What's the one monitor feature you won't compromise on?

[mahin1384]

One of the LED strips on my monitor gave out, so I've been looking for a new one. I have some extra cash so decided to get something new that'll last a while, but there's so many new features out there like HDR, VRR, power delivery..

I've been reading RTINGS.com reviews and found this monitor comparison site that makes it easier to filter stuff, but I’m realizing I don’t even know what I care about most.

So I figured I’d ask here. What's the one monitor feature you personally won’t compromise on? Is HDR of any use if you don't game? Does 120Hz + matter? Do you find power delivery useful for clearing up your desk? I'd love to hear some real life opinions.

 

[Colif]

I wouldn't buy a monitor that needs a refresh rate my GPU cannot achieve. I have been there once before with a 4k monitor. Buying more hardware to use it isn't helpful. Depends on if you plan on getting a new GPU or not.

Power delivery wasn't even on my radar, its a nice to have but not something I would reject a monitor for not having.

I might get one next year but I only really want HDR as I don't have it now. Probably 1440p as I am not repeating mistakes again. Not sure if GPU could do 240 (with high settings, it can on lower) so 144hz which my current one can do would be baseline.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

Its VRR and 120hz+ I will never buy a monitor without those again.

I'll probably be getting an OLED next, but I'd be quite happy with VA, IPS, or Mini LED as long as it had VRR.

 

[Colif]

VRR - I think you would have to try hard to find a gaming monitor that didn't support either Freesync or G Sync, that has been pretty standard for the last 10 years or so.

OLED has burn in problems it needs to fix before I would get one. They do win everything else though.

Looking around, if you want a 32inch screen now the only real choice is 4k. I hate surprises like that. 1440p seems to max out of 27inch now, which is funny.,.. as I have a 32inch 1440p screen, its not like its a lost technology. They just want you buying 4k for some reason... profit?

LED vs OLED: Comparing Panel Types Found In Monitors

Modern monitors either contain an OLED panel or an LED-backlit LCD panel, with the latter being commonly known as an LED display. Both OLEDs and LEDs have different panel types, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

www.rtings.com

Not sure I want curved but then I have never used one so its expensive to buy blind.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

VRR - I think you would have to try hard to find a gaming monitor that didn't support either Freesync or G Sync, that has been pretty standard for the last 10 years or so.

OLED has burn in problems it needs to fix before I would get one. They do win everything else though.

Looking around, if you want a 32inch screen now the only real choice is 4k. I hate surprises like that. 1440p seems to max out of 27inch now, which is funny.,.. as I have a 32inch 1440p screen, its not like its a lost technology. They just want you buying 4k for some reason... profit?

LED vs OLED: Comparing Panel Types Found In Monitors

Modern monitors either contain an OLED panel or an LED-backlit LCD panel, with the latter being commonly known as an LED display. Both OLEDs and LEDs have different panel types, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

www.rtings.com

Not sure I want curved but then I have never used one so its expensive to buy blind.

Theres still low end monitors with 60 or 75 hz with Freesync, that would be a no from me.

 

[Colif]

Theres still low end monitors with 60 or 75 hz with Freesync, that would be a no from me.

true, but it would be a stretch to call them gaming monitors... in other words, it probably happens but that is why knowing the refresh rate still counts as well.

 

[Zed Clampet]

Theres still low end monitors with 60 or 75 hz with Freesync, that would be a no from me.

true, but it would be a stretch to call them gaming monitors... in other words, it probably happens but that is why knowing the refresh rate still counts as well.

You all are making me feel weird about setting my system to max out at 60, but I don't want my GPU running at max all day while I play French Poodle Day Spa Simulator. It can just relax and give me 60, and I'll be fine.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

You all are making me feel weird about setting my system to max out at 60, but I don't want my GPU running at max all day while I play French Poodle Day Spa Simulator. It can just relax and give me 60, and I'll be fine.

In a lot of action games 60 is noticeably worse for me than 100+. I tend to limit turn based or non demanding games to 80 though

 

[Colif]

i used to limit mine to max of 143 and min of 140, but that function doesn't seem to exist now, or its because I have AMD Fake Frame gen set up

@Zed Clampet what resolution is that monitor?

 

[Zed Clampet]

i used to limit mine to max of 143 and min of 140, but that function doesn't seem to exist now, or its because I have AMD Fake Frame gen set up

@Zed Clampet what resolution is that monitor?

1440p

In a lot of action games 60 is noticeably worse for me than 100+. I tend to limit turn based or non demanding games to 80 though

My other fear is that if I get used to triple digit framerates that 60 will become unplayable, which is what happened when I switched from 30 to 60. Then I'll be stuck always getting the latest tech, and it would completely rule out going back to laptops.. If I can stay perfectly happy at 60 then I will stay there.

 

[Colif]

With a vrr monitor you never sure what speed its running at unless you use an overlay to look. Or set it to run at a certain speed
Windows Desktop defaults to 60 unless you set it higher.
My Monitor can do from 48 to 144 but I have set it to 144.

But I see if I clicked the on button on last choice it could vary. I am not concerned about saving power.

 

[Zed Clampet]

With a vrr monitor you never sure what speed its running at unless you use an overlay to look. Or set it to run at a certain speed
Windows Desktop defaults to 60 unless you set it higher.
My Monitor can do from 48 to 144 but I have set it to 144.

But I see if I clicked the on button on last choice it could vary. I am not concerned about saving power.

I'm not as concerned about power as I am
how much it's used. Between AI and gaming, my GPU gets almost as much use as a crypto minor.

The monitor goes to 144, by the way

 

[Colif]

those damn crpyto minors, doing cryptology under age is terrible...

runs away

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

With a vrr monitor you never sure what speed its running at unless you use an overlay to look. Or set it to run at a certain speed
Windows Desktop defaults to 60 unless you set it higher.
My Monitor can do from 48 to 144 but I have set it to 144.

But I see if I clicked the on button on last choice it could vary. I am not concerned about saving power.

Most games these days have a frame cap in the menu. VRR stops it feeling awful when it dips, as long as doesnt dip too far too fast.

1440p

My other fear is that if I get used to triple digit framerates that 60 will become unplayable, which is what happened when I switched from 30 to 60. Then I'll be stuck always getting the latest tech, and it would completely rule out going back to laptops.. If I can stay perfectly happy at 60 then I will stay there.

If an action game chugs I bump a setting down a notch until it doesnt happen anymore. Most of the time going under 60 feels bad man.

I do have a frame counter enabled in Steam, but on other platforms I just do it by feel.