reference monitor next to this monster.

Do other character artists actually sculpt with their monitors in portrait mode?

Oddly enough, I sculpt horizontally and model vertically. Has more to do with my Saxon setup than anything else.

weee

so i suppose these Korean monitors can last as long as a Dell and Apple one?

ZacD

Although the the Korean monitors haven't been around for a while, they are the same panels used by Apple and other major brands, and shouldn't necessarily have a shorter life expectancy.

Also the 1080p era isn't going to last much longer, I'll expect a 1080p dell IPS will be out of date by the time a Korean panel dies, unless you get a faulty one. We're going to be seeing a lot of 2560 and 4k displays over the next 4 years.

skankerzero

I've had my Crossover for about 2 years now.

Rob Macko

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted and shared their thoughts as I am also now shopping a new monitor and considering one of these Crossovers.

D4V1DC

Thanks for the info gents.

I have a monitor currently that i am using and something odd happen about 2-3 months ago, it sort of went out. So for some odd reason i just turned it off, left it like that for about 2 months and just turned it back on and it works now... how odd.
What is wrong with it is that it makes colors darker than they are but hey it works still so I use it for the web music and sculpting.

Just mentioning it because i will be in the market for possibly two new ones and this thread will be really helpful.
I still have an old dell screen the big wide ones i think it was this one really old/Dell 2407WFP
I believe but only the screen and stand no case or backing or parts to get it working. I see it on ebay though, idk if i trust that i should just trash it I guess.

LRoy

ysalex wrote: »

Also wanted to say thanks, I bought a pixel perfect 27" QNIX (matte).

I have these. buy them. really nice and great price.

Entity

I'm rocking a 2408wfp and a CROSSOVER 27 Gold. Both are rock solid monitors.