27 - IPS - 4K - GSync

Fabrian

n00b
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
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21
It has been a long time since my last serious monitor purchase and am looking for some help.

What I’m looking for is 27”, 4K, IPS (and maybe gsync). I haven’t played games in a freakin long time but would like to get back into it a bit.

Aside the typical browser and email, I’m primarily working in Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One and some other phot related apps. A wide gamut (at least full sRGB) and consistent, reliable color is most important (profiled with my Color Munki), but I do want to play a game now and then. What I don’t know is whether or not it’s worth using gsync with what will likely be a 60Hz panel.

I’ll be using a 1080ti. I realize AMD works with Freesync and Nvida is Gsync, but can you, compatibility wise, use a Freesync monitor with an Nvidia graphics card? I mean, will it work at-all?

Are most brands still using LG panels like they were 10 years ago? Hey, I said it’s been a while

Thanks !
 
The only 4k gsync monitors (I think acer, aoc, asus?) are quite old and only have hdmi up to 1.4 so no 4k 60 over hdmi (so not future proofed for next gen consoles). PC is displayport
 
It has been a long time since my last serious monitor purchase and am looking for some help.

What I’m looking for is 27”, 4K, IPS (and maybe gsync). I haven’t played games in a freakin long time but would like to get back into it a bit.

Aside the typical browser and email, I’m primarily working in Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One and some other phot related apps. A wide gamut (at least full sRGB) and consistent, reliable color is most important (profiled with my Color Munki), but I do want to play a game now and then. What I don’t know is whether or not it’s worth using gsync with what will likely be a 60Hz panel.

I’ll be using a 1080ti. I realize AMD works with Freesync and Nvida is Gsync, but can you, compatibility wise, use a Freesync monitor with an Nvidia graphics card? I mean, will it work at-all?

Are most brands still using LG panels like they were 10 years ago? Hey, I said it’s been a while

Thanks !

To help us out a little more, what's your budget? Will this be a companion to, or a replacement for the monitor you're currently doing your color critical work on? What kind of games will you be playing?
 
To help us out a little more, what's your budget? Will this be a companion to, or a replacement for the monitor you're currently doing your color critical work on? What kind of games will you be playing?
Sure. I'd like to stay under $800. I'm not carrying any monitors over, so at this time it will be the only monitor. I may have to down the road a bit, but for now, just the one. As far as which games.. I'm not sure yet other than I'm going to be reintroducing myself back to them. In the past it was always first person shooters.

So, HDMI 1.4 is limited to 30Hz at 4k, right? And current 4k gsync monitors are all 1.4? wth is going on out there?
 
Sure. I'd like to stay under $800. I'm not carrying any monitors over, so at this time it will be the only monitor. I may have to down the road a bit, but for now, just the one. As far as which games.. I'm not sure yet other than I'm going to be reintroducing myself back to them. In the past it was always first person shooters.

So, HDMI 1.4 is limited to 30Hz at 4k, right? And current 4k gsync monitors are all 1.4? wth is going on out there?

Yes, you would be limited to 30Hz over HDMI (v1.4), but 60Hz over DP (v1.2 and above). As it is, Displayport is the way to go for PC monitors.

Based on your needs, I'd check out the ASUS PG27AQ. It's a 4K, IPS, 10 bit / 1.07B colors (so full sRGB), G-Sync, and with a 4ms response time - good enough for FPS games. This was ASUS' flagship before it was supplanted by the new PG27UQ a couple months ago.

A quick check shows it's selling for around $830-850 new right now on major retail sites.

https://www.asus.com/us/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-SWIFT-PG27AQ/
 
I had one of these 60Hz IPS 4K Gsync monitors for a while. It was the AOC AG271UG. It was a pretty decent monitor and was great for 4K60 gaming, when the GPU couldn't quite handle 60fps the Gsync made dips down to ~45 or so almost unnoticeable.

I got it for less than $500 in January from Microcenter. I don't think they're still in production, though?

As others said, the HDMI port was limited to 4K30 which was the reason I got rid of it, as I have 2 systems connected to my monitor.
 
Yes, you would be limited to 30Hz over HDMI (v1.4), but 60Hz over DP (v1.2 and above). As it is, Displayport is the way to go for PC monitors.

Based on your needs, I'd check out the ASUS PG27AQ. It's a 4K, IPS, 10 bit / 1.07B colors (so full sRGB), G-Sync, and with a 4ms response time - good enough for FPS games. This was ASUS' flagship before it was supplanted by the new PG27UQ a couple months ago.

A quick check shows it's selling for around $830-850 new right now on major retail sites.

https://www.asus.com/us/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-SWIFT-PG27AQ/
Thanks for that. I was actually looking at that monitor a few days ago on newegg as I was ordering parts for my new build. It was seeming like a good choice until I read the reviews. It seems as though there are a few issues related to QC. These days every company seems to have taken a dive in the QC department, whether before they leave the factory or as a direct result of currier handling. Either way, the bad reviews seem excessive to me, especially for Asus.

In terms of gsync at 60hz, are you guys seeing a real value of using gsync at 60hz or can gsync be foregone at 60hz? I'm trying to decide whether or not i even need gsync. There's so many more 27" 4k IPS out there without gsync.

Thoughts?
 
Thanks for that. I was actually looking at that monitor a few days ago on newegg as I was ordering parts for my new build. It was seeming like a good choice until I read the reviews. It seems as though there are a few issues related to QC. These days every company seems to have taken a dive in the QC department, whether before they leave the factory or as a direct result of currier handling. Either way, the bad reviews seem excessive to me, especially for Asus.

In terms of gsync at 60hz, are you guys seeing a real value of using gsync at 60hz or can gsync be foregone at 60hz? I'm trying to decide whether or not i even need gsync. There's so many more 27" 4k IPS out there without gsync.

Thoughts?

It's not so much about Hz as it is about resolution, and your 1080 Ti. G-Sync really shines when it's paired with high Hz (IMO), so for things like 1440p it makes for a glorious experience: G-sync + high Hz while gaming, and high Hz while on the desktop. But at 4K it's a struggle to even get to 60fps in games (YMMV). While G-Sync does smooth out low fps gaming, you're getting a sub par experience from the get-go.

It's just the reality of where 4K performance is at right now. If you were going with 1440p, I'd say yes, absolutely go for a G-Sync monitor. But since TN monitors are off the table with what you do, that leaves 60Hz 4K IPS and VA options with G-Sync. That's a very small handful of options, to be sure.

If you put G-Sync aside, then that opens up your options considerably. Foregoing G-Sync might be the better route -- and saving that $200 G-Sync premium -- to put that money toward a nicer WCG monitor. There's lots of good 4K/WCG/HDR options from LG, Dell, Samsung and BenQ. Those are the brands I would look at if you leave out G-Sync.
 
It's not so much about Hz as it is about resolution, and your 1080 Ti. G-Sync really shines when it's paired with high Hz (IMO), so for things like 1440p it makes for a glorious experience: G-sync + high Hz while gaming, and high Hz while on the desktop. But at 4K it's a struggle to even get to 60fps in games (YMMV). While G-Sync does smooth out low fps gaming, you're getting a sub par experience from the get-go.

It's just the reality of where 4K performance is at right now. If you were going with 1440p, I'd say yes, absolutely go for a G-Sync monitor. But since TN monitors are off the table with what you do, that leaves 60Hz 4K IPS and VA options with G-Sync. That's a very small handful of options, to be sure.

If you put G-Sync aside, then that opens up your options considerably. Foregoing G-Sync might be the better route -- and saving that $200 G-Sync premium -- to put that money toward a nicer WCG monitor. There's lots of good 4K/WCG/HDR options from LG, Dell, Samsung and BenQ. Those are the brands I would look at if you leave out G-Sync.
Gotcha, thanks!

If I skip gsync this time around, what then would be the best (in terms of quality and accuracy) 27” 4K IPS Monitor? What models are people most highly praising today?

I’m just looking for user experience here. I’ve looked at tons of data and reviews and have a few in mind, but I trust you guys here more that reviews elsewhere.
 
After days or research I bought the
Acer Predator XB271HK, 4K, GSYNC, IPS, 10 bit, great color accuracy, great response time and input lag.

IMHO today you can't buy a better 4K monitor for gaming if not going on the stupidly expensive 4K 144Hz.

8Oc_ARYT7f9T_dMTvggVm_Q-005sN_6URIScELeKy6mVqZxm6xorV07H83HsTP6XI3KygEBORU5O1o3dLE=w1100-h825-no.gif


my colorimeter confirm :)
 
Cool. I have to say, the more I look and review what's out there now, the more I started looking at 32" 4K IPS. I keep going back to the BenQ PD3200U. After looking at 27" for so long and checking some models out at the stores, I'm beginning to feel like 32" is the right size. Seven years ago 27" seemed huge, but now 27" today feels like 24" of years ago. Can any of you speak for this monitor?
 
Cool. I have to say, the more I look and review what's out there now, the more I started looking at 32" 4K IPS. I keep going back to the BenQ PD3200U. After looking at 27" for so long and checking some models out at the stores, I'm beginning to feel like 32" is the right size. Seven years ago 27" seemed huge, but now 27" today feels like 24" of years ago. Can any of you speak for this monitor?

I feel that 27 is the right spot for me, thanks to this size and the high pixel density you can avoid using antialiasing and Image is Sharp and clear as no others.
32 is cool either there is XB321HK if you want that size
 
I feel that 27 is the right spot for me, thanks to this size and the high pixel density you can avoid using antialiasing and Image is Sharp and clear as no others.
32 is cool either there is XB321HK if you want that size

The sweet spot for resolution and sharpness.. that's what I've been trying to nail down. Not being able to see pixels on the text level is what I'm after. There is definitely a point of diminishing returns as you go bigger than 27". I suppose, just like everything else, we just need to choose the lesser of the evils and compromise somewhere. My concern with the Predator series is two things: 1. I absolutely dislike the Predator branding - the big red feet and the bezel badge. 2. Of all the monitor reviews I've read, the worst have been for the Predator line. I can't speak to the validity of those negative reviews, but they are there none the less. The Microcenter near me has the 32" Predator on sale for $899. Damn cheap here.
 
The sweet spot for resolution and sharpness.. that's what I've been trying to nail down. Not being able to see pixels on the text level is what I'm after. There is definitely a point of diminishing returns as you go bigger than 27". I suppose, just like everything else, we just need to choose the lesser of the evils and compromise somewhere. My concern with the Predator series is two things: 1. I absolutely dislike the Predator branding - the big red feet and the bezel badge. 2. Of all the monitor reviews I've read, the worst have been for the Predator line. I can't speak to the validity of those negative reviews, but they are there none the less. The Microcenter near me has the 32" Predator on sale for $899. Damn cheap here.

I don't know what reviews are talking about but all the regisiw iread about my Predator xb271hk was finished with flying colours.
4k predators are the top of the line
 
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