Downscaling 4k vs. native 1440p for gaming?

[Buren06]

I've decided it's time to move on from my 1080p monitor and upgrade to something better.

I know I don't plan on actually gaming in 4k for quite some time, because I just won't have the graphics power required. I was thinking I would shoot for gaming in 2560x1440. However, I was wondering if I perhaps should get a more futureproof 4k monitor for when that day comes, and in the meantime downscale to 1440p.

Would there be any visual disadvantage to downscaling 4k to 1440p during gameplay, rather than playing at native 1440p? It's worth mentioning that the 4k display I would be looking at is the Asus TN panel, while any 1440p monitor would be IPS. TN doesn't bother me, though - I'll take the response time over color quality.

 

[TechyInAZ]

That is totally up to you.

But for me, i'd go for the 1440p, since 4k is so massive and windows doesn't scale 4k properly yet (meaning it makes the taskbar and lettering really small).

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Scaling is a problem with 4K ....see Linus' review of 21:9 IPS panels where he talks about this issue. You'll note that in the comment section he Asus that "4k is dead to me" and "I don't remember why I ever cared about 4k". Check the reviews on the RoG Swift which has 8 bit color. That cuts drastically into one of the IPS's panel advantage while maintaining the TB's advantage of no lag.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/asus_rog_swift_pg278q.htm

Viewing angles are also very good as you can see in these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgquRkMHgwE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-u-6i_RJRI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekXHvEK2bbI

21:9 IPS panels reviewed here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnrxNfxRK_4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0i7FjwteQE

 

[traumadisaster]

I've been at 4k for over a year with different tvs. Some will do 1440 but some don't. Some do 120hz at 1080 but 30hz at 1440. Def check if that mon can do 60hz at 1440. Also not sure on gfx card allowing over 30hz at high res. There r beta nv drivers thay allow 60hz at 2160 but at 4:4:0. Instead of 444. Also 10 bit is another consideration. If u could wait, then next yr at this time hopefully be more choices.

 

[kalijaga]

with the release of the recent 4k 28inch monitors with the same price of the 27inch 1440p monitors, I would suggest 4k.
But with 4k gaming, GPU power is required.

Thank and good luck.

 

[Sn1992]

Same problem

And i think 4k monitor when downscaled to 1440p would have a great amount of reduction in video quslity rather than

 

[Sn1992]

Same problem

And i think 4k monitor when downscaled to 1440p would have a great amount of reduction in video quslity compared to 1440p native monitors that are of same price

 

[ankido]

Let me be quite honest with you. Sorry I know this is old but it will provide some solid information. I'll give you my computer specs. I just posted on here a few days ago and my problem was solved with flying colors.

Windows 8
Intel Core I7-4770K CPU 3.5Ghz overclocked to 3.8Ghz
GeForce GTX 780 3GB Memory
12GB System memory
Current resolution 3840x2160(Native)
Connection (DisplayPort)
Samsung UHD 28' Monitor

I play world of warcraft on Ultra settings with shadows on. Photoshop works perfect and premiere along with Sony Vegas work flawless. In my previous post someone told me to change the DPI from 100% to 125 or 150%. That worked perfect for me. The only problem I have is that some games don't load in 4k. That's why I'm here to see if we can downscale. I've tried all resolutions and they all looked like crap. The only one that works for me is 3840x2160 150% dpi. So to shed some light, 4k works well and the games for me look simply amazing.

 

[-Lone-]

Let me be quite honest with you. Sorry I know this is old but it will provide some solid information. I'll give you my computer specs. I just posted on here a few days ago and my problem was solved with flying colors.

Windows 8
Intel Core I7-4770K CPU 3.5Ghz overclocked to 3.8Ghz
GeForce GTX 780 3GB Memory
12GB System memory
Current resolution 3840x2160(Native)
Connection (DisplayPort)
Samsung UHD 28' Monitor

I play world of warcraft on Ultra settings with shadows on. Photoshop works perfect and premiere along with Sony Vegas work flawless. In my previous post someone told me to change the DPI from 100% to 125 or 150%. That worked perfect for me. The only problem I have is that some games don't load in 4k. That's why I'm here to see if we can downscale. I've tried all resolutions and they all looked like crap. The only one that works for me is 3840x2160 150% dpi. So to shed some light, 4k works well and the games for me look simply amazing.

Almost the same specs as I "had", except for I had windows 7 and FX 8320, but agrees with everything you said

 

[Sn1992]

Let me be quite honest with you. Sorry I know this is old but it will provide some solid information. I'll give you my computer specs. I just posted on here a few days ago and my problem was solved with flying colors.

Windows 8
Intel Core I7-4770K CPU 3.5Ghz overclocked to 3.8Ghz
GeForce GTX 780 3GB Memory
12GB System memory
Current resolution 3840x2160(Native)
Connection (DisplayPort)
Samsung UHD 28' Monitor

I play world of warcraft on Ultra settings with shadows on. Photoshop works perfect and premiere along with Sony Vegas work flawless. In my previous post someone told me to change the DPI from 100% to 125 or 150%. That worked perfect for me. The only problem I have is that some games don't load in 4k. That's why I'm here to see if we can downscale. I've tried all resolutions and they all looked like crap. The only one that works for me is 3840x2160 150% dpi. So to shed some light, 4k works well and the games for me look simply amazing.

This is my build
Processor - INTEL i7 4790k devils canyon(haswell refresh) @ 4.6ghz on 1.26v
Motherboard- ASUS REPUBLIC OF GAMERS MAXIMUS VII HERO
RAM- G.SKILL RIPJAWSX 2x4GB 2133mhz
Cooler- nzxt x61 kraken liquid cooler with noctua nt-h1
Graphic card- 2x ASUS STRIX GTX 970 4GB in sli via EVGA PRO SLI BRIDGE
PSU- COOLER MASTER silent pro M 850w
CABINET- corsair air 540 HIGH AIRFLOW (with 3x CM jetflows and 2x CORSAIR AF140)

Lighting- NZXT HUE RGB Controller
Fan controller- NZXT GRID fan controller
Harddisk- WD caviar green 500Gb + 120gb samsung evo SSD
Keyboard- logitech G15
Mouse- corsair m65 with logitech g440 mouse mat
Headphone- corsair venegeance 1500 7.1 surround
MONITOR- ASUS PG278Q NVIDIA G-SYNC REPUBLIC OF GAMERS SWIFT 1440p 144Hz GAMING MONITOR



i am really happy i chose asus pg278q gsync swift 144hz monitor as this is amazing i love the fluidity of games
Yesterday i played far cry 4 and loved the 70-80fps i got,
I was amazed to see how fluid and amazing gameplay was.
The best part g sync takes care of super smooth gameplay
And 2 x gtx 970 sli takes care of the frames per second


Just amazing
Now i am looking for following upgrades
A razer blackwidow chroma
A 1TB WD RE4 hard disk
A more 8gb kit of 2133mhz ram

 

[-Lone-]

I got the Razer Blackwidow Chroma too, just ordered yesterday for Christmas

 

[Sn1992]

Great let me know your experience in this post
And which one you are using befrore chroma??

 

[-Lone-]

I'm using the Logitech G510s at the moment, it's still working fine, so is my mouse, but I just want a cooler one, lol.

Here is a video I saw on the keyboard, such awesome modes, I will definitely use the wave mode, start at 4:10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C-kJvdN4pU

Or the beginning if you just want to watch the keyboard