Help deciding between 1440 and 1080p?

[Scarlet_3]

I'm currently a little less than 2 weeks away from finally being able to afford my new gaming rig. I'm currently planning on fitting it with a GTX 1070 and a i7 6700k processor. The only thing that I'm having trouble with is monitors. I plan on getting 3 total and the choices I've run into are either 3 1080 144Hz monitors for around $750 total, or wait awhile and get 3 1440p 144Hz monitors. The cheapest 1440p 144hz monitors I've been able to find are around $500 which means I'll have to spend $1500 on monitors which is close to the cost oh my computer itself. I've been debating on whether or not it's worth it. I'd love to upgrade to 1440 but it's just so much more expensive compared to 1080. One big reason I'm even considering 1440 is I know the 1070 can handle it without a problem, building a high(er) end pc and only doing 1080p feels like wasted potential to me.

 

[ingtar33]

the 1070 can handle 1 of those 1440p monitors no problem, and its probably not strong enough to max everything on a 144hz 1440p monitor, though many games should be fine.

The real question is size.

If you're looking at 24" monitors save your cash and get 1080p screens. If you're looking at 27" monitors get 1440p

 

[mrmez]

No way a GTX 1070 can run 3 of anything @ 144hz, so just depends on what you prefer.
1080 on medium settings, or 1440 on low settings.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Nothing can run 3 x 1440p

The premier gaming experience that can be had on a PC today is on a 1440p, low lag, 165 Hz IPS screen equipped with G-Sync and ULMB. The 1070 will handle that tho you won't have enough oomph to use ULMB with the 1070.

XB2171HU runs about $720.

 

[doubletake]

Nothing can run 3 x 1440p

Wrong. That's been a doable setup for years.
It's only 25% more pixels than UHD, or equivalent to a 5x1 Eyefinity/Surround 1080 setup.

 

[Karadjgne]

I'd stick with 1080p if considering full use of all 3 ,as in surround mode. If planning on using just a primary with secondary monitors for extra stuff like maps, wiki pages etc then go for the 27-28" 1440p primary and a couple of 24" 1080p secondaries.

 

[Scarlet_3]

I'd stick with 1080p if considering full use of all 3 ,as in surround mode. If planning on using just a primary with secondary monitors for extra stuff like maps, wiki pages etc then go for the 27-28" 1440p primary and a couple of 24" 1080p secondaries.

Based off the answers so far it looks like 1080 would probably be my best option, however I'm not going to get one 1440 and two 1080 because I want them all to be the same monitor. As far is whether the 1070 can power 3 monitors I assumed it would be somewhat similar to the 1080 which I know can run multiple monitors without a problem.

 

[Scarlet_3]

the 1070 can handle 1 of those 1440p monitors no problem, and its probably not strong enough to max everything on a 144hz 1440p monitor, though many games should be fine.

The real question is size.

If you're looking at 24" monitors save your cash and get 1080p screens. If you're looking at 27" monitors get 1440p

if it's really not powerful enough to manage 3 monitors would it be worth investing in a 180 then? I don't mind overkill but when putting together my parts list it seemed like it was just not worth the extra money, but if it means the difference between successfully running 1 or 3 monitors maybe it is worth it.

side note the size I've been looking at is 24" because it's in my price range.

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

I just ditched my 3 1080p monitors in favor of a single 1440p ultrawide display. I found that not many games worked correctly with that wide of a resolution. Also the outer edges were just too far from the center of my field of vision to be of any real use. In MMO's it was nice to keep maps and mods to the sides. But in all other games the other two monitors did little but serve as ambient light.

I'm finding a single ultrawide does quite well in normal desktop multi tasking. I can easily fit 2 windows side by side. In gaming the extra width is noticeable without being to wide. In games that don't support it, the zoom in effect isn't nearly as bad as it was in a 3 monitor landscape.

 

[Scarlet_3]

I just ditched my 3 1080p monitors in favor of a single 1440p ultrawide display. I found that not many games worked correctly with that wide of a resolution. Also the outer edges were just too far from the center of my field of vision to be of any real use. In MMO's it was nice to keep maps and mods to the sides. But in all other games the other two monitors did little but serve as ambient light.

I'm finding a single ultrawide does quite well in normal desktop multi tasking. I can easily fit 2 windows side by side. In gaming the extra width is noticeable without being to wide. In games that don't support it, the zoom in effect isn't nearly as bad as it was in a 3 monitor landscape.

Not that I don't appreciate your response but I have to be honest, I totally hit that button by accident lol. Anyway no harm no foul. As far as ultrawides go they're pretty expensive as well aren't they? The reason for the monitors isn't really to have 1 game on all 3, it's mainly for 1 game on the center monitor, and then the other two for other things. I don't know why but I really enjoy being able to see all my "important" programs all at once. I tend to have a game up on one, facebook on another, and youtube or some other site up on the 3rd. It's probably not the best way to utilize a 3 monitor setup but it's what I enjoy.

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

What types of games do you play? For the most part 144hz is wasted on "secondary monitors". If you don't mind having different monitors get a single 144hz 1440p and 2 1440p 60hz monitors.

If you play a ton of competitive games, and are willing to put them at lower quality settings to hit 144 fps then I would get the 144hz monitors. Otherwise I would just get 60hz monitors.

 

[Karadjgne]

I run 2x 1080p 24' 60Hz monitors on a gtx660ti just fine. 1 monitor is primary and used for the game, the other monitor is secondary and used for maps, wiki, whatever. I do the same on a gtx970, granted it does a better job, ultra everything I own. Next will be a 24" ultra wide in center, still just primary, but with 2x secondary monitors. The 970 can handle that no worries. Surround would be different altogether. Resolutions that wide, especially at 144Hz, 1440p would take some power and since I don't have the budget for a 1080 or the desire to get whiplash, I'll stick to the single primary display.

So. Is that what you really are asking? Can a 1070 handle 3 monitors, or can a 1070 handle 3 monitor surround at 1440/144?

 

[mrmez]

Nothing can run 3 x 1440p

Wrong. That's been a doable setup for years.
It's only 25% more pixels than UHD, or equivalent to a 5x1 Eyefinity/Surround 1080 setup.

You're forgetting the 144hz part.
Add that in and your 125% becomes 300% (vs 60hz).