[koralia.song]

Hello,
I read many of the discussions and found useful information but I hope you can help me for my specific needs and pc use.

I’m actually gonna start to approach pc gaming, that is why I’ve recently assembled my computer. Before i used to play on playstation.
I could play stuff like moster hunter: world, assassin’s creed, maybe things like battle ground. But I would also use the computer to enjoy watching some tv series.
I have intel core i5 processor and gtx 1070 GPU.
My budget is around 200/250 euros (Italy)
I’m really confused whether or not 144hz would be a waste since i’m a beginner, or if it’d be a good investment.
Hope you can give me some advice!

thanks,
Jessica 🙂

[PCM2]

Hi Jessica and welcome to the forum,

I’ve glad you’ve found the information useful, but can appreciate it can be tricky to decide between a ‘fast’ monitor or a ‘slower but better image quality’ model, with a limited budget in mind. The two paths explored in this thread are both valid choices. But perhaps you might have some preferences of your own that could sway you either way. For example, what size of screen would you like? The C24G1 being 23.8″ is vastly different to the Q3279VWFD8 being 31.5″. The pixel density is similar on those two, so when you’re gaming you don’t really notice extra detail and clarity on one vs. the other. And most movie content is Full HD or possibly a lower resolution anyway, so the 2560 x 1440 resolution isn’t an advantage there.

The WQHD resolution is a significant advantage for browsing the internet or productivity purposes as you have a lot more “real-estate” to play with, however. I personally hate using 1920 x 1080 monitors on the desktop. 🙂 Then again, if you can drive appropriately high frame rates in your games then it can be very nice indeed having a high refresh rate. I would tend to consider it nicer if you game competitively rather than on story-driven games. It is no doubt nice on both, but I feel focusing more on the image quality aspects (and a larger screen, if you’re happy with that – for extra immersion) can give the more enjoyable single player experience.

[koralia.song]

Thanks for your quick reply!!

As for the dimension, I was thinking it would be nice 23.8″, 24″, or 24.5″.
In the beginning I considered 27″, but I guess I’d need 2.5k for a good resolution, and the price would be maybe over my budget.

More than competitive, i would play mainly story-driven games I think.

So if I buy a 24″ monitor, which resolution would be ok? 1920 x 1080? I’m not sure about WQHD resolution on a 24″. I’m also confused whether I can play well for example with an ips panel, with higher ms and lower refresh rate.

Do you have any recommendation of some monitor models that could be a good compromise?

[PCM2]

You should consider the Dell P2418D. It’s similar to the Dell P2416D we’ve reviewed, with a slightly revised panel and slimmer bezels. That review also gives some thoughts on the WQHD resolution on a 23.8″ screen. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the C24G1 offers a very nice blend of responsiveness and image quality. If you’re really unsure of 23.8″ @ 2560 x 1440, it’s a nice one to pick I feel. The stronger contrast (and possibly smoother/less grainy screen surface – going from my experiences with the P2416D) is nice to have and the increased refresh rate certainly is as well. I was able to overclock the P2416D to 75Hz and would assume you could do the same with the P2418D, although I can’t say for certain.

[koralia.song]

I almost decided for the dell p2418d! I think focusing on quality image won’t prevent me from enjoying playing. I just want to ask you first if you know of some other similar model with speakers built-in. That would be great but otherwise I’ll just buy the Dell and buy some speakers. 🙂

[PCM2]

The ASUS VX24AH has integrated speakers. But you forgo the fully adjustable stand and I don’t think the factory calibration is as good (although I have very limited user feedback on this model and haven’t used it myself).

[koralia.song]

I finally ordered the dell p2418d, I’m sure will be a good option for me!
Thanks a lot for your time and help, it’s been so helpful to receive some advice on specific models given the vastness of choice!!

[PCM2]

No problem and I appreciate your support. I hope you enjoy the monitor and it works well for you.

[Valvoa]

Hello,

Desperately trying to find a monitor that both is good for work and gaming. I’ve used 2 monitors for the longest time and wondering if I should be using an ultrawide as my main with a smaller monitor off to the side. Regardless I’d like it to have accurate color reproduction, decent refresh rate and 1440p. Also as a secondary note I’d like it to look as professional if possible. Some monitors are a bit too “gamer” for me but if it has the specs needed I’d be willing to overlook this, probably be mounted anyway. Also less than 1000 if I can help it and even that is a stretch. So far I’ve looked at-

1. Alienware AW-18DW Currently on a great sale but I’m still not sold on it for some reason but a firm maybe.
2. Acer Predator X34 and 34p From what I can gather these and the AW are very similar
3. LG 34GK950G-B 34″ This looks like everything I’d like out of a monitor but the price is a bit much, in addition I’ve read mixed reviews.

What other monitors should I be looking at? I’m certainly open to non-ultra wides. My other monitor is a 24″ Dell UltraSharp from years ago. Thoughts? Thanks!

[PCM2]

Hi Valvoa,

I’ve merged your thread with an existing one on the topic. It is nice to look at things from an UltraWide perspective. And I mean that literally, not just in terms of the direction for this thread. I’m a big fan of the 21:9 experience and feel you’ll enjoy it for both gaming and productivity purposes.

The LG 34GK950F (and 34GK950G) offers a wider colour gamut than the Acer X34P or Dell AW3418DW, giving a significant edge in the vibrancy and ‘pop’ of colours. The Dell and Acer also have a native 100Hz panel that’s overclocked to 120Hz. And that overclock is not guaranteed. Additionally, the monitors suffer from dynamic ‘interlace pattern artifacts’ (as described in our reviews where relevant, for example here) which seem from user feedback to be more noticeable on the Acer and can get worse once the monitor is overclocked. The Dell, meanwhile, has some issues with gamma – it’s far too high regardless of OSD setup, upsetting the image and making things appear too deep.

You’ll find mixed reviews of any monitor if you look hard enough. When it’s expensive and relatively new, like the LG, they tend to be easier to find. I’d take a chance on the LG – just buy it from somewhere with a good returns policy. I’d say the same regardless of which model you choose, however.

[Valvoa]

I’ve really been wanting to try 21:9 and wondering if the single screen will be enough, clearing up some real estate on my desk would be nice. the LG really does have it all, I also forgot to mention I’d like to have G-Sync as well.

the 34WL850-W is almost the budget version correct? 60hz as opposed to the 144hz and doesn’t have G-Sync. G-Sync if free-sync is compatible at this point is a must and 100hz at least would be nice. The 34GK950F-B looks to have everything, is there anything else to consider that’s even close? It’s not an UW and it’s “coming soon” but what about the 27GL850G-B?

I appreciate the assistance, thank you.

[PCM2]

The 34WL850 can be thought of as a sort of cheaper 60Hz version, yes. It is ‘Nano IPS’ and you can expect it to be characteristically quite similar, aside from responsiveness. The 27GL850G is certainly interesting and I look forward to testing that. If you’re happy enough to forgo 21:9 and wait for that, at least. Note that it has been listed as “Coming Soon” since January and LG haven’t confirmed a specific date for availability. They’ve also been quite shaky with their stock levels for other products (including the 120Hz+ UltraWides) so I’m not going to make any bets on when that will actually be available in decent numbers.

P.S. You don’t need to add ‘B’ or ‘W’ for the preferred shorthand product codes. That just refers to the colour of the rear of the monitor and isn’t a key part of the main model designation. 🙂

[Valvoa]

Is there any option now that’s similar to the LG 34GK950G but in 16:9?

[PCM2]

Aside from the aforementioned upcoming LG model, the closest in terms of colour gamut, panel characteristics and pixel density would be the Gigabyte Aorus AD27QD. We’ll be reviewing this shortly.

[gerbow]

Hi:

Your website and reviews are excellent – very helpful and informative

I am looking for a monitor for video editing and casual gaming (Witcher/Tomb Raider/CSGO). I am considering the Acer X34p, Alienware AW3420DW, MSI MPG341CQR, AOC AG352UCG6, LG 27GL850-B or Aorus FI27Q-P. I edit different frame rates and resolutions but output mainly to bluray. The highest footage would be 4k. Would these be any good for my purposes? I would use a Spyder X to calibrate the monitor. There is also a 28 inch Samsung for video output monitor (using a blackmagic design card). I was thinking of an ultrawide as it would allow for a longer timeline visible. Which do you think would be the better choice among these?

I would like G-Sync for gaming as I have an Nvidia 2060. My CPU is an 9900k and I have 32GB of ram.

Thanks in advance.

[PCM2]

Hi gerbow and welcome,

I’ve merged your thread with this one as I feel it’s a suitable place and I’d quite like to revive it. This is an interesting slant on things as well as you’re specifically looking to for video editing as your “work”. Because this is colour-critical, I’d strongly suggest sticking to IPS-type rather than VA panels, as the latter lacks the consistency required for high perceived shade accuracy throughout the screen. And that isn’t something any level of calibration will change.

I also feel the 3440 x 1440 resolution is both rewarding and useful for both work and productivity. And as somebody who dabbles in a bit of video editing I can appreciate that having an expansive screen space horizontally is useful for displaying a good section of the timeline during editing. All things considered I feel the Dell Alienware AW3420DW would be an appropriate choice. It would give you the flexibility to edit in the DCI-P3 colour space if you wish, but its sRGB performance once calibrated would be good as well. It’s more responsive than the X34P as well as providing an enhanced colour gamut. And doesn’t have the same annoying (in my view) ‘interlace pattern artifacts’. Plus it’s guaranteed to actually work at 120Hz without issue as it doesn’t use an overclocked 100Hz panel (GPU allowing – and yours will).

[gerbow]

Great. Thank you for your reply. That makes a lot of sense. At the moment, Amazon are offering the X34P for £749 and the Alienware for £999. It would be worth the extra money then? I noticed that the Alienware AW3420DW was only an 8 bit panel whereas the Acer X34P is 8 bit + FRC. The difference would be negligible? And the benefits of the Dell being the extra 20Hz and faster response times.

[PCM2]

Yes, the Alienware is worth the extra in my view for the reasons given in my post (responsiveness, lack of ‘interlace pattern artifacts’, wider gamut). Both models actually have a 10-bit (8-bit + FRC) panel, but you can’t use that dithering stage in either case. That’s a restriction related to the G-SYNC module, which only supports 8-bit output. So it’s really just the case of Acer specifying things in a misleading way and Dell doing it more appropriately. Most content you consume and perhaps that you’re creating as well would only be 8-bit content anyway, so you shouldn’t feel hard done by due to this 8-bit restriction.

[gerbow]

I just read the link to your article on the Alienware 3420DW. Didn’t the LG 34GK950G have lots of issues; which is one of the reasons the most buyers preferred the adaptive sync version 34GK950F? Are these issues absent from the Dell version of this panel? The Alienware is at the very top end of my budget so want to be sure that there are few issues with it.

One further question: is there a monitor between £500 and £999 that I have missed that would be a better bet? Should I have considered 4k monitors such as the Dell U3219Q / MSI Prestige PS341WU (which, from what I understand, uses the same panel as the much more expensive LG UltraWide 34WK95U) ? My reasoning for not considering 4k was that my graphics card would struggle with many current games at that resolution and that the Dell and MSI lack adaptive sync. Would that be a fair assessment, or am I in error?

Would, for example, the LG 34GN850 be a better alternative. Or am I overthinking things? Thanks for your patience.

[PCM2]

The LG 34GN850 is a very nice monitor as well, but the G-SYNC module comes into its own when you’re gaming and the refresh rate doesn’t reach anywhere near the top end refresh rate. With a GTX 1060, that’s going to be a lot of the time! That’s because the G-SYNC module uses variable overdrive which prevents increasing levels of overshoot as frame rate decreases (and hence refresh rate decreases) by constantly re-tuning things. The AW3420DW is excellent in terms of quality control so is in no way to be compared to the 34GK850G, which was indeed terrible in that respect. The 34GK850F isn’t particularly great for that either (although the newer ‘GN’ model seems to be decent). I’d recommend reading this thread if you’re interested.

For gaming the high refresh rate is nice and it can be a nice thing when you’re just on the desktop as well. I’m currently using a 60Hz monitor as I type this and I miss the higher refresh rate screens even when I’m scrolling around on the internet. This isn’t something you’ll miss if you haven’t used it and everyone has different sensitivities to this sort of thing, but you’ll probably find the experience more enjoyable for gaming with a high refresh rate 3440 x 1440 panel than a lower refresh rate panel with higher resolution. Again, very subjective and depends on your own preferences. But something like the AW3420DW strikes a nice balance between responsiveness and image quality.

[Author]

Posts