High-end 4k HDR and gaming monitor

[exported_null]

I recently bought a Samsung Odyssey Neo G7. It looks absolutely amazing, but my desk is only 30" wide and the display is 12" deep, so sitting that close to a 32-inch 1000R curve is giving me a headache. I'm probably going to return it for something else.

Before I bought the Neo G7, I had an old BenQ 1080p 60hz monitor, 10 years old at least.

 

Budget: $1,300 (ish, anything beyond that should be good value)

 

Use cases:

• 4k HDR movie watching
• Gaming (CS:GO, Elite Dangerous, etc) -- probably not HDR gaming
• Programming

Requirements:

• Not OLED
  • I play livestreams and movies overnight to fall asleep, static parts of the display would cause burn-in. And I don't want to buy an expensive monitor with a 5-year lifetime.
  • I know OLEDs are great, sorry
• Size: no bigger than 28 or 30 inches, and/or Depth with stand: <= 10 inches
  • Desk is only 30" wide, large 32-inch displays mean I move my eyes a lot to see everything
• Not 1000R curve (preferably no curve, but I haven't tried lessor curves)
  • Tried it with the Neo G7, just felt weird, kind of makes me nauseous.
• Resolution: at least 4k (3840 x 2160)
  • I enjoy 4k movies
• HDR: great HDR experience
  • Most of my (newer) 4k movies are HDR, want to enjoy them at their fullest
• Refresh rate: at least 120 hz (144 hz preferred, seems like most are >144 anyways)

 

So far I've looked at these alternatives (from Hardware Unboxed videos)

• Samsung Odyssey G7
  • Checks a lot of my boxes, but is edge-lit with only 8 local dimming zones
• Gigabyte M28U
  • Poor HDR performance
• Sony Inzone M9
  • Nowhere to buy it right now

I feel stuck, but maybe there are some good monitors I'm missing. Thanks

[Hailpokegodyt]

LG UltraGear 27.0" 3840x2160 160 Hz Monitor

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/mr/amazon/4gPQzy

[Andrewtst]

I will change the desk in this case rather than return the monitor. You are having one of the best in HDR performance.

From Rtings.com, Best HDR all is 32" and above.

 

The only in 27" is Samsung Odyssey G7 but this is big downgrade from Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 included the HDR performance.

Also Samsung Odyssey G7 is 1440p not 2160p, to me this did not make differences as you only need 4K for enjoy 4K movie and movie playback in 1440p or 2160p doesn't have huge differences and you will not noticing it if your monitor size is 27" and below.

 

 

[xg32]

5 hours ago, exported_null said:

.

in terms of image quality for that budget the aw3423DW simply can't be beat (i know you said no oled and it's a legitimate concern if you keep it for 10 years), if you have to stick to 4k then the monitor you are looking for doesn't exist yet, new stuff gets announced around february,

 

with ur expectations i wouldnt get the inzone even if you see it in stock, it's not good enough.

[e22big]

5 hours ago, exported_null said:

I recently bought a Samsung Odyssey Neo G7. It looks absolutely amazing, but my desk is only 30" wide and the display is 12" deep, so sitting that close to a 32-inch 1000R curve is giving me a headache. I'm probably going to return it for something else.

Before I bought the Neo G7, I had an old BenQ 1080p 60hz monitor, 10 years old at least.

 

Budget: $1,300 (ish, anything beyond that should be good value)

 

Use cases:

• 4k HDR movie watching
• Gaming (CS:GO, Event Horizon, etc) -- probably not HDR gaming
• Programming

Requirements:

• Not OLED
  • I play livestreams and movies overnight to fall asleep, static parts of the display would cause burn-in. And I don't want to buy an expensive monitor with a 5-year lifetime.
  • I know OLEDs are great, sorry
• Size: no bigger than 28 or 30 inches, and/or Depth with stand: <= 10 inches
  • Desk is only 30" wide, large 32-inch displays mean I move my eyes a lot to see everything
• Not 1000R curve (preferably no curve, but I haven't tried lessor curves)
  • Tried it with the Neo G7, just felt weird, kind of makes me nauseous.
• Resolution: at least 4k (3840 x 2160)
  • I enjoy 4k movies
• HDR: great HDR experience
  • Most of my (newer) 4k movies are HDR, want to enjoy them at their fullest
• Refresh rate: at least 120 hz (144 hz preferred, seems like most are >144 anyways)

 

So far I've looked at these alternatives (from Hardware Unboxed videos)

• Samsung Odyssey G7
  • Checks a lot of my boxes, but is edge-lit with only 8 local dimming zones
• Gigabyte M28U
  • Poor HDR performance
• Sony Inzone M9
  • Nowhere to buy it right now

I feel stuck, but maybe there are some good monitors I'm missing. Thanks

If you want HDR, Sony Inzone M9 is basically your only option without going 32 inch and larger (or having to deal with curve and OLED) 

 

But honestly, I think the better option for you is to just buy a new desk. Neo G7 simply perform so much better than anything below it, both in HDR and general spec. Having a new and bigger desk will also give you more room to expand other techs in the future (speakers for example)

[Stahlmann]

New, bigger desk or wall mount the monitor so it's further back. WIth the requirements you mentioned the Sony Inzone M9 is the only option that roughly fits the bill. While it's HDR performance is better than most other similar monitors, it's still not that great with a lot of blooming and mediocre brightness.

[IPD]

^ Agree.  I have a 40" Monitor, but it doesn't bother me in the slightest--since it sits on a floor-mount that's behind the desk.  Meaning that the monitor face is damn near the back of the desk to begin with.

[exported_null]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

 

You're right, my desk is a problem more than the monitor, now that I think of it. And it looks like for my needs, any other monitor would be sacrificing HDR quality.

 

I decided to try the monitor for a couple more days, and I'm happy to say I've gotten more used to the curve! (I still often notice it, but it doesn't make me nauseous anymore). I guess after years of using a small flat monitor, my eyes need time to readjust.

 

To solve the screen distance, I finally found a monitor arm that fits my desk. Due to the support bars under my desk, most C-style clamps won't fit, which is why I hadn't thought of it until now. I got an Ergotron MXV monitor arm -- its short clamp fits with 1/8" tolerance  -- allowing me to move the monitor back (and also get rid of the wobbly stand).

 

Thanks!