Is 144hz worth the upgrade?

Megahurtz400

Megahurtz400

Megahurtz400

Soldato
Joined
5 Jun 2007
Posts
9,272
Location
extremes.spacious.indelible
Hi guys,

I'm thinking of getting a new monitor, but don't have a massive budget.

Is 144hz worth the money it costs and how does it work?

Am I right in thinking that I need the hardware to ensure that I have a constant 144fps and a relevant monitor and i'm away?

Current set up is a 2500k & GTX970HOF, and I only really play PUBG and Rocket League so obviously I might end up having to do some bargain hunting on MM for a new set up for these bits, but more looking for how it works and what i'd need tbh!

Currently using 27" monitor, so don't mind 1080p, but if there's an advantage to going to 1440 then I can look at that route also :)

Cheers
 
It's something you have to judge for yourself after trying. You don't need constant 144 fps to take advantage of the higher refresh rate, you'll feel a smoother experience regardless. For PUBG & Rocket League it won't be that hard to drive tbh, esp. at 1080p. 1440p will look crisper but I can't say the difference is big in any way. Go to TFT Central and look through their reviews for monitors before making a decision. Ideally you'd want a Freesync monitor to keep costs down but that won't work with the 970, which would be enough for 1080p 144hz for the most part, so it would be more for the future or if you'd like to upgrade (maybe if £299 Vegas appear again this Xmas).

Imo with a Vega 56 & a 1440p 144fps monitor you'll be set for years now, esp. in these not as demanding titles, though a 580/590 would work well too - it's just that the jump from the 970 to the latter cards isn't as big. If I were in the market for such a monitor I'd look at the Asus MG279Q. One of the reviews on it, also with a 970:

I wanted to write a review about this monitor as it’s been a while since I purchased it and I thought its past the test of time now.
I purchased it back when it first came out.
I had wanted a 144Hz monitor for a while and IPS would have been a bonus also but the problem was you couldn’t get the two.
Until this! It’s an amazing monitor with deep blacks and rich vibrant colour.
I usually play FPS and Tactical games which this monitor does not blip at it’s on the money all the time.
I personally am running it with a 970 and it’s not had any issues.
I don’t get to use the freesync but I know that when I move to my next card it will be something I consider.
Another thing of note is that the speakers it has are not that bad.
I find watching the odd film more than watchable with the sound and wow does it look great on an IPS screen (Defiantly recommend watching into the darkness on it!)
All in all I can’t fault the monitor in any aspect. Yes G-sync would be nice but hay the monitor is epic either way!
Click to expand...
 
You dont need to have a constant 144hz, it can fluctuate all it likes the same as when you're using a 60hz monitor.
its just a far smoother experience, if your budget can stretch it then get a 1440p 144hz, it will feel like a nice big upgrade.
 
I've been on high refresh rate monitors for a few years now and the difference is significant compared to 60Hz.

The only downside for me is that over time the smoother experience becomes the norm, so you really feel the hit when you have to play games that impose a frame limit or have terrible performance drops.

As others have mentioned, 1440p @144Hz would be a nice upgrade, better image quality and a smoother experience. You'd be set for quite a while if you could stretch to that.
 
So the below items would get me well on my way to future proofing those components for a few years?

And my 2500k @ 4.4 (iirc) would be enough for now as well?

Is there any negatives to a 32"? I tend to pull my 27" towards me when I game anyway and have the desk space :D

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...hbm2-pci-express-graphics-card-gx-19p-gi.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/hann...rved-widescreen-gaming-monitor-mo-002-hs.html

EDIT: Just realised the monitor isn't an IPS panel, wondered why it was so cheap! :p
 
Megahurtz400 said:
Hi guys,

I'm thinking of getting a new monitor, but don't have a massive budget.

Is 144hz worth the money it costs and how does it work?

Am I right in thinking that I need the hardware to ensure that I have a constant 144fps and a relevant monitor and i'm away?

Current set up is a 2500k & GTX970HOF, and I only really play PUBG and Rocket League so obviously I might end up having to do some bargain hunting on MM for a new set up for these bits, but more looking for how it works and what i'd need tbh!

Currently using 27" monitor, so don't mind 1080p, but if there's an advantage to going to 1440 then I can look at that route also :)

Cheers
Click to expand...

YES ABSOLUTELY 200%

It's one of the best upgrades you can do if you have the hardware of course to push up to 144fps. Pointless using a 144hz monitor if you are happy to game at 60fps.

A 1440p 120hz/144hz Freesync or Gysync monitor is PC gaming sweetspot. There are plenty of GPU's that can get to 144fps @ 1440p using High and Ultra settings. You'll need to upgrade that GPU to make use of a higher hz screen, maybe a cheap 1080ti from the members marker for around £350 to £400 would be a massive jump from your 970.

There's nothing that frustrates me more than when people argue there is no difference between 30fps and 60fps, and 144hz screens being pointless as movies are all in 24fps blah blah. :mad::mad:
 
Last edited:
I would definitely go for a 144Hz monitor! With or without gsync/freesync, dependant on budget.

You'll see a brilliant improvement - if you're on a budget - a 1080p screen will suit your current configuration just fine! You'll be hitting 100+ FPS in pubg and you'll feel the smoothness immediately. I remember going over my mates house who I regularly play pubg with... He has the same cpu/gfx card as you, with a 60hz monitor - it felt horrible!

Be aware - once you go 144hz, you can't go back :)
 
Next question, VS vs TN vs IPS panels?

Is IPS really worth the extra over a VA? Struggling to find a 1080p IPS 144hz Panel, I might go this route to test the water before looking at a full system upgrade in a few years.
 
Last edited:
I've never used an IPS panel for gaming, but the IPS version of my monitor is out and I do have that itch to upgrade it from TN to IPS, to see what the difference is. Linus Tech Tips did a youtube video between the two and it's close, but the IPS took the gold medal in the end, although its about 20% more expensive.

For fast shooters on a decent budget - i'd stick with TN, cant really go wrong with them, you get middle of the park screen quality with fast response times (g2g). Apparently VA suffers from ghosting and can be pretty expensive.
 
Megahurtz400 said:
Next question, VS vs TN vs IPS panels?

Is IPS really worth the extra over a VA? Struggling to find a 1080p IPS 144hz Panel...
Click to expand...

IPS, if you can afford it, it's no question.

MarkA said:
I've never used an IPS panel for gaming, but the IPS version of my monitor is out and I do have that itch to upgrade it from TN to IPS, to see what the difference is. Linus Tech Tips did a youtube video between the two and it's close, but the IPS took the gold medal in the end, although its about 20% more expensive.

For fast shooters on a decent budget - i'd stick with TN, cant really go wrong with them, you get middle of the park screen quality with fast response times (g2g). Apparently VA suffers from ghosting and can be pretty expensive.
Click to expand...

I have the Asus ROG Swift PG279Q and it's response time is just as good as TN panels. If you get a cheap IPS 144hz then yea, you're going to notice a delay. I went from a BenQ 27" 60hz IPS to my current monitor and the response time on the Asus is none existent.

It's all about what you're willing to spend. Personally, I'd rather have a cheaper 'slower' IPS compared to a horribly washed out TN panel with slightly better response time. As I like my games to look as they should.
 
agnes said:
IPS, if you can afford it, it's no question.



I have the Asus ROG Swift PG279Q and it's response time is just as good as TN panels. If you get a cheap IPS 144hz then yea, you're going to notice a delay. I went from a BenQ 27" 60hz IPS to my current monitor and the response time on the Asus is none existent.

It's all about what you're willing to spend. Personally, I'd rather have a cheaper 'slower' IPS compared to a horribly washed out TN panel with slightly better response time. As I like my games to look as they should.
Click to expand...

You smell

You have the monitor I want.

I have the PG278Q :'(
 
120hz+ is definitely smoother and more responsive, even if you aren't getting 120fps. You won't want to go back to 60hz because it will feel sluggish if you do.

VA is the best compromise. You get much better colours and viewing angles than TN, but also no backlight glow like on IPS (so blacks and darker colours look better on VA). But you do get slight motion blur on certain colours, nothing to be really put off by though.
 
Last edited:
MarkA said:
You smell

You have the monitor I want.

I have the PG278Q :'(
Click to expand...

It's an amazing monitor. Get one ASAP.

Nasher said:
120hz+ is definitely smoother and more responsive, even if you aren't getting 120fps. You won't want to go back to 60hz because it will feel sluggish if you do.

VA is the best compromise. You get much better colours and viewing angles than TN, but also no backlight glow like on IPS (so blacks and darker colours look better on VA). But you do get slight motion blur on certain colours, nothing to be really put off by though.
Click to expand...

IPS does indeed suffer glow, but it's only on pitch black screens, I'd still say IPS is better than VA at colour reproduction personally.

@OP, as mentioned above, anything over 60hz is smoother and make sure you get a Gsync (Freesync if you have AMD). It's one tech not to miss out on.

Here is a great representation of VA/IPS/TN.

vkPiT9r.jpg


This is IPS glow:
ips-glow-and-backlight-bleed-60cm-distance.jpg


As you can see, it's normally very little although some people get unfortunate and get it more. But, as mentioned, this is only visible on a entirely dark image.
 
144hz is only worth it if you are competitive gaming or have an absolute beast of a pc, otherwise with freesync/gsync the sweet spot for graphical quality vs performance is much lower than 144 fps. But if you are upgrading monitors anyway, then why not
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom