Monitor recommendations. What's good?

Chaz wrote:

I started a new job, and part of the hardware kit they gave me is one of those 27" Apple thunderbolt displays. Holy hell is this thing pretty.

The problem is the thunderbolt connector. The laptop is a macbook pro, which I had them set up to bootcamp into Win7. Unfortunately, Windows only checks for thunderbolt connections on restart, so connecting or disconnecting the monitor requires a boot under Windows. OSx supports hot swapping it though. So I was faced with deciding whether to keep using Win7 and get a smaller Dell monitor, or use this monitor and use OSx.

I'm using OSx. This is a pretty monitor.

Yeah! The apple displays look great! There are several people here at work that have them (not me :()

I wonder if Apple will ever update those monitors, it has been years since they updated them at all.

Kinda funny/not funny story. Our rendering dept are getting hardware upgrades for the year and new monitors were in the mix. We each got two 27 inch Apple Thunderbolt displays. When they they arrived we realized that half of them had to be sent back because half of us are on PC's while the other half are on Mac's. Turns out the thunderbolt displays wouldn't work on when using a Display port to DVI. So we ended up getting really nice Dell Ultra Sharp IPS monitors. I actually prefer the Dells because of the highly reflective screen on the Apple displays.

Another frustrating story with Monoprice. I got their 27" IPS monitor and it was gorgeous. Only when I started reading web pages I started to see the blemish in the panel. You can see it on the previous page. After taking a week for shipping to get it back to them, they tell me that I have to wait until MAY to get my replacement since those monitors were in high demand, out of stock and they are received from oversees (which I knew)

After fighting with them for a bit sating how ridiculous that is they said that there is a "newer" model of that monitor that will be out this month and are going to send me that newer model when they get them. Sucsk I have to wait a month or more for an RMA turnaround.

I'm also looking at these
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...

It looks amazing and at only $700 it's cheaper than getting 3 monitors and can run on my GTX 780TI.

I may just have to save some pennies. OK a lot of pennies.

Kamakazi010654 wrote:
Chaz wrote:

I started a new job, and part of the hardware kit they gave me is one of those 27" Apple thunderbolt displays. Holy hell is this thing pretty.

The problem is the thunderbolt connector. The laptop is a macbook pro, which I had them set up to bootcamp into Win7. Unfortunately, Windows only checks for thunderbolt connections on restart, so connecting or disconnecting the monitor requires a boot under Windows. OSx supports hot swapping it though. So I was faced with deciding whether to keep using Win7 and get a smaller Dell monitor, or use this monitor and use OSx.

I'm using OSx. This is a pretty monitor.

Yeah! The apple displays look great! There are several people here at work that have them (not me :()

I wonder if Apple will ever update those monitors, it has been years since they updated them at all.

As nice as it is, I don't think it's worth the $1000 they're asking for. But hey, as long as the company's footing the bill...

I'm curious if anyone can speak to the jump from 1080p to 1440p. I'm looking to upgrade my monitor, my current one is giving me issues, to a 1440p ips display. I'm just not sure if the extra resolution is worth the extra dollars. I'll definitely be going ips but I'm torn between staying where I am at 24" 1080p or making the jump. I would be using it for gaming, office work, and hobby photography. Any thoughts on whether or not its worth it?

Rickettsia wrote:

I'm curious if anyone can speak to the jump from 1080p to 1440p. I'm looking to upgrade my monitor, my current one is giving me issues, to a 1440p ips display. I'm just not sure if the extra resolution is worth the extra dollars. I'll definitely be going ips but I'm torn between staying where I am at 24" 1080p or making the jump. I would be using it for gaming, office work, and hobby photography. Any thoughts on whether or not its worth it?

What are your PC specs? CPU/GPU in particular.

For me, at least, I wouldn't want to go to 1440p without considering a much larger monitor than 24". I work on a 28" 1900x1200 screen at home which is okay, and a 27" 2560x1440 at work. To be honest, I kind of prefer the lower resolution for reading icons and text and such, but the higher rez is great for gaming and the 3D work that I do.

I'd say go for the 1440p, but I'd want something at least 27".

In fact, I think I've found my next monitor...

I'd like a 27" monitor at 1440p, but I don't love the idea of having to run stronger hardware to run that res, or have to lower details.

Chairman_Mao wrote:
Rickettsia wrote:

I'm curious if anyone can speak to the jump from 1080p to 1440p. I'm looking to upgrade my monitor, my current one is giving me issues, to a 1440p ips display. I'm just not sure if the extra resolution is worth the extra dollars. I'll definitely be going ips but I'm torn between staying where I am at 24" 1080p or making the jump. I would be using it for gaming, office work, and hobby photography. Any thoughts on whether or not its worth it?

What are your PC specs? CPU/GPU in particular.

I'm running an i5 3570 with a GTX 970.

WipEout wrote:

I'd say go for the 1440p, but I'd want something at least 27".

In fact, I think I've found my next monitor...

That screen looks intense! I'd definitely go 27" if I were to go 1440p. I'm looking into the dell u2713hm and the asus pb278q atm. Any experience with these displays?

Rickettsia wrote:
Chairman_Mao wrote:
Rickettsia wrote:

I'm curious if anyone can speak to the jump from 1080p to 1440p. I'm looking to upgrade my monitor, my current one is giving me issues, to a 1440p ips display. I'm just not sure if the extra resolution is worth the extra dollars. I'll definitely be going ips but I'm torn between staying where I am at 24" 1080p or making the jump. I would be using it for gaming, office work, and hobby photography. Any thoughts on whether or not its worth it?

What are your PC specs? CPU/GPU in particular.

I'm running an i5 3570 with a GTX 970.

WipEout wrote:

I'd say go for the 1440p, but I'd want something at least 27".

In fact, I think I've found my next monitor...

That screen looks intense! I'd definitely go 27" if I were to go 1440p. I'm looking into the dell u2713hm and the asus pb278q atm. Any experience with these displays?

Yeah with that setup, if you go 27" you'd do pretty good at 1440p. The 970 can handle most current games at or near max graphics settings at that res. Only thing I'd say about the two monitors you're looking at is that they don't seem to be IPS, which you may want if you're doing photo editing.

I'm curious if anyone can speak to the jump from 1080p to 1440p.

I've barely used 1440p, but the difference going up to 1600p, with a 30" screen, is fairly spectacular. 30", 16:10 ratio screens are expensive, however, and you need a strong video card to push that many pixels well. (your 970 will be fine.) Even with that, you may have to turn settings down a little in some games: typically, turning antialiasing down a little, and turning off vsync, is enough. Fullscreen antialiasing takes enormous internal memory bandwidth when you're doing it on a screen that large, and bandwidth is the most expensive feature on most video cards.

Here's a visual comparison between the two sizes.

More decision time! I just got a $150 Amazon gift card. I think I might want to put it toward a monitor. Need suggestions. Criteria:

Current PC:
-i3-4130 CPU
-AMD R9 270X 4gb
-8gb RAM

I'd be looking for a 27", probably 16:9, though aspect ratio isn't super important. I'm torn about whether to bump up to 1440p or stay at 1080p. I know I'd like the extra resolution, but frankly, I don't notice jaggies very much, and I like being able to go longer between video card upgrades. I'm not really picky about TN vs IPS. My current rig is working perfectly well so far, and my upgrade plan is to bump the video card next, then CPU after that, unless not having an i5 starts to be a problem sooner.

So, any suggestions on monitors given that?

Chaz wrote:

More decision time! I just got a $150 Amazon gift card. I think I might want to put it toward a monitor. Need suggestions. Criteria:

Current PC:
-i3-4130 CPU
-AMD R9 270X 4gb
-8gb RAM

I'd be looking for a 27", probably 16:9, though aspect ratio isn't super important. I'm torn about whether to bump up to 1440p or stay at 1080p. I know I'd like the extra resolution, but frankly, I don't notice jaggies very much, and I like being able to go longer between video card upgrades. I'm not really picky about TN vs IPS. My current rig is working perfectly well so far, and my upgrade plan is to bump the video card next, then CPU after that, unless not having an i5 starts to be a problem sooner.

So, any suggestions on monitors given that?

Stick to a 1080P resolution unless you arent interested in gaming on that PC... 27" 1080P screens can appear grainy if you sit less than 2-3 feet from your screen..so you might want to stick to a 24" Screen.. you can get a nice IPS screen from Dell at ~$150

24" isn't worth the upgrade for me. I'm coming from a 22" 16:10 monitor. A 24" 16:9 basically gives me the same height and a little extra width. I mean, I guess if the answer is "don't bother", that's an answer, though it'd be pretty disappointing.

I'm also not a huge stickler for running at 60fps or bust. I'm okay with running at lower frame rates, though I hate dropping detail levels. Basically, I have a feeling you and I have different levels of "acceptable", GG.

Chaz wrote:

24" isn't worth the upgrade for me. I'm coming from a 22" 16:10 monitor. A 24" 16:9 basically gives me the same height and a little extra width. I mean, I guess if the answer is "don't bother", that's an answer, though it'd be pretty disappointing.

I'm also not a huge stickler for running at 60fps or bust. I'm okay with running at lower frame rates, though I hate dropping detail levels. Basically, I have a feeling you and I have different levels of "acceptable", GG. ;)

270 won't cut it at 1440P and you will be dialing down a good deal just to get a playable frame rate.. but if you don't mind that then by all means get a 1440P 27".. I like my BenQ 32" 1440P monitors a great deal.. they are VA panels which have surprisingly good Blacks for an LCD.

I also have Eizo FlexScan EV2736W at work if you want to stick with 27" Screens.. these are arguably the "best" IPS 27" 1440P screens around.

TheGameguru wrote:

I also have Eizo FlexScan EV2736W at work if you want to stick with 27" Screens.. these are arguably the "best" IPS 27" 1440P screens around.

For a grand, yeah. lol

I've been very happy with this Dell 27", but it's 1440p.

I actually found out my wife's 25" monitor is 1080p, so I hooked that up to see how it was. I can definitely see how people would think it's grainy. I think it'll be fine for me.

Wound up ordering this guy. I figure for $80 out of pocket, it'll be a decent upgrade, and maybe down the line I bump up to at higher-resolution monitor.

Now I just need to see if I can fit this thing onto the desk with my current 22" as a secondary display.

Got the monitor set up yesterday. I'm sure it's not a super amazing monitor in the greater scheme of things, but so far, I'm really happy. The colors are way more vibrant than my older monitor, and ghosting is really minor, if it's there at all. Not sure if I can chalk that all up to it being IPS, or to the old one being badly calibrated, but I'm digging it.

It's only 1080p, so I can definitely see the pixels on it, but it's only noticeable when I'm actually looking, so it's fine. Gaming-wise, the one I'm currently playing (Dragon Age 2) definitely took a small performance hit going from running it at 1680x1050, so I'm feeling pretty good about not having pushed up to a 1440p monitor. I'll probably still want to upgrade the video card within the next year or so, but it can wait a while.

Yay giant monitor!

Chaz wrote:

Got the monitor set up yesterday. I'm sure it's not a super amazing monitor in the greater scheme of things, but so far, I'm really happy. The colors are way more vibrant than my older monitor, and ghosting is really minor, if it's there at all. Not sure if I can chalk that all up to it being IPS, or to the old one being badly calibrated, but I'm digging it.

It's only 1080p, so I can definitely see the pixels on it, but it's only noticeable when I'm actually looking, so it's fine. Gaming-wise, the one I'm currently playing (Dragon Age 2) definitely took a small performance hit going from running it at 1680x1050, so I'm feeling pretty good about not having pushed up to a 1440p monitor. I'll probably still want to upgrade the video card within the next year or so, but it can wait a while.

Yay giant monitor!

Congrats! It sounds like it's a big step forward!

Arise thread!

I'm looking to upgrade my monitor because...it'd be new and and make Fallout 4 look extra shiny and chrome.

I'm more or less set on a 27" 1440p IPS. I'm looking particularly at the Asus MG279Q. Anyone got any experience with it? Or any other suggestions in the same spec/price range?

In a very similar but more NVIDIA-ish vein, anyone have experience with the Acer XB270HU and/or thoughts on that vs waiting a bit for the ASUS PG279Q?

Sonicator wrote:

In a very similar but more NVIDIA-ish vein, anyone have experience with the Acer XB270HU and/or thoughts on that vs waiting a bit for the ASUS PG279Q?

I have the older PG278Q with the TN panel vs the IPS.

Both of the monitors you list use the same IPS panel. The only meaningful difference will be the interface and physical design, which IMO Asus wins handily with the smaller matte bezel and better design ideas for their OSD buttons.

If none of that matters to you go with whichever you find first for less money. If possible buy locally or at least a place with a good return policy. It's an expensive monitor. Getting one with a blob of dead pixels or dirt under the anti-glare coating and then not being able to exchange it would be... a bummer.

Thin_J wrote:
Sonicator wrote:

In a very similar but more NVIDIA-ish vein, anyone have experience with the Acer XB270HU and/or thoughts on that vs waiting a bit for the ASUS PG279Q?

I have the older PG278Q with the TN panel vs the IPS.

Both of the monitors you list use the same IPS panel. The only meaningful difference will be the interface and physical design, which IMO Asus wins handily with the smaller matte bezel and better design ideas for their OSD buttons.

If none of that matters to you go with whichever you find first for less money. If possible buy locally or at least a place with a good return policy. It's an expensive monitor. Getting one with a blob of dead pixels or dirt under the anti-glare coating and then not being able to exchange it would be... a bummer.

Makes sense, thanks!

PCGamer just threw up a review of the PG279q.

It's not the most comprehensive and they don't have all the nice easier to read bits that dedicated hardware sites do but it covers the really important parts for most people.

Haven't found anywhere in Australia that sells the PG279Q yet, and it sounds like the main distinctions aren't things I'm that fussed by anyway. Might give it a week or two to see if they do come available and/or trigger a price drop in the ACER, but I'm not wildly optimistic. Will see how long the willpower holds out.

I'm waiting for the 34" 144hz IPS G-Sync monitors from Asus and Acer before making another Monitor upgrade.. those are the most interesting displays for me since in theory the curved nature makes them nicer in a surround sound setup.

Sonicator wrote:

Haven't found anywhere in Australia that sells the PG279Q yet, and it sounds like the main distinctions aren't things I'm that fussed by anyway. Might give it a week or two to see if they do come available and/or trigger a price drop in the ACER, but I'm not wildly optimistic. Will see how long the willpower holds out. :)

I considered the PG279Q, briefly. I can find it, but YIKES that price tag. I could almost buy a PS4 for the price difference.

Alien Love Gardener wrote:

I considered the PG279Q, briefly. I can find it, but YIKES that price tag. I could almost buy a PS4 for the price difference.

What sort of price is the XB270HU in your neck of the woods? They're only (ha) about 20% more expensive than the MG279Q here.

TheGameguru wrote:

I'm waiting for the 34" 144hz IPS G-Sync monitors from Asus and Acer before making another Monitor upgrade.. those are the most interesting displays for me since in theory the curved nature makes them nicer in a surround sound setup.

That sounds overwhelming. In a mostly good way.