Monitor upgrade advice - Scaling issues

Kam_s · 24 Oct 2020 at 13:11

I have a monitor that I got in 2012 but looking to upgrade. I am using a Dell Ultrasharp U2412M 24 inch IPS Widescreen LED Monitor - https://www.amazon.co.uk/DELL-860-1...005LNDPPS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I have bought a higher res monitor last year but had to send it back as the text was too small and Windows scaling looked awful. It felt like a downgrade on my old monitor. This was the one that I returned - Dell UltraSharp U2717D 27" IPS Monitor - https://www.******.com/742262-dell-ultrasharp-u2717d-27-ips-monitor-210-aidd

Is it possible to have a high res monitor that doesn't have the tiny text problem? Do all 4K monitors require scaling? Can anyone recommend a monitor? I am using Windows 10 and wanted around 26" screen. My budget is around £400

Many thanks

nlel1975 · 24 Oct 2020 at 13:16

I upgraded from a Dell U3014 which ran 2560x1600 with no scaling to a LG 27GN950-B running 3840x2160 with 150% scaling. At first I found the fonts were different but I quickly got used to it and now it’s perfect.

Quartz · 24 Oct 2020 at 13:17

I have three monitors - 27" 4k Acer Nitro, 24" 4k Dell Ultrasharp, and 34" Asus ROG PG348 1440UW - and have not had problems with Windows scaling. On the 24" I have scaling set to 175% and on the 27" I have it set to 150%.

Kam_s · 24 Oct 2020 at 13:27

Quartz said:
I have three monitors - 27" 4k Acer Nitro, 24" 4k Dell Ultrasharp, and 34" Asus ROG PG348 1440UW - and have not had problems with Windows scaling. On the 24" I have scaling set to 175% and on the 27" I have it set to 150%.

But my experience with scaling was not good. And I have read some articles online where others mentioned the same. So, is it just a case of trial and error?

bimbleuk · 24 Oct 2020 at 14:03

Is a 32" 2560 x 1440 (96 PPI) too big as that's what I'm using now and it fine for windows at 100%. Some web pages require 125% scaling due to fonts.

I do find the 28" 4K monitors a bit too small for normal desktop work but they were bought for web design anyway.

Before my current monitor I was using a 34" 3440 x 1440 (109 PPI) and it was still fine for windows 100% but I had all web pages set to 125% scaling.

nlel1975 · 24 Oct 2020 at 14:05

Here's a screen grab of my monitor running desktop @ 3840x2160. Right click on it and choose Open image in new tab.

Kam_s · 24 Oct 2020 at 14:16

Thanks for that. The text size is acceptable. Not very clear but that is probably down to the image quality. 32" would be way too big for my desk unf.

Quartz · 24 Oct 2020 at 15:04

Kam_s said:
But my experience with scaling was not good. And I have read some articles online where others mentioned the same. So, is it just a case of trial and error?

You mean changing the settings until it looks good for you? Yes. Scaling hasn't been a problem in Windows itself for at least 7 years. If you have an app that doesn't support scaling, that's a different matter.

Kam_s · 24 Oct 2020 at 15:35

Quartz said:
You mean changing the settings until it looks good for you? Yes. Scaling hasn't been a problem in Windows itself for at least 7 years. If you have an app that doesn't support scaling, that's a different matter.

Yes, I use a satellite pci card software (dvb dream) and I recall that looking abysmal...

nlel1975 · 24 Oct 2020 at 15:38

Kam_s said:
Yes, I use a satellite pci card software (dvb dream) and I recall that looking abysmal...

This might help...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OusqUOlaSNM

nlel1975 · 24 Oct 2020 at 16:08

Kam_s said:
Yes, I use a satellite pci card software (dvb dream) and I recall that looking abysmal...

I just downloaded a trail version of dvb dream and it looked ok to me. I managed to get the program to run without having a satellite pci card.

Kam_s · 24 Oct 2020 at 18:38

nlel1975 said:
I just downloaded a trail version of dvb dream and it looked ok to me. I managed to get the program to run without having a satellite pci card.

OK, thats good. I think I will have another look at 28" 4K monitors and use 125% scaling which seems to be the consensus. Thanks for the youtube link, interesting video, I didnt use those settings and I was super quick to send that monitor back

nlel1975 · 24 Oct 2020 at 19:11

Kam_s said:
OK, thats good. I think I will have another look at 28" 4K monitors and use 125% scaling which seems to be the consensus. Thanks for the youtube link, interesting video, I didnt use those settings and I was super quick to send that monitor back

Windows will automatically recommend a scaling level, mine defaults to 150% which is perfect for 27”

Legend · 24 Oct 2020 at 19:26

Windows scaling isn't the problem, it's other apps which often have a tendency to look soft with their text reproduction in menus. Even ones you'd expect to do a good job such as Adobe etc. can struggle sometimes and do odd things. It can get annoying.

Not that you have a choice at 27" 4K... I defy anyone to use that at 100% without suffering eye strain, if they can even make things out in the first place. You can JUST about get away with it at 32" if you have excellent vision, but 125% is often optimal.