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Gaming Monitor - I know what am after, I think?

NinjaBoiX

Member
I posted a thread a couple of months back asking about a new gaming monitor but it was a very open question as I had no idea what I was looking for. But now I do, and just need some help on a final decision.

I currently have a MSI 27” monitor that I bought a couple of years ago for £150, the image quality is fine but movement just looks awful on it, very juddery. So I want to upgrade, and I now know which features I care about, and which I don’t.

- 27” is plenty big enough, but I could go to 32” at a push
- to that end, 1440p is plenty of resolution for that size, and I understand the PS5 will support this natively at some point
- I’m not bothered about HDMI 2.1 as I really don’t see many console games supporting 120 fps anyway
- HDR would be a nice bonus, but it’s not a dealbreaker
- the main thing I’m after is super smooth gameplay that doesn’t cost a fortune.

It seems the LG 27GL850 is a safe bet, especially in my price range. Any other shouts?

Also, I assume PS5 will support VRR at some point too, will freesync/g-sync be compatible? Those are basically brand names for the VRR technology right?

Thanks in advance!
 

Tranquil

Member
Since you mentioned you're ok with 32" I would recommend a BenQ EW3280U

It's a smooth 60Hz (You also mentioned you don't care about 120fps, so this should be fine)
Has HDRi (it's nothing to brag about but it works ok just don't expect to be blown away)
Doesn't cost a fortune (Depending on your budget, it's only $699.00)
It's a 4k monitor so that might be a deal break for you if you PC game and don't have the hardware to support that.

I can say after owning this for almost a year it's great and I don't regret purchasing it.

 
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NinjaBoiX

Member
OK, thanks for the recommendation!

I don’t have a PC for the record, this will be purely to have my PS4 (then PS5) hooked up to.

So what about the VRR aspect? When PS5 eventually supports VRR, will that include free sync and g sync? Or are they seperate technologies?
 

bati

Member
It seems the LG 27GL850 is a safe bet, especially in my price range. Any other shouts?

This is the one that my friend recommended to me but in the end I went with Dell S2721DGF which uses the same panel. Couldn't be happier. If you're shopping for PC gaming I think these two options (and another variant of the LG monitor you mentioned, but I can't remember the model atm, same panel though) are at the top or at least very near the top of options when it comes to image quality and performance/features in this price range.
 

teezzy

Banned
Dude you can probably get like a 27" 1440p 144hz with G-Sync for a few hundred pre owned off ebay at most
 
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Soodanim

Member
G-Sync: NVidia GPU only, DisplayPort only.
FreeSync: AMD made, open standard. DisplayPort only (might be wrong here).
HDMI 2.1 VRR: The newcomer. Big difference is HDMI instead of DP, but also in early adoption phase and usually found on higher end TVs and monitors.

The main advantage of going for a monitor is the >60hz support in monitors, so if you’re not fussed about 120hz or HDR you could pick any well reviewed 1440p monitor. I’d hold fire on that until the support is definitely there, though.

Touching on pixel density for a second, 27” 1440p is seen as the ideal for a monitor in the same way that 32” 4K.
32” 4K might be stretching it too thin, similar to how a 27” 1080p would be. It affects text more so than games, but worth taking note of.
 
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NinjaBoiX

Member
You know what, the only thing holding me back is HDMI 2.1 and the resulting VRR, but as they’re emerging tech I bet they’ll both be crazy pricey when they’re widely available.

I’m not looking to spend much more than £400, so I think the LG may be my best option.

I can always push the boat right out when I get an upgraded TV for the lounge in a couple of years.

Dude you can probably get like a 27" 1440p 144hz with G-Sync for a few hundred pre owned off ebay at most
See the pickings are pretty slim at that price range, plus I’m rarely comfortable buying electronics used.
G-Sync: NVidia GPU only, DisplayPort only.
FreeSync: AMD made, open standard. DisplayPort only (might be wrong here).
HDMI 2.1 VRR: The newcomer. Big difference is HDMI instead of DP, but also in early adoption phase and usually found on higher end TVs and monitors.

The main advantage of going for a monitor is the >60hz support in monitors, so if you’re not fussed about 120hz or HDR you could pick any well reviewed 1440p monitor. I’d hold fire on that until the support is definitely there, though.

Touching on pixel density for a second, 27” 1440p is seen as the ideal for a monitor in the same way that 32” 4K.
32” 4K might be stretching it too thin, similar to how a 27” 1080p would be. It affects text more so than games, but worth taking note of.
Ah ok, that a pretty comprehensive breakdown! Thanks a lot.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
Do you know what panel type you’re going for? You have TN, IPS, and VA to choose from.
I really don’t, I know they all have their strengths and weaknesses but I just want a solid gaming monitor with decent motion handling for less than £500.
 

Buggy Loop

Member
G-Sync: NVidia GPU only, DisplayPort only.
FreeSync: AMD made, open standard. DisplayPort only (might be wrong here).
HDMI 2.1 VRR: The newcomer. Big difference is HDMI instead of DP, but also in early adoption phase and usually found on higher end TVs and monitors.

The main advantage of going for a monitor is the >60hz support in monitors, so if you’re not fussed about 120hz or HDR you could pick any well reviewed 1440p monitor. I’d hold fire on that until the support is definitely there, though.

Touching on pixel density for a second, 27” 1440p is seen as the ideal for a monitor in the same way that 32” 4K.
32” 4K might be stretching it too thin, similar to how a 27” 1080p would be. It affects text more so than games, but worth taking note of.

G-sync includes HDMI-VRR and Adaptive Sync over HDMI and DisplayPort since roughly 2 years now? AMD would work on all recent monitors. Even some older monitors for firmware upgrade

But then, if you spend extra for a G-sync module but will not run it on Nvidia, just go with Freesync/G-sync compatible monitor.
 
You still don't seem to know what you want.

Whats your budget? Do you care about VA ghosting despite the fact that VA offers much better contrast ratio? Do you need VRR? Do you care about curved? Why are you getting a monitor when you're gaming on consoles?
 
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teezzy

Banned
NinjaBoiX NinjaBoiX

FWIW here's what I have and I love them both.

Acer XB270HU
Dell S2716DG

Both are 27", 1440p, 144hz, G-Sync capabale, and can be had for very cheap secondhand, and that was how I bought mine. Not a dead pixel in sight.

Best of luck. Get in where you fit in.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
You still don't seem to know what you want.

Whats your budget? Do you care about VA ghosting despite the fact that VA offers much better contrast ratio? Do you need VRR? Do you care about curved? Why are you getting a monitor when you're gaming on consoles?
My budget is £400-£500.

In terms of the type of panel, the bad viewing angles of a TN panel don’t bother me as I’ll be viewing it straight on at all times, but apparently newer IPS panels like the LG are the way to go?

VRR sounds great but it’s too early for it to be affordable. I’m not willing to spend over £500 on a monitor.

I don’t mind either way if it’s curved, my current one is but I’m not bothered if the new one isn’t.

I’m buying a monitor because I play games in the spare room, not the living room, and you can’t really buy premium TV tech at 32” or smaller unless I’m mistaken?
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
NinjaBoiX NinjaBoiX

FWIW here's what I have and I love them both.

Acer XB270HU
Dell S2716DG

Both are 27", 1440p, 144hz, G-Sync capabale, and can be had for very cheap secondhand, and that was how I bought mine. Not a dead pixel in sight.

Best of luck. Get in where you fit in.
Nice one Teezzy, I’ll check these out too!

A small TV isn’t really an option if I’m after some half way decent tech in the box right? They don’t really make premium sets at less than 40” these days?
 

teezzy

Banned
I still have an old ass 1080p Sharp Aquous from like 2009 and a 720p Samsung in my bedroom. Gonna ride 'em out till they die.

I don't know jack about modern TVs. Sony or LG seem to be the best for that sorta thing from what I've read around these parts.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
Another quick question about running my PS4 Pro through a 1440p monitor, I guess my best option there would be have my PS4 output as if it were 4k then have the monitor downscale to 1440p?

I guess this will mean games don’t run quite as well as they did at 1080p?
 

Spoog

Banned
I’ll check out that Dell!

It just seems so unnecessary for the size, the added expense doesn’t make sense for a small monitor.

But you can run it at native res, it’s well within your budget, I don’t believe PS5 will ever output at anything other than 4K/1080p and why the fuck would you want to add any scaling to the mix?
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
But you can run it at native res, it’s well within your budget, I don’t believe PS5 will ever output at anything other than 4K/1080p and why the fuck would you want to add any scaling to the mix?
Won’t 4K negatively impact frame rate and stuff? Particularly on the PS4 Pro?

4K just isn’t that important to me, I’d much rather have smoother motion and frame rates than a sharper image.

Also, I’m pretty sure PS5 is going to support 1440p at some point with a firmware update. Sure I read that somewhere.
 
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rofif

Can’t Git Gud
If it's just for consoles use, I would aim for 27-32" IPS. 60hz but most new support 40-60hz freesync.
I have lg 27uk650 and its fantastic.

But You could go for 32" only, there is new but untested yet LG 32UN650 for really good price. It's 10 bit and has 95% dci-p3 coverage which is excellent.
Seems to check all the boxes... looking to upgrade to 32" myself maybe.
 
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Spoog

Banned
Won’t 4K negatively impact frame rate and stuff? Particularly on the PS4 Pro?

4K just isn’t that important to me, I’d much rather have smoother motion and frame rates than a sharper image.

Also, I’m pretty sure PS5 is going to support 1440p at some point with a firmware update. Sure I read that somewhere.

What? Dude you have done NO research. Everything you have said here is wrong.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
What? Dude you have done NO research. Everything you have said here is wrong.
What? The first part isn’t wrong (resolution has an inversely proportional effect on performance, this is just how it works), the second part is just an opinion, and the third part can neither be verified or refuted at this point. I’m not even sure Sony knows the answer yet.

So chill man, do you actually have any advice or...?
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
I’m swaying towards that 32” Dell at the mo, it would be sweet to have a slightly bigger screen.
Oh is this for a PS5?

Have a look at this then...

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compu...d-32-led-monitor-black-grey-10185351-pdt.html

But really you can get cheap(ish) 4K monitors, granted they won’t have refreshes above 60Hz and any HDR they might have will be ... “poor”.

And I wouldn’t worry about any performance hit running your ps5 at 4K.
Nothing shows up at the link here bro, the site is there but there’s no product. What’s the model number and I’ll look it up, thanks!
If it's just for consoles use, I would aim for 27-32" IPS. 60hz but most new support 40-60hz freesync.
I have lg 27uk650 and its fantastic.

But You could go for 32" only, there is new but untested yet LG 32UN650 for really good price. It's 10 bit and has 95% dci-p3 coverage which is excellent.
Seems to check all the boxes... looking to upgrade to 32" myself maybe.
Cheers, but that’s a little rich for me.
 

Spoog

Banned
What? The first part isn’t wrong (resolution has an inversely proportional effect on performance, this is just how it works), the second part is just an opinion, and the third part can neither be verified or refuted at this point. I’m not even sure Sony knows the answer yet.

So chill man, do you actually have any advice or...?

If you’re running at 1440 it’s going to be outputting 4K so no, the first part is wrong. My advice is to get a 4K monitor.
 

Ovek

7Member7
I’m swaying towards that 32” Dell at the mo, it would be sweet to have a slightly bigger screen.

Nothing shows up at the link here bro, the site is there but there’s no product. What’s the model number and I’ll look it up, thanks!

Cheers, but that’s a little rich for me.

BENQ EW3270U 4K
 

HE1NZ

Banned
You're buying a gaming monitor for consoles? Doesn't make sense. TVs are much larger and cheaper. For PC get an IPS with 144hz.
 
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NinjaBoiX

Member
If you’re running at 1440 it’s going to be outputting 4K so no, the first part is wrong. My advice is to get a 4K monitor.
I’m not interested in 4K, if you’d done some research in here you’d know that.

You’ve clearly got nothing useful or interesting to add so go shit up another thread please.

Thanks.
 

Spoog

Banned
I’m not interested in 4K, if you’d done some research in here you’d know that.

You’ve clearly got nothing useful or interesting to add so go shit up another thread please.

Thanks.

I don’t think you understand. You are literally making a worse experience for yourself. If you are going to run at 1440p your PS4 Pro/PS5 will be running at 4K. There will be no performance difference on a 4K/1440p monitor except the latter will have worse image quality due to scaling down.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
BENQ EW3270U 4K
OK, that’s a good price for a 4K monitor! Obviously I’m not discounting 4K on principle, I’m just not willing to pay a premium for it. But this looks worth a look!
You're buying a gaming display for consoles? Doesn't make sense. TVs are much larger and cheaper. For PC get an IPS with 144hz.
I’m gaming in the spare room, I don’t have space for a big TV. And nobody sells decent small TV’s.

Edit: actually scratch that, there is some if you look hard enough! Maybe that’s the way to go...
I don’t think you understand. You are literally making a worse experience for yourself. If you are going to run at 1440p your PS4 Pro/PS5 will be running at 4K. There will be no performance difference on a 4K/1440p monitor except the latter will have worse image quality due to scaling down.
Oh yeah, I get that the image will suffer at 1440p, and 4K is obviously the way to go. But I’m not so enamoured with the extra clarity that I’d pay a premium/trade other features for it.

If I can find an adorable model that happens to be 4K then obviously that’s the way to go!
 
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