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My Experience Gaming 1080p on 4k Monitor

I've seen a lot of misinformation on this subject so I thought I'd share my experience to help others with similar questions. There are also a few side notes of my experience with this specific card and monitor.

 

Do games running at 1080p on a 4k monitor appear blurrier than they would on a native 1080p monitor?

Does scaling work well with Windows 8.1?

How do gtx 980s fair in real-world 4k use?

 

I jumped on the 4k bandwagon with an ASUS PB287Q and a reference gtx 980 (time to update my profile and signature). I used EVGAs step up program from an ACX SC GTX780 for around $60 USD + $50 USD in shipping. I'm pleased. I also splurged and bought this 4K monitor even though I swore I'd hold out for a monitor offering 4K, GSYNC and IPS (which was just announced!!! yay!!). My idea was that even though my single 4GB 980 wouldn't be able to handle most AAA games at 4k with decent settings, I could simply play in 1080p in those, and 4K in less demanding situations thanks to the exact 1/4 pixel ratio. Let me say right here this was indeed the case. It hasn't been quite that simple though. The first thing to be aware of (of course) is Windows scaling. Being new to 4k, even though I was familiar with scaling and how it worked, I forgot about it a few times and even underestimated it's extension into games! So, when I fired up Tomb Raider, Bioshock Infinite, and Alien Isolation to test out my theory of seeing s nice 1080p image on my 4k monitor I was disappointed to see blurry menus and subpar visuals in game. I though "Oh no! They were right! Native will always be better!" But, after simply turning of  scaling my games looked great. I compared what I was seeing in game on my PB287Q(27"3840x2160) and my VG247QE(24"1080p), which were nearly identical. I say nearly because as someone else pointed out on another thread there is a very slight difference. Very very slight. This difference has to do with the squareness of the individual pixels. The pixels on the 1080p monitor are slightly more rounded, thus, for lack of a better term, blending with surrounding pixels more. Whereas the 4K monitor's pixels (though invisible to me) are squarer and more defining. All that I could perceive was this very slight difference and that was only while looking at them 2" from the screens. Anywho, there's your answer. You will be able to game perfectly at 1080p on a 3840x2160 monitor. Another thing to note here is that you can turn scaling off for either or both monitors, all or specific applications. Right now I simply have all scaling turned off but when I work up the energy I dial in all the applications and games to my liking.

 

On to the monitor itself. I'm returning it. I bought it on Amazon Warehouse for ~$550 US used but in pristine condition. Sadly I'm experiencing the popping and flickering that others have reported. This is somewhat of a relief as I originally (before I saw such a good deal on a near Pro Art ASUS 4K monitor with a stellar Linus review) waiting it out for a monitor that would have everything I wanted, 4K, IPS and GSYNC. Thankfully it was announced at CES, so I hopefully haven't too long to wait for such a monitor.

 

And finally the reference 980. So the main reason I went for the reference 980 was my plan to run 2xSLI and I figured it would be the best solution as far as cooling. Although a lot of people including Logan of Tek Syndicate seem to be happy using aftermarket cards for their 980 SLI setups. I was indeed able to OC getting around 1.65GHZ on the core though my ram didn't go above 4GHZ which seems to be at odds with a lot of other OC results. Maybe I have Samsung and they have Hynix VRAM or vise versa. I don't know. With the rumors of an 8GB maxwell card coming soon I think I'll just save up for that upgrade to help me run 4K.

 

I hope this information was helpful to you. I will be buying the ASUS PG27AQ as soon as it's available. I do love my VG247QE, it's lusciously high frame rates and low input lag but I crave the 4K and IPS panel and am excited to test out GSYNC (good riddance VSYNC). The PB287Q....well it's malfunctioning so I have to let it go.

2014 - EVGA 780 SC ACX | 4790K | Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 | Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 16GB | RM650 | Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 | VGA248QE | Fractal Define r4

2015 - EVGA 980 | 4790K | Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 | Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 16GB | RM650 | NZXT X41 | Asus ProArt 1080p IPS | Fractal Define r4

2017 - MSI Gaming X 1080 Ti | 6600K | Strix z270e | Trident DDR4 3GHz 16GB | RM650 | NZXT X42 | LG OLED B9 | Dell U3415W | Corsair Crystal 460x

2021 - MSI Gaming X 1080 Ti | 5600X | Strix B550-F | Trident Neo DDR4 3.6GHz 32GB | Dark Power Pro 12 1500W | EK AIO Basic 360 | LG OLED B9 | Dell U3415W | Corsair 5000D Airflow

2023 - Asus TUF 4090 | 5800X3D | Strix B550-F | Viper DDR4 3.6GHz 32GB | RM1000x | h150i 360 Elite LCD | LG OLED B9 | Dell U3415W | Corsair 5000D Airflow

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I was wondering about this. Do you switch the resolution to 1080p in-game or have you tried running the desktop natively at 1080p? Did that affect the scaling thing, if you ran it natively from the start rather than turned off scaling?

 
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I was wondering about this. Do you switch the resolution to 1080p in-game or have you tried running the desktop natively at 1080p? Did that affect the scaling thing, if you ran it natively from the start rather than turned off scaling?

 

I just select the resolution in-game. I like using native resolution for desktop, non-demanding games/apps etc.

2014 - EVGA 780 SC ACX | 4790K | Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 | Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 16GB | RM650 | Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 | VGA248QE | Fractal Define r4

2015 - EVGA 980 | 4790K | Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 | Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 16GB | RM650 | NZXT X41 | Asus ProArt 1080p IPS | Fractal Define r4

2017 - MSI Gaming X 1080 Ti | 6600K | Strix z270e | Trident DDR4 3GHz 16GB | RM650 | NZXT X42 | LG OLED B9 | Dell U3415W | Corsair Crystal 460x

2021 - MSI Gaming X 1080 Ti | 5600X | Strix B550-F | Trident Neo DDR4 3.6GHz 32GB | Dark Power Pro 12 1500W | EK AIO Basic 360 | LG OLED B9 | Dell U3415W | Corsair 5000D Airflow

2023 - Asus TUF 4090 | 5800X3D | Strix B550-F | Viper DDR4 3.6GHz 32GB | RM1000x | h150i 360 Elite LCD | LG OLED B9 | Dell U3415W | Corsair 5000D Airflow

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Whereas the 4K monitor's pixels (though invisible to me) are squarer and more defining.

This is because pixels arent just a square of colour. they have 3 different "sub pixels" each red, green and blue.

 

Having a square of 50% smaller 2x2 pixels will always be more square than a single 100% size pixel.

 

So you could say it blends with surrounding pixels less, I would say it is a sharper, more accurate image.

Maybe this isnt ideal for games (but you said you had to look for it to notice it in the first place) but for anything else it should make video, photo editing, or text cleaer than a native 1080p panel :)

 

IMO this is a good thing

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This is because pixels arent just a square of colour. they have 3 different "sub pixels" each red, green and blue.

 

Having a square of 50% smaller 2x2 pixels will always be more square than a single 100% size pixel.

 

So you could say it blends with surrounding pixels less, I would say it is a sharper, more accurate image.

Maybe this isnt ideal for games (but you said you had to look for it to notice it in the first place) but for anything else it should make video, photo editing, or text cleaer than a native 1080p panel :)

 

IMO this is a good thing

Yes, I know a bit about pixels and there RGB elements, but thank you for expounding. I also agree with your opinion and would go as far as saying there is no undesirable consequence even in games IMO.

2014 - EVGA 780 SC ACX | 4790K | Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 | Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 16GB | RM650 | Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 | VGA248QE | Fractal Define r4

2015 - EVGA 980 | 4790K | Asus Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1 | Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 16GB | RM650 | NZXT X41 | Asus ProArt 1080p IPS | Fractal Define r4

2017 - MSI Gaming X 1080 Ti | 6600K | Strix z270e | Trident DDR4 3GHz 16GB | RM650 | NZXT X42 | LG OLED B9 | Dell U3415W | Corsair Crystal 460x

2021 - MSI Gaming X 1080 Ti | 5600X | Strix B550-F | Trident Neo DDR4 3.6GHz 32GB | Dark Power Pro 12 1500W | EK AIO Basic 360 | LG OLED B9 | Dell U3415W | Corsair 5000D Airflow

2023 - Asus TUF 4090 | 5800X3D | Strix B550-F | Viper DDR4 3.6GHz 32GB | RM1000x | h150i 360 Elite LCD | LG OLED B9 | Dell U3415W | Corsair 5000D Airflow

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  • 6 months later...
  • 4 weeks later...

Great job OP. You totally just scored some points with me as I've been browsing the web the last couple of days looking for a good answer for exactly the questions you asked and answered. 

 

I've got my eyes set on a 40" Philips (http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/philips_bdm4065uc.htm). I was looking to go 27" Gsync and IPS. But the appeal of 40" to do work on has almost won me over. As i'm use to 60hz on my asus mx279h the only thing i'll miss is the IPS, but the VA panel in the Philips is allegedly not too shabby for colors. 

 

Again, Cheers for answering my concerns around gaming @1080p on 4k. Maybe i can afford a 4k graphics card next year to go with the screen. :)

 

Peace Out. 

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Great job OP. You totally just scored some points with me as I've been browsing the web the last couple of days looking for a good answer for exactly the questions you asked and answered. 

 

I've got my eyes set on a 40" Philips (http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/philips_bdm4065uc.htm). I was looking to go 27" Gsync and IPS. But the appeal of 40" to do work on has almost won me over. As i'm use to 60hz on my asus mx279h the only thing i'll miss is the IPS, but the VA panel in the Philips is allegedly not too shabby for colors. 

 

Again, Cheers for answering my concerns around gaming @1080p on 4k. Maybe i can afford a 4k graphics card next year to go with the screen. :)

 

Peace Out.

Scaling depends on the specific monitor, some will handle it better than others. Not all 4K monitors will scale as well as the one used by the OP. Read the FAQ at the top of this section or in my sig for more details. Anyway, I am locking this thread since it is a big necro.

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