5k monitors on Windows?

[Mattcee2]

I use PC and Mac and currently have a 57" Samsung ultrawide (7680x2160 resolution) but am thinking of getting x2 or x3, 27" 5k monitors with 218ppi.
The other option is x2, 32" 6k monitors but they're not released for a couple more months.
Has anyone used a 5k monitor with Windows as it doesn't seem that common?
Do you actually get 5120 x 2880 on Windows and if so, is it useable and everything isn't tiny on screen? Is text quality etc better than a standard 4k resolution?
My aim is a higher ppi, maximum text clarity, colour and maximum real estate on screen but not having to squint to see text and icons - and be used on both PC and Mac (with no gaming at all).

 

[Armageus]

Do you actually get 5120 x 2880 on Windows

Yes you will get that resolution

and if so, is it useable and everything isn't tiny on screen?

Everything will be tiny by default - you will need to use windows scaling to bring text and icons up to a useable size (which can be hit and miss depending on what applications etc you use)

Is text quality etc better than a standard 4k resolution?

Yes in that you will have more pixels to make up text

My aim is a higher ppi, maximum text clarity, colour and maximum real estate on screen but not having to squint to see text and icons - and be used on both PC and Mac (with no gaming at all).

Higher PPI does not give you more real estate (unless you are comfortable with everything being smaller)


(For reference I use a 5120x1440 49" ultrawide - 108ppi, but run it at 125% scaling in Windows to have everything at a comfortable size)

 

[Mattcee2]

Yes you will get that resolution


Everything will be tiny by default - you will need to use windows scaling to bring text and icons up to a useable size (which can be hit and miss depending on what applications etc you use)


Yes in that you will have more pixels to make up text


Higher PPI does not give you more real estate (unless you are comfortable with everything being smaller)


(For reference I use a 5120x1440 49" ultrawide - 108ppi, but run it at 125% scaling in Windows to have everything at a comfortable size)

Thanks for that.
I do like like my 57" Samsung but each time I turn it off and on again when i have tons of stuff open, all the layout gets wrecked, moved around and some programs resolution gets changed so hoping a more normal resolution might fix that issue when using instead of Samsungs 7680x2160.
57" can also be a bit big when just browsing or using one program.

 

[Armageus]

Thanks for that.
I do like like my 57" Samsung but each time I turn it off and on again when i have tons of stuff open, all the layout gets wrecked, moved around and some programs resolution gets changed so hoping a more normal resolution might fix that issue when using instead of Samsungs 7680x2160.
57" can also be a bit big when just browsing or using one program.

Rather than changing your monitor, grab yourself Microsoft Powertoys and set up some fancyzones

GitHub - microsoft/PowerToys: Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of utilities that supercharge productivity and customization on Windows

Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of utilities that supercharge productivity and customization on Windows - microsoft/PowerToys

github.com

You can split your monitor into different zones, and it will also restore apps to their last used position.


I've got mine split into a main 2560x1440 zone in the middle, with a 1280x1440 zone each size, so simulating 3 screens, so I can use one side for Emails, the other side for CCTV etc, and the main zone for whatever I'm working on.

 

[Mcnumpty2323]

Look on sordum.org
They do a load of free useful little utilities
Pretty sure there's a software on there
Where you save your layout
And it one click restores it/or right click menu has the option too
May be called reicon or something similar to that

 

[Mattcee2]

Look on sordum.org
They do a load of free useful little utilities
Pretty sure there's a software on there
Where you save your layout
And it one click restores it/or right click menu has the option too
May be called reicon or something similar to that

I already use Persistent Windows for getting the layout back. It's the programs I use most that it changes the scaling/resolution meaning I have to close and then re-open those programs.

 

[Mcnumpty2323]

I already use Persistent Windows for getting the layout back. It's the programs I use most that it changes the scaling/resolution meaning I have to close and then re-open those programs.

Yeah that would be annoying
Possibly there's software to deal with that
"On the fly"
Though not something I have ever had much happen
To me
So not really looked into it

 

[Mattcee2]

Yeah that would be annoying
Possibly there's software to deal with that
"On the fly"
Though not something I have ever had much happen
To me
So not really looked into it

It only started to happen when I upgraded to 24H2 on both my machines so I did a fresh 23H2 re-install on my main machine and while its not quite as bad as 24H2 for moving stuff around and progs dropping off the bottom of my monitor screen and getting totally resized, its still a complete pain with the changing program resolutions.

I am interested to see what difference (If any) it makes using a couple of smaller screens and seeing if the issue persists.
Failing that, Its prob back to Mac as my main work machine where the 5k monitors would be perfect for Mac OS.
It is massively annoying though as my new PC I just built is ace (5090/9950X3D) yet I have this problem and would rather not shell out on a newer, powerful Mac.

 

[Mcnumpty2323]

It only started to happen when I upgraded to 24H2 on both my machines so I did a fresh 23H2 re-install on my main machine and while its not quite as bad as 24H2 for moving stuff around and progs dropping off the bottom of my monitor screen and getting totally resized, its still a complete pain with the changing program resolutions.

I am interested to see what difference (If any) it makes using a couple of smaller screens and seeing if the issue persists.
Failing that, Its prob back to Mac as my main work machine where the 5k monitors would be perfect for Mac OS.
It is massively annoying though as my new PC I just built is ace (5090/9950X3D) yet I have this problem and would rather not shell out on a newer, powerful Mac.

Yeah 5090 and 9950x3d
I wouldn't want to part with that either

Other possible options
Make a custom resolution that can be easily enabled/disabled
When doing stuff that's giving the issue

Can the stuff you do work on Linux?
Windows on one drive Linux on another drive

Lot of monitor do come with screen splitting built in
Think mine does
Though its not something I have messed around with
For years
Used to use free software called acer gridvista
Though there's probably plenty others nowadays

 

[Farore]

Text scaling on Windows would be an issue, likley.