Monitor for gaming 1080p or 1440p ?

[Wind Rider]

Hello, cant decide what monitor i should get for gaming?
This is my rig https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Pp2W8K
Its the time for new monitor and cant decide should i buy 1440p or 1080p... Really dont understand anything about monitors... Playng fps and non fps games.

 

[raisonjohn]

With a GTX 1070, you'd have the choice of going for a 1440p monitor, expect about ~60fps (frames per second) or less in Ultra gaming *OR* a 1080p monitor, expect about ~120fps (frames per second) or less in Ultra gaming.

You can achieve a smooth fps of those values only if your monitor is capable of displaying such frames (i.e., monitor's refresh rate). So, a 60Hz monitor can do 60fps without screen tearing, while a 120Hz monitor can do 120fps without screen tearing.

Having said that, FPS (first-person shooters) games and other fast-paced non-FPS games benefit from monitors with a higher refresh rate (smoother gameplay). Non-FPS strategy and slower turn-basis/city-building games may benefit from monitors having a higher resolution (larger screen real estate) rather than faster refresh rates (since the game is slow).

Size of the monitor also comes into consideration: a 1080p sweet spot is about 23" to 24", 1440p sweet spot is 27". If you want a 1080p that is 27", you'd have to position your monitor about more than 30" away from your eyesight to improve visual acquity/pixel density.

With your rig, I'd probably get a 1080p, 120Hz++ monitor with G-Sync (if the budget permits). The monitor's G-Sync technology is intended for powerful Nvidia GPUs where the monitor's refresh rate synchronizes with the graphics display rendering output of your video card creating a smoother gameplay at variable refresh rates and eliminating screen tearing.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Monitor: Asus ROG SWIFT PG248Q 24.0" 1920x1080 180Hz Monitor ($379.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $379.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-24 01:08 EDT-0400

 

[Wind Rider]

Thanks for the answer, this one asus monitor was already number 1 in shop cart. Im just a little lost, peoples sayng 1080p its an old story in all ways... Like the gsyns monitors have TN panel and have bad visual comparing to 1440p, but still as i know 1070 does not outmax 1440p and can outmax 1080 so i quess ill stay with first option to 1080p g sync. Thank you for you time.

 

[Wind Rider]

What if i buy 1080p 160-180Hz without g-sync? Is this tearing effect only when fps is more than monitors Hz ???

 

[raisonjohn]

What if i buy 1080p 160-180Hz without g-sync? Is this tearing effect only when fps is more than monitors Hz ???

It will largely depend on the game you play, your in-game graphics settings, and the actual fps you get.

The main advantage of G-Sync is it forces the monitor (not the GPU) to synchronize with the GPU's rendered frames per second. So, if you are playing a certain game on a certain graphic setting on a 180Hz G-Sync monitor and your GPU is rendering 100 fps, then, your monitor will also adjust its refresh rate to 100Hz for smooth gameplay.

In the case of a non-G-Sync monitor with a higher refresh rate, the monitor will not synchronize with your GPU's render output. The monitor will stay at the same refresh rate as it is rated while your GPU will render variable fps all through out the game. So, with the same example above using a non-G-Sync monitor with a, say, 180Hz rated rate, and your GPU is rendering 100 fps, then, your monitor will be refreshing at a higher rate than what the GPU can render (100 fps at 180Hz rate) -- not a smoother gameplay (due to input lag) than if synchronized.

If budget is a concern, getting a monitor with a faster refresh rate (like 120Hz++) without G-Sync is still better than getting a 60Hz monitor - which, on a 60Hz monitor, screen tearing is more prevalent due to lower refresh rate. In which case, you would need to enable V-Sync - which forces the GPU (not the monitor) to 60 fps to coincide with the 60Hz th monitor can display.

 

[Wind Rider]

Verry clear answer, now i understand. Thank you!