4K monitor - what to expect

marcus2704 · 25 Sep 2015 at 11:30

I am thinking of buying the Acer Predator 4k2k XB280HK 28" 3840x2160 TN G-Sync Gaming Widescreen LED Monitor - Black/Red -

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-065-AC&groupid=17&catid=948

I have the current setup:

Zotac Geforce 980TI graphics card
I7 4690K Processor
EVGA SuperNova G2 850W PSU
TeamGroup Xtreem LV "Frost Edition" 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-21300C11 2666MHz Dual Channel Kit
MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard
Antec Kúhler H2O 1250 Liquid CPU Cooler
256GB SSD

I was wondering what sort of performance I can expect driving a monitor such as this, particularly at 144hz? I have read so much praise for GSYNC that my expectation is already sky high, but realistically would my rig be a good compliment to such a screen?

varkanoid · 25 Sep 2015 at 11:33

If you get a good one fine but read this and the Acer X270HU thread first then go buy a Dell, Asus or Samsung 4k.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18659327&highlight=startername_varkanoid

4k only do 60hz

Look at my sig then look at your spec - I am very happy with my Sammy 4k.

wunkley · 25 Sep 2015 at 11:35

^ whilst I agree with the don't buy Acer sentiment, if you want Gsync, which is an absolute MUST for me (and especially if you'll be running 4k with one 980ti), then it's not quite so easy as the choice is still quite limited.

In fact are there any 4k gsync monitors apart from Acer yet? I know Asus have a 4k swift coming out but it may be a while.

marcus2704 · 25 Sep 2015 at 11:43

I would be interested to know the percentages of the Acer monitors that OCUK have sold which exhibit issues seen elsewhere in threads, I am guessing that chances are the majority are perfectly fine? I guess I am trying to quantify buying one of the few affordable GSYNC monitors against a brand which has a poor reputation here

varkanoid · 25 Sep 2015 at 11:56

OCUK take the stance there is not problem and the percentages are very low. I can tell you that for certain.
The 4k IPS Swift is due end of Dec/Jan 2016. If you cant do without gsync then you are probably better off going for a 1440p Gsync which will be cheaper and wait for a decent 4k gsync.
Its not ideal but its the problem facing everyone at the moment. There is no killer monitor in each category of resolution.

marcus2704 · 25 Sep 2015 at 12:26

varkanoid said:
OCUK take the stance there is not problem and the percentages are very low. I can tell you that for certain.
The 4k IPS Swift is due end of Dec/Jan 2016. If you cant do without gsync then you are probably better off going for a 1440p Gsync which will be cheaper and wait for a decent 4k gsync.
Its not ideal but its the problem facing everyone at the moment. There is no killer monitor in each category of resolution.

Something like the Asus PG278Q ROG Swift 27" 2560x1440 TN?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-070-AS&groupid=17&catid=948

Its a shame its not IPS, whilst its resolution is lower than the Acer. I am quickly realising how its a very difficult time to be in the market for a new monitor! There really isnt much choice for GSYNC.

I wish the Dell S2716DG was out.

Mercutio · 25 Sep 2015 at 12:33

Yeah, 4k, IPS, gsync/freesync, 100mhz+ is still slightly over the horizon at the moment. It's the sort of thing most will be jumping ship to once it's affordable though.

varkanoid · 25 Sep 2015 at 13:53

The ultra wide screens seem to be in favour at the moment. Although they are not GSYNC but the res is a bit higher than the ROG.

To be honest if I were in your shoes and I still had my old Benq 144mhz I would wait till next year and save up some more money.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 27 Sep 2015 at 20:24

It'll run games lovely for now, everything will feel like 60fps as long as you have 35fps or more which your 980ti will pull with ease. The only issue you may run into after 12 months or perhaps less is the 6gig vram @ 4k may not be enough.

As for Acer monitors mine is perfect, theres probably more moaners on here than bad monitors out there.

Joe! · 27 Sep 2015 at 20:57

marcus2704 said:
Something like the Asus PG278Q ROG Swift 27" 2560x1440 TN?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-070-AS&groupid=17&catid=948

Its a shame its not IPS, whilst its resolution is lower than the Acer. I am quickly realising how its a very difficult time to be in the market for a new monitor! There really isnt much choice for GSYNC.

I wish the Dell S2716DG was out.

Although the ROG Swift is "only" TN, it gets very good reviews from people saying the colours are at the very high end of TN, which is good imo.

If you want to play at 3840x2160 on a 2560x1440 monitor you can make a custom resolution in NVidia's CP of that, although I am not too sure if that affects G-Sync.