Stuck for options! 1080p, 144hz - or - 4k 60hz both free sync, anyone recomend something inbetween?

Cloudfish · 22 Nov 2016 at 08:36

Mainly looking for a monitor to play games on and watch movies, pretty much 50/50, current rig is acceptable for gaming at 1440p, 4k would be difficult but lowered res isnt an issue for me (coming from a phillips 227e, 21" poor quality monitor) Nothing massivly competatie but do play FPS frequently

So i have my eyes on :

AOC G2770PF - 27" 144 Hz freesync 1080p - £270

Samsung U28E590D 28" 60hz freesync 4K - £320

Stuck between those 2 already, but just to make it worse, im looking for a 1440p 144 hz freesync monitor to throw in the equation aswell.

I have a half decent rig, but will be looking at upgrading the next major GPU release, so looking for something with some future proofing, that is kind of stearing me towards 1440p or 4k.

Really what im asking is can anyone suggest a 1440p freesync 144hz monitor around ~£300 if such a monitor exists? Been searching with no luck

Nasher · 22 Nov 2016 at 09:25

For gaming, 4k and 60hz isn't a very smooth experience even on a top spec machine. Also they are both TN panels so colours won't be great and there will be obvious gamma shift at those sizes. Prioritize refresh and screen type over resolution TBH.

foster grant · 22 Nov 2016 at 09:44

You might even consider a 1920x1080..and run your games ?...@2560x1440 ?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/acer...ng-widescreen-led-monitor-blac-mo-104-ac.html

one or two more...but pickings are a bit slim for freesync it seems...loads of G-Syncs though lol.

Cloudfish · 22 Nov 2016 at 11:02

Nasher said:
For gaming, 4k and 60hz isn't a very smooth experience even on a top spec machine. Also they are both TN panels so colours won't be great and there will be obvious gamma shift at those sizes. Prioritize refresh and screen type over resolution TBH.

Not bothered about TN or not, the speed of TN is more of a benefit than correct colour representation, and the reduced cost is a bonus, and as for smooth, both are freesync so as smooth as it will get til single 4k graphics cards are an available thing.

Just looking for a similar priced 1440p so i can pick between them, i know gaming at 4k is not really a possibility other than downscaling, still for the media uses i think its worthwhile

foster grant said:
You might even consider a 1920x1080..and run your games ?...@2560x1440 ?

one or two more...but pickings are a bit slim for freesync it seems...loads of G-Syncs though lol.

Not sure what you are getting at, as i have said, already considering a 1080p screen, for much cheaper and with better reviews

aatu · 22 Nov 2016 at 13:06

foster grant said:
[...] one or two more...but pickings are a bit slim for freesync it seems...loads of G-Syncs though lol.

Umm, do you perhaps mean the other way around? Which section is FreeSync lacking, in which G-Sync would be more ubiquitous? Especially at OP's budget...?
- the cheapest FreeSync monitor is at £100, whereas the cheapest G-Sync is £260
- the cheapest FreeSync 1440p monitor is £250, whereas the cheapest G-Sync is £455
- the cheapest FreeSync 4k monitor is £290, whereas the cheapest G-Sync is £650
- the cheapest FreeSync 144Hz monitor is £230, whereas the cheapest G-Sync is £260 (and this is the closest G-Sync will get in comparisons)
- the cheapest FreeSync non-TN monitor is £260, whereas the cheapest G-Sync is £480

And this is not just for OcUK, this is pretty much the market situation everywhere. There is the undeniable nVidia tax you'll have to pay, if you're going for G-Sync. With a budget of around £300-350, that is a VERY limiting factor.

As for OP:
I'm on the same page as Nasher; you should probably go for something else than TN. With your budget, this will limit the resolution and/or refresh rate, though.

For example, take a look at the Acer XZ271 for £300. It's a 27" VA 144Hz 1080p FreeSync (and curved), but it's still on pre-order, so you can't get it immediately. Its G-Sync counterpart Z271 (which is coincidentally also the cheapest non-TN G-Sync available), is already in stock at £480.

But, if you REALLY want more than 1080p, then there's the LG 27UD58 for £350, but as it's a 4k monitor, it's naturally only 60Hz.

Between these two, you're basically choosing between resolution and refresh rate. If you want want both resolution AND refresh rate, and still VA or IPS, then there's the Acer Predator XF270HU for £400. (For comparison, the closest G-Sync would be the AOC AGON AG271QG for £550.)

Cloudfish · 22 Nov 2016 at 13:34

aatu said:
Between these two, you're basically choosing between resolution and refresh rate.

Yeah this is sort of the issue, i have seen 4k in person but never 144hz, and with no way to go and view one.
Personaly FPS at 40ish doesnt appear "bad" to me, and 60fps is great but i will ususally ramp seting up as high as possible while hitting 30-40 constant fps, but screen tearing is a massive issue for me, recently it has been making me motion sick (so no compromise on freesync.)
Without having seen 144hz monitor in action i am struggling, but thank you for that suggested monitor, hopefully with black friday sale can get a compromise on my £300 budget from the wife!

oldestgregg · 22 Nov 2016 at 17:47

1440p @120/144hz or 3440x1440@100hz

For me,both are better options than 4k @60hz and 1080p. Regardless of high refresh rates, I couldnt go back to 1080p now

Spuddy · 22 Nov 2016 at 19:12

Cloudfish said:
Yeah this is sort of the issue, i have seen 4k in person but never 144hz, and with no way to go and view one.
Personaly FPS at 40ish doesnt appear "bad" to me, and 60fps is great but i will ususally ramp seting up as high as possible while hitting 30-40 constant fps, but screen tearing is a massive issue for me, recently it has been making me motion sick (so no compromise on freesync.)
Without having seen 144hz monitor in action i am struggling, but thank you for that suggested monitor, hopefully with black friday sale can get a compromise on my £300 budget from the wife!

How about 21:9, 2560x1080, 75Hz, FreeSync, IPS panel?

£260.

Cloudfish · 24 Nov 2016 at 12:29

oldestgregg said:
1440p @120/144hz or 3440x1440@100hz

For me,both are better options than 4k @60hz and 1080p. Regardless of high refresh rates, I couldnt go back to 1080p now

TBH if it was purely for gaming and my own use, i would have gone for one of these monitors. But as it is a shared device and the rise of 4k streaming and media content, have gone for the 4k now, and will pick up a dedicated gaming monitor when i next upgrade. When it arrives and i do a bit of testing (and pushing my rig to its limits!) i will post on here again, just to give some info back!

If and when i get a 1440p monitor, might throw a comparison on here!

Thank you very much for your suggestions!