Looking to upgrade my monitor. Which one should I be getting?

[JustGetOwned]

I am planning to get a new display. I would like a 1440p monitor with an IPS display preferrably around 27". Which one would be the best for me? I do not want to spend that much money.

At the moment I am using an Iiyama GB2773HS display which has a 1080p 1ms response time 144hz 27" screen. I use my display for gaming, watching youtube videos, and productivity. My pc has an AMD r9 290x in it.

After having done some research I think the Dell Ultrasharp U2715H which is selling for around €510,- including taxes, is the best option. Do you guys think it is worth upgrading to a monitor like this and is there another monitor you would recommend?

Thanks for reading this and helping me out!

 

[XMorsX]

Hello.
North Americans can buy 27" 2560x1440 Korean monitors from IPS LED Monitors who offer a 14 day Return Policy. Check the Yamakashi Catleap. Excellent performance with a glossy panel that makes pictures look clear and colors vibrant.
http://www.ipsledmonitors.com/Yamakasi-Catleap-Q270SE-Monitor-p/yam1.htm
http://www.ipsledmonitors.com/Yamakasi-Catleap-Q270SE-Monitor-p/yam2.htm
http://www.ipsledmonitors.com/Yamakasi-Catleap-Q271-Monitor-p/yam3.htm

Otherwise, you can have a Korean monitor from e-bay, check the custom taxes though
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Perfect-Pixel-Crossover-2795QHD-AHIPS-LED-27-Monitor-2560-x-1440-DVI-D-/131431218296?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e99e93c78

Given that you can make use of Freesync, I would suggest buying the Asus MG279Q. It uses a 27" 2560x1440 resolution 8 Bit AUO AHVA panel, a nearly grain free matte coating, excellent colour presets when the Racing mode is selected, a high quality matte grey bezel which vastly increases the perceived black depth, fast pixel response times and a 144hz refresh rate.
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-mg279q

If you want to go cheaper, check the LG 27MB85RB. It has excellent color presets, a matte grey bezel, low input lag and fast pixel response times. The Dell U2715H has slightly worse color presets, can't be hardware calibrated and has a inner black bezel which ruins the perceived black depth since it is not actually frame-less.
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-27mb85rb

 

[JustGetOwned]

@XMorsX Thanks for your reply. I don't want to buy one of those Korean panels or from ebay because I've heard they have inferior quality and it will be harder to return one if something is wrong. The Asus one is way to expensive for me: €750,- but the LG is looking like it could be a viable option.

In some reviews I've read, people with the LG panel had like 20 dead pixels and problems with connecting them. They also said the Dell Ultrasharp I mentioned in the original post was better. The LG costs €460 and the Dell costs €510 so the price difference is minimal.

Any thoughts on this or some other recommendations?

 

[XMorsX]

@XMorsX Thanks for your reply. I don't want to buy one of those Korean panels or from ebay because I've heard they have inferior quality and it will be harder to return one if something is wrong. The Asus one is way to expensive for me: €750,- but the LG is looking like it could be a viable option.

In some reviews I've read, people with the LG panel had like 20 dead pixels and problems with connecting them. They also said the Dell Ultrasharp I mentioned in the original post was better. The LG costs €460 and the Dell costs €510 so the price difference is minimal.

Any thoughts on this or some other recommendations?

The Korean monitors are not of inferior quality, but it is indeed harder to exchange them, although a good one year warranty (ultimate perfect pixel) can be bought from e-bay.

LG panels are too generic. Quality control issues are a problem for every manufacturer. Bear in mind though that all manufacturers use higher quality components on their more expensive monitors. This 500 euro LG will have superior quality than an 150 euro LG.

U2715H is a great monitor too, but it has the shortcomings I mentioned in the post above compared to LG 27MB85RB. Given that the LG is also a bit cheaper, I do not find a reason to prefer Dell. My biggest issue with the Dell is the frameless casing, which leads to this problem: https://www.flickr.com/photos/97364704@N08/15631381856/

Here are reviews of the monitors if you want to find out the differences by yourself.

LG: http://www.playwares.com/xe/index.php?mid=display_review&document_srl=45089719 (Korean)
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1811482
Dell: http://prohardver.hu/teszt/dell_u2715h_melto_regi_nagy_hirehez/bevezetes_kulso.html
http://www.prad.de/new/monitore/test/2015/test-dell-u2715h.html
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2715h.htm

 

[JustGetOwned]

XMorsX You're probably right. I just hope the LG won't arrive with any dead pixels or other issues. Thanks for the links.

 

[XMorsX]

XMorsX You're probably right. I just hope the LG won't arrive with any dead pixels or other issues. Thanks for the links.

Not only hope, make sure that your seller will provide a hassle-free exchange in case of quality control issues before buying the monitor. Serious backlight bleeding or ips glow for example are not infrequent problems, no matter the manufacturer.

 

[utgotye]

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=113&cp_id=11307&cs_id=1130703&p_id=9579&seq=1&format=2&AID=11064683&PID=4485850&ref=cj&utm_source=cj&utm_medium=11064683&utm_term=Slickdeals+LLC-1122587

Promocode JUNE10 to bring down to $200.

 

[XMorsX]

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=113&cp_id=11307&cs_id=1130703&p_id=9579&seq=1&format=2&AID=11064683&PID=4485850&ref=cj&utm_source=cj&utm_medium=11064683&utm_term=Slickdeals+LLC-1122587

Promocode JUNE10 to bring down to $200.

A fine monitor, in this price I cannot but admit that it is a bargain.
However, It uses edge-to-edge glass which is extremely reflective and ruins the perceived black depth. It is not suitable for games and movies, but it is great for reading.

EDIT: I may be false for all the above as far as this monitor is concerned. It seems that it is a re branded Korean monitor with terrible contrast.
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dgm_ips-2701wph.htm
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6286/nixeus-27-inch-ips-monitor-for-the-masses/2

 

[JustGetOwned]

How about the Asus PB278Q?

 

[XMorsX]

How about the Asus PB278Q?

It is PWM/Flicker Free, delay free unlike most of the multi-input 1440p monitors and is noticeably faster pixel response time wise (ghosts less), but it has slightly worse colour presets than the LG 27MB85R.

If it is significantly cheaper than the LG you can choose it over the LG, otherwise you should prefer the LG.

Take good care to be sure to buy the 2014 edition with AHVA panel. The older edition of PB278Q uses a PLS panel with PWM dimming, avoid it.

 

[JustGetOwned]

How about the Asus PB278Q?

It is PWM/Flicker Free, delay free unlike most of the multi-input 1440p monitors and is noticeably faster pixel response time wise (ghosts less), but it has slightly worse colour presets than the LG 27MB85R.

If it is significantly cheaper than the LG you can choose it over the LG, otherwise you should prefer the LG.

Take good care to be sure to buy the 2014 edition with AHVA panel. The older edition of PB278Q uses a PLS panel with PWM dimming, avoid it.

The LG turned out to cost 500 euros because the site that had it for 460 sold out. The Asus also costs around 500 euros so which one should I be getting? I am going to play lots of games on it like Battlefield 4 so is the less accurate colour reproduction on the Asus worth the response time?

 

[XMorsX]

How about the Asus PB278Q?

It is PWM/Flicker Free, delay free unlike most of the multi-input 1440p monitors and is noticeably faster pixel response time wise (ghosts less), but it has slightly worse colour presets than the LG 27MB85R.

If it is significantly cheaper than the LG you can choose it over the LG, otherwise you should prefer the LG.

Take good care to be sure to buy the 2014 edition with AHVA panel. The older edition of PB278Q uses a PLS panel with PWM dimming, avoid it.

The LG turned out to cost 500 euros because the site that had it for 460 sold out. The Asus also costs around 500 euros so which one should I be getting? I am going to play lots of games on it like Battlefield 4 so is the less accurate colour reproduction on the Asus worth the response time?

The LG has just as good response times. If they cost the same, take the LG.

 

[JustGetOwned]

There is also this Asus MG279q Which, now I come to think about it, you already mentioned in your first reply. It has 144hz refresh rate and freesync but will I get any benefit from it? I currently only have one r9 290x so will the higher refresh rate make any difference when I won't be able to reach that framerate?

 

[XMorsX]

There is also this Asus MG279q Which, now I come to think about it, you already mentioned in your first reply. It has 144hz refresh rate and freesync but will I get any benefit from it? I currently only have one r9 290x so will the higher refresh rate make any difference when I won't be able to reach that framerate?

Free-Sync works from 30-90fps.
290X can consistently stay between this limit, even on demanding titles.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/R9_Fury_X/24.html

Of course, you should not expect to max every graphical setting if you want to have 60 or more fps in such a high resolution, but as long as you are able to use Freesync, you will have a superior experience. I say it is worth the extra cost for gaming.

 

[JustGetOwned]

@XMorsX okay, thanks. There is still one question: does having a higher refresh rate than fps give you any advantage? So for example will someone playing at 60 fps on a 144hz monitor have a supperior experience to someone playing at 60 fps on a 60hz monitor?

 

[XMorsX]

@XMorsX okay, thanks. There is still one question: does having a higher refresh rate than fps give you any advantage? So for example will someone playing at 60 fps on a 144hz monitor have a supperior experience to someone playing at 60 fps on a 60hz monitor?

I am not certain. Some say that it has, yet again it is probably the Free-sync that makes the impression and not the higher refresh rate.