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4K or 1440p High Refresh for casual gaming? Ultrawide?

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blitzraider

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm looking to upgrade my entire setup from 1080p 60Hz to something more modern. One of my considerations is whether to go 4K or 1440p high refresh for my main monitor?

I play all kinds of games, currently MOBAs and console emulators. I also work on spreadsheets so ultrawides seem to be the thing these days. I think more than 100Hz would be a huge difference for me already, but really not sure as I'm never experienced anything past 75Hz.

Thanks!
 
#3 ·
For the most part, a high refresh rate is usually preferred for people who play a lot of multiplayer FPS games. If you prefer more RPG style games and third person games, 4K or ultrawide might be the way to go. I play FPS games and I still prefer 4K though the only one I play multiplayer much is BF4.
 
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#4 ·
From what you write, I would recommend an ultra wide, 3440x1440. You can find several at 100hz-144hz which will be more than enough and it will give you enough real estate to see everything and a decent increase in resolution for games over your current 1080p.
4K I would get only if you have a good GPU (3080/6800xt and above), because as new games come out and demanding engine comes out, you won't feel great about needing to reduce quality to keep up with the frame rate, so for me at least, getting in the 1440p but being able to up the quality makes things look better.
Though for MOBA games you don't really need 4K or even ultra wide. 1440p 27" monitors will do great with higher frame rate will feel better and at home with such games. Ultra wide is great for MMOs, for 3rd person games where atmosphere and visual is part of the game, and when you need work estate.
 
#5 ·
I'll list some notes, maybe this will help you.

4K
  • Productivity favours screen additional real-estate (pixels).
    • However, scaling becomes a factor depending on your eyesight.
    • If you run a 4K monitor but the content is too small for you (screen size vs. seat distance), you'll have to scale it back up.
  • Great image quality (IQ).
    • Less aliasing (jagged edges).
    • More pixels (8 million) also requires more bandwidth / GPU power for intensive 3D applications, like gaming.
  • Scaling is ideal for emulation.
    • 720p x 9 = 4k
  • 60 Hz
    • For casual gaming, it is the standard
    • Pushing about 60 Hz will either require a very modern GPU or will only be applicable in less demanding titles.
    • 4K are becoming more common and affordable.
1440p
  • Considered the sweet spot between real-estate (pixels) and IQ.
    • Common resolution for monitors today (more affordable)
  • Good IQ.
    • Anti-aliasing still required (TAA etc.)
    • Less pixels than 4K (3 million vs. 8 million) but requires less bandwidth / GPU power.
  • Poor scaling.
    • Plugging in any console or running a emulator that does not render at 1440p will look fuzzy.
  • 120 - 165Hz
    • Great for any game that can support uncapped framerate.
    • 120Hz 1440p is technically easier to run than 60Hz 4K.
    • Work / productivity / browsing is also improved (smoother).
    • 1440p / 144hz monitors are similarly priced or cheaper than 4K /60hz monitors.

Gsync/Freesync (VRR) can be applied to both resolutions.

Context / my experience:
I have my PC hooked up to a 4K tv (C9 OLED/120Hz/VRR) and a 1440p monitor (165Hz/freesync/IPS).
I prefer the monitor for day to day work and gaming that requires a mouse/keyboard. Any controller gaming... 4K TV.

No experience with ultra wide. No experience with a 4K monitor.
I'm heavily biased towards high refresh rate / VRR wherever possible.
I've been using 120hz since Samsung 2233RZ. I can't go back to 60hz...

Recommendation will depend on what is more critical for you (Productivity, casual gaming, emulation etc.).
 
#8 ·
blitzraider said:
I have a 980ti. I only have an old Dell square work monitor at the moment, so anything will be an upgrade. I bought a PG279Q, an older monitor but has 1440p so I will try it and see.
Click to expand...
If you paid more than $500 US you where ripped off for that price you can get the newer and much better LG 27GL850 or the newest LG 27GP850
I have both the GL850 and the PG279Q and the GL850 is better by miles
 
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#9 ·
shilka said:
If you paid more than $500 US you where ripped off for that price you can get the newer and much better LG 27GL850 or the newest LG 27GP850
I have both the GL850 and the PG279Q and the GL850 is better by miles
Click to expand...
Curious how much better the blur reduction on GP850 is compared to Acer Predator 27". Is there still ghosting from the strobing at upper and lower ends of the monitor? Strange that the P850 says it has blur reduction, but is only G-Sync Compatible instead of native.
 
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Discussion starter · #10 ·
shilka said:
If you paid more than $500 US you where ripped off for that price you can get the newer and much better LG 27GL850 or the newest LG 27GP850
I have both the GL850 and the PG279Q and the GL850 is better by miles
Click to expand...
It was used so about 250usd, no box sadly. I've yet to fully test it, but it looks like no dead pixels so far. It will be my side or top secondary monitor once I fully upgrade my system.

I've only really used those old Dell/HP 4:3 18 inch office monitors. My bar is low, I'm easy to please as long as the monitor doesn't make me dizzy. That is also my biggest reservation with curved monitors.
 
#12 ·
I went from a 15" laptop display to 4K 28" monitor. Here's my take:
1) You want the highest possible DPI. 4K is the way to go. We've become accustom to super high DPI with our phones..it makes sense to keep this trend for our computer screens
2) 120Hz+ is nice for gaming...heck even web browsing...but honestly you really only notice it when things are moving on the screen...which they aren't always doing that. My laptop is overclocked to 144Hz
3) Gsync/freesync is actually slightly noticeable with my 4k monitor....it is kinda nice so no downside to getting 4K
4) Even downscaling to 1440P and gaming on 4K is just fine. My Asus monitor has something called pixel sharpening and it'll sharpen downscaled pixels and make it look really nice!


Go 4K man. It's the way of the future!
 
#13 ·
Slaughtahouse said:
I'll list some notes, maybe this will help you.

4K
  • Productivity favours screen additional real-estate (pixels).
    • However, scaling becomes a factor depending on your eyesight.
    • If you run a 4K monitor but the content is too small for you (screen size vs. seat distance), you'll have to scale it back up.
  • Great image quality (IQ).
    • Less aliasing (jagged edges).
    • More pixels (8 million) also requires more bandwidth / GPU power for intensive 3D applications, like gaming.
  • Scaling is ideal for emulation.
    • 720p x 9 = 4k
  • 60 Hz
    • For casual gaming, it is the standard
    • Pushing about 60 Hz will either require a very modern GPU or will only be applicable in less demanding titles.
    • 4K are becoming more common and affordable.
1440p
  • Considered the sweet spot between real-estate (pixels) and IQ.
    • Common resolution for monitors today (more affordable)
  • Good IQ.
    • Anti-aliasing still required (TAA etc.)
    • Less pixels than 4K (3 million vs. 8 million) but requires less bandwidth / GPU power.
  • Poor scaling.
    • Plugging in any console or running a emulator that does not render at 1440p will look fuzzy.
  • 120 - 165Hz
    • Great for any game that can support uncapped framerate.
    • 120Hz 1440p is technically easier to run than 60Hz 4K.
    • Work / productivity / browsing is also improved (smoother).
    • 1440p / 144hz monitors are similarly priced or cheaper than 4K /60hz monitors.

Gsync/Freesync (VRR) can be applied to both resolutions.

Context / my experience:
I have my PC hooked up to a 4K tv (C9 OLED/120Hz/VRR) and a 1440p monitor (165Hz/freesync/IPS).
I prefer the monitor for day to day work and gaming that requires a mouse/keyboard. Any controller gaming... 4K TV.

No experience with ultra wide. No experience with a 4K monitor.
I'm heavily biased towards high refresh rate / VRR wherever possible.
I've been using 120hz since Samsung 2233RZ. I can't go back to 60hz...

Recommendation will depend on what is more critical for you (Productivity, casual gaming, emulation etc.).
Click to expand...
I'm think of doing something similar. Why do you not use the 4K OLED for mouse/keyboard games? And how do you make room for both of those on a desk?
 
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#14 ·
Luck100 said:
I'm think of doing something similar. Why do you not use the 4K OLED for mouse/keyboard games? And how do you make room for both of those on a desk?
Click to expand...
I have a long HDMI 2.1 cable running from my PC (office desk) to my living room.

I don’t use a m/kb for the TV because of the seat distance / furniture.

The display I have is 55” and it’s setup for content viewing, not productivity or ergonomics. I prefer sitting up right in a chair with a monitor for work or m/kb usage.
 
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Slaughtahouse
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