Maybe new monitor time; is 60Hz enough these days?

Greboth

Greboth

Greboth

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Afternoon all,

I'm currently using a calibrated 1080p 60Hz 24" monitor at the moment which I have been loath to replace due to its colour accuracy and my hobbies including photography, Photoshop, 3d Modelling. However, I have been getting more into PC gaming again recently and am putting the final pieces together for a new PC (2nd gen Ryzen 5 or 7 X CPU, GTX1070) so I've been contemplating upgrading my monitor too.

For colour accuracy I'd like to have an IPS display, I'm limited on desk space so thinking of only going up to 27" and so thinking 1440P rather than 4k. From doing some Googling higher refresh IPS monitors aren't that common and are expensive. The number of options go up and the prices are more reasonable if sticking to 60Hz IPS monitors.

So I ask you OCUK, is 60Hz enough these days for games like Battlefield, Overwatch, Rainbow 6 etc. ? Obviously if you're a competitive CS:GO player then yes but for an average Joe who doesn't take gaming too seriously?
 
Greboth said:
From doing some Googling higher refresh IPS monitors aren't that common and are expensive.
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And rubbish quality control. Which ultimately is what stopped me making the same change.
I went for a 27" 1440p 60Hz instead (Dell U2715H), can recommend that. There's a noticable difference in colours vs my old Dell 2407WFP, and it's hard to say which one is accurate.
I wouldn't really say a bigger res improved my gaming experience though, it's more a productivity thing.
I personally don't think 60Hz is a problem, but my friends who have got Gsync say they'd never go back.
 
Thanks for the reply Billysielu, coincidently my current monitor is a 2407WFP. I didn't know about the quality control problems of the higher refresh IPS panels so it really does seem 60Hz is the way to go then.
 
There are some options that combine IPS or VA with G-Sync or FreeSync and can manage around 75-100Hz that are also an option - even just paired up with a powerful GPU and nVidia's FastSync it is a much nicer experience than 60Hz.
 
If you like First Person Shooters then a higher Hz monitor will probably be beneficial to you, provided your PC can drive those extra fps.
 
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Rikk82 said:
If you like First Person Shooters then a higher Hz monitor will probably be beneficial to you, provided your PC can drive those extra fps.
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That is the question; how much of a benefits will higher Hz be? The colour accuracy is a massive benefit hence wanting an IPS panel.

As per the OP I’ll be using a GTX 1070 so should be able to exceed 60fps in most games (even if I won’t be able to maintain 120 or 144fps.) However a 60Hz IPS panel can be had for £300-£350 but 120Hz+ seem more in the £550-£600 bracket.

So I suppose the question is not so much of is it a benefit to have a higher refresh rate but is it going to be a bad experience using a 60Hz screen?

Put another way, I’m coming back to PC from years of console gaming but I wouldn’t use a controller for online PC gaming as it is a massive handicap. So using a mouse and keyboard is a have to have but I assume 60 v 120Hz is nice to have not have to have?
 
It wont be a bad experience, you should be able to max it at 60hz/fps and it would be fine. Its just that 1440p AND 144hz/fps is much better. Than add to that gsync/freesync its yet another plus point. :)
 
A big question here is how much are you happy to spend on a monitor. The LG 32GK850G would be a nice option for you, however, does your budget stretch to £800?
 
Stu said:
A big question here is how much are you happy to spend on a monitor. The LG 32GK850G would be a nice option for you, however, does your budget stretch to £800?
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Just to be awkward, I don't have a monetary figure as a budget. I ascribe to the ethos of buy quality buy once but equally I don't want to 'waste' money hence raising if it is really worth spending an extra £300+ just to go from 60Hz to 120Hz+.

That aside, I only quickly read one review but that LG does look good, maybe a VA panel is the way to go rather than being stuck on having IPS. The only potential issue is the size, my desk isn't that deep so I don't know if 32" would be too big hence thinking of only going up to 27". I've actually got an old 32" TV lying around so might try that to get a feel for a 32" monitor.
 
Apologies, from memory I thought the LG was IPS, but you are right in saying it is VA. However, the reviews appear positive. Also, didn't read properly to see that you prefer 27". (I didn't do so well there!).

I also agree with your thinking about buying quality for the long term view. Personally, I'm waiting on the LG 34GK950G, which is an UW monitor. I previously had an eye on 32", but I think it is too big, but 34 UW is the same height as 27" 16:9. Unfortunately the 34GK950G is more expensive again (I'm expected/hoping to pay £999), but I plan on having it for a very long time.

Samsung C27HG70 might be an option... is 27", but not IPS, and has FreeSync rather than G-Sync. I'm sure others can suggest alternatives.
 
The way people word higher Hz monitors and FPS makes out that these monitors take more GPU power and push extra FPS. The way I understand is the get the benefits of this higher Hz monitor, your PC has to be capable of pushing 144FPS consistently to avoid any issues, and for modern games at high res, this is quite an expensive task.
 
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