1440p, IPS, 144Hz or 4K, IPS, 60Hz Monitor?

[Fly Guy]

I'm making a transition to one of these monitor resolution as soon as the R9 390X is released in June/July. I am hoping that the 390X will run games at 4K resolution smoothly and I am prepared to buy two of them in case the benchmarks indicate it.

I am so tempted not to wait for the 390X because there is already a nice 1440p,144Hz, IPS, G-Sync monitor in the form of the Acer Predator. What this probably means is that I'll just need to buy a single GTX 980 or perhaps wait until June/July for the 980ti/990; whichever Nvidia names this card.

But yet at the same time I'm tempted to build an ultimate 4K gaming PC and wait for the Asus ROG Swift 60Hz, IPS, 4K, G-Sync monitor (not yet released) which means that I would have to purchase at least 2 Titan X.

What's your opinion and how would you approach this problem? I prefer eye candy over speed. I am willing to comprimise FPS since I don't play competitive PvP games. I prefer to enjoy the beauty of Skyrim or similar games.

4K, IPS, 60Hz, G-Sync, The Asus ROG (this is not the TN version):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAIZmuNt1M

[Azza ☠]

Well firstly understand 4K on PC isn't real 4K (4096x2160)... rather it's UltraHD (3840×2160). They do this due to aspect ratio scaling. Lower resolutions such as 1080p - can then upscale to it. So they use two display port cables running at a mere 30Hz each half of the screen and then stitches them together (calling it 60Hz).

Consider 4K UltraHD as two monitors merged side-by-side, running at a poor Hz speed.

Depending if the game can support 4K, you get smaller interfaces, smaller fonts, etc... as it just attempts to scale. Then on a single graphic card such as the GTX 980, you would be getting around a mere 30FPS. Also, note that IPS is richer in true colours and pixel perfection, but slower performance too. There's always trade offs when it comes to monitors - speed vs quality.

Short answer: 4K UltraHD isn't worth it for gaming performance. It would be better for work, flight simulators, or slower graphics which you just want to admire. 1080p or 1440p would run a hell lot faster. If you do want one, seriously consider SLI (2x GTX 980) or you would want to wait till 2016+ when Nvidia Pascal graphic cards arrive and can seriously run these from a single card, no sweat.

If you want a serious hardcore monitor more for gaming purposes, consider:

ROG SWIFT PG278Q ( 1440p / 144Hz / 1ms / G-Sync )
http://www.asus.com/nz/Monitors/ROG_SWIFT_PG278Q/

[Fly Guy]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Azza ☠:

Short answer: 4K UltraHD isn't worth it for gaming performance. It would be better for work, flight simulators, or slower graphics which you just want to admire. 1080p or 1440p would run a hell lot faster.

I already stated that I am not a competitive PvP gamer and that I prefer the quality of the image than the speed that the game runs. A good analogy is: I'd prefer to see a hot chick with long legs, large hips, small waist and a large bust slowly cruise by with great color and detail rather than to see an ugly ***** zoom by.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Azza ☠:

If you want a serious hardcore gaming monitor, consider:ROG SWIFT PG278Q ( 1440p / 144Hz / 1ms / G-Sync )
http://www.asus.com/nz/Monitors/ROG_SWIFT_PG278Q/

No TN monitors for me. No thank you.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Azza ☠:

Short answer: 4K UltraHD isn't worth it for gaming performance.

Something has to be comprimised. Hopefully technology in the near future will be able to provide both of best worlds: speed and image quality.

[Azza ☠]

For work and casual gaming, consider:
Dell UltraSharp Monitors

The high-end one are quite good, true vibrant colours, razer sharp, pixel perfection, IPS monitor. No GSync though, and I would suggest 1440p resolution, not 4K unless SLI. Seriously well calibrated to 99%+ perfection. They will be standard 60Hz though. Highly recommended if you do graphic design, web design, or similar work - then just game on the side.

Ideally you would want a 1400p IPS G-SYNC at 120/144Hz, as the G-Sync would really kick the slightly slower gaming performance of a IPS up to maximum. That way you would get the best of both worlds, but for the extra cost. I haven't used the Acer Predator one, so can't comment on that, but sounds like a better pick to me personally for gaming purposes.

[videogames]

The crappy Windows scaling at 4K makes it a not-so-great experience for general desktop use, so I would personally stick to 1440p for the time being. Another good option would be a 34" 1440p ultrawide. Acer has a 144Hz G-Sync curved display coming out soonish, but no word on what panel technology it's going to be. LG has the very expensive 34UC97 that's also worth having a look at.
The 27" Acer Predator is looking very good, but a single 980 won't be enough to push 120 fps+ in more demanding games. You can max everything out at 60 though, so if you don't care about the high refresh rates you can save a lot of money by going 60 Hz instead.

[videogames]

I wouldn't play games at sub-native resolution if I could help it, but I get what you're saying. If you don't mind that you won't be hitting those refresh rates in every game, and you don't mind the hefty price tag, yeah, the Acer is a very good monitor, the nicest 1440p display you can get for gaming.

[Azza ☠]

The G-Sync will take nice care of that, making lower/fluxuation FPS seem a lot smoother (so long you get over 30FPS), ideal if in between 48-120FPS even on a 144Hz. Then this give you room for future proofing. Such as if you get a SLI later on, the monitor kicks into gear even more at 120-144FPS.

[SoulDoubt]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Azza ☠:

Well firstly understand 4K on PC isn't real 4K (4096x2160)... rather it's UltraHD (3840×2160). They do this due to aspect ratio scaling. Lower resolutions such as 1080p - can then upscale to it. So they use two display port cables running at a mere 30Hz each half of the screen and then stitches them together (calling it 60Hz).

I am not sure where you got this information, however in my experience I run one display port cable at 60hz from my crossfired r9's and play anything I want in 3840x2160 maxed out. You are right with display scaling in windows however. In windows 7 it's brutal, however with windows 8.1 it will natively scale to that resolution just fine. Some older desktop programs (in my expirence) such as photoshop won't scale even in windows 8.1. So you have to figure out a balence, most of the time I just change the display resolution or run picture in picure with two 1080P screens on my one monitor. After seeing the difference 4k makes I can't go back. Just my 2 cents

[BOT CL4RKY]

I'm sort of in the same boat as you...... I'm not sure whether or not to go for 4K @ 60hz or stick with 2k @ 144hz.... TBH I think im swaying more towards 2k, but I'll make my mind up soon enough.

I noticed someone recommended the 2k ROG Swift but as stated, this is a TN model, are you aware of Acer's alternative? Which is practically the same specs but uses an IPS panel

Acer XB270HU, thats the 2k monitor I'm looking at, at the moment!

[Fly Guy]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย CL4RKY:

I'm sort of in the same boat as you...... I'm not sure whether or not to go for 4K @ 60hz or stick with 2k @ 144hz.... TBH I think im swaying more towards 2k, but I'll make my mind up soon enough.

I noticed someone recommended the 2k ROG Swift but as stated, this is a TN model, are you aware of Acer's alternative? Which is practically the same specs but uses an IPS panel

Acer XB270HU, thats the 2k monitor I'm looking at, at the moment!

There'a are few monitors that I am considering that aren't released yet . The Acer Predator 34" or X35. Both are IPS panels.

Acer Predator X35"

Acer Predator 34"

[Kate]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Azza ☠:

So they use two display port cables running at a mere 30Hz each half of the screen and then stitches them together (calling it 60Hz).

It's the first time I'm reading about this. As far as I know DP does true 60Hz into 4k (well, 16:19 4k, not actual 4,000 vertical pixels).

[bmac1191]

XB270HU is the best gaming monitor available. The acer 21:9 monitors could be over a year away until release for all we know. And expect to spent $2k for it for the higher res model.

I have the xb280hk. You can only tell it is a TN if you use other monitors in the same space. If you have the hardware to drive it, it is amazing. Gsync makes it butter smooth.

If you go 144, you won't be able to go without it in the future.. and the same for 4k. Going 1080 to 1440 is a nice jump. Now that I have 4k, I can't go down to 1440.. and I have used the xb270hu and I decided to keep using my 4k.

People hate on 4k 60hz, tn panel... but when you play something like SoM on ultra or GTA5 on ultra, with msaa cranked up... you'll understand.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Erin:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Azza ☠:

So they use two display port cables running at a mere 30Hz each half of the screen and then stitches them together (calling it 60Hz).

It's the first time I'm reading about this. As far as I know DP does true 60Hz into 4k (well, 16:19 4k, not actual 4,000 vertical pixels).

Yeah, I have no idea what that ment... DP 1.2 supports 4k 60hz, which I am typing on right now.. I have even heard some a few people overclocking their 4k monitors. 120hz will require DP 1.3

[Fly Guy]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย bmac1191:

The acer 21:9 monitors could be over a year away until release for all we know.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย bmac1191:

And expect to spent $2k for it for the higher res model.

Where did your source come from?

According to US Acer webpage:

"The Acer XR341CKA monitor will be available in North America in September with prices starting at US$1,299..."[us.acer.com]

The Acer Predator XR341CKA is 34" 3440 x 1440, IPS, 21:9, G-Sync.

[bmac1191]

I didn't see the press release.. before the press release it was rumored for a q4 2015/q1 2016 release.

Yeah that monitor isn't going to live up to the hype that was there before.. 75hz... 109 PPI on a 34 inch screen.. its going to look like tetris....

The monitor has everything going for it (depends how you feel about 75hz) but "high resolution" is not one of them.

[Fly Guy]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย bmac1191:

I didn't see the press release.. before the press release it was rumored for a q4 2015/q1 2016 release.

Please do keep your information up-to-date before you comment on the product. Even the current product release date is old news.

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย bmac1191:

Yeah that monitor isn't going to live up to the hype that was there before.. 75hz... 109 PPI on a 34 inch screen.. its going to look like tetris....

I've only leraned of this monitor about few days ago. I don't mind it only being 75Hz. This will be a huge leap for me if I do decide to buy this over the Asus Swift 4K, IPS, 60Hz, G-Sync montior. I currently use a 23.5" 1080p, TN, 60Hz monitor.

Plenty of time to shop for best monitor. I'm making no commitment yet, not until the GTX 980 TI and AMD R9 395X2 is released.

[videogames]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย bmac1191:

I didn't see the press release.. before the press release it was rumored for a q4 2015/q1 2016 release.

Yeah that monitor isn't going to live up to the hype that was there before.. 75hz... 109 PPI on a 34 inch screen.. its going to look like tetris....

The monitor has everything going for it (depends how you feel about 75hz) but "high resolution" is not one of them.

...What? 3440x1440 is standard for 34" ultrawides. It's the same pixel density as a 27" 1440p display. Unless you think anything under 4K is "low resolution", in which case you're just being ridiculous.