Another thread of indecision - 144hz VS 4k VS 3x1080 VS 1440p

[EvelynX]

Greetings, ladies and gentlemen.

There are threads and sources all over the place, telling me about the pro's and con's of different display types, but now my setup exceeds the requirements for 1080p60fps in pretty much all circumstances, I feel it is time to upgrade my display setup before going SLI, seeing as bumping up now would not give much benefit.
While I am satisfied with 1080p, I am feeling the need for more and more power every time a paycheck comes in. I simply must upgrade my setup.

So my options are clear in the title, the very options many people face, and while the online content does tell me whats what, there is something missing.
I'd like to hear the opinions on setup from people who have experienced, at the very least, two of the options, so I can get your two cents and why you prefer the setup that you do.

4k.(Use a TV?)
144hz (Variable Refresh?)
1440p (Variable Refresh?)
5760x1080p (Variable Refresh?)

It's a tricky conundrum and it certainly is down to personal preference, but having not experienced any of the above, I don't have a view one way of the other. The way I see it, any of them is an improvement. A little about my battle station here, I feel that 1080 vertical pixels could be insufficient, I currently run a 23" IPS @75hz. My card is a 970, with another coming after display upgrade. I'm looking to spend no more than £500 on display and would appreciate spending less. (Let's say 500 usd considering the rate of exchange is effectively countered entirely by taxes)

So what do you prefer? Where there sacrifices? Convert this lost soul to your way of thinking.

-Daryl
 

[Octavialicious]

I really like 4K, I think it's the best option imo. Three 1080p monitors can have a lot of trouble in games, and it's flat out glitchy. And tbh, 1440p isn't a big upgrade over 1080p

[MegaDave91]

 And tbh, 1440p isn't a big upgrade over 1080p

That entirely depends on the size of the 1080p monitor. 

[MiniMoose1211]

I really like 4K, I think it's the best option imo. Three 1080p monitors can have a lot of trouble in games, and it's flat out glitchy. And tbh, 1440p isn't a big upgrade over 1080p

How is tripple surround "glitchy"... I've had no problems with it and I'm running a single gtx 770 4gb..... bf4 Medium 90Fps I love the productivity room.

[Egoist]

I really like 4K, I think it's the best option imo. Three 1080p monitors can have a lot of trouble in games, and it's flat out glitchy. And tbh, 1440p isn't a big upgrade over 1080p

LIES! LIES! LIES!  

[EvelynX]

Well, I notice the difference between 720p and 1080p right away so presumably I would notice 1440 as much. Especially seeing as if I go for anything other than triple display, I'll be getting a monitor bigger than my meager 23"

I'm thinking 27 at the very least.

[Octavialicious]

Well, I notice the difference between 720p and 1080p right away so presumably I would notice 1440 as much. Especially seeing as if I go for anything other than triple display, I'll be getting a monitor bigger than my meager 23"

I'm thinking 27 at the very least.

Still don't think it's worth spending so much money for a little upgrade

[MegaDave91]

I can only give you my 4k experience as I own a 4k monitor. The sheer pixel density is absolutely amazing for gaming and 970 SLI is more than capable of powering 4k.

 

Once you experience 4k in all its gaming glory, it's really, really difficult to use any other resolution. I was amazed when I made the leap from 1080p to 1440p, and now, to me, 1440p is like the new 1080p compared to 4k. I was amazed all over again.

[EvelynX]

Considering the price of 4k compared to 1440, it does seem like I am getting more for my money with 4k.

Better yet, I suppose I can always run the 4k monitor in lower resolutions. Right?

[MegaDave91]

Considering the price of 4k compared to 1440, it does seem like I am getting more for my money with 4k.

Better yet, I suppose I can always run the 4k monitor in lower resolutions. Right?

You can, but if the higher native resolution does not divide evenly into the lower resolution, you'll have interpolation and thus the image will look fuzzy and generally not good. It's always best to use the native resolution of any monitor. 

[Geekazoid]

I really like 4K, I think it's the best option imo. Three 1080p monitors can have a lot of trouble in games, and it's flat out glitchy. And tbh, 1440p isn't a big upgrade over 1080p.

I call bullcrap on this, bullcrap I tell you, bull.....CRAP! *picks up bull crap and throws it at Octavialicious* JK

On a serious not though, it's bullcrap. #YouBetterBelieveIt

[Octavialicious]

I call bullcrap on this, bullcrap I tell you, bull.....CRAP! *picks up bull crap and throws it at Octavialicious* JK

On a serious not though, it's bullcrap. #YouBetterBelieveIt

it is not a big improvement dewd

[MegaDave91]

Considering the price of 4k compared to 1440, it does seem like I am getting more for my money with 4k.

Better yet, I suppose I can always run the 4k monitor in lower resolutions. Right?

 

You'll have to zoom in, but the above is a good example of interpolation. In the top image, it's a 1:1 pixel ratio as one pixel is a block of black. In the bottom image, you can see lighter shades of black around the perimeter of the letters, giving it that fuzzy distorted appearance. 

[Geekazoid]

it is not a big improvement dewd

BULLCRAP!

For someone who doesn't own a 1440p display yet and will hopefully this year, it'll be a big upgrade for me.

[MegaDave91]

For someone who doesn't own a 1440p display yet and will hopefully this year, it'll be a big upgrade for me.

What size is your current monitor?

[EvelynX]

 

You'll have to zoom in, but the above is a good example of interpolation. In the top image, it's a 1:1 pixel ratio as one pixel is a block of black. In the bottom image, you can see lighter shades of black around the perimeter of the letters, giving it that fuzzy distorted appearance. 

Thanks for that, I have never seen quite what it was before.

How bothersome is it in gaming? Is it more apparent?

[Geekazoid]

What size is your current monitor?

Well, I have one old CCFL 19" 1440x900 TN display as my secondary with a 23" LED 1920 x 1080 TN display as my primary.

Just check my profile.

[MegaDave91]

Thanks for that, I have never seen quite what it was before.

How bothersome is it in gaming? Is it more apparent?

All I can really say is it's pretty fuzzy/distorted looking. Thankfully though, in theory, 1080p should look fine on a 4k monitor. 

 

I have a 1080p monitor too, but I honestly can't be assed to set it up and compare native 1080p to 1080p on a 4k monitor.

[Octavialicious]

1440p is only twice as many pixels as 1080!

my point

[MegaDave91]

Well, I have one old CCFL 19" 1440x900 TN display as my secondary with a 23" LED 1920 x 1080 TN display as my primary.

Just check my profile.

PPI of a 20.5" 1080p display is 107.446

PPI of a 27" 1440p display is 108.79

 

Compared to yours - PPI of a 23" 1080p display is 95.78

[MegaDave91]

eh.. 1080 doesn't look that great in games on my 1440p monitor it looks kind of blurry

Right, because it doesn't divide evenly. 

[Octavialicious]

that proved your point wrong not right

doesnt look that much better

[EvelynX]

1440 is twice as many as 1080? That seems like a lot to me.
Actually, wouldn't suggesting 1440 is not much better than 1080 equally suggest that 4k is not much more than 1440?

This poor reindeer is confused.

[Geekazoid]

PPI of a 20.5" 1080p display is 107.446

PPI of a 27" 1440p display is 108.79

Compared to yours - PPI of a 23" 1080p display is 95.78

Yeah, so I'm going to notice a bit of a difference in clarity, I think, but also the high res will be great as well. I'm actually planning on a whole new rig as my current one is a pre-built HP one which I bought when I didn't have the knowledge that I have today.

I'm planning on having two BenQ GW2765HT monitors with my old HP one as just a third one for convenience. I hopefully I'll be able to replace it with another GW2765HT down the road.

[Octavialicious]

1440 is twice as many as 1080? That seems like a lot to me.

Actually, wouldn't suggesting 1440 is not much better than 1080 equally suggest that 4k is not much more than 1440?

This poor reindeer is confused.

no, 4K is four times as many pixels as 1080p. HUGE difference