1080p 120Hz G-sync vs. 1440p 60Hz

[Sebastian]

I recently upgraded my GPU to a GTX 970, which I've overclocked another 15% or so above MSI's factory OC. As such, at 1080p this thing is able to pump out far more than 60 FPS in all the games I like to play, so I'm thinking my next system upgrade should be a new monitor to replace my current 1080p 60 Hz BenQ.

 

I'm debating between a 1440p 60Hz monitor and a 1080p 120/144Hz G-Sync monitor. Obviously the ROG Swift would be the best of both worlds, but that thing is hella expensive.

 

I like the idea of higher resolution because I love my games to look as pretty as possible, though obviously that's not nearly as important a lot of the time in something fast paced like BF4 or similar. On the other hand I've never tried a higher frequency monitor (with a GPU actually able to crank out the high FPS to match), and especially when paired with G-Sync, that for me is a very intriguing experience, especially because most of the time I'm playing FPS's.

 

The other aspect I'm considering is in looking toward the future. Although this 970 is a beast right now and could handle current games at 1440p and 60 FPS, I figure it might have trouble averaging around 60 FPS at 1440p with the most demanding games a few years down the road. In that way, a 1080p monitor would be more "future proof," as I'm sure it'll be a LONG time before there are many games that force the 970 to its knees at 1080p resolution. I side note here would also be to mention the new MFAA technique. Making AA a little more efficient might help the 970 in terms of longevity at 1440p.

 

So these are the things I'm contemplating. Obviously this stuff is all highly subjective, but what are your opinions on the matter? Is there anybody out there with first-hand experience with both 1440p monitors and high frequency monitors and would like to compare the experience? Or better, anybody else with one or both types of monitor AND a GTX 970 that has anything to say on the subject?

 

P.S. I guess a third option could be an ultra-wide monitor, most likely with 2560x1080 resolution, but I haven't thought much about this.

[Rorgash]

not sure i can ever go back to a 60hz monitor myself..

[Tripnator]

not sure i can ever go back to a 60hz monitor myself..

is it really that noticeable? I have never seen it for myself..

[Phllips]

Do you want to be good at gaming? 120hz gsync. Want games to look slightly better 1440p. my opinion gsync

[SeanBond]

I recently upgraded my GPU to a GTX 970, which I've overclocked another 15% or so above MSI's factory OC. As such, at 1080p this thing is able to pump out far more than 60 FPS in all the games I like to play, so I'm thinking my next system upgrade should be a new monitor to replace my current 1080p 60 Hz BenQ.

I could never go back to 16:9 for a monitor after switching to ultra wide. I highly highly recommend it, also I think the 970 is perfect for 2560x1080p as it's just enough power to get solid 60 in just about everything while not being quite so powerful to get a solid 60fps in everything at 1440p. If you opt to get a smaller 25" ultrawide it will actually have the same pixels per inch as a 27" 1440p monitor. And if you have a best buy near you can get said 25" ultrawide for 250 because it's on sale. The 29" models run about 380 on the cheapside for really not much more screen over the 25". Then again I sit close to the monitor, if you sit further back 29" version might be needed. 

[ShadowCaptain]

1440p 120hz in the rog swift for best of both worlds

Now that I have gone 27" I had to go 1440p because 1080p at this size sucks, though I am currently stuck at 60hz, its ok, I doubt my card could run many games at 1440p 120fps anyway

 

So I vote for 1440p 60hz unless you REALLY want to go for a 24" size or really want the 120hz option

[Swndlr]

personally i dont 1440p is worth it but then again i use some weird resolutions... from 1366x768 to 3200x1800, ive got stuff goin on

[Sebastian]

I could never go back to 16:9 for a monitor after switching to ultra wide. I highly highly recommend it, also I think the 970 is perfect for 2560x1080p as it's just enough power to get solid 60 in just about everything while not being quite so powerful to get a solid 60fps in everything at 1440p. If you opt to get a smaller 25" ultrawide it will actually have the same pixels per inch as a 27" 1440p monitor. And if you have a best buy near you can get said 25" ultrawide for 250 because it's on sale. The 29" models run about 380 on the cheapside for really not much more screen over the 25". Then again I sit close to the monitor, if you sit further back 29" version might be needed. 

 

I think you have a good point about the 970 being very well suited for the ultra-wide resolution, and it would be a sort of halfway point between the other two in terms of how far into the future I could continue getting 60+ FPS in modern games. I also like the wider viewing angle. I'm also starting to wonder just how noticeable the quality difference will be going from 24" 1080p to 27" 1440p. By my calculation the 27" 1440p monitor will have about 109 ppi while my current 24" 1080p monitor has about 92 ppi (the 29" ultrawides have about 96 ppi). That would be an increase of about 19% in ppi, or about 40% in pixels per square inch (which seems like a better metric to me). It that really noticeable, or just marginally so?

 

As far as good deals go, I sadly don't live in the US anymore (i.e., the land of cheap electronics). Here in Sweden, the pricing for any of these three options ranges from around $450-650 . The ROG Swift costs a cool $1000, so you see why I'm not really considering that as an option...

[SeanBond]

I think you have a good point about the 970 being very well suited for the ultra-wide resolution, and it would be a sort of halfway point between the other two in terms of how far into the future I could continue getting 60+ FPS in modern games. I also like the wider viewing angle. I'm also starting to wonder just how noticeable the quality difference will be going from 24" 1080p to 27" 1440p. By my calculation the 27" 1440p monitor will have about 109 ppi while my current 24" 1080p monitor has about 92 ppi (the 29" ultrawides have about 96 ppi). That would be an increase of about 19% in ppi, or about 40% in pixels per square inch (which seems like a better metric to me). It that really noticeable, or just marginally so?

 

As far as good deals go, I sadly don't live in the US anymore (i.e., the land of cheap electronics). Here in Sweden, the pricing for any of these three options ranges from around $450-650 . The ROG Swift costs a cool $1000, so you see why I'm not really considering that as an option...

For me marginally so, although I don't have a 1440p display right now my 25" ultra wide has a ppi of 111 i think and it's sharper than my 23" 1080p monitor definitely. But is it so much that I would really notice in game without really trying to notice? not really.

 

Yeah here you can get the lg34um95 for 1000 now. Which is a 34" 3440x1440p ultrawide. I would hate to have prices like that over there.

[Sebastian]

Yeah here you can get the lg34um95 for 1000 now. Which is a 34" 3440x1440p ultrawide. I would hate to have prices like that over there.

 

Yeah, you just kinda have to get used to it unfortunately and keep a close eye out for the occasional good deals. Or buy parts while in the US and hope that customs doesn't notice and charge you import taxes .

[SeanBond]

Yeah, you just kinda have to get used to it unfortunately and keep a close eye out for the occasional good deals. Or buy parts while in the US and hope that customs doesn't notice and charge you import taxes .

I would wait for black friday cyber monday and try to import then...which im doubting will be easy. Im sorry about that. Ultra wide is the way to go I think,