Monitor Recommendation May_2025

Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 21:38

Hi all,

I'm looking for recommendations for two monitors. I plan to mount them on an arm and have them positioned side by side.

Initially, I considered buying two of the same model, but realistically, I only need one for non-competitive gaming and productivity, while the second will be used for productivity alone. It feels like overkill to have both monitors geared for gaming, but I’m a bit concerned that having mismatched monitors might look odd.

My budget is $250–$300 AUD per monitor.

Must-have specs:
IPS panel
1440p (2K) resolution
<1ms response time
Minimum 150Hz refresh rate

I've narrowed down the following based on my research in order from best to worse! I'm shattered I missed the AW2724DM 27" - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/906087 deal recently but it is what it is!

  1. MSI MAG 275QF
  2. Lenovo N27q 27
  3. ASUS VG27WQ3B
  4. AOC Q27G4F

Open to other suggestions as well. For reference, my desk depth is 80cm.

Thanks in advance!

Computing Monitor

Comments

  • jv on 19/05/2025 - 21:42
    -3

    Monitor Recommendation

    Try looking up Varanus…

    jv on 19/05/2025 - 21:42 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 21:55

      may as well have looked up 'black hole'?

      • jv on 19/05/2025 - 21:55
        -3

        Can you find Monitors there ?

        • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 21:56

          depends how hard you look I guess! - but the lack of 'anything' may make it hard to plug in!

          • jv on 19/05/2025 - 21:57
            -1

            @Yiannakis50:

            but the lack of 'anything'

            black holes are the opposite of that though…

            • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 22:01

              @jv: I was actually hoping for a monitor expert rather than a black hole specialist. Got anything worth contributing on the monitor front, or should we just keep building our post counts together? Either way, I’m open tell me more!

              • jv on 19/05/2025 - 22:02
                -2

                @Yiannakis50:

                hoping for a monitor expert

                The search for a herpetologist…

                • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 22:08
                  +1

                  @jv: Apologies I forgot we live in a time where society’s so caught up in specifics, we've lost the art of filling in the blanks. When I said “monitor,” I was referring to the screen kind, not the lizard. Though I do admire the commitment to taxonomy!

                  • jv on 19/05/2025 - 22:09
                    -1

                    @Yiannakis50:

                    When I said “monitor,” I was referring to the screen kind, not the lizard.

                    That's not really evident in the title…

                    • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 22:16

                      @jv: hence why I wrote a the brief to avoid the herpetology detour!

                      • jv on 19/05/2025 - 22:18
                        -1

                        @Yiannakis50: Not everyone has the luxury of time to read details in the description.

                        It's important to write a good title that is not ambiguous.

                        • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 22:21

                          @jv: True, not everyone has time to read the details… but somehow, there’s always time to reply! Interesting how that works, huh?

                          • jv on 19/05/2025 - 22:22
                            -1

                            @Yiannakis50:

                            there’s always time to reply!

                            Sure, if you've saved time by focussing only on the title…

                            OzBargain 101…

                            • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 22:24

                              @jv: a title is just a title but like a book without its pages, it’s pretty meaningless without the depth of its context. Sometimes you’ve got to dive in to get the full picture!

                              • jv on 19/05/2025 - 22:26
                                -1

                                @Yiannakis50:

                                a title is just a title but like a book without its pages

                                Many people buy books just because they have a good title…

                                • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 22:30

                                  @jv: A catchy title can definitely grab attention, but it’s the content that keeps you hooked! Otherwise, you’re just collecting doorstops. OZBargain 101, don’t throw money away on flashy titles always read the back page first!

                        • smartazz104 on 19/05/2025 - 22:26

                          @jv:

                          Not everyone has the luxury of time to read details in the description.

                          Some are too busy trying to forever increase their comment count…

  • AustriaBargain on 19/05/2025 - 21:54

    What about a single 4K ultra wide?

    • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 21:56

      for gaming, not within budget!

      • AustriaBargain on 19/05/2025 - 22:24
        +1

        Or a 2K ultra wide even, it would be the equivalent of two 2k monitors next to each other. If you do video editing then an ultra wide scrobble bar is worth a lot more than two 2k monitors.

        • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 22:27

          When you say 2K UltraWide, what screen size are you referring to? 32"? I mostly use my monitor for work documents, Excel spreadsheets, that kind of stuff so I don’t do much video editing myself. My other question is how is gaming on a 2k Ultrawide?

          • AustriaBargain on 19/05/2025 - 23:47

            @Yiannakis50: Like this https://www.amazon.com.au/5120x1440-montior-Interchangeabili…

            At $1,000 it's $400 over your budget. I can't find reviews for that particular model either, Kogan sell a similar one for the same price. 144hz is close to your 150hz requirement. It is IPS. It is 5ms response time though.

            • Yiannakis50 on 19/05/2025 - 23:54

              @AustriaBargain: Thank you for sharing! I never considered a 49" as they aren't ideal for gaming, apparently the pixel density of 5120x1440 puts strain on the CPU, but for productivity I can see the benefits shame its a bit out of budget! and I've never heard of YOGAES either

              • AustriaBargain on 20/05/2025 - 00:14

                @Yiannakis50: You could play the games pillar boxed, I'm assuming. And a lot of modern games will let you play with a lower game resolution but with a native overlay/hud resolution.

  • MS Paint on 19/05/2025 - 23:24
    +4

    OP took jv's bait and jv reeled them in. FFS.

  • ForkSnorter on 20/05/2025 - 06:15

    I'd get 27" 4K for productivity. 27" QHD or 24" FHD for gaming. After using 4K for productivity, I don't think I'd want to go back to a lower resolution.

    Conversely, I love gaming on my 24" FHD monitor, and actually prefer it to larger/higher resolution monitors. I do sit pretty close though.

    • Yiannakis50 on 20/05/2025 - 08:38

      27" 4K - I presume the text clarity is better? Is that why you suggested it? What are you using at the moment?

      In regards to gaming all the Redit posts I've come across say the sweet spot is 27" - have you gamed on a 27" and how close is close?

      Thx

      • ForkSnorter on 20/05/2025 - 08:45

        27" 4K - I presume the text clarity is better? Is that why you suggested it? What are you using at the moment?

        Dell 27" 4K USB-C monitor.

        In regards to gaming all the Redit posts I've come across say the sweet spot is 27" - have you gamed on a 27" and how close is close?

        Maybe 27" is good for gaming at a desk. I don't like gaming at a desk, because I sit at a desk all day working.

        I've created a little relaxing gaming corner where I sit in a lounge chair, with the monitor on a little stool and a rotating lazy suzan. Works perfectly with a 24 inch monitor. I sit at the normal distance for a 24" monitor. I tried it with 27" QHD and 27" 4K, and didn't notice any improvement or increased enjoyment. In fact, I hardly even noticed the better resolution. When you're in the action, you don't notice things like resolution, as long as it's acceptable. 1080p is acceptable for 24 inch.

        • Yiannakis50 on 20/05/2025 - 09:10

          Great, thanks!

          I’m going to assume you’re referring to the S2725QS — it would be a solid choice, especially if the price comes down a bit.

          Yes, I’m at a desk setup. Yours sounds cool, but unless it’s for console gaming, I can’t quite picture myself gaming on a lazy Susan! I’m also trying to imagine how your mouse and keyboard are positioned — but I’m guessing you’re using a wireless controller and playing FPS games?

          • ForkSnorter on 20/05/2025 - 09:20

            @Yiannakis50:

            Yours sounds cool, but unless it’s for console gaming, I can’t quite picture myself gaming on a lazy Susan!

            For console gaming, I just use the big TV in the living room.

            The Lazy susan for my PC gaming monitor just helps me get the right angle if I move around a bit, or to rotate the monitor so that it's against the wall when I'm not using it. Also looks really good.

            I’m also trying to imagine how your mouse and keyboard are positioned — but I’m guessing you’re using a wireless controller and playing FPS games?

            Wireless keyboard in my lap. Wireless mouse on the lounge chair. Also use a wireless controller most of the time. I'm not a serious gamer, so don't take any advice from me.

  • Hardlyworkin on 20/05/2025 - 07:28

    I plan on doing a lot of productivity today! Just need someone to show me what that is.

  • The Hawk on 20/05/2025 - 13:57
    +1

    34" ultrawide 3440 x 1440 - MSI MAG 342CQR E2 34" UWQHD VA 180Hz Adaptive-Sync Curved Gaming Monitor
    https://www.centrecom.com.au/msi-mag-342cqr-e2-34-uwqhd-va-1…

    27" 2560 x 1440 - MSI G273CQ 27" QHD VA 170Hz 1ms Curved Gaming Monitor
    https://www.centrecom.com.au/msi-g273cq-27-qhd-va-170hz-1ms-…

    $429 + $215 = $644

    I love my ultrawide for gaming, but also for productivity as that extra width is magical. These two sizes/resolutions are the same physical height too so work very nicely together.

    I actually have three monitors, 27" / 34" / 27". This means my main monitor is directly in front with one off on each side. It is a little overkill and I do have to turn my head to get from one extreme to the other, but it is awesome.

    I currently have the main monitor away for a warranty repair/replacement (not the linked MSI) so I'm currently only using two 27" 1440 screens and have thoughts.
    1. I really do miss the ultrawide for productivity, for gaming it really doesn't seem to make much of a difference for me.
    2. Because I have the split down the middle I have to turn my head slightly to game on one of the monitors and I miss having one right in front. I think I would physically the monitor stands so I could keep one directly in front for gaming if I was ever going to keep this setup permanently.

    My advice on monitor arms is this:

    If you have two 24/25/27" monitors, a single rigid stand which only does height adjustment and keeps everything perfectly aligned is excellent. No screwing about trying to get them rotated that extra 1 degree and getting the heights just so.

    If you don't get a rigid stand, don't get one of those two arm jobs, get individual monitor stands. That way you get an extra dimension to move where they are mounted to ensure the perfect distance from your face while also getting the screen to touch in the middle. Well worth the effort.

    • Yiannakis50 on 20/05/2025 - 14:16

      @The Hawk, that is some great insight thank you, you also pointed out the above are the same physical height which is enticing as this has been a deterrent for me from getting two different monitors due to the physical height, not so much the width.

      It is a shame they are both VA, I've had VA before and it strains my eyes hence why IPS, I looked at the above combo in IPS but blows the budget out of the water.

      Also appreciate the comment for the 2x single stands as I've been looking at doubles but had not factored in the dimensions of the screens.

      very helpful, thanks again!

      • The Hawk on 20/05/2025 - 16:44
        +1

        I'm running 2 x Dell S2721DS IPS panels as my side screens, and a ViewSonic VX3480-2K-Pro as the centre (VA 165Hz) because it was on special at the time.

        Here is what 27 / 34 / 27 looks like, the angles make it looks little weird, but at over 2 meters of screen, it's glorious!
        https://imgur.com/a/w6tscAu

        I can tell the difference between the panels when they are side by side if I really look, but not so much that I care. I also don't have any issues with eye strain (that I know of :P ).

        Maybe I'm just old, maybe my eyes are shit (behind my glasses), but even gaming on these 75Hz monitors instead o the 165Hz unit for the last week or so hasn't been notably different for me… clearly not a competitive gamer where it matters.

        As for IPS at 3440, they get expensive quickly and start to makes the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF) look attractive at $1,200!

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