The choices... oh the choices (around $400-800).

[SavingPrincess]

I want people to weigh in on the benefits and disadvantages of each "option" in in the 27"-ish range we all seem to be struggling with. This will assume you have the horsepower to drive each of these solutions (780ti, r290x, 980, etc.). 

 

1. Current 4k Panels

- Examples:

ASUS PB287Q

Samsung UD590

AOC U2868PQU

Acer XB280HK/B286HK

 

2. 144Hz 1080p Panels

- Examples:

Benq ZL2720Z

Acer XB270H

Asus VG278HE

 

3. QHD IPS Panels

- Examples:

Benq GW2765HT

ASUS PB278Q

Samsung S27A850D

Dell U2713HM

Various Asian QHD Panels (QNIX, Yamasaki, et. al.)

 

4. 60hz 1080p IPS Panels in Surround/Eyefinity

- Examples:

ASUS MX279H/VX279Q

Acer H276HLbmid

LG 27MP65HQ

 

5. 21:9 @ 2560x1080

AOC q2963Pm

Acer B296CL

LG 29UB65

ASUS PB298Q

LG 34UM65

 

5. Elephant in the room: ASUS ROG Swift QHD @ 144hz + G-Sync

 

 

I (like many of you apparently) are struggling with this decision.  So I would like to hear what people chose, are choosing or wouldn't choose, and why.

[vern021]

Acer XB280HK G-Sync Enable ftw.

[SavingPrincess]

I'm curious if all those voting for the ROG Swift own the monitor or are voting for the "concept" of the monitor?

[ChaosGoW]

Between the setups I've had (I'll lest em below) I like the ROG Swift the most for games only. I like how it feels and the colours, while not as good as my 1440p IPS panel are pretty good and the 1ms/144hz/gsync combo is amazing to me. It's hard to put into words but games just feel more immersive.

 

3x 1080 @ 60hz IPS panels - It was good but I couldn't see about half the pixels that were being rendered because I was sitting too close. My desk was a 60cm deep one and at that distance (about 40CM away after me leaning in a bit and compensating for the stand) I only managed to see the middle monitor and about 1/4 of the side ones without moving my head and the bezels were distracting. I didn't have the best IPS panels for this so that could explain a lot of it.

1x 1080 @ 60hz IPS panel - I found this more enjoyable than the 3 screens. I think it's because the performance hit wasn't worth the extra I barely used. It's pretty good but nowhere near as a good as the next monitor I got

1x 1440 @ 60hz IPS PB278Q - Great screen but suffers from ghosting and it's not as responsive as the 1080 panel I used before. The colours are amazing and games looked fantastic but they didn't feel quite as amazing to me. I'd still pick this monitor over a 1080 panel because it's bigger but still doesn't waste pixels by rendering some that I can't see!

1x 1440 @ 144hz TN ROG Swift - This monitor is out of this world. By far the best gaming experience I've had. Not just because of the refresh rate and response time but g-sync makes everything feel so smooth.

 

If I were to go down the ultra wide route again, I'd probably go for a 21:9 screen. That seems to be the perfect aspect ratio as far as immersion without taking the performance hit of rendering pixels you're not looking at. I wont be going down that route though, you'll have to pry my swift from my cold, dead hands

 

Currently my setup looks like the image below. I use the 2 1080 screens to manage temp software, sound card control panel, music player ect. I use the PB278Q to watch netflix/youtube/movies ect and I use the Swift for gaming. I love my setup!

[Victor Yiu]

.

[Spooner15]

Not trying to jack this thread but if you go with a ROG Swift what would you consider for a 2nd monitor? I purchased a ROG Swift and now cant decide to get a 24" and run it vertical or get another 27" 1080p. Or a 27" QINX 1440p. 

[lunchboxdeluxe]

I have an ROG Swift, and it's the bees knees. Failing that, the Asus PB278Q is also a good choice. 1440p really is the sweet spot in my eyes.

 

4k is nice and sharp, but it takes serious hardware to run at proper framerates.