Dell U3011 Monitor for my new build

[falcon7xx]

I just got offered today a brand new Dell U3011 Monitor for half price through work. The company I work for is offering us the ability to pay for half the monitors cost for work at home. I am in the process of building a gaming computer and i was looking for a dual or triple screen system for gaming/work, but with this offer should I just take the Dell 30" and call it a day?


Here is my build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($215.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($201.94 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($313.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($313.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.59 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 850W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($135.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Yes, that's a good deal. I would suggest getting a GA-Z77X-D3H instead of your mobo, but everything else looks good. You should have enough graphics power to run the (I assume) 2560x1440 screen.

 

[excella1221]

^why?
The ASRock has features the Z77X-D3H lacks, is cheaper, and comes with free 8gb RAM.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Cheaper by about $10, (slightly) more reputable brand, same features.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128546

 

[excella1221]

My edit was late. :lol:

 

[excella1221]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=asrock%20z77&bop=And&SecondSearch=1&CompareItemList=-1|13-157-293^13-157-293-TS%2C13-128-546^13-128-546-TS

It's $5 cheaper since they took off free shipping on the ASRock for some reason. Used to be ~$13

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Missed the part about free RAM. OP; drop the Ares and use the Patriot that comes with the Extreme4.

If there wasn't the free RAM the Gigabyte has an extra pair of USB3.0 connectors for a total of 6x USB3.0 and 2x USB2.0, as opposed to 4x USB3.0 and 2x USB2.0. It also has an mSATA slot, though most won't use it.

Not sure what the extreme4 has, other than RAM and a slightly better VRM

If you look at the sub-$160 roundup the GA-Z77X-D3H and Z77 Extreme4 were considered equal value despite the Gigabyte being $15 more. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-express-ivy-bridge-benchmark,3254-35.html

 

[i8myhippo]

Regardless, I am currently running the same processor, motherboard, and RAM. This build looks great, and if you're using it for gaming (you better be), you're going to have a LOT of fun with that kind of power!

 

[i8myhippo]

And @Someone

The Extreme 4 has extra SATA III's, compared to the Extreme 3

 

[Someone Somewhere]

I never said anything about the Extreme3.

 

[excella1221]

Missed the part about free RAM. OP; drop the Ares and use the Patriot that comes with the Extreme4.

If there wasn't the free RAM the Gigabyte has an extra pair of USB3.0 connectors for a total of 6x USB3.0 and 2x USB2.0, as opposed to 4x USB3.0 and 2x USB2.0. It also has an mSATA slot, though most won't use it.

Not sure what the extreme4 has, other than RAM and a slightly better VRM

If you look at the sub-$160 roundup the GA-Z77X-D3H and Z77 Extreme4 were considered equal value despite the Gigabyte being $15 more. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z77-express-ivy-bridge-benchmark,3254-35.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=-1&IsNodeId=1&Description=gigabyte%20z77&bop=And&CompareItemList=-1|13-157-293^13-157-293-TS%2C13-128-546^13-128-546-TS
It's the opposite on Onboard USB, which makes them have the same number of USBs.

ASRock has eSATA though and an onboard LAN chipset.

I'm not trying to argue, I agree they are equal and that Gigabyte has a better reputation. I was just asking why the suggestion.

 

[falcon7xx]

So should i stay with the ASrock or go to the Gigabyte. Also drop the GSkill Ares and go to the patriot? What do you guys this about the monitor also?

 

[excella1221]

It comes down to your preference and budget since they are both equal boards.
Though seeing as you seem to have a tight budget, it's better to get the ASRock.

Somone Somewhere said to drop the G.Skill because the ASRock currently has a promo bundle that gives you a free 8gb Patriot RAM. That saves you ~$40 that could be spent for a better component(i.e GPU).

How much exactly would the 30" cost with the discount?

 

[falcon7xx]

It comes down to your preference and budget since they are both equal boards.
Though seeing as you seem to have a tight budget, it's better to get the ASRock.

Somone Somewhere said to drop the G.Skill because the ASRock currently has a promo bundle that gives you a free 8gb Patriot RAM. That saves you ~$40 that could be spent for a better component(i.e GPU).

How much exactly would the 30" cost with the discount?

If the Gigabyte is only a few bucks more I have no problem spending the extra money to have better hardware. The Monitor is going to cost me $600.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

The ASRock is still a great board. I was just saying that at the cheaper price the Gigabyte was a better deal.

Ouch to the $600... But it's pretty much the best screen money can buy at the moment, and if you had a 1080p screen there wouldn't be much point to getting CF.

 

[bavman]

Nice score on the monitor. Too bad about the thick layers of AG coating.

 

[jacknhut]

You are so lucky... half off for that 30'' monitor... As good as it sounds, that monitor is made for graphics design I think, not for gaming. I researched very carefully the ultra high resolution monitors (Dell U3011, U2711, U2713HM, HP ZR40W, Samsung S27B970D, Samsung S27A850D, Viewsonic VP2770 LED and of course Korean Catleap) and I decided to go with the Asus PB278Q due to price/performance/quality.

Out of all the monitors mentioned above, the Asus uses the same panel as the 1200 bucks Samsung Series 9 S27970D without the front glass-covered and its actually designed with gaming in mind as well. I was on the fence between the Asus and the 120 hz Yamakasi Catleap 2B Extreme (out of stock with no estimated shipping date in the near future) which is not as reliable (1 year warranty from Korea vs 3 years warranty from Asus/Amazon in the U.S.) and has much lower build quality (not to mention Grade A- panel and a low quality power brick). The comparable 120 hz one from Overlord is also out of stock for perfect pixel version and they have the same build quality as the rest of the Korean catleaps so I'm kinda reluctant to pull the trigger.

To be honest If the 120 hz Yamakasi Catleap 2B Extreme (sold out at 551 dollars which is not really cheap at all considering the Asus one is only 150 bucks more) was not out of stock I might have pulled the trigger already lol... I guess I gotta thank 120hz.net for selling them out early since I don't know long the PCB in those Catleap can run at overclocked frequency since they are only designed to run at 60 hz, not 120 hz.

 

[excella1221]

I would like to suggest you just go 3-way monitor for an Eyefinity setup.
The Radeon cards are perfect for that, and your 7950 CF won't go to waste.

Either that or yeah, a 120Hz monitor. Cheapest you can find is an Acer for $250.

 

[falcon7xx]

What should I look for in a monitor that makes in great for gaming? What makes the Dell U3011 a bad gaming monitor?

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Price mainly. Other than that I'm not sure why anyone has a problem with it.
7ms response, while not the fastest, is still perfectly fine.
The awesome 2560x1600 is fine for gaming, and great for anything else.
No problem with pixel density.
It's CCFL backlit not LED, but that's only a matter of power consumption. Barely anything.
From what I can see they are complaining about the rather thick anti-glare covering. Not sure what is wrong with that though.

 

[excella1221]

It's not bad for gaming, I was merely giving a suggestion.
Although for 50% off, you should really not miss on that opportunity.
Like Someone Somewhere said, 2560x1600 is a great resolution, and your CF 7950 would perform great with that.

 

[falcon7xx]

Best answer selected by falcon7xx.

 

[falcon7xx]

Thanks for all the help guys...looks like I'm going to take the offer and get the Dell 30"