Hi,
Hoping for some guidance. I'm looking to spend around $400 on a gaming monitor to pair up with my Macbook Pro (I know it's not a gaming machine… ). Preferably USB C and 27 inches.
I'm pretty out of my depth with what I should be looking for. Any guidance would be appreciated. I see a lot of stuff about different panels, g sync and free sync and I am pretty lost with it all.
Recommendations and what to look for or what to avoid would be appreciated.
Cheers
I have a 28 inch 4k monitor and at that size the resolution is just about right. There's so many pixels that scaling games down from 4K doesn't even look bad at all, a lot of games have 4K overlays anyway which looks great.
how's win10 desktop scaling ?
I have a 4k monitor and 1080p monitor. Win10 scaling is very good - each monitor gets its own DPI scaling so it doesn't look "blown up" on the 1080p and everything is readable (i.e not blurry).
Linux on the other hand… Woo boy. Don't do it
The problem isn't Windows 10 in general, it's a few apps that don't do well with the DPI settings.
Photoshop (CS6), of all things, for example, doesn't adjust to the DPI very well.
VX3276-2K.
Seems like amazing value for around $300 but I'm guessing there is some stuff this monitor isn't doing that I may want it to?
For Macbook Pro gaming, it does everything you need it to. For high-end super-high Hz/HDR or USB-C connectivity, it won't.
ok, thanks for your help mate :)
@MrFizz: that's nothing what you've asked for
not 27"
no usb-c (powered / supply)
60hz standard office refresh rate
no freesync/gsync (what's your mbp gpu spec?)
That guy just post the same monitor on every monitor recommendation threads, just because he owns one himself.
@dcep: According to a quick check, but I'm actually not even confident if that is the information you are looking for… If it's not let me know what I need to find so I can let you know.
Radeon Pro 560X 4 GB
Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB
@MrFizz: 560X supports freesync through bootcamp
but if running bootcamp is too much of a hassle, you can skip freesync and look for display with at least 75hz
75hz is still a massive noticeable difference over 60hz even on desktop alone and even more so on gaming
Philips 272B7QUPBEB
27" 2560x1440P @ 75hz IPS panel
USB-C - single cable display+charging your MBP
Price $529 shipped
https://www.centrecom.com.au/philips-272b7qupbeb-27-qhd-usb-…
Thanks
Freesync and G-Sync are hardware methods of reducing screen tearing and making screen refreshing (frames) look smooth.
Freesync is AMD/ATI's version and is generally seen as cheaper. G-Sync is NVidia's proprietary version and you generally pay a premium for a G-Sync monitor.
The main difference between them is that G-Sync caps the framerate/refresh rate at the monitors upper limit (Hz rating) whereas Freesync allows the GPU to push out more frames than the monitor is capable of displaying (with VSync turned off)
As of late last year (correct me if I'm wrong on timing), NVidia unlocked their GPU's to work with Freesync monitors. I've got an Acer 27" 1080P 144Hz screen and it works beautifully with my RTX 2060. I've never been one for screen gimmicks etc. but the Freesync 144hz upgrade is by far one of the best investments I made. I couldn't go back to a 60hz screen for my gaming machine anymore. Pushing 100+ frames of games like Division 2 at max settings has the game running so smooth I can't believe the difference over 60hz.
Thanks so much for such a thorough response!
Going against my better judgement for fear of looking more stupid. To my understanding, a Macbook Pro doesn't have NVidia or AMD, so can my system benefit from G-Sync or Freesync?
Radeon is ATI. So if you do in fact have the Radeon Pro 560X 4 GB, that specific card supports AMD Freesync.
Freesync etc. can be used at lower refresh rates like 60hz, but it looks much better when used at higher refresh rates (120hz+).
Given the limited gaming that the MBP would be able to handle, you probably wouldn't push much more that 60 frames on most games at best, so getting a higher refresh rate monitor will only be of use in standard interfaces, so I probably wouldn't be bothered too much with getting a higher refresh rate. Unless you plan to get a desktop with a dedicated GPU at some later stage.
Thanks so much! That is the crux of what I was wanting to know.
I currently have https://www.samsung.com/au/monitors/c27f397fhe/ do you think it's worth me getting a gaming monitor or do you think due to my system, I'm not going to notice much difference?
@MrFizz: You're probably not going to get as much benefit out of it. What sort of games would you be looking to play? Looking at the card and some gaming benchmarks it's lucky to push 50 FPS on most titles at 1080p.
Having said that, the intention of Freesync/G-Sync is to sync the screen with the GPU, so they're both refreshing/displaying the same frames. So even at lower FPS (below 60) a monitor may continue to refresh at 60 frames but your GPU may only push out 40-50. This can cause screen tearing and make the visuals look very jittery. Freesync will make it look smoother, even at lower frame rates.
I guess it depends on whether you want to fork out for a new monitor for that alone.
@sghetti: I play Heros of the Storm and Borderlands 2 (and 3 at some point).
Thanks once again for your input, it's really appreciated. I think a part of it is that I just really want a new toy and not sure what else I 'need'….
only through bootcamp
Have you considered ultrawides? Especially the WQHD (1440p) ones. There was a highly rated Kogan one for $510ish That I'm seriously considering for myself.
It's Freesync compatible, and being 34" is generally the same height as a normal 27" 16:9 monitor. No USB-C, but a separate adapter means you're flexible even though it's an added expense.
Thanks for your input. My instinct when I have a look at this is F yes! Bigger is better, but the size of my screen at the moment seems ideal and if it were wider, I'm not sure how much use I would like the extra screen… You have given me something else to think about!
I didn't see this part of the question. A quick scan shows that USB-C monitors are not common and you're often paying a premium for them, with other features being quite standard.
I'd highly recommend getting a USB-C to DisplayPort or HDMI converter and get a standard connection monitor with better features, overall it would probably cost you less.
the beauty of single thin usb-c cable display out + powering your laptop at the same time
Thanks for that, I have one already which works fine, I was just thinking it would be a lot tidier if the monitor had USB c. Was a wishlist item but in no way a deal-breaker.
The Kogan 27" Curved QHD 144Hz FreeSync Gaming Monitor (2560 x 1440) looks like a pretty good deal @ $379 but I don't know anything about the panel they use…
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/kogan-27-curved-qhd-144hz-frees…
What do you guys think?
If you are sitting a bit back like in a recliner armchair get a 40 inch 4k 60hz screen best decision I have made so far in my pc gaming life.
Hard for me to go below 32 inches anymore be it 1440p or 4k.
That sounds glorious but I have more of a conventional setup.
It is.. with my failing eyesight bigger is better so I opted for larger visuals over smoother ones.
I have always dreamed of a wall screen with crazy res and crazy fps some day but for now 40 inches of 4k 60 fps awesomeness is good enough especially because I sit less than 1 metre away from the screen but not close enough to warrant something smaller like a 32 inch which is more economical and better spec wise.
Conventional is always good.. it is safe, reliable and well everyone else is doing it so nothing can go wrong right?
If everyone else is doing it, what could possibly go wrong! haha
If you ever plan on playing competitively while having good view angles for media consumption, look for 144hz VA 1440p monitor.
I recommend Samsung CJG5 here for $399 + shipping
https://www.mwave.com.au/product/samsung-cjg5-27-144hz-wqhd-…
Today I brought Samsung CFG73 27 inch 1080p ver for $319.13 total w/ ebay code. I only wanted 1080p ver as another monitor for my other PC and pivot mode for my shmups
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SAMSUNG-27-CURVED-GAMING-QLED-MO…
Thanks for your help there!
Seems good for $400 to me. Is no freesync problematic?
Personally if you wanted freesync I would wait for a deal like this one https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/420247
I can't really comment about freesync but I what say is I hate G-sync on my pg348q. Rainbow Six Siege doesn't really work well with it & I got annoying flicking issues when I alt tab games. I would take my expereince with a grain of salt since this is premium monitor I use & it doesnt need G-sync/Freesync enabled to have perfect experience.
Edit: I just realised, I overpaid by $14 for CFG73 as there's another listing for $305.15 brand new for ebay plus members. Next time search by brand name/144hz instead of model name.
Cheers for your help! Given me a lot to look at.
I thought G-Sync was supposed to be perfect as they claim they validate each panel. ;)
Anything 27" and above and I would be looking at at least 2560 x 1440 resolution. Don't be fooled by large monitors that are low in price, because they tend to be only Full HD (1920 x 1080), which starts to look grainy at 27". Definitely worth spending a bit more to get a monitor with higher resolution