My "new" windforce 980 ti Xtreme is craving a new monitor.

[mrsemi]

I've got one of these Korean things. I almost bought this ASUS ROG SWIFT PG348Q 34" 3440x1440

Actually I did, then I chickened out and canceled the order. Then I ordered it again and used the wrong card with not enough $$$. It's almost a $1200.00 monitor, more than I've spent on a monitor by a decent amount.

Then I thought, wth am I doing buying this thing without consulting tpu?

Now I know my card's not a 1080 but is supposedly 23% faster than a stock 980ti out of the box. I thought the 3440 x 1440 would be enough of a bump to make things exciting and if you've read about that asus swift you probably wanted to give one a shot too.

Honestly though, I don't even play anything but Hawken for the time being. That dead mech shooter. Now if I had a new monitor admittedly I'd go exploring my steam library but I'm sure most would.

That said, what is your honest impression of the monitor. Complete waste? Wait till black Friday? 3 new cheap monitors that look way better than the old crap I've got ? Does Gsync even work on 3 monitor setups, I definitely want that on the next monitor.

The monitor based on my google searches that I found as an editors choice on another site was the ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q. It's about half the money, better money for shooters but it's a tn panel.

Are the tn panels way better than they used to be now because the asus units in my profile look like total garbage next to the Korean thing with the ips panel. I won't/don't use them any more except as backup and I might put a 2nd rig together for just for triple monitor racing.

Love your input folks. Haven't installed the new 980 or updated my specs but other than the card they're pretty up to date.

 

[newconroer]

Check list to enthusiast monitors :

1. Decide what monitor frequency you want to play at - 60, 96, 120, 144hz
2. Decide what native resolution you want
3. Confirm whether your current (or new) hardware build can sustain the above fps/hz 90% of the time

From there's a matter of looking for the best features in a monitor :

• Panel technology
• Resolution
• Format / ratio
• Variable refresh rates i.e. Gsync/Freesync
• Ergonomics

The problem with the market currently, is that no 30" or larger monitor that offers 1440p or 2160p resolution, variable refresh rate, 96hz or higher, running purely off DVI-D or HDMI and using an IPS or equivalent technology panel.

Here's the closest consumer grade to meet all the requirements :
https://www.asus.com/us/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-SWIFT-PG348Q/

First thing you notice if you wanted 4k, is that it's not. Reviews also show the panel isn't very good quality, the anti blur and 'blue' technology cannot be used simultaneously with Gsync, it needs display port to overclock and it's limited to 100hz. While 100hz is fine for most, though some argue if you are paying that much, 120hz should be minimum.

In short, they've had to jangle some things to make it worked and it's kinda hacked together.


It's a compromise wherever you look with trade offs being :

IPS for TN film
1440p/2160p for wide screen 1080p
DVI-D/hdmi for display port
30-34" for 27" or lower
96/120/144hz for 60hz



I'd forego 2160p as it's not noticeable over 1440p at sizes 5" It's wasted horsepower that could be used on higher framerates/hz. A general rule of thumb is that to achieve 4k native resolution, it takes about the same horsepower as achieving 96 or greater frame rate at 1440p resolution. And no, you are not going to run 4k and 96hz or higher with a single card - you may not even with multiple GPUs, it's just too demanding for modern programs.

If you are wondering about 3440x1440 ('1440'), it's about 30% more pixels than 2560x1440p and will have a noticeable performance loss. It's not an efficient middle man between 1440p and 2560p, especially at higher monitor hz rates.


Here's my recommendations(you can find similar branded products in this list, though they will always be more expensive https://www.monitornerds.com/best-gaming-monitor-for-you-144hz-1440p-gsync-freesync-4k//):

A) Score a cost effective Korean catleap style 27" 2560x1440 IPS monitor that can overclock to 120hz. Run it 96hz for modern games/Windows activities and 120hz for old school games. Your 980ti will be able to cope with a fair amount of current titles at 'high' graphics presets while achieving the 96fps bar.

B )Returning/selling the $1200 monitor and the 980ti card.

C) Get a 1080 alongside the 27" OC monitor.


Once you enjoy 96fps/hz at 1440p, you won't want to upgrade for a long time if it means compromising on any of the features discussed above.

Also consider that if you are going to VR with Oculus or VIVE at some point, you won't be needing a high end monitor if most of your games will be VR based.

 

[mrsemi]

Good Post Newconroer. Thanks! I noticed the monitor you mentioned is the same one I was going or tried to buy.
You also made a good point on "wtf do you need" in a monitor. I suppose if I were listing it (and seeings I was going to buy a 100 hz model this is contradicting)

120 hz.
2560 x 1440 min
ergonomics..... I can make it work, got an electric height adjustable work surface, that's not a worry.
at least a 27"
Curved, not necessary
Gsync I want/need
Now probably the main question I was hoping to have answered here is are the new high def tn panels pretty comparable to ips from direct view, I don't care about side view angles.

If I get enough definitive answers stating tn is greatly improved and comparable to ips at a direct user angle I'll probably go for that editor choice off the monitor nerd website. ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q

I want the candy...

Returning the 980 not an option as I bought it used here on tpu for $330 which I think is fair for double the ram and appx 40% more juice than my old 780 ti kingpin.

Again, thank you for any input

 

[newconroer]

TN is greatly improved, that's true - in comparison to previous TN.
It's nowhere near IPS or even VA. People who say otherwise are simply uninformed or flat out lying.

TN will exhibit light and color shift as their viewing angle issue affected both horizontal and vertical planes. Ever lean back in your chair to get more relaxed, how about sitting straight up for a while to stretch out your back, or maybe hunching towards the screen for a better view?
Well if nothing else, TN will assist you in getting the best posture you've ever had in your life.

IPS also brings about noticeable better color reproduction. It's not just for color matching for Adobe and transferring that to printed paperwork and art jobs. It additionally reduces that washed out effect you get with monitors - particularly TN.


I suggested you sell the 980, not return it.

Either way, from what you've listed above, there are monitors on the market for you and the PG279Q would be better.

 

[mrsemi]

I always get great feedback here, thanks. I was going to buy the one you suggested but newegg site has terrible reviews on backlight bleeding, might roll the dice anyway but the odds aren't looking good with 3 stars on 186 reviews.

Amazon has 4 stars on it but less than 60% on the 5 star rating, sounds like they've got some quality issues. Even the description warns backlight bleed is normal.

 

[newconroer]

I always get great feedback here, thanks. I was going to buy the one you suggested but newegg site has terrible reviews on backlight bleeding, might roll the dice anyway but the odds aren't looking good with 3 stars on 186 reviews.

Amazon has 4 stars on it but less than 60% on the 5 star rating, sounds like they've got some quality issues. Even the description warns backlight bleed is normal.

Backlight bleed is an issue across the board with 99% of modern LCD/LED monitors. The panel technology TN, VA, IPS etc, can dictate a small % to how much bleed exists. IPS has a history of bleeding more, particularly when the quality of the panel light positioning and the bezel fitting is done poorly. A good IPS has no more significantly noticeable bleed than a TN.

Unfortunately it can be luck of the draw (like stuck pixels).

This is why I suggested getting a Korean one and overclocking it yourself. You'll save money and in the event it's got some bleed, at least you have not paid more for a branded equivalent that ended up with the same problem.

Having said that, there are other branded monitors that do what the 279Q does.

 

[trog100]

TN is okay as long as you dont need wider viewing angles and accurate colour.. for gaming nether of these things are important.. mostly the user is sat directly in front of the screen and who knows or cares what colour a game should really be as long as it looks good..


trog

 

[Vicious2500]

I recently got an Asus PG279Q its fresh off the line a sep 2016 build. The panel has minimal BLB only a little in the lower right hand corner.

 

[Vayra86]

I've got one of these Korean things. I almost bought this ASUS ROG SWIFT PG348Q 34" 3440x1440

Actually I did, then I chickened out and canceled the order. Then I ordered it again and used the wrong card with not enough $$$. It's almost a $1200.00 monitor, more than I've spent on a monitor by a decent amount.

Then I thought, wth am I doing buying this thing without consulting tpu?

Now I know my card's not a 1080 but is supposedly 23% faster than a stock 980ti out of the box. I thought the 3440 x 1440 would be enough of a bump to make things exciting and if you've read about that asus swift you probably wanted to give one a shot too.

Honestly though, I don't even play anything but Hawken for the time being. That dead mech shooter. Now if I had a new monitor admittedly I'd go exploring my steam library but I'm sure most would.

That said, what is your honest impression of the monitor. Complete waste? Wait till black Friday? 3 new cheap monitors that look way better than the old crap I've got ? Does Gsync even work on 3 monitor setups, I definitely want that on the next monitor.

The monitor based on my google searches that I found as an editors choice on another site was the ASUS ROG Swift PG278Q. It's about half the money, better money for shooters but it's a tn panel.

Are the tn panels way better than they used to be now because the asus units in my profile look like total garbage next to the Korean thing with the ips panel. I won't/don't use them any more except as backup and I might put a 2nd rig together for just for triple monitor racing.

Love your input folks. Haven't installed the new 980 or updated my specs but other than the card they're pretty up to date.

Complete waste. Asus is very good at making heavily overpriced gear that almost every other company can make for 15-20% less. The premium you pay on Asus stands for absolutely nothing at all except some branding. ROG - Really Overpriced Gear.

The checklist from @newconroer is a really solid one, though I would strongly suggest you open up to a VA panel as well. I'm a very very happy user of an Eizo FG2421 which is 1080p, 120hz VA. The big bonus you get with VA is that it has the deepest blacks of any panel tech bar OLED (which does not even exist for monitors yet). Good VA panels are just as fast as IPS can possibly be, but they generally have more than twice the static contrast ratio. My panel has an exceptional (and rare) 5000:1 *static* contrast while IPS stops at 1000:1 best-case. And especially for gaming that is a huge bonus, high contrast makes colors pop so much more while maintaining perfectly neutral saturation. If I turn off the lights in my room and display 100% black, I need a status light to see my monitor is on. VA also generally has a much lower backlight bleed (to the point where there is none perceivable, of course every panel IS still different) and does not suffer from the white-ish IPS glow.

VA's only real issue is a slightly slower response time of G2G for darker tones and a very slight 'toneshift' when looking at an angle. Both of these things are easy to get used to and the toneshift is so mild that today I have trouble even noticing it.

VA on a curved monitor is by the way a match made in heaven, because the curve ensures you never look at an angle and consequently you never notice toneshift.

Oh and about TN and its 1ms versus IPS's 4ms + accurate colors + no contrast shift is a nobrainer. You buy TN to cheap out on a monitor, not to be 'more competitive' versus IPS monitor gamers. It's total bullshit - the latency on your internet connection is already more than five times the difference between 1 and 4ms.

 

[mrsemi]

Almost bought this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014487

Too much for 1080 but loved the wide screen.

The 348q I mentioned in my original post is cheaper on ebay now by close to $200 bucks, around 1000 now.

Then I found a new Korean thing with a VA panel by Samsung.
M340CLZ 34" WQHD 3440x1440 100HZ AMD FREE Sync Gaming Curved Monitor
problem is FREE sync but I don't think it'll matter I bought another windforce 980 ti Xtreme for sli at a decent price and as I always say, good to go for 2 to 3 more years.

 

[Recon-UK]

My PC has been craving beer... i swears im gonna smack it if it carries on.

 

[newconroer]

TN is okay as long as you dont need wider viewing angles and accurate colour.. for gaming nether of these things are important.. mostly the user is sat directly in front of the screen and who knows or cares what colour a game should really be as long as it looks good..


trog

People are overlooking (no pun) the vertical aspect. If you slouch, or sit up straight (something different from your normal position), you will notice saturation and light issues with TN, even on some of the best panels. Unless you're using your IPS monitor as a television (where people view sometimes from off to the side or sharp angles across a room), I never mention the horizontal angle when discussing them for computer gaming use as you say, it's not needed.

 

[Vayra86]

TN is okay as long as you dont need wider viewing angles and accurate colour.. for gaming nether of these things are important.. mostly the user is sat directly in front of the screen and who knows or cares what colour a game should really be as long as it looks good..


trog

Eh... I've seen top of the line TN's and even when in perfect position you can see contrast shift in the corners. The larger the panel, the more apparent it is. Then you change your viewing position just a hair and you're looking at everything that makes TN so shit. Not to mention the other things that TN lacks: solid static contrast (it can be worse than IPS in most cases), crappy accuracy (yes, this matters, good balance means you don't need to oversaturate colors to make the image 'pop') and a tendency to completely lose accuracy when you want to remove the blueish (or 'cool') color temp and go towards 6500 / 5000k. All these variations in accuracy make for much more strain when looking at the screen.

TN is just not okay, it's subpar technology and even the best panels suffer from its issues. It's the poor man's LCD and it always has been, no matter how much marketing 'Hz' they keep tossing on it. All TN has going for it, is pixel response, but IPS has come close enough, the difference between 1 and 4 ms is negligible.

I'm really sorry but paying a premium for a TN is just stupid in this day and age.

About that BenQ: 2560x1080 @ 35 inch is a pretty abysmal PPI, you'll be counting pixels if you're at a regular viewing distance and you'll be turning your head in most situations because of screen size.

 

[newconroer]

Agreed with Vayra about contrast and uniformity. The large patchiness of TN is aggravating.

And yes, 1080p wide screen over 30" have terrible PPI. If you're going 21:9, anything less than 3440x1440 is worthless

 

[trog100]

Eh... I've seen top of the line TN's and even when in perfect position you can see contrast shift in the corners. The larger the panel, the more apparent it is. Then you change your viewing position just a hair and you're looking at everything that makes TN so shit. Not to mention the other things that TN lacks: solid static contrast (it can be worse than IPS in most cases), crappy accuracy (yes, this matters, good balance means you don't need to oversaturate colors to make the image 'pop') and a tendency to completely lose accuracy when you want to remove the blueish (or 'cool') color temp and go towards 6500 / 5000k. All these variations in accuracy make for much more strain when looking at the screen.

TN is just not okay, it's subpar technology and even the best panels suffer from its issues. It's the poor man's LCD and it always has been, no matter how much marketing 'Hz' they keep tossing on it. All TN has going for it, is pixel response, but IPS has come close enough, the difference between 1 and 4 ms is negligible.

I'm really sorry but paying a premium for a TN is just stupid in this day and age.

About that BenQ: 2560x1080 @ 35 inch is a pretty abysmal PPI, you'll be counting pixels if you're at a regular viewing distance and you'll be turning your head in most situations because of screen size.

i was happy enough with my acer 144 hrz TN gaming panel except for two reasons.. i needed wider viewing angles for movie viewing and my large photo collection just did not look how i thought they should look..

this is just me but i doubt i am that unusual.. i still recon a TN is perfectly okay for gaming.. lets not forget they are pretty common and most (none purist) owners are happy with them..

trog

 

[newconroer]

i was happy enough with my acer 144 hrz TN gaming panel except for two reasons.. i needed wider viewing angles for movie viewing and my large photo collection just did not look how i thought they should look..

this is just me but i doubt i am that unusual.. i still recon a TN is perfectly okay for gaming.. lets not forget they are pretty common and most (none purist) owners are happy with them..

trog

I think the key is that for the price you pay on some of those monitors, that's a lot of money for reduced image quality.