24 inch 4k/1440p Monitor

[Thickdeltoid]

Hey, my first post here

I currently have a I5 4670, 8GB DDR3 RAM, two 500GB HDS and a Soundblaster 5.1 aswell as a GTX 750 TI with a standard Benq 1080p/60Hz Monitor but I want to upgrade my GPU for the Pascal/next AMD generation and I'm thinking about getting a middle-class lower-enthusiant class GPU (aka the next gen GTX 970/R390/390x equivalent) and get a higher resolution Monitor to go along with it if possible.

Now the the thing is, my Computer desk has two stands for CDs/DVDs which makes the most space available at 29 inches (28 inches for Monitors) so I'm going for a smaller 24 inch- 27 inch monitor max. I've read things on the various websites that 4k and 1440p will not look much better than 1080p on those sizes so I need some input. Since I'm already using 1080p I wouldn't feel any bad staying there, but from what I've seen 1440p is better, 4k even moreso but I'm not sure if that applies for smaller sized-monitors. Then again, is 4k even an option for middle class next gen GPUs? Or should I stay @1080p and get to play at Ultra for Years? Or can 1440 already safely handle good settings on that level of cards. Thing is I don't want to upgrade for at least 3 Years so I need the best bang for buck at enjoyable settings. For me enjoyable is 60fps dipping to no lower than 50fps...and good graphics.

I've also heard that you need more RAM for higher VRAM so I'm thinking about buying another 8GB RAM stick aswell, mine is @ 1600 but I'm not sure about how to upgrade RAM as people said it can fry your PC if you go with two different ram CLs or frequency (would like input on that aswell, unless 8GB is enough).

 

[Teizo]

I just got an Acer 1440p 25" monitor and I can say 1440p on a 25" monitor gaming wise is much better than the 23" 1080p monitor I upgraded from.

Resolution wise, and DPI/Pixel Pitch wise, if you leaving scaling at normal 100% it is going to take some getting adjusting too. This particular monitor has a DPI of 117 and PP of .213. The image is amazingly crisp, but the fonts are indeed small. At $270 it is hard to beat. 4K on a monitor that small would be too compact, and while scaling on Windows 10 is good, not all programs and apps scale correctly, so keep that in mind.

RAM is cheap, btw. Just buy new ram at the capacity and speed you want, or just buy the exact same ram you have currently in your system.

The monitor I have is here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009728

A more expensive version with a metal bezel/stand is here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009740


AOC makes a decent priced 25" 1440p as well, and the Dell one is the most expensive with the window dressing.

 

[Thickdeltoid]

I just got an Acer 1440p 25" monitor and I can say 1440p on a 25" monitor gaming wise is much better than the 23" 1080p monitor I upgraded from.

Resolution wise, and DPI/Pixel Pitch wise, if you leaving scaling at normal 100% it is going to take some getting adjusting too. This particular monitor has a DPI of 117 and PP of .213. The image is amazingly crisp, but the fonts are indeed small. At $270 it is hard to beat. 4K on a monitor that small would be too compact, and while scaling on Windows 10 is good, not all programs and apps scale correctly, so keep that in mind.

RAM is cheap, btw. Just buy new ram at the capacity and speed you want, or just buy the exact same ram you have currently in your system.

The monitor I have is here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009728

A more expensive version with a metal bezel/stand is here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009740


AOC makes a decent priced 25" 1440p as well, and the Dell one is the most expensive with the window dressing.

27 inch is still in my reach. What about 4k 27 inch monitors? Your monitor is expcetionally cheap, I didn't know you could get 1440p monitors at that price yet, how much prices change over time lol.

As far as RAM, what do I have to know? I know my RAM is a TeamGroup Elite Series Dimm 8GB DDR3-1600 but I don't know it's voltage, is that important? I don't want to fry my PC with wrongly configured RAMs.

But overall, do you suggest 1440p or 4k for me? I'm assuming sing the GTX 970 is about as strong as the GTX 780 TI that the pascal 1070 (or whatever ii is going to be called) is going to be as strong as the current GTX 980 TI. For somebody who doesn't want to upgrade every 1-2 Years (3 Years) would that be better for 1440p or even 1080p? Or if I went to the Top-Tier pasqual equivalent (as long as it was around 650€ like the 980 TI is right now where), could I get a decent futureproof 1440p or even working 4k GPU?

The thing is, I've got a Brone 600W PSU so I could get any Nvidia Card on it, but not most AMD cards (as of now, IDK if they will improve wattage in the next gen)

Sorry, lots of questions, I know. It's kinda hard going from a budget level PC to a high-tier/enthusiast-tier hence all those questions. If 4K/1440p is still not viable I'd rather stick to 1080p, but if possible I'd rather upgrade as I really want to have some "next gen-experience" if you catch my drift. Also what about videos? I've heard videos on lower res monitors look better than on higher-res monitors...another thing I want to consider as I watch a lot of youtube and Blu-Rays etc.

 

[Teizo]

If 27 inches is in your grasp, and not out of your price range, then I would opt for a 1440p 27 inch. The thing is, 1440p is now like 1080p a few years ago. It took a few generations for 1080p Ultra 4xMSAA 60+ fps to become mainstream, and next generation or at the very most the following one after that mid-rage sweet spot enthusiast cards (like the GTX960) should be able to average 60+ fps @ 1440p, while the higher end cards are going to be needed for VR and 144hz gaming monitors to take advantage of the refresh rate.

So, bang for buck for a gamer on a modest budget not necessarily wanting to be pigeon holed to having to buy upper tier GPUs, I personally think 1440p is the way to go (based on reported GPU processing gains) for optimal graphics quality. It will likely take Microsoft's next OS to get the scaling better implemented for all programs/apps etc....so while 4K is good....I would personally wait a few more years for it to mature like 1440p is starting to now.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Now, for your RAM...if you know the exact sticks you have, then just buy the same one. The voltage should be the same and it should be 1.5v. Unless you specifically buy low voltage RAM, all DDR3 RAM under 2133mh runs at 1.5v.

 

[Headfoot]

I would recommend buying the brand now that you plan to buy at Pascal/Artic Islands. That can be hard to say because we have no idea who is going to do better. Or did you mean you're going to hold onto your 750 Ti until 16nm hits?

The reason I say that though is because if you're buying a monitor now you really should look at getting an adaptive sync technology either Gsync or FreeSync. FreeSync only currently works with AMD, Gsync only with nVidia. Both technologies are supposed to make your games look ridiculously better for any game you cant max out at max HZ.

My vote is 1440p panel w/ an Adaptive Sync Tech and 120-144hz refresh rate. High refresh rate is super awesome. Adaptive Sync will let you buy slightly slower GPUs and not have to worry about it looking terrible when you drop below 60 FPS. Most posters would agree, reading the tea leaves, that FreeSync is probably less likely to die out than Gsync, which is why I suggest it below.

sidenote: gsync is more expensive and has less monitor variety than freesync. But freesync, there are a couple of crappy monitors and monitors with really poor refresh rate ranges out there. You have to read reviews carefully and make sure the monitor can do 30-144hz. 44 as the bottom refresh rate is pretty weak. Some FreeSync monitors can be "overclocked" to lower the bottom refresh rate, but its not guaranteed.

I suggest an R9 390 and the Asus MG279Q. 1440p IPS type with low blurring, very low input lag, fast refresh rate, 35-90hz FreeSync Range and 144hz top refresh rate. http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/asus_mg279q.htm. Tft central is pretty much the best monitor review site out there and I fully trust their assessments. Check to make sure a 27" would fit, but remember monitors are measured diagonally so a 27" isn't going to be 2" taller than a 25".