4K or 3440x1440

[Exphana]

Hello.

 

I'm currently in the marked for a new monitor. I've been looking at the Dell U3415W and the Acer XB281HK. Both are inside my budget of about 8000NOK (roughly $1000). 

What I use my PC for: Gaming, school work, multimedia (movies, tv series, youtube) and browsing the internet. 

 

[dantayy]

1440p is enough for a desktop monitor

[GamerDude]

My vote goes to 3440x1440 21:9 screen format, I have an AOC Q2963PM and loved the 21:9 format so much, upped the stake and just got an Acer XR341CK (Freesync) and I'm in the process of setting it up on my desk (replaced the AOC UW monitor with this badboy). The AOC monitor's going to my other desk with two rigs hooked up to it.

[Naeaes]

4K 16:9 is complete crap for gaming and general use. If you're not in the business of either watching 4K 16:9 movies or editing high-res videos/images, don't touch it. 1440p 21:9 however is exactly right for upscaled movies, almost any game you could imagine and most general use scenarios. The ultrawide aspect ratio breaks some webpages though, but for web browsing alone, you wouldn't be getting anything but 1080p anyway.

[flackjack4]

i also vote for 3440x1440

[jasonvp]

I just sold my Asus 3440x1440 21:9 panel because, as it turns out: I don't really care for that aspect ratio.  I thought I would, but it seems I prefer the 16:9 ratio instead.  It's a personal thing, so what works for me might not work for you.  But here's what I found:

• I never found any benefit of the ultra-wide in the type of gaming I do, which is first person shooter.  The extra screen real estate is basically wasted because my focus was always dead center of the screen.  Anything to the far sides was either ignored, or became more of a useless distraction.  I could imagine a third person perspective being more enjoyable in 21:9, but everything I play is FPS.
• All content on YouTube is 16:9.  Even stuff that's sent up in 21:9 gets scaled to 16:9.  So your 21:9 panel won't be completely utilized by YouTube.
• Same applies with television shows.
• Movies are a different story, if they retain their theatrical format.  They'll make use of the 21:9 aspect ratio far better.

Personally I wouldn't bother with UW, but that's my opinion.  I actually wouldn't buy any panels right now.  I'm sure all of the big manufacturers are working on their own 4K/120Hz panels, now that new GPUs are coming with DisplayPorts that can drive them.  It would seem prudent to me to wait.

[GamerDude]

I watch a lot of videos, mostly BR movies, and cropping it to 2.35:1 so that it'd fit nicely with a 21:9 monitor is just awesome......hence my preference for that particular format. Yes, I was having a hot cup of cereal whilst enjoying the movie....

[IAEInferno]

3 hours ago, GamerDude said:

I watch a lot of videos, mostly BR movies, and cropping it to 2.35:1 so that it'd fit nicely with a 21:9 monitor is just awesome......hence my preference for that particular format. Yes, I was having a hot cup of cereal whilst enjoying the movie....

 

Hi what is that monitor model and what is your GPU?

 

Is it fun playing on that monitor, how is your fps?

[Tirello]

I use a Asus PG348Q. I love the ultra wide over 16:9 I replaced.

#UltraWideMasterRace

[GamerDude]

8 hours ago, IAEInferno said:

Hi what is that monitor model and what is your GPU?

 

Is it fun playing on that monitor, how is your fps?

Acer XR341CK (Freesync version), using 2x R9 290X to run games like Doom (Vulkan, always above 60fps), UT3, COD4 MW and The Witcher (>60fps, max setting). The cards seem to be holding their own even at 3440x1440, GCN architecture seems to age well, I have Freesync enabled and I'm fine with 75Hz. The graphics is vibrant and rich on this monitor, gaming and movies is simply a great experience....