3440 x 1440 - G-sync/high refresh rates worth it?

[nitromullet]

I'm in the market for a 3440x1440 screen, and there are a number of decent options in the ~$700 range at 60Hz without G-sync. Given that the Acer Predator X34 and Asus Swift PG348Q are in the ~$1200 range, I'm curious to know if people who have experience with this think it's worth it to pay the extra for the higher refresh and G-sync. Are they really the game changers that Youtubers (who get free monitors) would have us believe?

 

[Newbian]

If you are going for the higher refresh rate monitors you should aim for g-sync.

Although with just a 1070 it probably won't be as useful for a 1440p ultrawide monitor with high refresh rates as even the normal 60hz will be a bit much for that in some games.

 

[nitromullet]

Yeah, the monitor will outlast my current card. I'm not at all concerned about driving 3440x1440, as that will just give me a reason (excuse) to grab a new card.

My main question is whether or not it's worth the extra cash to move from 60Hz to a higher refresh and G-sync, considering it's almost double the price.

 

[nitromullet]

To put some perspective on this...

LG 34UM94-P $599.99 (60Hz, flat, not curved)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824025066

Dell U3415W $689.99 (60Hz, curved, can supposedly be overclocked to 75-80Hz with varying degrees of success)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4P02SZ5284

vs.

Asus ROG PG348Q $1,249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236717

Acer Predator X34 $1,299.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAZU4453786

 

[Newbian]

What kind of refresh rate monitor are you looking at?

Last I checked the 1440p ultrawides only go up to 100 hz right now so I would aim for g-sync with those if you go for one of them.

The thing is once you go to a higher refresh rate like that it's hard to go back to normal 60hz monitors because of how slow they seem.

I would suggest you compare the two monitors if you can to see if the higher refresh rate is worth it for you at a brick & motar store or a friends place that has one.

The ultrawides will be harder to find so use a normal 144hz to get a idea as going from 60hz to 100hz is a huge bump compared to 100hz to 144hz.

 

[nitromullet]

Yeah, that's not a bad idea. I know that Fry's in my area has the Asus ROG in stock, not sure if they have it on display, or if they have any games installed that it can be tested with.

...what are you currently using? Did you switch from 60Hz to 100+/Gsync?

 

[Newbian]

Yeah, that's not a bad idea. I know that Fry's in my area has the Asus ROG in stock, not sure if they have it on display, or if they have any games installed that it can be tested with.

...what are you currently using? Did you switch from 60Hz to 100+/Gsync?

I have a 27 inch ips 1440p monitor 144hz / gsync for my main gaming monitor.

I have my old 24 inch tn 1080p as a second monitor on the side and I prefer having a 2nd monitor over just one and went for that as it would be hard to fit a much larger monitor on my setup.

There are a few threads like this one, linky , that you can look at and see if it's worth it.

I suppose you could wait for vega and see if going freesync would be worth it if decent 1440p ultrawides are released for them as that can save you a decent amount if you are planning on upgrading your gpu.

 

[Bacon1]

The Acer XR341CK is middle ground. 3440x1440 IPS @ 75HZ with FreeSync (Adaptive-Sync). Hopefully Nvidia will add adaptive-sync support to their cards in the future (nothing stopping them but their want for extra money from gsync). Its much cheaper than the 100hz GSync version and wouldn't lock you into Nvidia only hardware.

 

[nitromullet]

The XR341CK is still quite pricey for what I would consider a number of compromises against the PG348Q and X34. The newer XR342CK is a bit cheaper, but has a narrower range for adaptive v-sync (48-75Hz) vs the XR341CK (30-75Hz).

Acer doesn't provide a lot of info, but I did find this mini-review of the XR screens with more detailed specs here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrawidem...342ck_minireview_and_comparison_with_xr341ck/
...notice that the first response is from an AMD community manager indicating that the XR342CK is *not* a Freesync monitor, although it does support adaptive v-sync, because it does not meet AMD's criteria.

Granted, the ~$800 XR342CK is still a worthwhile option IMO. The lower price, along with the higher 75Hz refresh rate out of the box might be a worthwhile compromise. It's about $400-500 less than the PG348Q and X34.

As far as NVIDIA goes, don't see any reason why they would ever support adaptive-sync. There is simply no benefit for them, and given their history with closed standards I just don't seen it happening.

 

[Bacon1]

The XR341CK is still quite pricey for what I would consider a number of compromises against the PG348Q and X34

It sells for ~$800 new often and refurb for under $600 from acer.

Also what compromises?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/d...predator-vs-xr341ck-ultra-wide-monitor-review

More inputs plus PiP/PbP support

Neither support ULMB

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/acer_predator_x34.htm

Response time and input lag is also better on the XR341CK

As far as NVIDIA goes, don't see any reason why they would ever support adaptive-sync. There is simply no benefit for them, and given their history with closed standards I just don't seen it happening.

I don't see them not supporting it as many people don't want to pay for the gsync tax, especially in lower end cards and that gives AMD a huge advantage as almost all new monitors support freesync.

 

[nitromullet]

It sells for ~$800 new often and refurb for under $600 from acer.

Also what compromises?

Are you sure you aren't mistaking that for the XR342CK? I don't see any XR341CK's for under $1000 from any reputable retailers.

The primary compromises are the lack of gsync and 75Hz (as opposed to 100Hz). $1000 is a lot for losing those features given that you can get other decent non-gsync screens for ~$700. Might as well just pony up the extra $200-300 for 100Hz and G-sync. My question is really more about the value of a $1300 100Hz/g-sync monitor vs a $700 60Hz monitor.

I honestly don't have much interest in a high priced Freesync screen.

I don't see them not supporting it as many people don't want to pay for the gsync tax, especially in lower end cards and that gives AMD a huge advantage as almost all new monitors support freesync.

Only time will tell of course, but history is against your viewpoint. They have proven over and over again that their intention is to lock their customers into the NVIDIA ecosystem, and supporting adaptive v-sync runs counter to that.

 

[Bacon1]

Are you sure you aren't mistaking that for the XR342CK? I don't see any XR341CK's for under $1000 from any reputable retailers.

Yes I've seen it sell from newegg / amazon for under $800 a few times. They are phasing it out which is why stock is low and prices are high.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-lis...7688787&sr=8-1&keywords=xr341ck&condition=new

Its $900 direct from amazon but OOS. I wouldn't pay over $800 for it and got mine refurbed for under $600 direct from Acer.

Just saying its a middle ground if you wanted one.

 

[nitromullet]

I actually saw the Amazon one.... Problem for me with Amazon is that I live in Seattle, so an $899 monitor is just a bit under $1000 after sales tax.

A refurb direct from the manufacturer is an option. My last two monitors from NEC and Eizo were both refurbs direct from the manufacturer. It's a good way to get into a screen that would normally be out of your budget. I might look into that.

 

[Headfoot]

I am on 3x1080p so im in the ultra-ultra-wide category. I've also used high refresh rate with FreeSync. If I had to choose one, I'd choose high refresh rate + sync over ultra-wide because ultra wide isn't always super compatible with games. Sometimes you have to run it in 16:9 1080/1440p mode to get it to work, or the game limits you to that. Relatively few limit frame rate though, except dumpy console ports.

That being said, Gsync is quite a bit more money. Love Xsync tech, but certainly sucks paying that much more for it. TBH on the nVidia side i'd rather re-invest the same cash in moving from 1070 to 1080 than for getting Gsync due to lock in.

 

[moonbogg]

I bought one and it has been worth it to me personally. Its the most exciting thing to happen to monitors in a long time IMO. The two downsides are losing 44hz and the price. I have never felt bad about paying the high price for my monitor. I just love it that much.

 

[nitromullet]

I'm starting to lean in that direction. I tend to keep monitors for a whole, so I like to have a considerable upgrade. My current screen is 2560x1440 @60Hz, and I considered the same resolution @144/G-sync, but it seems like it's not enough up an upgrade.

...time to start looking for the best deals...

 

[Bacon1]

Acer has the XR341CK for $679 from their refurb site right now:

http://acerrecertified.com/Acer-LCD-Monitor-34-UW-QHD-XR341CK-Factory-Recertified

You might want to just wait though as newer monitors (4k >60hz, super high hz 1440p etc) will be coming out soon so that will give you a big boost from 1440p 60. Or keep that as the secondary monitor and have a nice smaller upgrade

 

[nitromullet]

They also have the X34 for $1000 through their Ebay store. I'm not sure if that's enough of a discount for a refurb with only a 90 day warranty. Especially, since I've seen threads on other forums talking about X34 refurbs for $750 in the past.

I've done refurbs in the past, but I don't think high end NEC or Eizo have the quality control issues that Asus and Acer apparently have. I'm more skepical, and as a result would need a bigger discount to go that way.

I'm leaning towards trying to find something reasonable from Fry's or Best Buy (with a price match or other coupon) that I could return locally if needed.

 

[nitromullet]

So, I ended up getting an Asus ROG Swift PG348Q from my local Frys with a tax free promo for $1182 out the door. I have to say that 100Hz with g-sync does make games feel significantly smother than 60Hz with no adaptive sync, and 3440x1440 is amazing. Also, the GTX 1070 is plenty for Battlefield 1, which is what I'm currently playing.

As far being worth it...? It is certainly the most expensive display I have ever bought, and I imagine that 27" 144Hz/G-sync is probably a better value, but I think the ultra wide resolution 3440x1440 definitely has a wow/immersion factor unobtainable with a 2560x1440 screen.

Overall, I'm happy with the purchase.

 

[moonbogg]

Oh nice, you got one. Congrats. Its one hell of a monitor isn't it? My monitors went in this order:

27" 1080p @ 120hz
27" 1440p @ 144hz/Gsync
34" ROG Swift

Going 1440p was a nice upgrade form 1080p and it was a great monitor, but every time in the past when I upgraded monitors, the size was larger, so that aspect of the upgrade was missing. I had to have the swift and now the upgrade feeling is complete. Where to go from here? Has to be OLED/high res/ultrawide/high refresh/adaptive sync/maybe 38", no less than 34" of course. Replacing this swift is going to be a tall order.

 

[nitromullet]

Replacing it will be a tall order. I'm sure I'll know it when I see it though. Until then, I'm going to enjoy this awesome monitor.

 

[ScottFern]

Is that Frys No Tax promo valid when you walk in and buy an Asus ROG Swift PG348Q?

 

[nitromullet]

Yes, but you have to have a daily promo code. Just sign up for Fry's email promos, and you will get your code in a few minutes. I have subscribed/unsubscribed multiple times, so you can get the daily code without getting Fry's emails everyday.

 

[ScottFern]

So annoying I get my first code today and I get this at checkout:

Information
×
Applied promotion is not valid for some items, in your selected Store.

 

[nitromullet]

This monitor?

http://www.frys.com/product/8809072

I was able to apply to promo to my cart online, and select the option to pick up at the store, but whenever I tried to checkout I would get an error. When I went to the store I gave the sales guy the code, and it worked without any issues.

Some states are excluded though, "Offer Not Valid in Indiana, Illinois, Oregon, and Tennessee." OR makes sense because they don't have sales tax anyway, not sure about IL and TN.