120hz or 1440p @ 27" gaming monitor? For someone who can't see them in real life

[TheMighty]

Bump because I'm still looking for a GPU setup that will take full advantage of a 120hz monitor.

My Budget is about 500-600 give or take for the GPU setup.

I'm probably going to pick up the Asus VG248QE monitor because I'd also like to try/take advantage of lightboost technology. If anyone has better suggestions on better monitors that have better picture quality/color reproduction for a TN panel they are very welcome.

 

[bystander36]

I'd look at GTX 780's at that budget. You could consider 770 SLI too, but the vram restriction could bite you soon. This leaves you with the ability to get G-sync in a couple months.

 

[TheMighty]

So a single 780 with the highest vram would be my best bet?

Because I have a 570 atm, so how much of a performance gain might I notice? I'd like to be able to run games at max graphics settings very smoothly getting as close to the 120/144 refresh as possible

 

[bystander36]

So a single 780 with the highest vram would be my best bet?

Because I have a 570 atm, so how much of a performance gain might I notice? I'd like to be able to run games at max graphics settings very smoothly getting as close to the 120/144 refresh as possible

A 780 has 3gb of vram. You won't be able to max out newer games and get 120 FPS, but you can lower some settings and get close at times. Though some games, like Crysis 3, just won't be able to due to CPU restrictions.

People who play at 100-144 FPS, don't play at max settings all the time. I certainly don't. I have to compromise a bit, but I find it worth it.

Once G-sync is made available, you might not care nearly as much, as you can play with no tearing, no latency or stutter when you aren't at your monitors max refresh rate.

 

[Teizo]

If you are getting a 780 and not going to get an IPS monitor, I'd suggest waiting and getting a G-Sync monitor, or getting that ASUS monitor and have someone put that G-Sync module in it. G-Sync will be coming to IPS monitors, but I don't think they will right away.

http://www.geforce.com/whats-new/ar...evolutionary-ultra-smooth-stutter-free-gaming

 

[bystander36]

If you are getting a 780 and not going to get an IPS monitor, I'd suggest waiting and getting a G-Sync monitor, or getting that ASUS monitor and have someone put that G-Sync module in it. G-Sync will be coming to IPS monitors, but I don't think they will right away.

http://www.geforce.com/whats-new/ar...evolutionary-ultra-smooth-stutter-free-gaming

The monitor he picked will have a G-sync upgrade kit. The possibility of an IPS G-sync monitor won't be until the end of next year.

 

[TheMighty]

Well would a single 780 be my best bet? Or something else? I hear people say there's issues with dual cards but I'm not too familiar with it.

When do G-Sync monitors come out?

And if I do get the ASUS now, how much will the upgrade kit cost me?

 

[bystander36]

Well would a single 780 be my best bet? Or something else? I hear people say there's issues with dual cards but I'm not too familiar with it.

When do G-Sync monitors come out?

And if I do get the ASUS now, how much will the upgrade kit cost me?

I find SLI to be good, but it is not perfect. There is some added variance in frame times, but SLI is better than a single card in most cases, only because of the added FPS.

The problem is, at your budget, a 760/770 SLI or a single 780 are your options. The SLI option limits you to 2Gb, which may be all you need now, but BF4 is showing you may want more. If more games follow BF4, you may regret 2Gb cards. The 780 will have lower FPS, but more consistent FPS, and you'll use less power and get less heat and noise.

A single 780 won't play high end games at 120 FPS, however.

And if you aren't familiar with G-sync, that I mentioned before, here is an introduction: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/64586-week-nvidias-g-sync-monitor.html

 

[Aithos]

I would get a single EVGA GTX 780 classified, they are $550 and are easily one of the best cards for overclocking. You'll get well over 100fps with reasonable settings on any game you can pick. Just because you don't max out Crysis 3 doesn't mean you need an SLI setup. 1080p is easy for these cards, it's only when you get into higher resolutions that you have issues.

Also, G-Sync is completely worthless if you can consistently run 120 frames, it's meant to be for people who consistently get under 60fps. I would look at either:

1) BenQ XL2420TE
2) Asus VG248QE

The BenQ supposedly has nicer pictures and no PWM flicker, so if your eyes are sensitive you might be better off with that one. Otherwise the Asus is a very high quality monitor too. Run Lightboost @ 10% and you won't have any motion blur.

Overlord, QNIX/XSTAR and Yamasaki all have 1440p models that overclock but you have to run in 1440p (no scaler) so unless you go with SLI 780 or better your framerates will suffer a bit. I have an XSTAR myself running at 110hz with no scanlines, but I'm running two very powerful GPUs.

 

[Teizo]

Well would a single 780 be my best bet? Or something else? I hear people say there's issues with dual cards but I'm not too familiar with it.

When do G-Sync monitors come out?

And if I do get the ASUS now, how much will the upgrade kit cost me?

Most will say a single card is better because overall power and heat will be less with a single card set up than a dual card set up. Also, with the 780 you will get 3GB of memory.

I have 760 in SLI and my performance is great. No issues at all, but my top card does take a beating when it comes to load temps, but they are still well within spec at 80-85C overclocked to 1280/7200. At 1080p the 2GB of memory is fine, though in BF4 I am using up to 1.9GB of RAM...averaging around 1.75-1.8GB.

 

[bystander36]

I would get a single EVGA GTX 780 classified, they are $550 and are easily one of the best cards for overclocking. You'll get well over 100fps with reasonable settings on any game you can pick. Just because you don't max out Crysis 3 doesn't mean you need an SLI setup. 1080p is easy for these cards, it's only when you get into higher resolutions that you have issues.

Also, G-Sync is completely worthless if you can consistently run 120 frames, it's meant to be for people who consistently get under 60fps. I would look at either:

1) BenQ XL2420TE
2) Asus VG248QE

The BenQ supposedly has nicer pictures and no PWM flicker, so if your eyes are sensitive you might be better off with that one. Otherwise the Asus is a very high quality monitor too. Run Lightboost @ 10% and you won't have any motion blur.

Overlord, QNIX/XSTAR and Yamasaki all have 1440p models that overclock but you have to run in 1440p (no scaler) so unless you go with SLI 780 or better your framerates will suffer a bit. I have an XSTAR myself running at 110hz with no scanlines, but I'm running two very powerful GPUs.

With G-sync, you don't have to have 120 FPS all the time, which is quite impossible in a number of games due to CPU requirements. G-sync will keep everything as smooth as the game allows. It also makes it so you don't have to compromise on visual settings to get to 120 FPS when it is possible.

While a lot of games may allow for 120 FPS, most my games won't, at least not all the time. This is coming from someone with 680 SLI. I only play a couple games that allow me to get to 120 FPS most the time. Not to mention that 110 FPS with G-sync will have about 7-8ms less latency than 120 FPS with v-sync due to DirectX mechanics.

 

[wand3r3r]

The thing with 120Hz is that despite the hype, if you don't maintain high FPS it's worthless to me. I had a 120Hz screen for a while but couldn't maintain high enough FPS so I got rid of it. In hindsight I could have dropped the settings and gave it a better chance, but I just wasn't very impressed with the little I saw. I loved the 3D, although it was a bit primitive and I had to drop the settings too low for it so it was like pixellated 3D.

I plan to return to it sometime but just wanted to give my experience since a lot of people hype it up a lot.

It may be similar to an SSD. The effects weren't as black and white until you try return to the inferior (HDD in this case) technology. After using an SSD for several years everytime I use a normal HDD it feels like a slow PC (even with high end parts).

 

[hans030390]

A GTX 780 (especially OCed) is a great match for 1440p, 120Hz.

 

[TheMighty]

The thing with 120Hz is that despite the hype, if you don't maintain high FPS it's worthless to me. I had a 120Hz screen for a while but couldn't maintain high enough FPS so I got rid of it. In hindsight I could have dropped the settings and gave it a better chance, but I just wasn't very impressed with the little I saw. I loved the 3D, although it was a bit primitive and I had to drop the settings too low for it so it was like pixellated 3D.

I plan to return to it sometime but just wanted to give my experience since a lot of people hype it up a lot.

It may be similar to an SSD. The effects weren't as black and white until you try return to the inferior (HDD in this case) technology. After using an SSD for several years everytime I use a normal HDD it feels like a slow PC (even with high end parts).

Well I think my biggest dilemma here is that I can't really see either monitor type in real life so I can decide on my preference. I'd like to if I could but Best Buy, Tiger Direct, and even Microcenter by me do not have both monitor types on display.

So I really only have the option of taking the plunge into one type or the other and seeing what happens...which is rather unfortunate

 

[BrightCandle]

tftcentral.co.uk. Go read some reviews, monitors like the Dell U2413 are a good example of an IPS screen. Compare it to something like the Benq XL2420T. They have a lot of pictures showing what the various effects look like and some of the tests like the blur UFO test you can run on your current monitor. You are frozen by potential future regret of purchase but the reality is you won't go wrong with either monitor. I wish we could have both capabilities in the same monitor and that were not forced to choose but you do have to choose.

 

[provost]

I have a Dell U27 which I have paired up with 690 and it is pretty good. I also have Asus VG278H in surround with Titans, and like the fps.

If you are going to be going with a sub $500 gpu, I would recommend getting one of the reasonably priced 1440ps out there. You may have to tweak these more than more expensive 1440 p monitors, but you will get there eventually. To have high fps and all eye candy turned up on a 120hz with max AA, and max fps of 120, even on a single monitor , you are going to need to at least sli or cfx to get there which will put it beyond your budget. With a 1440p, you can keep AA at low settings because it already has a pretty good resolution, and you can still drive one 1440p with a decent Nvidia or AMD card, even if you pick one up in resale market instead of new.

 

[TheMighty]

How would my plan of action change if I was to get a 780/780ti now and pick another up later?

The way I look at it is I have several options.

For the GPU:

1. Buy a very powerful single card now and SLI/CF a month or so now.

2. Buy a strong set up right now like a 770 SLI or a 280x CF

And then for the Monitor:

1. Buy a 120hz+ best quality now like ones recommended

2. Buy the Asus now and upgrade to G-sync later.

3. Wait a month or so altogether and get a G-sync monitor then.

4. Or scrap the 120hz all together and then find an IPS

I feel like my best bet would be to buy a 780/780ti now and buy the Asus and then when G-sync comes out I get another 780 and upgrade to the G-sync module

 

[BrightCandle]

(3) I think is unlikely, I somnt think they will be available other than the Asus.

Personally I think either GPU situation is fine, obviously (1) is more expensive and marginally faster depending on the resolution.

I think the most cost effective choice is:
(2) -> (2) or (3)
(1) -> (4)

Because the higher end cards don't gain much at 1080p but SLI really does. But as the resolution goes up the higher end card VRAM and memory band with pays off.

 

[Skott]

A GTX 780 (especially OCed) is a great match for 1440p, 120Hz.

Yeah, for 1440p I woudn't use less than a GTX780 as far as nVidia goes.

 

[bystander36]

Due to G-sync being part of the equation, you won't want CF, unless you skip G-sync. You'll have to stick with Nvidia for G-sync.

 

[TheMighty]

Do you think the 780 ti is worth the premium on it?

 

[TheMighty]

Due to G-sync being part of the equation, you won't want CF, unless you skip G-sync. You'll have to stick with Nvidia for G-sync.

Do you think G-Sync is worth it even if you have the GPU power under the hood? I think someone earlier said that its not if you have a strong setup?

 

[bystander36]

Do you think G-Sync is worth it even if you have the GPU power under the hood? I think someone earlier said that its not if you have a strong setup?

There are a lot of AMD fans on the site, there are going to be a few that are strongly against anything related to Nvidia. There are a few Nvidia fans too.

However, G-sync, based on all the reviews I've seen out there, is a huge breakthrough in technology. Even if it is simple, it is a huge boon, especially if you plan to go with a 120hz monitor. Those with 60hz monitors may feel they will be at their max refresh rate most the time.

Read about it from trusted, professional reviewers, who have actually used them (not someone just guessing).
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/64586-week-nvidias-g-sync-monitor.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/g-sync-v-sync-monitor,3699.html

To answer your question:
Based on everything said from those who have actually seen these things in action, and based on my strong desire for smooth, low latency gaming, I will definitely be getting one of these for my next monitor. Though I might have to wait.

 

[TheMighty]

First off, thank you for all your help bystander, you've contributed a lot and I really appreciate your patience with my questions. And just as much thanks to everyone else for their patience too.

Second, I think my plan is going to be I buy a gtx 780 now and get the Asus that is upgradable to g-sync. Then when g-sync comes out ill upgrade my monitor with the g-sync module when it is available. And between those two purchases ill pick up another 780 with some extra money saved up.

What do you think of the plan? And do you think i should get a regular 780 or a 780 ti?

 

[bystander36]

That sounds like a good plan to me. I'm not sure on the 780 vs TI choice. It really comes down to budget. I think most would say just get the 780 and OC it.