1440p no adaptive sync?

[xiorell]

Hi all

I'm looking at going back to a 16:9 screen from 21:9, I like the Ultrawide a lot, but when something doesn't support it, it ****es me off so much, hence the possible change back to a normal ratio.

I'm using an R9 390 at the moment hooked into an LG 29UM68 displaying 2560x1080, and with freesync everything is buttery smooth.

The 16:9 is a 2560x1440 60hz NO freesync. (Acer G277HU)
if I go to this screen do you think I'm gonna start seeing screen tearing again when my frames drop/jump? Or should the r9 390 feed that display well enough even without freesync? Back to v-sync?

 

[Legend]

There is so little that doesn't support 21:9, you must have a very limited game selection if it necessitates a switch back to 16:9, even more so to lose the Freesync! Crazy decision if you ask me.

As for your question, it entirely depends on the game, but ANY GPU can struggle in certain circumstances. That's the whole point of adaptive sync lol!

 

[xiorell]

There is so little that doesn't support 21:9, you must have a very limited game selection if it necessitates a switch back to 16:9, even more so to lose the Freesync! Crazy decision if you ask me.

As for your question, it entirely depends on the game, but ANY GPU can struggle in certain circumstances. That's the whole point of adaptive sync lol!

The two resent games that irritated me with this are Overwatch and Resident evil 7 (unless 21:9 has been added since demo, in which case if someone let's me know ill go ahead and buy it now). Skyrim still didn't support it even after special ed (I did have it running ok with flawless widescreen but that stopped doing the job).

Then there's older stuff too.
It's mainly the freesync loss that makes me hesitant, I honestly can't remember how it looked to game on a non adaptive refresh display (had 144hz freesync before this current LG screen).

 

[Legend]

The two resent games that irritated me with this are Overwatch and Resident evil 7 (unless 21:9 has been added since demo, in which case if someone let's me know ill go ahead and buy it now). Skyrim still didn't support it even after special ed (I did have it running ok with flawless widescreen but that stopped doing the job).

Then there's older stuff too.
It's mainly the freesync loss that makes me hesitant, I honestly can't remember how it looked to game on a non adaptive refresh display (had 144hz freesync before this current LG screen).

Well there's no way if you're used to Freesync that you won't notice its absence, so if you are set on a switch, you need to get a monitor which has it.

 

[DragonQ]

The two resent games that irritated me with this are Overwatch and Resident evil 7 (unless 21:9 has been added since demo, in which case if someone let's me know ill go ahead and buy it now). Skyrim still didn't support it even after special ed (I did have it running ok with flawless widescreen but that stopped doing the job).

Then there's older stuff too.
It's mainly the freesync loss that makes me hesitant, I honestly can't remember how it looked to game on a non adaptive refresh display (had 144hz freesync before this current LG screen).

Overwatch is a competitive FPS; allowing more than one aspect ratio is always a tricky scenario as you're inevitably giving certain gamers advantages over others. FYI, it has supported 21:9 resolutions for half a year now, but it looks like it just does vertical cropping. You're never going to win with gamers either way but I guess they have to decide on an "optimum" aspect ratio (where you get the highest field of view, both vertical and horizontal) and since the vast majority of monitors are 16:9 it makes sense to pick that right now, IMO.

 

[xiorell]

Overwatch is a competitive FPS; allowing more than one aspect ratio is always a tricky scenario as you're inevitably giving certain gamers advantages over others. FYI, it has supported 21:9 resolutions for half a year now, but it looks like it just does vertical cropping. You're never going to win with gamers either way but I guess they have to decide on an "optimum" aspect ratio (where you get the highest field of view, both vertical and horizontal) and since the vast majority of monitors are 16:9 it makes sense to pick that right now, IMO.

I didn't buy the "competitive edge" thing when blizzard said it.
Anyway, wouldn't matter how wide my screen got, I'd still suck

 

[DragonQ]

I didn't buy the "competitive edge" thing when blizzard said it.
Anyway, wouldn't matter how wide my screen got, I'd still suck

It's not a unique excuse though. RTS games have the same problem: clearly if one person can see more of the map on their screen at once it's an unfair advantage.

 

[Legend]

Overwatch is a competitive FPS; allowing more than one aspect ratio is always a tricky scenario as you're inevitably giving certain gamers advantages over others.

Yeah, that's why there are moves afoot to ban gaming chairs, gaming mice, mechanical keyboards and fast refresh monitors. Representatives from game developers will visit your home before you're allowed to buy a game and ensure you are using standardised equipment that is identical to everyone else. If you deviate from these strict conditions, you will be banned from playing the game. You're not allowed to overclock either. It's only fair.

 

[xiorell]

Overwatch is a competitive FPS; allowing more than one aspect ratio is always a tricky scenario as you're inevitably giving certain gamers advantages over others. FYI, it has supported 21:9 resolutions for half a year now, but it looks like it just does vertical cropping. You're never going to win with gamers either way but I guess they have to decide on an "optimum" aspect ratio (where you get the highest field of view, both vertical and horizontal) and since the vast majority of monitors are 16:9 it makes sense to pick that right now, IMO.

It's not a unique excuse though. RTS games have the same problem: clearly if one person can see more of the map on their screen at once it's an unfair advantage.

Yeah but by that logic can we not extend it to "he's got a better mouse/keyboard/headset/internet connection" etc

I could just grab a second 16:9, for those games that just don't play nice, I suppose

 

[Nexus18]

When overwatch supports 144HZ/FPS, the 21.9 being an "advantage" excuse gets thrown out the window, 144HZ/FPS is far more of an advantage than a wider FOV.

Also, if they wanted everyone to be on the same level playing field, then they shouldn't have even added a FOV slider.

EDIT:

I can see the "cheat" reasoning for RTS games though.

 

[xiorell]

When overwatch supports 144HZ/FPS, the 21.9 being an "advantage" excuse gets thrown out the window, 144HZ/FPS is far more of an advantage than a wider FOV.

Also, if they wanted everyone to be on the same level playing field, then they shouldn't have even added a FOV slider.

EDIT:

I can see the "cheat" reasoning for RTS games though.

Are RTS games guilty of lacking Ultrawide support then? Only one I've played in ages is Total War: Warhammer, and that's doing 21:9 happily

 

[Nexus18]

Are RTS games guilty of Ultrawide support then? Only one I've played in ages is Total War: Warhammer, and that's doing 21:9 happily

No idea, I don't play them

But I can see how 21.9 would be consider too much of an advantage for online play in that type of game.

 

[DragonQ]

When overwatch supports 144HZ/FPS, the 21.9 being an "advantage" excuse gets thrown out the window, 144HZ/FPS is far more of an advantage than a wider FOV.

I don't think higher fps is more of an advantage compared to a pretty big increase in FOV. Especially when anyone can play at 144 fps even if their monitor is only 60 Hz (you just get tearing). However, I suppose you could just play 21:9 on a 16:9 monitor with black bars...not sure if that's possible.

Also, if they wanted everyone to be on the same level playing field, then they shouldn't have even added a FOV slider.

The slider is pretty useless, everyone plays on max.

 

[Nexus18]

I don't think higher fps is more of an advantage compared to a pretty big increase in FOV. Especially when anyone can play at 144 fps even if their monitor is only 60 Hz (you just get tearing). However, I suppose you could just play 21:9 on a 16:9 monitor with black bars...not sure if that's possible.


The slider is pretty useless, everyone plays on max.

For motion clarity and responsiveness, 144hz is superior to 60hz monitors and in FPS games that is a big advantage.

You can play at 144hz FPS on a 60hz screen but the benefit won't be anywhere as big as it is on a 144hz screen.

21.9 can work on any 16.9 display, there will be black bars at the top and bottom.

Maybe but not every player will be using the max FOV option, some also prefer to use lower fov as it makes the things bigger looking I.e. targets look bigger thus easier to spot and land shots on. This is why I never go above 85 in bf games as you just put yourself at a disadvantage for medium to long range engagements.

 

[Poneros]

There is so little that doesn't support 21:9, you must have a very limited game selection if it necessitates a switch back to 16:9, even more so to lose the Freesync! Crazy decision if you ask me.

Not true at all, I've ran into many problems and I've barely had it for 2 days. Sometimes even if the game overall works in 21:9 there are elements which don't, e.g. I'm playing a lot of DX:MD right now and the pick-up menus all get stretched out, which is quite aggravating tbh with you. Videos/cutscenes are also still 16:9 only as well.

Things are far from perfect as far as 21:9 is concerned, it's just that if you like the extra width so much it's something you can put up with as it's 90% of the way there.

@xiorell, I'm in the same position as you. I've decided not to change to 1440p though because it's too much extra grunt for not enough benefit (had it before, albeit at 32'') and the only 1440p Freesync monitor available (<144hz) is TN and mostly out of stock, with a poor Freesync range anyway. Going to 4K is also not an option right now, and I'd rather do the 4K gaming on the TV anyway. So I'm kinda stuck with 1080p. Hanging on to this LG 29'' for now, but if later during the week I remain mostly 'meh' about it, I'll send it back and get myself the Iiyama ProLite XB2783HSU-1 - had it before, 2 years ago, and was very impressed with it.

 

[Nexus18]

That is the only thing I have had issue with when it comes to 21.9, cutscenes and HUD/UI, personally this doesn't really bother me too much though and I don't think cutscenes, which are rendered i.e. not in game/engine footage will ever be displayed properly on 21.9 screens unless 21.9 becomes the new standard like 16.9 did...

Games seem to be getting better for the HUD scaling now though, especially ubi's games.