Looking for expert advice regarding monitors and hardware upgrades

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mattarnold42

Mar 3, 2018
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I am fairly inexperienced when it comes to PC gaming. I mostly game on Xbox but I am wanting to jump into some early access RPGs and crafting/survival sandboxes on PC -specifically The Long Dark, Stranded Deep, Rust possibly - nothing competitive as of now, but that could change in the future, as I do like a few MMORPGs. I am a casual gamer (5-6 hours a weekend) and mostly use my PC for work and Netflix, but I am in DESPERATE NEED of a monitor upgrade. I've been using an ancient LG tv from '08 as a monitor and the resolution is garbage (1360x768@60Hz), but it has gotten me this far..
I'm looking to spend maybe 2-300, nothing too fancy. Honestly anything 1080 would be a major upgrade even though that is quickly fading. I was told by some friends that 2K or 4K would fair better in the coming years.

As far as the rest of my rig, I had a friend of mine build me a budget gaming PC several years ago in an attempt to get into WoW with a few friends that was very short lived. I've upgraded the graphics card once since then and not much else. Current specs are as follows:

CPU: Intel i5 - 2500k CPU @ 3.3GHz
Motherboard: AsusTek P8Z77-V LX
Memory: 8GB DDR3 @668MHz
Graphics Card: 2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 ti
Storage: WD 930 GB, and WD 230GB

Any monitor recommendations and advice for upgrades on hardware I need would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks in advance! Game on!
 
Solution
velocityg4


Installing Windows is the difficult part. If you can figure that out. The rest is easy.

If you've ever built a Lego set, model airplane or Erector set. You've already assembled something far more difficult. As long as you buy all compatible parts. The people here are happy to...
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mattarnold42

Mar 3, 2018
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Sorry, I am buying in US. 2-300 for the monitor alone. Depending on how out of date my other components are, I can start a new build if I need to, but I'd really like to use what I've got. Everything still functions. I did not build this computer personally, so I'm a little over my head here, but I think I have the mechanical ability to build one if I need to. And of course there are always videos and friendly people out there that could lend a hand.
 
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velocityg4

velocityg4

Glorious
Nov 21, 2006
5,390
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Installing Windows is the difficult part. If you can figure that out. The rest is easy.

If you've ever built a Lego set, model airplane or Erector set. You've already assembled something far more difficult. As long as you buy all compatible parts. The people here are happy to help choose those.

You're GPU is old. Whether 1920x1080 or 2560x1440. You'll probably end up wanting to replace it. So, I'd go with a 2560x1440 monitor. Some people like extreme FPS and go for high Hz 1080p. Me, I'm happy with detail over FPS. I'd take 60Hz 2560x1440 any day. 60FPS is plenty to me.

If you are happy with 60 FPS gaming. You can overclock your 2500K to 4+Ghz and bump up the RAM a little. You can probably get a few more years out of the motherboard that way.

If you want color detail and contrast. I'd get an IPS monitor. This BenQ is good. Just be aware IPS doesn't have the pixel response of TN panels. Some also get light bleed around the edges. Which bothers some people. I use IPS and none of that bothers me. I find game play is smooth on modern IPS panels. The BenQ gets great customer reviews including gameplay reviews. It would be my choice at that budget. It also has an adjustable stand. Portrait mode is convenient.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KYCSRSG/?tag=pcpapi-20

As for a GPU. I'd be looking at investing in a nVidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Radeon Rx 580 8GB. They are expensive right now due to mining. With no signs of abating. The GTX 1050 Ti would be too small an upgrade. If you are okay with used. You can pick up a GeForce GTX 980 4GB. Which is just as good.
 
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mattarnold42

Mar 3, 2018
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Thank you for your suggestions. Is 8 GB RAM not enough? Or is it the speed that is the problem?
 
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velocityg4

velocityg4

Glorious
Nov 21, 2006
5,390
471
46,440
There are a handful of games which can benefit from 16GB RAM. I'd make the monitor and GPU the top priorities. Since overclocking the CPU doesn't add cost I'd do that too. If you can also afford another 8GB RAM. You may as well do it at max out what your system is capable of.
 
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