[SOLVED] Choosing a 4K monitor or not?

HughMitch

Honorable
Dec 18, 2013
38
0
10,530
I am looking to improve my home workspace with a new monitor. Probably 27 inches.
My issue is that i can't decide if i should go for a 4k screen or not. I have outlined my setup below and the specific questions that i have:

Current setup:
  • PC Specialist custom laptop
  • 4k 15.6 inch screen (scaled to 175%)(I guess I'm running a 3K screen)
  • Intel i7 7700HQ (7thGen) 2.8Ghz
  • 16GB Ram
  • Intel HD 630 onboard graphics
  • GTX 1050Ti 4gb dedicated graphics
Usage:
  • Mostly work on architectural drawings with a lot of photo editing and multitasking.
  • Some video, film watching etc.
  • Some games (AC Origins, Metro Redux, Deus-Ex HR etc.)
  • I can play all these games with at least high graphics settings without a noticeable drop below 30fps at 3k res.
Here are my questions:
I have read a lot of information that I need a better graphics card than a GTX 1050 Ti to run a 4k screen. However, my actual laptop screen is a 4k screen (scaled to 175%) and it can run games absolutely fine.
  1. If I were to get a 4k monitor, surely I could run it without issues as it can currently run my laptop screen? am i missing something?
  2. My laptop screen is scaled to 175%. This is because i wanted the 4k resolution to have more real estate when i needed it for multitasking etc, but actual 4k resolution on a 15.6inch screen is too small to see. With a second screen, can i also scale it to 175% to match my laptop or is this not possible? Is there a better solution?
  3. Finally, can someone recommend me a setup or screen option? With so many out there its hard to know what's good and what's bad. (do i really need Freesync or G-sync? Is a 60Hz refresh rate absolutely fine for my usage, or really should i be looking at a 120Hz?)
I would love to hear some feedback and solutions to the questions above. Any clarification would be super useful.

Thank you,
Hugh
 
Last edited:
Solution
If I were to get a 4k monitor, surely I could run it without issues as it can currently run my laptop screen? am i missing something?

No, I wouldn't recommend you run your gaming on a full sized 24 - 27" 4K desktop monitor. Your laptop will suffer unless you lower the game's requirements.

With a second screen, can i also scale it to 175% to match my laptop or is this not possible?

Yes.

nally, can someone recommend me a setup or screen option?

I say you stick with 2K instead of 4k. Look a the Pixio PX275h (the monitor I use) or Asus or Dell. All good brands.
If I were to get a 4k monitor, surely I could run it without issues as it can currently run my laptop screen? am i missing something?

No, I wouldn't recommend you run your gaming on a full sized 24 - 27" 4K desktop monitor. Your laptop will suffer unless you lower the game's requirements.

With a second screen, can i also scale it to 175% to match my laptop or is this not possible?

Yes.

nally, can someone recommend me a setup or screen option?

I say you stick with 2K instead of 4k. Look a the Pixio PX275h (the monitor I use) or Asus or Dell. All good brands.
 
Solution