Question Best gaming monitor within $400?

[Rody401]

My gaming PC specs:

• Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor
• Asus - Prime B360-Plus ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
• Corsair CX Series CX750M 750 Watt 80 Plus Bronze ATX Modular Power Supply
• G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB 2 x 8GB DDR4-3200 PC4-25600 CL16
• GeForce GTX 1080 Founder Edition

I am trying to get a good 24” 144hz gaming monitor to replace my Asus mg248Q. I am currently looking at the Alienware Aw2518hf (which is $300 in Newegg and $320 at Microcenter right now). I just want to know if that is my best option around 400$? I live in the United States for reference.

 

[tennis2]

Pixio PX329 32" 165Hz FreeSync 1440p VA = $300
And yes, Nvidia 10xx and 20xx cards can do FreeSync now.

 

[Rody401]

Pixio PX329 32" 165Hz FreeSync 1440p VA = $300
And yes, Nvidia 10xx and 20xx cards can do FreeSync now.

What about a 24” option?

 

[WildCard999]

What types of games do you play?

For competitive FPS style games I'd consider a 1080P/240hz/TN panel.

MMO's/Single Player/Less competitive I'd get a 29" 2560x1080P or 3440/1440P/75hz/IPS panel. 29" 21:9 is nearly identical vertically as a 24" 16:9.

If your games don't support 21:9 then I'd look at a 1440P/75hz+/IPS or VA Panel.

 

[Rody401]

What types of games do you play?

For competitive FPS style games I'd consider a 1080P/240hz/TN panel.

MMO's/Single Player/Less competitive I'd get a 29" 2560x1080P or 3440/1440P/75hz/IPS panel. 29" 21:9 is nearly identical vertically as a 24" 16:9.

If your games don't support 21:9 then I'd look at a 1440P/75hz+/IPS or VA Panel.

I play FPS games like Apex Legends, Fortnite and Black Ops4.

 

[tennis2]

How about MSI MAG241C 144Hz FreeSync 1080p VA = $205?
I should add, whatever FreeSync monitor you pick, make sure it has a DP input. Nvidia GPUs can't do FreeSync over HDMI. (Some of the cheaper FS monitors only have HDMI)

 

[WildCard999]

Hmm, what about 1440P/144hz/VA?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Monitor: Samsung - LC27JG50QQNZA 27.0" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor ($309.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $309.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-14 13:03 EST-0500

 

[Rody401]

How about MSI MAG241C 144Hz FreeSync 1080p VA = $205?
I should add, whatever FreeSync monitor you pick, make sure it has a DP input. Nvidia GPUs can't do FreeSync over HDMI. (Some of the cheaper FS monitors only have HDMI)

That looks great But I never used a curved monitor for FPS games.

 

[WildCard999]

Since you already have a 1080P/144hz monitor I don't really think it's worth getting something similar.

 

[ohiou_grad_2006]

Too bad you don't have an AMD card. They have a function called Virtual Super Resolution, supposedly you can basically fake a higher resolution onto your monitor. Then you could at least get an idea if you would like a different resolution before actually making the purchase.

 

[WildCard999]

Too bad you don't have an AMD card. They have a function called Virtual Super Resolution, supposedly you can basically fake a higher resolution onto your monitor. Then you could at least get an idea if you would like a different resolution before actually making the purchase.

Nvidia's version of VSR= DSR.
https://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/dsr/technology

 

[ohiou_grad_2006]

Cool. Hadn't seen that on an Nvidia card. My last Nvidia card was a 1050ti. Not like you want to run much higher on a 1050ti than 1080p lol.

 

[greenmrt]

You already have what you seem to be looking for. The three most important elements for FPS having a competitive edge are frames per second, display lag, and input lag. There are diminishing competitive returns once you go above 144fps and really diminishing returns above 165fps. Display lag, for competition, should be very fast at ~1ms. Input lag is rarely advertised, but a rather important ingredient. You can get an idea for this here: https://displaylag.com/display-database/

That said, there is more to life than fps and gaining a smidgen of time against your opponents. There is something to be said for seeing the beauty in modern games. With a 1080, I would encourage you to look at G-SYNC and/or QHD displays to give you some beauty. I love my Dell Gaming 27" QHD 144HZ monitor with G-SYNC which I snagged at $350. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of some other devices and I sometimes wish I had forked out for an IPS dysplay, but it is pretty great.