Need recommendations - new g-sync monitor

[xiorell]

Just stuck a gtx1080 Ti card in my rig and now going to be looking to swap to a gsync screen.
Currently using an LG 29UM68 and it's been good for the most part (not good when I want to clone display to my normal FHD TV) but now want the gsync so it has to go. I liked the screen prior to it which was an AOC G2460pf, kinda missed the 144hz when I changed to the LG but IPS and the 21:9 is cool so, swings and roundabouts.

Up to about £500 budget maybe a bit more, min 24inches. Few that catch my eye...

28" Acer Predator XB281HK - Bargain price for the resolution at around 400quid. Kinda debating if 4k would be wise, yeah the gtx1080ti will drive it well enough but also feels a shame to eat into FPS in exchange for higher res I'm not sure I will see all that much (never gamed at 4k but can't see a huge improvement in videos, better yes but not massive)

29.5" Acer Predator Z301C - Basically a faster refresh rate gsync version of what I have. With a curve. And VA not IPS. £500 region for that resolution seems a bit high though.

27" Acer Predator XB271HK - IPS 4k gsync around 550quid...

27" Acer (again) Predator XB271HU - 2k resolution might be the sweet spot, IPS, 600quid though.


The other option I was considering was just get a plain Jane 24inch 1920x1080 gsync 144hz TN, for about £350, let the GPU hit higher FPS and spend the extra/left over cash toward water cooling it maybe


Recommendations would be appreciated, may well be screens out there I've not seen etc

 

[xiorell]

What's the general feeling on 4k now then?
I know the gtx1080ti pushes the resolution well enough but, not leaving much future headroom is the concern.

I did check out the Dell mentioned, there was also an Acer (or might have been AOC) IPS panel for about 20quid more.

I'm getting more inclined to just get a normal FHD and throw out big FPS

 

[xiorell]

Yup, you'll pretty much always have to have the top-end card for a while to properly drive 4k.

BUT if you don't mind dropping a few settings over time I can see a Ti lasting 2/3 years

(let's face it, not a great deal of difference nowadays between med/high/v high. It's just knowing which settings to drop for minimal impact/max fps)

XB281HK or the 270HU imo, both cracking monitors (the HU if you can push your budget a bit)

The XB281HK has been on my radar since I started investigating. £410 inc shipping is just to good to ignor for 4k and Gsync, so temping, be great to run doom at 4k ultra / nightmare!

I can't get a really good, clear idea what it's like running 1080 on a 4k screen (just in case etc). Some say looks fine, which seems to be the opinion from people who've actually owned the screen and tried it, then you get the "math people" saying it'll look arse

One of the nice things about 4K is that you can run it at FHD with perfect scaling. As for 4K monitors, have you considered the AOC range?

You may have just answered an above question before I posted it, about FHD on 4k.
I've not seen an AOC 4k Gsync at a good price yet (compared to the Acer XB281HK anyway) but I have owned AOC screens and had only good things to say about them

 

[xiorell]

From my experience of 4k Gsync (had an XB321HK briefly, regret selling it now) it tends to feel smoother than 60Hz, probably more like 70/75. But that's a totally subjective test.

It'll be better to drop detail than to run it at 1080p, it'll look a mess I reckon.

I've had a fair few monitors lately (inc 270HU) and I think that the 271HU is the sweet spot. Enough resolution and combined with a fast AF refresh

See I'm at 75hz now and that's fine. I did notice it when I dropped from a 144hz panel to the 75hz but after a few days forgot all about the difference.
Starting to think the 271HU is just to expensive for now, its specs are great but IF I go with the cheap 4k, I could use the difference to drop in a slightly better CPU (running an i5 6600k @ 4.1ghz but wouldn't mind slapping in an i7)

One thing I cannot seem to find on the xb281hk, is the g-sync range. I assume the upper limit is 60hz but it's the low range value I'm interested in. Can't find that in black and white

 

[xiorell]

I'm in the same boat looking for a 28" G-'sync, I'm trying to find your price suggestions but the one above is £749.99 not £600

It's on another popular website, don't think I am supposed to link it here though.

Guys what about 1440p 144hz+ on a 24inch screen?
Reason I ask is that I came across such a panel, and I've been gaming on my 1080p monitor today. I can't really see how the resolution can make THAT much difference at this point... just had titanfall 2 going with all knobs turned to 11 and it looked great to me (at 2560x1080 no dsr)
Surely 1440 on a smaller, 24inch is going to look really crisp due to higher DPI over a 27inch version? I measured it, my eyes are about 27inch away from the screen

 

[xiorell]

Right so last night I was running some experiments on my current LG Ultrawide and it's actually pushing me toward a different approach.
I was running stuff at native 2560x1080 - Looks fine that's what I am used to <take screen shot>, then changing up to DSR 4434x1871 - <Take screen shot> and running about watching FPS Counter (didn't see it go below 60)
Then after doing that for a while and comparing the screen shots (I know I know, DSR isn't the same as native but it gives me an idea) turns out, fair enough, the dsr 4k equivalent shots do indeed look a fair amount better, more in the fine detail than the big stuff, little pipes and cables etc.
Thing is I really like the 21:9 ratio, its awesome. I cannot afford a 3440x1440 gsync though. Not happening.

So I may now just be going with an Acer Predator Z301C - Keep my 21:9 ratio and run DRS when games could use sprucing up a bit, give me the change to drop it down a bit when things start taxing the GPU more than I'd like, gets me gsync, 200hz, not ips but VA so middle ground there.

 

[xiorell]

Looks a decent option tbf, esp when considering the crazy prices of the 3440 Gsync Ultrawides

Theres always 3440 NON Gsync I suppose, but feel a bit like I might be shooting myself in the foot not getting the sync.
I also tested DSR at 5120x2160, fps more than acceptable there to in my tests