Question 32" 4k monitor feels too big...

[Majcric]

So I finally decided it was time to take the next step in PC gaming and move from 27" 1440p to a 32" 4k monitor. And my initial feelings are this thing feels too big trying to concentrate on my gaming characters and just the overall environment is overwhelming. I'm sitting about 2 1/2 to 3 feet from the monitor as I'm under the impression this is about the right distance. Looking back I almost wish I would had gotten a 27-28", but that didn't seem like a worthwhile upgrade and supposedly 4k scaling is better at 32" from the research I did before the purchase.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so did you finally get use to the size? Share your thoughts please.

 

[Shamrock]

Nope, I am just the opposite. 32" feels right to me, while a 27" monitor I have to use my reading glasses, and get less than a foot from the screen.

 

[Muadib]

I was waiting to see what 2020 brought to the monitor game, but I have the same concerns as you, Majcric. I also have a 27" 1440p screen, and have been wanting to make the move to 4k for a while now. Like Shamrock, I need glasses to read on my 1440p, and I sit about 2 feet from the screen. I think 32" would solve that, but I'm not sure if 2 feet would be too close. I guess I could move my desk around, as that would give me another foot or so. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Majcric]

Not long after my original post. This thing is already growing on me and I strongly feel it's going to work out.

If you need a good recommendation the ViewSonic xg3220 is solid with a VA panel. (i switched from IPS and not looking back)Next to no backlight bleed and the sleep and wake functions work properly. (should be a given but this not true of all monitors)

On a side note, IMHO IPS is overrated unless you're heavily into a certain agenda that requires it, i.e. photographer , etc. As a good general use panel VA is definitely the way to go.

 

[Muadib]

Not long after my original post. This thing is already growing on me and I strongly feel it's going to work out.

If you need a good recommendation the ViewSonic xg3220 is solid with a VA panel. (i switched from IPS and not looking back)Next to no backlight bleed and the sleep and wake functions work properly. (should be a given but this not true of all monitors)

On a side note, IMHO IPS is overrated unless you're heavily into a certain agenda that requires it, i.e. photographer , etc. As a good general use panel VA is definitely the way to go.

I've avoided VA panels because of the blooming they tend to have. Do you notice it on the xg3220 ?

 

[Majcric]

No notable blooming to my eyes. From my experience blooming tends to happen if you're not sitting dead center of a tv/monitor. Of course I'm always looking at it dead on. Also keep in mind there is no local dimming on this monitor which tends to bring out more blooming as it pushes the contrast higher. This is seen a lot on TV's with a VA panel but even still not an issue if you're sitting dead center. Now of course a lot of folks buy a big screen TV for the whole family and obviously not everyone can set dead center. But that's a whole other matter.

 

[Shamrock]

I have a LG 32GK650F-b (VA panel) and I also have no blooming. The ONLY negative I can give it, is it dims out on the viewing angle. It will go gray if you are almost at the side, but big deal. I am always looking at it head on.

 

[Majcric]

That is exactly how I feel. Even when I was using my (PLS) panel which Samsung’s version of IPS I was always sitting directly in front. I figure this is how 99% of how most people get their work and play done on a monitor.

 

[potato masher]

Agree with shamrock. I think going smaller than 32" for a 4K is pointless.. how close would your face need to be to a 27 to gain the full benefit of that 4k resolution.. 1 foot? Nobody does that.

You better have 20/20 vision and sit real close to those tiny pixels. I prefer sitting 2 or 3 feet away from the screen..

 

[Majcric]

I no longer recommend this display to an enthusiast user. You can read why here: https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...-using-the-hdmi-ports-on-the-monitor.2581040/

 

[amenx]

I have a 40" 4k display. This my sweet spot in terms of size. Of course its too big if placed on a desktop (takes too much space), therefore I have it wall mounted just above the desktop. I sit about 26-30" away in normal usage and about 30-40" when gaming (with controller). 32" seems too small for me now.

 

[potato masher]

Agree 40+ is ideal for me for 4k.

I know everybody's vision is different but 110ppi is about the limit of my eyes.

 

[Muadib]

I’m actually considering a 48 inch tv to use as a monitor. My only issue is the size and possible burn in. I’d be about 3 feet away from it. I’m i crazy?

 

[potato masher]

Threadjack, but yeah you are not crazy imo. For the price vs picture quality out there, I think its a good option.

Downsides are refresh rate and color/sharp quality of a tv monitor compared with a monitor monitor.

 

[Muadib]

Threadjack, but yeah you are not crazy imo. For the price vs picture quality out there, I think its a good option.

Downsides are refresh rate and color/sharp quality of a tv monitor compared with a monitor monitor.

As the OP is happy with his new monitor, why not try and get some insight? I don’t think I can agree with you on the refresh rate, as it’s 60hz like most 4K monitors. It might be better, but I need to check the specs. The fact that it has G-sync is a plus.

 

[Majcric]

Check post #10. I no longer have the monitor and you can find out why there.

I have since contradicted myself by going even bigger with a 49” TV ( 48.5) I have added a table to the end of my desk for an extension to help accommodate the extra size which allows me to sit 5’ to 6’ away. I may do an in depth thread on my experience with TV’s vs Monitors a bit later.

Right now I can say I’m enjoying this experience.

 

[Muadib]

Check post #10. I no longer have the monitor and you can find out why there.

I have since contradicted myself by going even bigger with a 49” TV ( 48.5) I have added a table to the end of my desk for an extension to help accommodate the extra size which allows me to sit 5’ to 6’ away. I may do an in depth thread on my experience with TV’s vs Monitors a bit later.

Right now I can say I’m enjoying this experience.

What tv are you using?

 

[Majcric]

The Sony 900f.

 

[potato masher]

I think you made a good switch.. imo small 4k is a waste.

Yes muadib, with TV's you generally are stuck with 60hz as your only option. Which is why I said it. With monitors you have choices. Also with monitors you can get professional grade equipment meant for artists and studio work.

 

[ElFenix]

when i went from 20" to 27" i really thought the 27" was too big. got used to it quick. i don't recall that being the case when i went from 27" to 32".

 

[potato masher]

as it’s 60hz like most 4K monitors.

Did not realize there was nothing above 60hz in 4k.

 

[mnewsham]

Did not realize there was nothing above 60hz in 4k.

Only the LG OLEDs as far as I'm aware.

And a few gaming specific monitors that are overpriced.

 

[Majcric]

Monitors are definitely overpriced. But my biggest issue is their very questionable QC/ build quality. Perhaps if you want to spend 2 or 3 grand this would change the outcome. Times sure have changed as I still have my old IBM CRT 19" that was built like a tank and all for just $300

At least buying a tv I feel like I'm getting my money's worth. I have the Sony 900e, 930e, and now the 900f and they all have very clean and uniform panels. No dead pixels, etc. To me it is an absolute joke anytime a manufacturer tries to get you to accept a certain amount of dead pixels when a product is brand new. There should be Zero as evidenced by the panels I already own. So they clearly exist but once again QC is just slacking. It probably takes me less than 5 minutes to run test and see if a panel passes or not.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I recently upgraded to 2x 4k, went with 28". I feel this is the sweet spot. I originally wanted to go 32 but there is such a huge price jump, so for the same price I got 2x 28" instead. This was kinda prompted by having to work from home since we have 3 4ks at work and I did not want to have to drag them all at home and then back at work. We still need to work at the office too so lot of back and forth with our computer. And of course I felt like splurging.

But yeah now that I have this setup, I can see that 32" would have been too big for me too so I'm glad I went with 28. It does take some getting used to going from HD to 4k, but once you go 4k and get used to it, it makes working on a HD screen harder due to less real estate and feel like back in the day when you fresh installed win98 and everything was so big. So much real estate with 4k now! Especially with two in my case. At work we have 27" but for some applications the text is a tad small, so that 1 inch difference actually helps for my home ones.

 

[bigboxes]

I currently have a 34" curved ultrawide. I normally sit 2-3 feet from it. It's quite immersive. Lots of room for productivity, if you can break up the screen. The only time I want fullscreen is in gaming. My only complaint about the big monitor is the wall of light. That took some getting used to. Turned down the brightness for sure.