Upgrading Monitor - Priorities?

Ventak on 20/01/2018 - 15:58
Last edited 20/01/2018 - 15:59

In light of the PCTECH/PRAWNS sales on eBay, I've been looking around at monitors and GPUs. For now, I think I'll pass on GPUs as they are ridiculously expensive (I'll think of upgrading that when there's more supply and prices drop). However with monitors, the prices don't seem too bad…

My current monitor is a very old 1440x900 monitor and while I'm rather used to it, I know I can go better (I'm willing to forego the 16:10 aspect ratio benefits). When looking at the features of listed monitors, some things stick out to me like panel type (eg. IPS or TN), adaptive sync (G-Sync or FreeSync), refresh rate, response time and of course the screen size and resolution. While it'd be nice to get the best of all of them, I'm not willing to spend that kind of money, so I'm wondering what features I should prioritise first.

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 20/01/2018 - 16:35
    +2

    If gaming and on a budget:

    — Buy a 1080p TN monitor with fast pixel response rates (1ms or 2ms), preferably with Freesync support. Expected price — less than $200 dollars.

    If gaming and on a somewhat high budget

    — 1080p TN monitor, fast response rate of 1ms, Freesync, G-Sync, refresh rates preferably in the 144hz range. Expected price — maybe around $250 to $400

    If gaming / productivity usage , but on tight budget

    — IPS monitor, reasonably fast response rate, but with resolutions preferably higher than 1080p. Maybe look at an Ultrawide monitor for more screen real estate, but my personal recommendation is to use Dual monitors.

    An example of this would be a 29 inch LG 29UM69G-B, which is IPS, 75hz and Freesync enabled and 21:9 aspect ratio, RRP $399.

    If gaming / productivity + high budget

    Buy IPS, Free/ Gsync, fast response rates, and 2K or 4K resolution. You'd be looking at very prices above $500~600 though.

    If you don't game at all, the don't worry about the flashy features like fast refresh rates and freesync etc. Just buy a high resolution, but big-screen IPS display. 4K IPS monitors still cost a lot though — a cheap one would be the AOC U2879VF, which is 28 inches and costs $470

    • Ventak on 20/01/2018 - 22:18

      If you have an Nvidia GPU, will it matter much if you get FreeSync? Those monitors are cheaper than the equivalent G-Sync ones. Mine is currently an Nvidia GTX 660 OC.

      • scrimshaw on 20/01/2018 - 23:24
        +1

        Nvidia officially doesn't offer support for Freesync. For Freesync to work you'll need to use an AMD-based GPU

        G-sync is proprietary technology that Nvidia charges monitor makers to implement — it's a special hardware solution that makes G-sync monitors only work with Nvidia stuff. It also adds a hefty price premium to the product. Freesync is cheaper since it's royalty free.

        Freesync / Gsync are just 'nice to haves' and they may not matter much to some people. Resolution and panel type are far more important considerations.

      • Bloo5869 on 26/01/2018 - 00:05
        +1

        Truth be told, the chances of you noticing the difference between a 1ms and a 4ms panel is pretty slim, I'd be focusing on screen size, max resolution and refresh rate as the main features to prioritise.
        After that if you like good colour reproduction go for IPS, if colour isnt a big deal to you go for TN.

        Whrn thinking about adaptive technologies it can get tricky, For that gpu, yes, the difference you will get with a gsync monitor over a freesync will be huge.

        Gsync will scale the refresh rate of the monitor to the frame rate being pushed out by your gpu, reducing tearing and stuttering when you have fps drops, while freesync will just pump out 144hz regardless, older nvidia gpus are said to benefit greater from gsync.

        However, If you plan on upgrading your gpu in the near future you need to consider the cost/benefit ratio

        if you end up getting a top end nvidia gpu which can pump out high frame rates above the refresh rates is it worth the extra money for gsync or can you get by with a simple 144hz panel?

        Do you think you will notice the difference between a gsync and a freesync monitor?

        How long are you going to keep it?

        I just went through the same purchase and these were the points I focused on. Ive got a GTX 1080 and I seriously considered just getting a freesync panel and saving $250-300, but I ended up going for a 27in ips acer predator with gsync as I plan on keeping it for at least 5-10 years

  • tonyjzx on 22/01/2018 - 13:23

    it sort of depends how fussy you are

    while I have an IPS monitor I also have a TN model and its close behind, i reckon a good TN is ok if you're not a photoshop jockey

    a poor TN is kind of not good

    if youre moving from a 1,400 x 900 anything is better really

    i reckon if you get an IPS 24" w/ freesync you're pretty solid for years

    lose freesync if you're not bothered by games

  • biozet on 25/01/2018 - 16:57

    I was looking at the 29" lg widescreen for $399. Can anyone recommend it? Games like squad pubg ..nothing competive . Neither free or g synch but I like the widescreen format for shooters and racers. Any opinions ? Currently a 27" benq 1080

    • watty on 26/01/2018 - 18:02
      +1

      What's the specs on the monitor? If you want eye candy, nothing beats IPS panels (even though TN panels have come a long way).

  • biozet on 26/01/2018 - 23:24

    The lg is an ips 25….x10…

    • watty on 27/01/2018 - 00:01

      I'd say for $399 it should be ok. Depending on your graphics card you might want to look into the hertz rate of monitors. Basically is the number of frames per second it can shoot out at you which will make the gaming experience better especially in games like pubg. Most basic or cheaper IPS panel monitors will run at 60hz but paying more money will give you options to up to 144hz with ofc diminished returns after that. Good luck!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join