Ultrawide upgrade and office advice - setting up WFH

OpenHand on 15/06/2020 - 13:36

Hey y'all,

Work has given me the all clear to WFH interstate on an ongoing basis.

My setup will be a Spectre 13" plugged in ideally via USB-C and my desktop via DP. I plan to switch between these or have PBP on at some points.

Right now I have an old AOC U3477PQU, which is fine but showing age in some respects. Since they are offering to replace it, what's a worthy upgrade?

Ideally it's 100hz at least, beautiful if it had G-SYNC or a compatible freesync (I'm on a RTX2060-S), and even nicer if it had a USB-C charging station. If I could use my keyboard and mouse for both computers that'd be awesome too, but I can also just get a cheap USB switch.

I probably can't drop $2k on something, although if it's really worth it I can offer to pitch in a bit.

I'll also be building a desk (thinking the ole /r/battlestations IKEA or Bunnings benchtop special + some legs) and getting an ergo chair of some sort. Happy to take recommendations there too.

Thanks!

Computing

Comments

  • Mechz on 15/06/2020 - 14:38

    LG 38 inch. Goes to 75hz (well mine does, new model might be better). Also have the large bunnings pine bench with some Ikea saw horses.

    100hz for office work seems overkill.

    • OpenHand on 15/06/2020 - 14:40

      Hey Mechz. I should have stated that outside of office work, I am gaming + doing video and photo editing.

      Seems silly buying a 100hz just for office work, but also plan to use the monitor for all my outside work stuff too.

      Cheers tho - the LG 38 does look interesting.

  • trankillity on 15/06/2020 - 15:10
    +1

    I posted this in another thread, but it should serve you well here:

    The LG 34GN850-B is the new defacto standard. If you can afford the $1.5k for it, you won't be disappointed.

    IPS panel: ✅
    144/160hz: ✅
    1ms OC G2G response: ✅
    Latest G-sync/Freesync: ✅
    HDR10/DisplayHDR 400: ✅

    I bought an Acer Predator X34P for $1.2k around 2 months ago. Kicking myself I didn't wait a few months and get this instead.

    The included stands with ultrawides are just too damn huge to be useful, so you will want to budget for a decent monitor mount too. Don't skimp on the mount either, as cheaper ones can't support the massive weight of an ultrawide. I went with this one. Also keeping an eye on the same company for a sale on their adjustable sit/stand desks.

    In the mean time, I picked up a cheap ($100) old office desk from a business recycling company on Gumtree. You definitely don't want any draws under the desk surface, as that changes how high you can sit and drastically decreases comfort.

    Keep in mind that pixel density on a 3440x1440 is quite a bit higher than 1080p, so your 2060-S will actually struggle to keep at 60+FPS at high detail in most games. I tend to let nVidia GeForce Experience handle my settings to ensure that I get a good mix of quality and stable frame rate. You will also want to create a custom resolution of 2560x1080 for any games that you want to crank the detail, but still maintain decent frame rate.

    Other things to note is that you generally don't want USB-C for monitors, as power delivery over USB-C is limited to 60W, which is definitely not enough for any gaming system. DisplayPort is the tech that you want to use for your connection. USB hubs on monitors are definitely useful though. My X34P has a 4-port, internally-powered USB 3.0 hub built in which is incredibly helpful considering I use a gaming laptop. Effectively turns my monitor into a full KVM, where all I need to do is switch the display port and 1xUSB to control a different machine.

    • OpenHand on 15/06/2020 - 16:23

      Hey trankillity, thanks for the hot tip.

      I am going to get a stand for sure.

      Regarding USB-C, that's so I can run my work laptop during the day. One cable life will be really handy for that. I suspect it won't output at the full refresh rate of whatever monitor I go with, but that's fine.

      When I switch to my PC, it'll be over Displayport which I'll want the high hz + Gsync or whatever I can sort there.

      I was looking at the Phillips 346b1c which is relatively cheap and has all the connectivity features I wanted, including a KVM built in. However apparently the panel is pretty average.

      The Samsung CJ791 also looks great from a connectivity point of view. It also seems it's being discontinued and uses one of the older VA panels.

      The LG you linked looks great - amazing specs - but I would probably need a hub to be able to use both computers easily (switching between or PBP) which adds a bit of expense.

      • trankillity on 16/06/2020 - 09:18

        You'd be surprised how easy switching is on most monitors these days. Provided the monitor itself has a USB hub, you can just route KB/Mouse through the monitor. Then, if you need to switch and it doesn't have USB-C, all you need to do is change the input source (from DP to HDMI), and switch the USB cable that goes to the monitor over. That's how I did it when I was working from home. It effectively turns your monitor itself into the KVM switch.

        Only wrinkle in this is if your laptop is exclusively charged by USB-C. If it is, you will actually need one of those fairly expensive USB-C hubs that support power delivery over USB-C. I had one of the Satechi ones for this purpose which only set me back around $100 and included MiniDP, 3xUSB 3.0, and gigabit ethernet.

        Another final hot tip for gaming too - any game that supports DLSS2.0 will be your best friend. I've been playing a lot of Control lately and have it set to full 3440x1440 resolution, with minimum render resolution of 1710x716 or whatever the resolution equivalent is. That means that it will render the minimum, but when it has spare horsepower, it will render the maximum. Super smooth, and even better looking than dropping res to 2580x1080.

        • OpenHand on 16/06/2020 - 10:53

          Yeah, I get ya. I have expanded my search to monitors with hub capability too. I don't mind not having USB-C if I can use a simple hub or switch of some kind.

          I was hoping to keep the laptop to the one cable life, as when I nick off from home I will be moving fairly quickly to pack my stuff and go.

          I am trying to get my head around how I might get connected on the LG 34. For the desktop PC, that's easy - DP into the monitor. And then USB to a simple USB switch.

          If I want the laptop to connect via one cable I am thinking I would need to daisy chain it - first to a USB-C hub like your satechi (it seems they provide PD as well?). And then to the USB switch.

          Theoretically I could then switch inputs on the monitor, and hit the USB switch button and I am good to go? And still with just one cable from the laptop? Busy desk with the hubs though!

          Right now I don't have the GPU to drive the thing at full speed, so the Phillips is still attractive purely for simplicity… but I will upgrade GPU in the next few years most likely too.

          • trankillity on 16/06/2020 - 11:46

            @OpenHand: Bingo on the logic behind switching.

            In terms of the hub, you can even potentially bypass the input-switching USB hub provided you don't mind having your PC on your desktop. Then you can just use the USB-C hub direct from desktop and simply switch the single hub and change inputs on your monitor to switch machines. That's how I handled it when I was working from home. Just need to have a spare USB-C port on your desktop PC that you can plug into.

            Turns out being a much cleaner solution that way, with the only thing changing being the USB-C hub.

            As attractive as the USB-C docking/inbuilt KVM in the Philips may be, I'd steer clear of it. VA panel, so not as good colour reproduction as IPS. And doesn't have FreeSync OR G-Sync. These are the biggest gamechangers when it comes to gaming on a monitor. Completely removing screen tearing without needing to enable V-Sync (and introduce significant input lag) is definitely more important than making it easier to switch PCs for a few months in isolation.

            Your monitor will easily outlast your PC, so invest heavily in it.

            • OpenHand on 16/06/2020 - 12:02

              @trankillity: Thanks again for the advice.

              Two complicating factors: I am WFH permanently from now (moved interstate but work is cool with it) so this will be going long after iso is over!

              And my PC doesn't have any USB-C, interestingly. I have an ITX box so sitting on the desk is no trouble (preferable actually).

              A small switch fixed to the desk isn't a bother for me, as long as it actually works.

              • trankillity on 16/06/2020 - 13:30

                @OpenHand: If it's a permanent setup, might be worth investing a little more into a proper, full KVM so you don't even need to change your display inputs. Though I doubt you'll find any KVMs that support super high refresh and G-Sync/FreeSync passthrough.

                So yeah, I think your best bet is still USB switch for KB/Mouse hubbed through monitor, with separate display inputs for your desktop and your laptop.

                • OpenHand on 16/06/2020 - 13:53

                  @trankillity: Yeah, the big KVM switches are pretty hideous and expensive if you're looking for proper ultrawide support, so I'm trying to avoid that route.

                  It's not the end of the world if I have to press some buttons, trying to avoid swapping too many cables as I will be switching at least a few times a day. Happy to pay an extra $50 for a switch and put in some work with cable management.

    • Hans678 on 15/06/2020 - 22:42

      Wow, this is great. I want one but require no gaming 144hz/gsync/freesync/HDR needs. Anything like that but much cheaper?

      • trankillity on 16/06/2020 - 09:23

        You just removed almost all of the benefits from it… so, yes? Just about any other monitor will do the trick. Do your own research because what you're wanting recommended, isn't at all what OP wanted.

  • Domingo on 16/06/2020 - 18:42

    I'm using a Samsung LC34H892WGEXXY (Currently on sale at a few places for $869 edit: even better, $780 here) along with a North Bayou F100A monitor mount.

    It uses a VA panel, has 100hz, 4ms GTG etc - isn't absolutely killer specs compared with others, but I've found it to be very good.

    I'm currently using it across 3 computers:

    • Main work laptop connected via USB-C which provides charging. Also have desktop speakers plugged into the monitor and have configured the laptop to output to the monitor over USB-C, which then passes it through to the speakers
    • Secondary work laptop connected via HDMI as required. I can use them side by side on the screen from 2 inputs (2x 1720x1440 displays)
    • Personal desktop computer connected via DisplayPort. Can also use side by side in any combo.

    I'm using a Logitech Mx Master 2S and a K375S keyboard (although I am tempted to get the Logitech mx Keys keyboard). They both have 3 device inputs on them, so each is connected to all 3 computers and I can switch between them via the buttons on the keyboard or the bottom of the mouse. When I'm moving stuff backwards and forwards between computers a lot, I use Logitech Flow that lets me move my mouse across the interface between the 2x 1720x1440 displays and automatically switches the keyboard and mouse to the other computer.

    The screen picture in picture/picture by picture stuff is quite cool - you can configure left and right inputs as well as which input will be passed through as the sound source to the sound output.

    Honestly for gaming sometimes I wonder if it is too wide - been playing a bit of rocket league lately and it's a long way to look to each side of the screen!

    • trankillity on 17/06/2020 - 08:52

      That's a complicated, but bloody cool setup!

      PBP/PIP is definitely a luxury that most monitors don't have. I know mine certainly doesn't, but for my purposes - that's fine. Most of the work I do that would require that is via VMs, so I just pull up virtual displays.

      And MS PowerToys handles the window management nicely for me.

      • Domingo on 17/06/2020 - 10:03

        MS PowerToys is great, I got it a couple of weeks ago. Haven't spent too much time configuring it yet, but the window manager functions have been handy even without much configuration.

        One of the annoyances I have is trying to share my screen with others - I prefer sharing desktop rather than sharing individual application windows as then I can drag different windows in and out of the share screen, but sharing all my glorious pixels makes for a small viewing experience for the others with their lower res setups

    • OpenHand on 17/06/2020 - 11:10

      Hey bud, that's pretty much exactly what my setup will be, minus one work laptop.

      How does Logitech Flow go for you? I would look at replacing my keyboard and mouse but I prefer mechanical. Multi inputs is neat and saves a switch but that's probably a false economy.

      I am well used to ultrawide for gaming now, I couldn't go back.

      Another option on the ultra premium end has popped up - ticks pretty much all boxes for me.

      LG 38wn95c. Hideously expensive, probably only coming out here right before the EOFY, but high refresh, low latency, thunderbolt USB-C, PBP and everything else I was keen on. The extra screen size and resolution is probably a negative for me, as it would need a really high end GPU to run the thing. Same PPI as a 34" pretty much, just a bit bigger.

  • OpenHand on 18/06/2020 - 12:48
    +1

    I've narrowed things down a bit.

    Samsung Cj791 $1,199
    MSI MPG341CQR $1,579
    AOC AG493UC $1,839
    LG 38WN95C $2,199
    Phillips 346B1C $949

    All of the above technically meet my needs to some degree. The cheaper Samsung and Phillips use older input standards and I'd rather keep to newer ones.

    I am reluctant to go a 5120x1440 monitor. Harder to power the thing (more money spent on GPU) and not ideal for watching media. However their PBP is pretty nice as you can have one 21:9 screen and a smaller picture next to it. Handy.

    The LG is probably the most ideal outside of the price. It also has a weird quirk where you can't run PBP with the DP and USB-C ports filled, as it's a DP-alt port. Which would be my main use case. So I would need a dock to hook my laptop to a HDMI port and probably a switch as well, making it more expensive. I've heard there's a cheaper business variant which is basically the same coming out, but I haven't seen that model number here. Likewise, there's a chance this one won't be in stock until after EOFY.

    The MSI, specs wise, is about as good as it gets, has all the ports I need, however it is truly UGLY AF.

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