New monitor recommendations for pc and xbox please

robarthur87 · 4 Nov 2017 at 00:35

Hi guys, im on the look for a new monitor for my setup. I currently have the following monitor
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus...n-led-multimedia-monitor-black-mo-028-as.html

I use the same screen for both playing games on my pc and xbox one s. To be fair the picture quality isnt to bad, but would like to move to a larger screen, possibly widescreen if possible. Im not to clued up on the specific ins and outs, i have 2 R9 290 TRI X-OC 4GB cards so should i be looking at monitors with freesync? And can the xbox one work with widescreen monitors with 144hz? As reading up this seems to be the way to go? Apologies if im talking rubbish

on the flip side do i not bother with a widescreen monitor and go for multiple screen options or a 32" 4k hdr tv? Thanks.

aatu · 4 Nov 2017 at 14:21

1) Your current monitor is already wide-screen (16:9). Do you mean you want ultra wide-screen (21:9)? Or is regular wide-screen still good enough?

2) Yes, 290 seems to support FreeSync, so you should go for a FreeSync monitor.

3) I know you didn't ask this specifically, but just to make sure so there are no misunderstandings: If I've understood correctly, they've promised FreeSync for the XBox One X, but not for the S. This was quite a disappointment for many fans.

4) 16:9 widescreen is supported. 21:9 ultra wide-screen, probably not, not even on X (the monitor might auto-stretch, or leave black bars to the side). 144Hz, probably not, not even on X. Multiple screens, probably not, not even on X (though you might be able to show the same cloned image on them).

5) 32" 4K HDR TV would indeed be good for the Xbox, but I don't think there are any FreeSync TVs, yet, so you would lose that prospect. Though there might be FreeSync TVs on the pipeline, possibly coming next year?

6) Just to make sure, you do know that Xbox One S only upscales the games to 4k? Movies etc. will be native 4k even on the S, but only X will render the games in native 4k without upscaling. Or at least that's how I've understood it.

In summary, I think you need to figure out how much you need certain features on the PC that you are willing to forgo on the Xbox usage.

robarthur87 · 6 Nov 2017 at 12:23

Thanks for your reply, and the info, i have no intention of upgrading to an xbox one x so will stick with the S. Im guessing as there is no real perfect solution for both pc and console. I would be best to just go for a larger screen which is still 16:9.

My ideal setup would be triple monitors for the pc and a tv above them on the wall for the consoles. But money doesnt grow on the trees in my garden.

So if i bought a monitor with the 144hz obviously ill see a benifit when using the pc, but will it still work fine on the console as they are max 60hz?

Do you think something like this is an ok choice?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/acer...led-monitor-white-um.je1ee.a01-mo-121-ac.html

If not my budget would be about 500 quid

Panos · 6 Nov 2017 at 14:12

robarthur87 said:
Thanks for your reply, and the info, i have no intention of upgrading to an xbox one x so will stick with the S. Im guessing as there is no real perfect solution for both pc and console. I would be best to just go for a larger screen which is still 16:9.

My ideal setup would be triple monitors for the pc and a tv above them on the wall for the consoles. But money doesnt grow on the trees in my garden.

So if i bought a monitor with the 144hz obviously ill see a benifit when using the pc, but will it still work fine on the console as they are max 60hz?

Do you think something like this is an ok choice?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/acer...led-monitor-white-um.je1ee.a01-mo-121-ac.html

If not my budget would be about 500 quid

That monitor doesn't have freesync. If you are on that budget maybe look at the HP Omen 32.
Is 2560x1440, Freesync 75hz monitor well bellow your budget.

robarthur87 · 7 Nov 2017 at 13:06

Unfortunately the budget has been cut due to just having to have a new boiler installed, thats killed my toys fund. Had a look at the omen screen and to be fair i quite like the look of it. Im not a serious gamer but do like to play a racing sims and battlefield, destiny etc. Seems to have decent reviews for the price, and i can probably live with the specs.

fadingfool · 9 Nov 2017 at 13:51

Hi Robarthur,

That's the monitor I purchased from overclockers and also my review. I have had it now for a few more months and it has been faultless - image is crystal clear from all angles and distances and the 60hz 4ms response time is perfectly fine for all the gaming I do (BF1, The Crew, Division). I believe the Xbox one X supports 1440p natively and when I run Skyrim in 4k down-scaled it looks very pretty (no tearing even without freesync). I wanted at least a 27 inch 1440p monitor for around £300 so getting a 31.5 inch for that price was reasonable at the time. I'l probably wait to see if there are any black Friday deals if I was looking for a monitor today but would take the Acer if nothing came up.