1440p G-Sync ... Is the XB271HU The Best Option?

[ControlD]

I am thinking about upgrading my monitor. I currently am using a Dell P2414 but I would like to get something a little bit bigger and with a better resolution for non-gaming applications as well. I am sort of stuck with using G-Sync because I am primarily a Linux user and would rather not have to use AMD drivers. My current video card is an Asus 970 which I believe should be able to run the types of games I usually play (RPG primarily, some FPS) perhaps with the settings bumped down a notch.

From what I can tell, the Acer XB271HU looks to be about the best option right now. Am I missing any other decent options around this size and resolution? Going full 4k isn't all that appelaing to me simply because I would rather not have to turn around and get a $500 GPU to drive it at the same time.

Part of me thinks I should just go for a decent 1440p monitor without the insane G-Sync tax on it, but it seems like something I might regret down the road.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Your options are pretty much the XB271HU (IPS), or the ASUS ROG PG278Q (TN) or PG279Q (IPS).

All 3 are in the same bracket for price/features, and vaguely the same price, give or take a hundred.

When I was looking, I went for the XB271HU, due to (at the time) lower price, and better reviews from a reliability/production standpoint. I didn't want to be mucking about with sending stuff back for RMAs. I've been incredibly happy with mine, and I'm glad I went for the gsync (gtx970, so I suffer from framerate hitches occasionally).

 

[ControlD]

Thanks for the reply. From what I have seen, people have generally been happier with the Acer when it comes to BLB issues so that right now is my top choice. Hopefully there will be some holiday deals coming around.

 

[Dranoche]

Did you pick up anything over Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Another option is the Viewsonic XG2703-GS, which is also an IPS panel, and seems to be selling for a little less.

I've been looking as well lately, and unfortunately cannot find much review info on the XB271HU or the Viewsonic, and none with side-by-side performance metrics comparing to the XB270HU or PG279Q. TFT Central and Tom's Hardware include the XB270HU in their reviews of the PG279Q. I need to look into the Freesync versions of each, may be be able to find some more info there for comparison.

There does appear to be potential for significant BLB and uniformity issues with all of these monitors, with plenty of pictures to demonstrate on the Asus and Acer monitors. I sometimes wonder how high the backlight settings are in those pictures, and the cameras are no doubt automatically overexposing to some extent, but ultimately it shouldn't be happening to this extent at these price points. Dead pixels also seem to be a regular occurrence, and there was a period where many panels seemed to have dust or debris embedded in them. Plenty of people have had good experiences though. Seems you either get a good one or you don't, not much in between.

 

[ControlD]

I ended up ordering a Dell S2716DG. It isn't IPS, but honestly the glow on my current monitor is something I have never quite come to grips with. I'm colorblind (red deficient) so I imagine the slightly better colors would have been lost on me with a top dollar IPS monitor anyhow. I was also put off by thinking about playing the panel lottery on either the Asus or Acer monitors. If I am dropping $800 on a monitor I expect better. I won't receive the Dell for another week or so, but I'll give a report once it comes in.

The price ($479) was hard to pass up as well.