Need some help deciding on a monitor upgrade.

Firegod

Firegod

Firegod

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I seem to be asking too much for a monitor and struggling to find something so need some advice to help guide me please.

I'd like to go with a VA panel for the better contrast ratio vs IPS. I can't afford OLED. I'd say usage is 80% working from home and internet browsing and 20% gaming. So clarity is important as I do spend a lot of time working with text.

I currently have a 27" Nano IPS monitor from LG, which I've had for 4 years. Typical poor IPS 1000:1 contrast ratio. I'm not sure if I want to stick with 1440p 27" or jump to 32" and go 4K. Afterall it is meant to be an "upgrade". I sit straight on, at just over an arms length from my monitor. Is that too close for 32" sized screen?

Also, it appears that most stuff is now curved. Three MSI monitors I've seen:

MSI 32" MAG 321CUP 3840x2160 VA 160Hz 1ms A-Sync HDMI 2.1 Curved Gaming Monitor​

  • Pro - 32" so more screen space. Should help with working from home. 4K so nice "upgrade" to clarity and detail. HDMI 2.1 (I use DP regardless)
  • Con - 4k! Might impact gaming performance. Also, is it too big for the distance I sit from the screen.
  • Unknown - Curved, what is that like for work and not gaming?

MSI 27" MAG 275CQRF QD E2 2560x1440 Rapid VA 180Hz 1ms FreeSync Widescreen Gaming Monitor​

  • Pro - Quantum Dot so should help with colours and combine nicely with the contrast of the VA panel. 180Hz is a nice refresh rate.
  • Con - Still just 27".
  • Unknown - Curved, what is that like for work and not gaming?

MSI 27" MPG 275CQRXF 2560x1440 Rapid VA 240Hz 0.5ms FreeSync Curved Gaming Monitor​

  • Pro - Highest refresh rate out of the three.
  • Con - Still just 27" and a 75x75 VESA spec (my monitor arm 100x100)
  • Unknown - Curved, what is that like for work and not gaming?
All very confusing. Maybes if someone can say avoid this, look for this, it might help guide me as I'm just bobbing around at the moment. :cry:

Cheers!
 
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OK so I've been doing a lot of looking online and for the price I think the Philips EVNIA 5000 "M2C5501" looks great for the value. They come pre-configured from the factory, Ambiglow, VESA 100, good contrast ratio, fast VA panel and a good refresh rate.

A review of the 27" model here.

It has a 1500R curve, would it be less noticeable if instead of buying the 27" I went larger with the 32"? I sit about 90cm from the monitor.

And what about the pixel density, would it be a noticeable drop in text ledgebility? 27" 1440P = 0.23 pixel pitch and 108 ppi. 32" 1440P = 0.27 pixel pitch and 93 ppi.


Which of those two would be the better choice?

Thanks.
 
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I'd say pixel density 1440 at 27" is perfect although I have to use 125% scaling for text. for 32" I'd probably want a higher PPI than 1440p

I have samsung curved 27" 1800R 1440p VA and I do like the colour, brighntess, and lack of smearing in bright scenes, but smearing is quite noticeable on dark scenes. I say that 1800R curve is about right.

You already have a 27" 1440 so moving to 32" same res will result in more pixelly image, but you might not need windows scaling

I wouldn't want a sharp curve like the new samsungs
 
Yeah that's an interesting point. I use 125% scaling too. So for 32" I guess I'd not need that. I don't have young eyes anymore lol, and wear glasses, so going small is no good for me.
 
Firegod said:
Yeah that's an interesting point. I use 125% scaling too. So for 32" I guess I'd not need that. I don't have young eyes anymore lol, and wear glasses, so going small is no good for me.
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It's a trade off with PPI, scaling, and gaming.

ie in windows a 4K monitor will be fine, just use a different scaling method so it won't matter.

But for gaming it would either require to run native, to run at 1440p to scale(which looks bad) or use some kind of gpu dlss/fsr scaling. if GPU scaling took 0% hit it wouldn't matter but I've compared FPS on youtube and it's 50 like fps less.

I'm tempted to go from 27" to 32"...although read a few people saying 32" is too big for gaming.

ideally want a slightly higher res for 32" to keep it in line with existing monitor

Although saying that my laptop is 16" 1920x1200 and that looks fine so maybe more to it, and mate has 27" 1080p that looks fine, but I also had a 24" 1080p and that looked pixelly...maybe pixel layout of the panel effects how pixelly it is as well
 
I've just been measuring out the 32" vs my 27" currently. Damn, it is a fair size bigger like. I don't know if I could comfortably use that. I have the space as it would be on the monitor arm... but still.
 
Firegod said:
I've just been measuring out the 32" vs my 27" currently. Damn, it is a fair size bigger like. I don't know if I could comfortably use that. I have the space as it would be on the monitor arm... but still.
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Also have to think about eye and head movements, you don't want your eyes darting nor require neck to move just to see everything. And depending on viewing distance also.

There's the AOC Mini LED going MXN model, that's well regaded. Also special on the Dell QD oled 27" 360hz around £500

Probably a while until 32" oled are in the affordable range
 
For me, monitor at arm reach 27 is good at 1440, too small at 4k. I also use 30" screen at 2560x1600 so a bit bigger than 27@1440 this is even better. there's no pixley stuff don't listen to any of that. I also use a 32 at 4K this is a little small, but readable unlike 27. 42 is sweet spot for 4K imo. unless you use scaling, which i dont. IME the bigger screen is usually always better. for me the question for you is 1440p at 32 or 4K at 32. Tough choice.
 
Firegod said:
I've just been measuring out the 32" vs my 27" currently. Damn, it is a fair size bigger like. I don't know if I could comfortably use that. I have the space as it would be on the monitor arm... but still.
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I didn't realise how big 32" would feel until I got one and I'm still struggling to get used to it. I pretty regularly swap between my 1440p 27" monitor and the 4k 32" panel whilst I figure out what I want to end up using.

32" is fantastic for work/productivity, there is absolutely no denying that. However, I find it too large for FPS games and so run it at a cropped 27" mode (3288 x 1850) which helps - but the full size 4k is great for single player games.

I'm going to give both another go this month before making a final decision but it's definitely worth seeing if you can see both in person. It's only when you have the 32" monitor next to the 27" monitor do you realise how big the difference actually is.
 
t2na said:
I didn't realise how big 32" would feel until I got one and I'm still struggling to get used to it. I pretty regularly swap between my 1440p 27" monitor and the 4k 32" panel whilst I figure out what I want to end up using.

32" is fantastic for work/productivity, there is absolutely no denying that. However, I find it too large for FPS games and so run it at a cropped 27" mode (3288 x 1850) which helps - but the full size 4k is great for single player games.

I'm going to give both another go this month before making a final decision but it's definitely worth seeing if you can see both in person. It's only when you have the 32" monitor next to the 27" monitor do you realise how big the difference actually is.
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Interesting. I may stick to 27" 1440p then.

OP if you live near computer shop maybe have a try out of other sizes and res's? I did UFO test on a MSI IPS and noticed zero trailing.. but saw black trailing on a ultra wide VA MSI but they weren't running it at the highest refresh.

Higher PPI could also mean you don't need any AA, or can use a less demanding AA type.
 
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Well I've finally succumbed and purchased a monitor. :o

Philips Evnia 32M2C3500L 32" QHD VA Curved Monitor (in Charcoal). I thought I can't argue for £210.

300 cd/m²
3500:1
0.2724 pixel pitch
93.24 PPI
VA
1500R
180Hz (DP 1.4)

What I was finding when looking over many reviews of different makes, is the Philips monitors always seem to be commended on their factory setup out of the box. Little to no adjustment required.

Should be here next week.
 
Firegod said:
Well I've finally succumbed and purchased a monitor. :o

Philips Evnia 32M2C3500L 32" QHD VA Curved Monitor (in Charcoal). I thought I can't argue for £210.

300 cd/m²
3500:1
0.2724 pixel pitch
93.24 PPI
VA
1500R
180Hz (DP 1.4)

What I was finding when looking over many reviews of different makes, is the Philips monitors always seem to be commended on their factory setup out of the box. Little to no adjustment required.

Should be here next week.
Click to expand...

Since it's VA spend time with dark scenes, slowly strafing sideways, scenes like this will show it up more, the powerlines, note when strafing L/R the black trail from the power lines doesn't smear into the sky. As black on grey is worst effected

 
hornetstinger said:
Since it's VA spend time with dark scenes, slowly strafing sideways, scenes like this will show it up more, the powerlines, note when strafing L/R the black trail from the power lines doesn't smear into the sky. As black on grey is worst effected

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I think my previous monitor was VA before I moved to this nano IPS LG monitor and there's defo no comparison with regards to contrast and colours. But yeah I'll see what the VA panel is like on this one, if there is any noticeable smearing etc. I think I know what to expect having had one previously. I'm trying to remember what it was but it aludes me atm!

EDIT: This was it. Samsung S27H850QFUXEN - https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/LS27H850QFUXEN/ - From 2018. So it wasn't VA, it was PLS with 60Hz / 4ms Response time.
 
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Monitor arrived today. Been using it for about 2-3 hours now and not sure how I feel about the curve, or the text clarity. I've re-ran the clear text app which has helped but yeah 32" at 1440p. It's just on the edge for me. I can probably live with that but sadly the curve is just awkward for day to day work. It works well when watching a video and I can therefore imagine gaming too. But for office work, I'm having a hard time focusing on content. I do actually like the size, it works well. I may return and pick up a flat 32". I see both Asus and Corsair do a 32" flat screen - sadly not VA though.

EDIT: Should say the pre-calibration sheet in the box was nice to see and read. And the monitor appears (by eye) to be well setup. I wish Philips did this in a straight panel.
 
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Firegod said:
Monitor arrived today. Been using it for about 2-3 hours now and not sure how I feel about the curve, or the text clarity. I've re-ran the clear text app which has helped but yeah 32" at 1440p. It's just on the edge for me. I can probably live with that but sadly the curve is just awkward for day to day work. It works well when watching a video and I can therefore imagine gaming too. But for office work, I'm having a hard time focusing on content. I do actually like the size, it works well. I may return and pick up a flat 32". I see both Asus and Corsair do a 32" flat screen - sadly not VA though.
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What's the curve?

Ideally I'd probably want to test that motorised LG monitor (does it display what current curve setting is?) determine what is the idea curve then look into similar ones

The new samsungs are very curved, I wouldn't like that.

Issue with flat VA is due to colour shift, colours will be different on the extreme sides, at least with VA curved it keeps the screen equa-distant.

There's a AOC 27" FALD display, good price but it's flat panel. I'd prefer slight curve
 
hornetstinger said:
What's the curve?

Ideally I'd probably want to test that motorised LG monitor (does it display what current curve setting is?) determine what is the idea curve then look into similar ones

The new samsungs are very curved, I wouldn't like that.

Issue with flat VA is due to colour shift, colours will be different on the extreme sides, at least with VA curved it keeps the screen equa-distant.

There's a AOC 27" FALD display, good price but it's flat panel. I'd prefer slight curve
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1500R, I know there is the Asus VA 32" which is 1800R so perhaps that might be a better choice (less pronounced).

Philips-2.jpg


Philips-1.jpg
 
I believe higher number is a less extreme curve. I guess it depends on viewing distance, I presume closer it is, you want a more steeper curve?

Test that, move the monitor closer does it get better the closer you move it?
 
hornetstinger said:
I believe higher number is a less extreme curve. I guess it depends on viewing distance, I presume closer it is, you want a more steeper curve?

Test that, move the monitor closer does it get better the closer you move it?
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I actually moved it away as closer it is the more I can see the pixel / resolution fuzziness. :cry:
 
yeah for 32" I'd probably want slightly higher PPI maybe 1600 or something like that.

there's the Dell 34" 1440 good price but I'd have to work out PPI.

Personally I'd prefer higher PPI, and use Windows scaling. That means in games there is less need for AA, or even none at all. Ie for 4K I doubt you would need any AA
 
Screw it. Bought the Philips Evnia 32M2N6800M.

More than I wanted to spend but I like the Philips pre-calibration from factory, I like the 32" size. So now I've step up to 4k which should be better and yeah, I'll use windows scaling. This also has FALD (1,152 local dimming zones) which means I can also enjoy HDR.

Will get this one returned.
 
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