2560x1440 Monitor for Gaming

Slickzor

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Hello good people!


Basically, I am looking for a 2560x1440 monitor for gaming.


The following applies:


  • ■I mainly play RPG games but also love RTS and FPS/TPS.

    ■I would like to have a monitor that has vivid colours and gives a great (/the best) experience whilst playing RPG, but is also capable of proper display of FPS/TPS. This has been my main difficulty whilst searching for a monitor, since you have the high HZ, vivid colours, 1440p vs 1080p, 27 inch usually being too large for proper 1080p, backlight bleeding etc. (the variables driving me nuts haha).

    ■Monitor has to be 2560x1440 as stated in the title

    ■I watch series and films on my computer as well but that should be of no concern for the choice

    ■Would prefer it to be mat black (not a fan of shiny stuff, but if there is a clear winner that is shiny then that is no real issue)

    ■Around 500 Euro maximum

    ■Minimum 24 inch but preferably 27 inch

    ■My computer setup is as follows:

    sdpx1j.png


If any additional information is required please tell me and I will add it to the list as an edit :).

I do not know if this is a wise investment or if I should wait for 4k to become more affordable, any information on that topic is welcome too!

Thanks a lot in advance!
 

Slickzor

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The Dell is 470 euro and the Asus 500 euro in my country, The Netherlands. However, I think the ASUS is a great choice as far as I have seen in the reviews :).

But do you guys think I should make this 500 Euro investment or just wait for 4k to lower in price? Or would my R9 290 non-ref not be able to run it properly on 4k any ways?
 
I strongly disagree. For gaming, this is the best 2560x1440 monitor. Same LG IPS panel the Asus uses, simplified circuit board for lower latency, and most importantly, it can hit 120hz.

http://overlordcomputer.com/collections/27-monitors/products/tempest-x270oc-glossy

There are also the Catleaps with the 2b circuitboard that can hit 120hz (same panel as well), but those are $700 and up when you're lucky enough to find one.
 

shmimey

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That does look very nice. The reviews are hard to read with grey text on the changing background.

I am also looking for a new monitor and this thread has some nice choices.

 
You can also look at the extensive threads on 120hz.net. the 2b catleaps and OC overlords are essentially the same monitor in different housings.

I'm currently using a potalion 2710QW with the Overlord circuit board, running @108hz. Gonna keep using this monitor for quite a while, methinks.

(specifically until we have 120hz 4k monitors, cables capable of pushing that much data (dual-link DVI is fully saturated with a 120hz 2560 monitor) and reasonably-priced video cards that can also push that much data :D )
 

Slickzor

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@Quilcire, they don't sell that monitor in my country and I won't import it from the US due to the loss of warranty. Also, I won't get close to hitting a stable 120fps on ultra with my r9 290 so I think it would be overkill to get a 120hz screen, especially if it needs to be shipped with all the risks that come with it. It looks like an amazing monitor though! Never heard of the brand before, but looking forward to having them in Europe ;).

I will stick to the ASUS unless there is another monitor that I can get within The Netherlands that is far superior to it for the same or a lower price. :)
 

shmimey

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He was responding to me I think. Sorry about commandeering your post.

That ASUS is very nice and it seems a good pick for you all things considered.
I am looking at it also.
 

Slickzor

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No problem, commandeer all you want! Think more people will benefit from this, as you just stated you were looking for a monitor as well. Better put it all in one post than scatter it all over the place :).
 


I was replying in general. Sorry to hear the monitor's not available in your country, I missed that you weren't in the states.

While the 290 won't hit 120 on Ultra in very demanding games, e.g. Crysis 3, it will in the vast majority. The pair of 670's I'm running is 15-20% faster than a 290, and I'm able to run BF4 on high at just over 100fps. I'm using the potalion 2710QW with the overlord circuitboard added in (clocked @108hz). Personally, I've found that medium+ graphics settings at 100+ fps to be a much more gratifying experience than Max at 50-60.

Also, it never hurts to get a monitor you can grow into, you can always turn the resolution/other settings down, but you can't go past what the monitor itself is capable of. :)

One thing you might look into if you're a bit of a tinkerer is the Overlord Circuit board. It would be cheaper to ship, and it fits most of the korean monitors that use the same LG panel as the overlord/Asus....It may even fit the Asus, but that hasn't been tested by anyone on the 120hz forums yet to my knowledge. If you're particularly squeamish about warranties, however, best stick to the Asus.

either way, enjoy!
 

Slickzor

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It's too much tweaking for an inexperienced monitor user I think quilciri. Even though I would love to try that monitor I think for me it would be of no use since I don't want to import and I don't want a monitor or circuit board that doesn't have warranty.

I read that the ASUS is clockable to 85hz here:

http://www.tweaktown.com/tweakipedia/18/overclocking-our-asus-pb278q-monitor-2560x1440-at-85hz/index.html

But people on other websites stating it's impossible, which I would find plausible as well. Do you have any comments on this? 85HZ would be nice :).

I don't think I will care as much for the 100+hz, since I am not a huge FPS/TPS player to begin with. Deep colours and high resolution are the most important for me in RPG and RTS. I know it will give a better experience and that it's noticeable (even though people state that the human eye can't see more than 60hz, which is bull**** because it definitely can) but I am not willing to take the risk of importing a monitor from Korea or the US.

One question though, could I use the monitor as a TV as well? If so, how? I have a 32inch TV which I could potentially sell if I buy that ASUS.

Thanks for the elaborate answers so far though, learning more and more about monitors :).
 
I don't recommend using a tv as your monitor (at least not as your primary monitor) TV's have higher latency than just about any monitor, and the image quality itself doesn't compare to IPS panels (NTM there are no 2560x1440 tv's afaik)

Don't know anything about the Asus' overclockability. Wouldn't hurt to try; being able to get to even 85hz would help considerably.

As far as what the human eye can discern, that topic has been oversimplified far too much. Without going into detail here, both sides of that argument are correct. In certain ways, we can perceive above 60hz, but not in all regards.

Where gaming is concerned, refresh rates up to (at least) 120hz/fps do make a significant difference in your gaming experience.

 

ChrisCarbomb

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As stated by Asus support, it can overclock. most people get 85hz but u can go higher. Believe you must use Catalyst or if u have a titan the precision x will let you OC the monitor. be sure to have an extended warranty bc OC is not under the warranty but for the extended you can say was a power surge...
 

Slickzor

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I won't use my TV as a monitor obviously, but the other way around, could i use this monitor as a TV as well? The regular TV these days is awful so I am considering just selling my 32inch LCD TV and use the monitor as a TV (since it's rather large) for films, series etc. But is it possible to add some kind of TV card to be able to see regular cable television?

85hz OC will be more than enough for me, I won't go higher than that. Also, considering my graphics card will probably not pull 85FPS on ultra with the latest games. :)