1440p monitor choices: Dell vs. Qnix vs. Catleap

[gox1201]

So I'm in the market for a new screen

I've basically decided on a 1440p screen, since 1600p is way to expensive, and I don't really see the point of buying a 1080p 27 inch screen.

So the following items are available

1. Catleap

--> mostly second hand, although it seems I can import one for roughly R5k.
* Advantages: Seems better quality than the Qnix
* Has all the hassles from self importing from EBAY, as well as 1 year guarantee, and have to try ship back overseas? probably not happening

2. Qnix 27" 1440p from wootware

Advantages: CHEAP, hassle by wootware, strong overclocker
Disadvantages: 1y warranty only, flimsy stand

3. Dell U2713hm 27" 1440p monitor

Advantages: 3y dell on site warranty, build quality, great policy on dead pixels/bright spots
Disadvantage: R2000 more expensive than the Qnix


So other than what I've stated, and a bit of personal choice on looks, is there anything I'm missing in regards to these screens?
Anyone that owns any of the above want to chip in?

Specifically looking for some thoughts/input on the Dell screen


Advice/input/alternatives would be appreciated

 

[Tackleberry]

Thanks for this thread, I'm stuck in the exact same position and I cannot seem to make a decision....I also would like to know what people think...also considering the Yamakasi Leonidus

 

[roligov]

Wow double the price for the 30" Yamakasi Leonidus vs the 27" Qnix! That's an expensive 3 inches

 

[Tackleberry]

Wow double the price for the 30" Yamakasi Leonidus vs the 27" Qnix! That's an expensive 3 inches

Every inch counts..lol

I do understand what u saying and agree somewhat but R8000 for a 30" 2560x1600 screen is a really good deal

 

[blogbytes]

What are you going to use the screen mainly for? Gaming?

 

[gox1201]

For me:
- Gaming 70% of the time
- Graphic work 30% of the time, mostly Poser and Photoshop, little bit of Lightroom etc for photography post processing.

 

[gox1201]

Every inch counts..lol

I do understand what u saying and agree somewhat but R8000 for a 30" 2560x1600 screen is a really good deal

[MENTION=24766]Tackleberry[/MENTION]. How did you decide between the Sparta and the Leonidas? Also, would you mind sharing the link for the R8k pricetag one? Is that factoring in the import duty?

My major gripe about any of the imported panels is what you do if it arrives with either (a) massive bright spot dead centre, or (b) dies on you 4 days after it arrives. It's a real worry for me, since I'll probably be overclocking the screen to at least 90hz.

Thoughts?

 

[Tackleberry]

@<u><a href="http://www.carbonite.co.za/member.php?u=24766" target="_blank">Tackleberry</a></u>. How did you decide between the Sparta and the Leonidas? Also, would you mind sharing the link for the R8k pricetag one? Is that factoring in the import duty?

My major gripe about any of the imported panels is what you do if it arrives with either (a) massive bright spot dead centre, or (b) dies on you 4 days after it arrives. It's a real worry for me, since I'll probably be overclocking the screen to at least 90hz.

Thoughts?

Well i liked what this guy had to say about the Leonidas

[video=youtube;vBndfueyaxY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBndfueyaxY[/video]

here is the link for the monitor...Yamakasi 300 Leonidas 30" LED 2560x1600 Wqxga LG IPS Panel DVI D Dual Monitor | eBay

The monitor is selling for R6600 but the last monitor my cousin imported was just under R6000 and he landed up paying a total of +- R7500.00 that's how i got a rough estimate of R8000.00

 

[Tackleberry]

What are you going to use the screen mainly for? Gaming?

For me it will be gaming and video editing... but more for video editing

 

[gox1201]

Thing that worries me about the imports is the stipulations at the bottom

For warranty purposes
- If say you open the box, and find inside the screen is cracked. Same goes if it breaks later on.
- YOU have to pay to ship it back (R600), and then pay for them to ship it back to you again (R600). Thats at minimum pricing.

But I must confess, if I had to choose between the Qnix and Yamakasi, I'd probably go for the 1600p screen.
However, I'm still favoring anything where you can deal with the local guys, e.g. Wootware. It might even be worthwhile to get someone like Wootware or Phoenixtech to try and quote you on the Leonidas screen, sure they will add a little bit, but the peace of mind of not having to send it overseas and back again is probably worth the extra R500-R1k pricetag.

 

[Tackleberry]

However, I'm still favoring anything where you can deal with the local guys, e.g. Wootware.

i agree with you here...there is that risk factor when importing yourself, even though i have never returned an import item, there's are still stories of others that worry me a little...

 

[wisecrack]

I might be pulling the trigger pretty soon on the Qnix. Everything regarding the actual Samsung PLS panel looks good except for the build quality and the ridiculous stand it comes with. I'm thinking of forking out the extra couple of bucks and go for the pixel perfect option.

I wonder if the Qnix Wootware are selling is the pixel perfect one? I might send them an email first and find out before placing my order on ebay.

 

[wisecrack]

double...

 

[Tackleberry]

I dunno, i'll call wootware tomorrow and check if they will import the "Leonidas"

 

[blogbytes]

For me:
- Gaming 70% of the time
- Graphic work 30% of the time, mostly Poser and Photoshop, little bit of Lightroom etc for photography post processing.

Are you playing any fast FPS multiplayer Games?

For me it will be gaming and video editing... but more for video editing

Are you going to use the screen on a Mac?

I had both. The Catleap (Pixel Perfect) and the dell. I still have the dell. Catleap was sold to a friend. I am unable to comment on the Qnix, but here is my intake on the other 2 screens.

I ran both screens next to each other. Gaming is brilliant on both, however, the catleap takes the edge when it comes to fast paced games, literally any Multiplayer FPS games. The Dell does not have input lag, but it feels a little slower compared to the catleap. Depending on your eyes, you might feel a difference or not. I felt a difference. Any other games, they are on par. Both are a beauty to game on.

I have found that the color is warmer on the Dell when working with graphics using photoshop etc.
If you are going to use it with a Mac, the dell is the way to go. With the catleap you have to install a profile, to get the font smoothing, and even after that, its not as smooth as the dell. I can't comment on how the catleap performs with Mavericks, but apparently a lot the font smoothing issues have been fixed with mavericks.
In Windows I did not really notice any difference between the 2, apart form the Dell displaying the colors warmer.

The brightness level on both is superb. I would give the dell 9/10 and the catleap 8/10. Hardly a noticeable difference, but there is a difference.

Tough choice. But I would say it comes down to what you do more. If you going to game mainly, get the catleap. If you're going to use it more work wise - get the dell.
Also, the dell has a 3 year next day onsite support guarantee.

 

[gox1201]

I dunno, i'll call wootware tomorrow and check if they will import the "Leonidas"

[MENTION=24766]Tackleberry[/MENTION] : please update the thread on what they said, also ask them if the Qnix is pixel perfect perhaps? =-)
[MENTION=887]blogbytes[/MENTION]
- First off, thanks so much for that input; it's exactly what I'm looking for
- The majority of my gaming is RPG games (Upcoming Witcher3, Dragonage3, the previous versions of those games, probably some Thief/Watchdogs)
I however do play the occasional Battlefield/CoD and so on, would say its a 90:10 split though
- I do most of my photowork on my macbook pro currently, Aperture and Photoshop, however I intend to use my new pc a lot more for that, so it will probably be 70%:30% split for PC:MAC for the screen

Would you say that the perceived lag was input-response lag only? or was there ghosting involved as well?

In the end, the bottom line would probably be if one of the local guys, Wootware or [MENTION=7483]Phoenix[/MENTION]tech would be willing to import the Leonidas. If the answer there is no, then I don't think there is much choice for me, the Dell warranty is tops.

If the answer is yes, I might just have to bow under the pressure of the 1600p 30" awesomeness =-)

 

[roligov]

Thing that worries me about the imports is the stipulations at the bottom

For warranty purposes
- If say you open the box, and find inside the screen is cracked. Same goes if it breaks later on.
- YOU have to pay to ship it back (R600), and then pay for them to ship it back to you again (R600). Thats at minimum pricing.

When mine arrives on Tues/Wed and the screen is cracked, make no mistake I will be opening a paypal dispute and will get a refund. I will not be shipping it back at my expense. If it breaks a few weeks/months down the line I will send it back. Apparently the seller helps organise the return. I think shipping will be around R300. I'll let you know if I ever need to do it

Also if your screen breaks and you got it from wootware, they not going to pay for shipping or come collect it. You will still pay to ship 10KG to where ever wootware are.

 

[Tackleberry]

[MENTION=24766]Tackleberry[/MENTION] : please update the thread on what they said, also ask them if the Qnix is pixel perfect perhaps? =-)

No probs will let you guys know as soon as possible

 

[4567319]

All depends on how much patience you have

I'd just go for the Dell as waiting weeks/months for a replacement should it fail will just pi$$ me off.

 

[ian_stagib]

When mine arrives on Tues/Wed and the screen is cracked, make no mistake I will be opening a paypal dispute and will get a refund. I will not be shipping it back at my expense. If it breaks a few weeks/months down the line I will send it back. Apparently the seller helps organise the return. I think shipping will be around R300. I'll let you know if I ever need to do it

Also if your screen breaks and you got it from wootware, they not going to pay for shipping or come collect it. You will still pay to ship 10KG to where ever wootware are.

This is why overseas sellers don't want to ship to South Africa. Jeepers, just accept the risk that comes with buying from overseas and don't spoil it for the rest of us.

Sent using direct mind to machine interface

 

[roligov]

This is why overseas sellers don't want to ship to South Africa. Jeepers, just accept the risk that comes with buying from overseas and don't spoil it for the rest of us.

Relax, you getting over excited.

 

[roligov]

So I'm in the market for a new screen

I've basically decided on a 1440p screen, since 1600p is way to expensive, and I don't really see the point of buying a 1080p 27 inch screen.

Guess this decision has been made

 

[Tackleberry]

I spoke to Wootware...At this point in time they are only bringing in Qnix and are not looking at any other brands at the moment...They feel they have a good supplier for Qnix...

Wootware did say that there is a Qnix with DVI, HDMI & DP coming out probably end of year or early next year...

 

[wisecrack]

I have heard all those extra inputs can cause latency.

I decided to first get a decent card ie R9 290X and then the monitor as I will probably not be able to take the low fps while running that res with all the bells and whistles turned on in games.

 

[CalMul]

I personally have 3 of those Dells in nvidia surround. To be honest I will not swop them currently for anything else.

I had a catleap the other day right next to the Dells, and as [MENTION=887]blogbytes[/MENTION] said it perfectly, the visual difference between them was nothing, they look exactly the same. In game performance as also said, the catleap MIGHT just have the edge in FPS, I game FPS and the Dell is awesome for me.
Lasltly and for myself very important, the build quality imo on the catleap is utterly rubbish, the thing squeeks more than a new born cat when you touch it. You will really have to get a wall mount for it imo which makes it better, but a few bucks extra again, and to fit it, well I promise you you will leave a few marks behind.

Dell quality is awesome good, can height adjust it and tilt all you like, VERY sturdy and just looks proper, not cheap. [MENTION=21768]RavenShield[/MENTION] also experienced both these screens so he can also comment.

 

[roligov]

Yeah that is true. The Dell does have better outer shell and build quality and a much better warranty too...But I just don't have a R6000 for a monitor, R3800 is even pushing it I'm more than happy with my Qnix But Gox has the R6k and he went the Dell route. I'm sure he'll post some CUD pics up soon when he unboxes

 

[Seeker_ZA]

The QNIX can be debezilled and equiped with a nice monitor stand to make it really look nice

Plenty instructions out there. It's affordable compared to the rest, can be overclocked to 120hz unlike the rest ( 1440p @ 120Hz GOODNESS!!! ) and if the border doesn't bother you can just get a better stand.

Also don't forget to calibrate your monitors to get the best colours from them

 

[Mandarin]

The Catleap and Dell use exactly the same panel designed by LG. The Dell only uses A grade panels where the Catleaps use lW minus. Otherwise exactly the same panel. The more inputs, the more processing, the more latency. Keep it simple and fast. If you are on q budget go Qnix or X-star. Had the SA950s in surround, had the Catleap vanilla and Extreme. QNIX is excellent value for money. Take it from someone who has been there and did in depth research. Go Qnix and use extra money on gpus to pump out the frames on 120hz..

Oh and wallmount it.. Looks awesome.. I have a pic somewhere..

 

[Deadmeat]

Crossover New 27QWHDMI IPS LED 27" LG AH IPS Panel 2560x1440 DVI HDMI PC Monitor | eBay

 

[RavenShield]

I have also experienced the Dell vs Catleap as said by [MENTION=21775]CalMul[/MENTION], and i can second what he said, compared to the Dell the build quality on the Catleap is not good at all, i wanted to get myself a Catleap but after seeing and holding it im rather getting a Dell with local warranty and piece of mind!
I have played Farcry3 on CalMul's 3 Dells at 7680 x 1440 and man...SO MUCH AWESOME!!!