Need help in upgrading my monitor

[carlosmw26]

Hello All,

I am looking to upgrade my monitor and need your assistance in deciding the same. I have been looking at the Asus VG248QE and the Acer Predator XB271HU as the 2 probable options.

I am unsure if I should really spend big bucks for the Acer Model right now. Its still pretty expensive and with the ever-changing/ upgrading of PC products that is happening, very soon the 750-800 USD monitor will soon be outshone by other newer products. After what I have researched, I have found that the major differences between XB271HU and VG248QE are screen size, panel type, resolution and G-Sync. Refresh rates aren't too different. So is it really worth the fat price?

I am currently using an ancient 2007 HP Model (w2007v) so even if I upgrade to VG248QE I will be effectively upgrading from 60Hz refresh rate,1680x1050 resolution, 5ms response time to 144Hz, 1920 x 1080, 1ms which are still major upgrades. But is it too less?

Also, does it make sense going in for 4K monitors now. Maybe today's games will work fine, but in 2-3 years, with more demanding games, will I be able to play games at the highest resolution/ refresh rate that my monitor can deliver?

My specs are:
Processor: Intel i7-3770K
Ram: 16GB
GPU: Gigabyte 980Ti

Please do share your inputs, thank you.

 

[Hyboria]

very soon the 750-800 USD monitor will soon be outshone by other newer products.

As is the case with almost every piece of technology you could buy. Your similarly as expensive GPU will be outshone by newer products in 2-3 years time. I feel like you'll be far less frustrated with the performance of a 165Hz 1440p monitor in ~3 years compared to your GPU in ~3 years.

After what I have researched, I have found that the major differences between XB271HU and VG248QE are screen size

Depends really on how you feel about having a larger monitor. Maybe try go into a shop and find a 27 and 24 inch monitor on display, sit in front of them and try get a feel for it. I sit an arm's length away from my XB270HU and it's fine.

panel type

IPS > TN. This is a big difference, IPS colours are excellent

resolution

For general usage and in gaming 1440p is awesome. I didn't think I'd notice the difference much by going to a 1440p monitor from my old 1080p, but having actually made the change I'm amazed, would not consider going back to 1440p.

and G-Sync.

This is a very useful feature to have, especially if you aren't going to be upgrading your GPU for a while. Currently the 980 Ti gets 60+ fps on most AAA titles at ultra settings (1440p). Give it a couple of years and I imagine that it won't be able to manage a consistent 60+ fps (struggles with some titles today). Having G-Sync will help in situations where your fps is dropping below 60.

So is it really worth the fat price?

I would say so, yes.

I am currently using an ancient 2007 HP Model (w2007v) so even if I upgrade to VG248QE I will be effectively upgrading from 60Hz refresh rate,1680x1050 resolution, 5ms response time to 144Hz, 1920 x 1080, 1ms which are still major upgrades. But is it too less?

I honestly think that if you've kept your current monitor for the last 9 years you'd be better off buying a the XB271HU if you want to keep your new monitor for a similar length of time.

Also, does it make sense going in for 4K monitors now. Maybe today's games will work fine, but in 2-3 years, with more demanding games, will I be able to play games at the highest resolution/ refresh rate that my monitor can deliver?

If you're not going to upgrade your GPU it doesn't make sense to go for 4k monitors. The 980 Ti does OK-ish at 4k, but give it a couple of years and it'll struggle. If you did buy a 4k gaming monitor and wanted to make the most of it you'd probably want to buy a second 980 Ti.

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

FPS is irrelevant. Witcher 3 at 60 FPS was worse than a 30 FPS game on console, in this case dying light at 30 was smoother than Witcher 3 at 60, but they patched Witcher a while later. That had to do with frame timings, which GSync would solve to some degree if it happens in the future. Basically all AAA nowadays are optimized poorly. I'm 2' from a 32" 1080 monitor, but you'll have to try a bigger screen yourself, nobody can tell you what to use.


All the best!

 

[carlosmw26]

very soon the 750-800 USD monitor will soon be outshone by other newer products.

As is the case with almost every piece of technology you could buy. Your similarly as expensive GPU will be outshone by newer products in 2-3 years time. I feel like you'll be far less frustrated with the performance of a 165Hz 1440p monitor in ~3 years compared to your GPU in ~3 years.

After what I have researched, I have found that the major differences between XB271HU and VG248QE are screen size

Depends really on how you feel about having a larger monitor. Maybe try go into a shop and find a 27 and 24 inch monitor on display, sit in front of them and try get a feel for it. I sit an arm's length away from my XB270HU and it's fine.

panel type

IPS > TN. This is a big difference, IPS colours are excellent

resolution

For general usage and in gaming 1440p is awesome. I didn't think I'd notice the difference much by going to a 1440p monitor from my old 1080p, but having actually made the change I'm amazed, would not consider going back to 1440p.

and G-Sync.

This is a very useful feature to have, especially if you aren't going to be upgrading your GPU for a while. Currently the 980 Ti gets 60+ fps on most AAA titles at ultra settings (1440p). Give it a couple of years and I imagine that it won't be able to manage a consistent 60+ fps (struggles with some titles today). Having G-Sync will help in situations where your fps is dropping below 60.

So is it really worth the fat price?

I would say so, yes.

I am currently using an ancient 2007 HP Model (w2007v) so even if I upgrade to VG248QE I will be effectively upgrading from 60Hz refresh rate,1680x1050 resolution, 5ms response time to 144Hz, 1920 x 1080, 1ms which are still major upgrades. But is it too less?

I honestly think that if you've kept your current monitor for the last 9 years you'd be better off buying a the XB271HU if you want to keep your new monitor for a similar length of time.

Also, does it make sense going in for 4K monitors now. Maybe today's games will work fine, but in 2-3 years, with more demanding games, will I be able to play games at the highest resolution/ refresh rate that my monitor can deliver?

If you're not going to upgrade your GPU it doesn't make sense to go for 4k monitors. The 980 Ti does OK-ish at 4k, but give it a couple of years and it'll struggle. If you did buy a 4k gaming monitor and wanted to make the most of it you'd probably want to buy a second 980 Ti.

Thank you. That's like the perfect answer. You touched all the points and provided all the information I needed.

I don't think I am going to upgrade my GPU in the next 2-3 years, so 4K is definitely out.
And I guess the Asus VG248QE, while a good monitor, won't be that major of an upgrade and my GPU would still be an overkill.
So all fingers point to the Acer XB271HU. I know its a solid monitor which pretty much has everything covered. So thanks for assisting me in making the decision, even if your assistance means making a "relatively" deep hole in my pocket. Lol.
Will probably pick it up in a months time, fingers crossed that the price drops a bit.

 

[Hyboria]

You can always try pick up the XB270HU, it's the older version of the 271, offers all the same benefits.

I really doubt you'll be upgrading your monitor for a looooooooooooong time. I have no plans to upgrade mine (XB270HU).

 

[carlosmw26]

You can always try pick up the XB270HU, it's the older version of the 271, offers all the same benefits.

I really doubt you'll be upgrading your monitor for a looooooooooooong time. I have no plans to upgrade mine (XB270HU).

Dude, I stuck with the HP for like 9 years, its even been my travel buddy lol. Been on 2 international flights, 2 road trips of 600 kms each, nothing happens to it. Got to give it to HP for their build quality Shame got to just put it aside now. Sadly its time is up.

Anyways, me too ain't gonna upgrade my Monitor in a long time. So will definitely be picking up the XB271HU.