Help me choose a new monitor

[Lorddarthvik]

As the title says, I'm looking for some advice on getting a new BUDGET 4K monitor. I've been out of the tech/hardware loop for quiet a while now so I don't know what's good or not.
I'm still in the 1080p world, and it's just not cutting it anymore, especially for work purposes it's just not enough (almost all of our projects are 4K+ now)
I'd use the monitor both for work and gaming, so above average colour accuracy and higher than 60hz is a must. 27-28" max cos I don't have the need or space for a larger one.
I've been running acer monitors for the past 6-10 years and had no issues with them, had samsungs before that which were also great, and I know from experience that non-highest-end LGs are utter trash sadly, but don't have experience with offerings from the likes of AOC or ASUS.

Here's a quick selection of whats available on the low end at my local store. Please remember that I'm not in the US, so advice that directs me to some retailers website won't help me at all.

From this lot, the only one I found on "Top Displays" lists was the Gigabyte M28U, and as I've been running PCs with GB stuff in em for well over a decade with no issues, I'm currently leaning in that direction.

 

[Cugino83]

Hmm...
first of all budget, 4K and colours accurate are not things that goes well together... pick two, all three is not in these word as far as I know...
Not very an expert to 4K monitor but for general quality I've a Lenovo monitor and is far from bad so I'll say to looks for a "ThinkVision 27" can't tell if that still fall into the "budget" category...

Also Samsung produce some good monitors, aside form the Odissey series (kinda of expensive), even the more budget solution like the Viewfinity have a really good colour accurate, but still on 60Hz.

 

[Vavrik]

Don't know what your price tolerance is, but I am partial to Samsung: either 27 or 28" Odyssey, and ASUS ROG Strix 27". I do not like Samsung TUF though, but that's just a personal preference. I've been using both brands for years.

BTW I currently use 2 Lenovo PC's (1 is a workstation for work, the other is full PC for games), I've had no issues. No experience with their monitors though I have thought about it.

 

[wmk]

Yo!
For me, display sync technology is a key decision factor. I use Nvidia GPUs, so my displays must fully support Nvidia G-Sync. I enjoy smooth gameplay even at lower refresh rates.

Gigabyte M28U doesn't even appear to be G-Sync Compatible -- if you have AMD GPU that's fine, as this display is AMD FreeSync certified. But if you're using RTX GPU, you'll need to choose a display that's certified as at least G-Sync Compatible or, ideally, G-Sync (full support).

I've only used MSI and Asus displays for the past 15 years, so from your list above, I'd recommend Asus ROG Strix XG27 or TUF Gaming VG27. Keep in mind that while both fully support AMD FreeSync, they’re only G-Sync Compatible (at least as far as I can tell).

 

[Lorddarthvik]

Hmm...
first of all budget, 4K and colours accurate are not things that goes well together... pick two, all three is not in these word as far as I know...
Not very an expert to 4K monitor but for general quality I've a Lenovo monitor and is far from bad so I'll say to looks for a "ThinkVision 27" can't tell if that still fall into the "budget" category...

Also Samsung produce some good monitors, aside form the Odissey series (kinda of expensive), even the more budget solution like the Viewfinity have a really good colour accurate, but still on 60Hz.

Yeah your right about choosing 2 out of 3... but as usual I want the impossible 3 out of 3 choice lol.

Don't know what your price tolerance is, but I am partial to Samsung: either 27 or 28" Odyssey, and ASUS ROG Strix 27". I do not like Samsung TUF though, but that's just a personal preference. I've been using both brands for years.

BTW I currently use 2 Lenovo PC's (1 is a workstation for work, the other is full PC for games), I've had no issues. No experience with their monitors though I have thought about it.

My price range is like, I dunno, up to 700usd if I must, But I'd rather stay near 500ish.

Lots of love for Samsungs, I'm okay with that, will look into it!

I used to have a Lenovo monitor, it was alright, I just forgot lol. I used to run a lenovo thinkpad with a real gpu in it for gaming a lot, it was pretty damn good, could run WoW and WoT and such. Screen was not great though, matt "glass" and very desaturated. I bet it would still start up just fine if I put a hdd in it...

Yo!
For me, display sync technology is a key decision factor. I use Nvidia GPUs, so my displays must fully support Nvidia G-Sync. I enjoy smooth gameplay even at lower refresh rates.

Gigabyte M28U doesn't even appear to be "G-Sync Compatible" -- if you have AMD GPU that's fine, as this display is AMD FreeSync certified. But if you're using RTX GPU, you'll need to choose a display that's certified as at least G-Sync Compatible or, ideally, G-Sync (full support).

I've only used MSI and Asus displays for the past 15 years, so from your list above, I'd recommend Asus ROG Strix XG27 or TUF Gaming VG27. Keep in mind that while both fully support AMD FreeSync, they’re only compatible with G-Sync (at least as far as I can tell).

Thanks for bringing this up, I forgot that this could be an issue still. My current gaming monitor (ACER Nitro VG240yp) only has freesnyc but works perfectly fine via displayport. As far as I know, you do not need to have a g-sync compatible monitor, But ymmv with freesync with RTX. So yeah, I'll try to keep that in mind.

Do any of you run stuff at 1440p on 2160p monitors? Are these monitors still capable of doing that okay or it looks terrible?
I only got a 3080 with 10th gen i7, so I'm fairly certain it won't handle 4K gaming unless it's properly optimized or older title.

 

[Lorddarthvik]

So I remembered I had access to German Amazon, my connection to the West with realistic prices and up-to-date stuff.
What do you guys think of this one?

 

[wmk]

It's slightly more expensive than the rest on your list, isn't it hhaha : ) yeah.. I've been there... "ok, my budget is xxx max; whoa... this one is pretty cool! wait... xxx+n?? -- oh @#$ it, you only live once" ; )

As for the downscaling from 4K to 1440p, I personally hate it. The image will be blurry no matter what. That's why I switched from 4K gaming display to 1440p. You need 4K for work though...

 

[Thalstan]

As the title says, I'm looking for some advice on getting a new BUDGET 4K monitor. I've been out of the tech/hardware loop for quiet a while now so I don't know what's good or not.
I'm still in the 1080p world, and it's just not cutting it anymore, especially for work purposes it's just not enough (almost all of our projects are 4K+ now)
I'd use the monitor both for work and gaming, so above average colour accuracy and higher than 60hz is a must. 27-28" max cos I don't have the need or space for a larger one.
I've been running acer monitors for the past 6-10 years and had no issues with them, had samsungs before that which were also great, and I know from experience that non-highest-end LGs are utter trash sadly, but don't have experience with offerings from the likes of AOC or ASUS.

Here's a quick selection of whats available on the low end at my local store. Please remember that I'm not in the US, so advice that directs me to some retailers website won't help me at all.

View attachment 26444




From this lot, the only one I found on "Top Displays" lists was the Gigabyte M28U, and as I've been running PCs with GB stuff in em for well over a decade with no issues, I'm currently leaning in that direction.

First off, 27 inch is just about right if you are looking at any multi-monitor setup. If you have a single monitor, you might consider (just consider) either a widescreen or a 32 inch monitor. However, I can certainly see going with a single 27 inch monitor.

That said, my go to monitor manufacturer is Samsung. They make solid monitors and when I need to buy a good replacement in a hurry, the Odyssey G7 has not let me down. I believe I have the G70D, but the other samsung listed looks like it is the updated version. If you can swing the extra money, I would go with the updated version.

I should note though, that for my gaming rig, I go with an 1440 monitor, not a 4k. Even though I run a pretty high end machine, I am much happier with a higher more consistent frame rate than a higher resolution.

 

[Lorddarthvik]

It's slightly more expensive than the rest on your list, isn't it hhaha : ) yeah.. I've been there... "ok, my budget is xxx max; whoa... this one is pretty cool! wait... xxx+n?? -- oh @#$ it, you only live once" ; )

As for the downscaling from 4K to 1440p, I personally hate it. The image will be blurry no matter what. That's why I switched from 4K gaming display to 1440p. You need 4K for work though...

yep that translates to 210.000,00 huf, or about 580 USD. So it is close enough to ASUS XG27 lol

Blurry is not fun. Isn't there a workaround? Dunno if possible, set the in-game rendering to 1440p but instead of letting the monitor upscale, set it up in nvidia panel to upscale with sharpening to 4K? I know it's a slight performance hit but still could look less blurry, in theory...

@Thalstan

Thanks for the input! I'm running 2 monitors, couldn't imagine living with only one anymore lol
I couldn't fit a regular 32 either way so it will be a 27.
I was thinking about going for a 1440p for gaming as I too prefer a smoother experience rather than more pixels, but I gotta have a decent enough 4K as well for work, and can't swing for a 2 monitors.

 

[Aramsolari]

So I remembered I had access to German Amazon, my connection to the West with realistic prices and up-to-date stuff.
What do you guys think of this one?

View attachment 26445

I have a AW34 series monitor (AW3418DW) and I can assure you it's quality. All the Alienware monitors are great!

 

[Mudhawk]

You might want to take a look at the LG UltraGear 27GR93U too while your at it.
It's got pretty the best non OLED 4k display out there.
And a shitty stand.
No problem though since it got a VESA mount and monitor arms rule.

Monitor arms liberate so much room on your desk you got to see it to believe it.
So get that display and either a wall or desk-mount and you are golden.

Actually I'd rather implore you to get a Desk- or Wallmount than any particular monitor I might advertise.
Because you spoke of a cramped enviroment.
Thanks to the wallmount I was able to place a 34" ultrawide monitor on a secretary desk that at best supported a 28".
It acts like a lid.
Push up, you got an empty desk (or would if I knew a thing about keeping my stuff in orderly)
Pull down you got a nice IT workplace.
Or cockpit.
Or a mix of the above.
Monitor high and reclining is great for watching Montoya's vids by the way...

 

[Deroth]

NOT the AOC brand, they are very shady.

I had one that was supposed to be their latest model with all the features I was looking for at a price that couldn't be beat, a couple months later it just up and died. After extensive runaround, they kept breaking it in different ways while losing things they insisted I had to send in with it to be RMA-ed, then trying to reject me sending it back in to repair it...again. All so they could suddenly discontinue it, claim they have no more in stock to replace it, and instead replace it with a much lesser model that they were now selling at the same price point but without most of the features I'd wanted in the first place (wouldn't refund due to how much time they'd wasted with all the RMAs.)

 

[Lorddarthvik]

Thanks for all your inputs!

Never had anything alienware as they are not really sold locally, even if they are, overpriced older models only. Thus my turn to Amazons selection...

I've been considering a wall mount but my space is both horizontally and vertically challenged and I wouldn't really benefit much from it. I might still do it though just to make it easier to have 2 screens together, and closer to me without the stands messing with the deskmat...

I'll consider the LG depending on my exact budgetary constraints which are still in flux, although I only had horrible experiences with LG screens so far, and so did my friends.

so AOC is a big no-no. Got it, thanks!

 

[Mich Angel]

If you require perfect colors and color correctness there is only two brand I know of as a Photographer that really stand out in being accurate in color..
Samsung and MSI MAG monitors both have perfect correct black and color calibrated from factory. (a bit more expensive but worth it )
Which make them a bit over the midrange price to higher priced but for graphic work it is well worth it as this also tend to be a benefit in gaming to. .
And if there ever should be a reason or need to color calibrate they are very easy to color calibrate,
( example my latest 40" 155Hz MSI MAG screen have pre calibrated color setting for sRGB, AdobeRGB, CMYK etc. . .
Make it very easy to choose monitor color setup for specific graphic application setting..)
So if you do work in and around graphic areas check out any monitors color alternative in tech description to find the one that suit your need..
If it can handle high Hz low response time and correct colors it automatically works great with games...
( color correctness is usually displayed in techspec with amount of % accuracy not always shown but manufacture can give that info if it is not avail in techspec )

CHEERS!

 

[Mudhawk]

I've been considering a wall mount but my space is both horizontally and vertically challenged and I wouldn't really benefit much from it.

Fear not my dear brother in constricted spaces!
Even with not too much leeway monitor arms are a joy for one simple reason.
You push the display heavenwards or sideways (varies per model) and you are instantly able to reach anything hidden behind it.
Wether it is aditional storage space for seldom needed items behind the monitor, sneakily hidden reserves of singlemalt or that handgrenade that slipped your fingers and rolled past your keyboard.
Everything is in reach with a single push!
Honestly, I didn't realize how much those stupid feet of my old display cut away from the useable space in front of my fingers.
Makes a LOT of difference especially if you gotta work with 80cm * 50cm