Monitor buying guide (mega-thread)

Justin Phillips15 said:I went with that 24" one Timothy Kim60 mentioned. It's plenty for me since I'm just a weekend gamer.😁 My TV took a tumble too, but luckily it survived.

Well, at least your TV is still in one piece.😁
I was basically hugging mine to make sure it didn't hit the floor—it’s still pretty new, and I'm pretty sure my warranty doesn't cover earthquakes.

John Fowler3 said:Hey guys, looking for some advice on a 27" or larger monitor, budget around $1.00. I need it mainly for photo and video editing; gaming isn't really a priority. It absolutely has to be an IPS panel, and doesn't necessarily need to be 4K...

Thanks in advance! 😉

Since you're doing video and photo work, I'd suggest checking out one of these two ultrawide monitors:
Dell UltraSharp 34 monitor, IPS, 34", 21:9, 2560x1080, HDMI, Display port

Samsung Odyssey G5 monitor, IPS, 34", 21:9, 2560x1080, 75Hz, USB-C, HDMI, Display port, USB

That 34'' screen size gives you that extra width which is perfect for editing, plus you get the IPS panel and still have plenty of cash left over.

Or, if you want to step up to 1440p resolution instead of sticking with 1080p: AOC CU34G2 monitor, VA, 34", 21:9, 3440x1440, 100Hz, pivot, HDMI, Display port, USB

Honestly, you won't find many 4K monitors for just 3000 bucks. Those things are way out of that price range.

Personally, I think that first Dell is the best bang for your buck since it hits 99% sRGB.
You can check the full specs right here.

😉Thanks a ton for the reply, this looks killer. What about something with 1440p resolution, maybe even smaller? I’d actually prefer a 16:9 monitor. Sure, wider is better for video, but I’m doing photography too so I could use those extra horizontal lines...

But yeah, definitely worth chewing on those suggestions of yours...

Edit: just spotted the 1440p suggestion, only catch is it isn't IPS. Tnx!

John Fowler3 said:😉Thanks so much for getting back to me, this looks awesome. What about something with 1440p resolution, maybe even a bit smaller? I’d actually prefer a 16:9 monitor—I know wider is better for video, but since I do photography too, I’d love having those extra horizontal lines...

Anyway, it’s definitely worth chewing on those suggestions you made...

Edit: just realized you suggested a 1440p one, but it isn't IPS. Thanks!

My bad, I missed that the 1440p option above wasn't an IPS panel.
This second one is IPS though: GE 345E2AE/00 monitor, IPS, 34", 21:9, 3440x1440, 75Hz, HDMI, Display port
Unfortunately, this GE model is pretty much the only choice within that budget of yours.

Honestly, I think you’d be really happy with that first Dell UltraSharp too. If I were in your shoes, that’s definitely the one I’d grab.
It hits everything you're looking for and then some. Take a look at the overview below; you'll have plenty to scroll through to see why a screen like that is such a win. You might even fall in love with it 😁
From my own experience, I've found a larger 21:9 monitor is way better than a smaller 16:9 setup. I was so stoked when I finally made the switch myself 😉 I'm using a Samsung Monitor right now and it's perfect for movies (since most films these days are shot in 21:9 anyway) and gaming.

That GE monitor is definitely worth a look... 😉

Thanks for the tips!

John Fowler3 said:That GE monitor is definitely worth a look... 😉

Thanks for the tips!

Fair enough. 🙂 Just let me know which one you end up grabbing and if you actually like using it.

Sure thing. 😉

Greetings. I had assumed purchasing a monitor would be a straightforward endeavor; evidently, I was mistaken. My current setup consists of a Ryzen 5 2600, an RX 580 Nitro+, and various other components. I am considering a 27" display with 1440p resolution at a 144Hz refresh rate. My question is whether such a monitor will actually be utilized effectively, or if my PC is simply too underpowered to make a difference. For context, the machine is primarily used for gaming and streaming.
What is my best course of action? Thanks.

It really depends on what you're playing. If you're sticking to titles like Counter-Strike or League of Legends, it’ll perform just fine. However, if you want to run heavy AAA titles at 1440p and 144Hz, this setup is going to struggle. To be blunt, you’d need a high-end graphics card to handle that, and those are basically impossible to find right now no matter how much you're willing to pay.

Even if I get it now, I won't really be able to make use of it for another five years.
Anyway, here's the real question: is it actually worth shelling out an extra 40% just to get an IPS panel instead of VA?

Honestly, I highly doubt that a simple panel swap accounts for that entire 40% difference.

Regardless, if you're aiming for 1440p at 144Hz, you're always going to need a high-end graphics card if you want to run modern titles at max settings while keeping your frame rates north of 60.

True. If nothing else happens, I guess I'll just keep using this old monitor until it finally gives up the ghost.
Thanks

You don't necessarily have to upgrade right away—I’d suggest either a 1080p 24" 144Hz setup or, if you really want 1440p, going with a 32" 75Hz model. Both sit around $500, though the latter is a bit pricier. Essentially, you either prioritize high refresh rates with a lower resolution, or you opt for 1440p without forcing 144Hz. Trying to run both 1440p and 144Hz alongside modern AAA titles is an incredibly expensive hobby because you'll need a top-tier GPU to pull it off. Of course, games like CS:GO or League of Legends are a different story; they aren't demanding at all.

Here is an example of a post:

I'm currently running an RTX 2070 Super with a 1440p monitor. 2K resolution is significantly more demanding than 1080p, so my advice to anyone happy with 1080p is to avoid even testing out 1440p. Once you experience a higher resolution, it's hard to go back—at least for me.
For me, 1080p looks blurry and pixelated on a 27-inch monitor now. Going back to a 22 or 24-inch screen would feel like playing on a Game Boy. If you're satisfied with what you have, it's honestly better not to touch the monitor or the resolution. With my current card, 1080p would have been the perfect sweet spot for a few more years even with Ray Tracing enabled, but at this resolution, I'm not even close. I remember when Cyberpunk 2077 was running at about 40-50fps on 1080p with my 2070. I thought things would run smoother on the 2070 Super, and I really wish I hadn't made the jump to a higher resolution.

Honestly, it’s probably best if I don't say anything. I’m currently using a 24'' IPS panel and everything is working perfectly fine. I was considering making a change—though I have no idea what would actually be worth the upgrade—but I'm mostly just worried about buyer's remorse.
Maybe I'll look into a 27'' 1440p setup and just dial back the graphics settings a bit.
Thanks for the helpful info.

Hey there.

My old 22" monitor just died on me. I'm looking at getting a new 24" or 27"... basically, what's the best bang for my buck around $333? I don't mind spending a little extra if the quality actually jumps up significantly.

Is it even worth grabbing a 27" at this price point? I've heard people complain about low pixel density—is it actually noticeable?

There are tons of options out there, and the specs seem pretty much identical for this budget.

Mostly just using the PC for browsing and watching movies, nothing crazy. Just a few hours a day.

The rig is ancient... a quad-core Q6600 2.4GHz and an AMD Radeon HD series.

These caught my eye, mostly because of how they look:
AOC 24B1XH
AOC 27B1XH
AOC I2481FXH

I saw some generic brands over at Best Buy; are those any good?
TESLA 24MT600BF
TESLA 27MT600BF

I also stumbled upon this one in a different thread...
LG UltraGear

Anyway, doesn't have to be one of these. Feel free to throw out suggestions.

Quick update (can't edit my last post, sorry for the spam)

I'm passing on the 27" option. Checked one out at a buddy's place, and honestly, the PPI felt too low for me. I just wasn't feeling it.

So, I'm back to looking for recommendations for a 24" display. Nothing for gaming—just general stuff like browsing and watching movies/shows. Budget is around $333
.
Thanks

None of these really jump out at me as being special

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/...m_medium=click
https://www.amazon.com/search?q=E2420HS
https://www.newegg.com/aoc-monitor...m_medium=click

The Samsung wins on the ergonomic stand, whereas the other two options offer a one-year longer warranty period.

I was just curious, I figured it had to be out there somewhere...

Thanks a ton 🙂

I need some help figuring out if this monitor is actually worth the money given the quality you get:

https://www.darty.com/nav/achat/info...ur_d27-30.html

It’s just for basic office work—home office stuff, really. My plan is to mount it directly to the wall to save a little bit of desk space.

Thanks!

🙂

The price point is definitely a win in that department. The only thing left is that one question people have asked a million times already—does 1080p actually look okay on a 27" screen to you personally? Like, is the pixel density too grainy for your eyes?

Timothy Kim60 said:Look, price-wise, it’s a steal. Period. The only thing left is that same old, tired debate we've heard a thousand times—does 1080p actually work for you on a 27" screen? Like, is it going to look grainy to your specific eyes or what?

Could you clarify what you mean by that?

I really doubt I'll run into any resolution issues—I don't even plan on watching YouTube much, let alone anything more demanding.

Thanks!