It's nearly 2025 and the selection of 4K monitors remains abysmal. Let's discuss this sad state of affairs.

[Assimilator]

text is far easier to read on 4K computer monitors in HiDPI mode

That's exactly why I'm looking at upgrading. As a software developer I spend my life looking at text and my eyes ain't getting any younger either.

That's VA, the OP specifically stated IPS.

Nope, panel technology is not one of my criteria. I do not care about IPS versus VA versus OLED versus whatever-the-fuck, except insomuch as that panel technology is related to curvature.

 

[kapone32]

I wish I could show you but I also feel that the refinement of 4K fell to Ultrawides. If you get a FV43U it will not disappoint. If you can turn up the Contrast and turn down the brightness you might be surprised. I guess the monitor is enjoyed though as it is more expensive and available today than when I bought it in 2021. Yep I said 2021

Gigabyte FV43U - Google Search

 

[TheLostSwede]

Nope, panel technology is not one of my criteria. I do not care about IPS versus VA versus OLED versus whatever-the-fuck, except insomuch as that panel technology is related to curvature.

Initially you stated IPS though. Changing goal posts this late is evil...

 

[Assimilator]

Initially you stated IPS though. Changing goal posts this late is evil...

I absolutely did not.

 

[oobymach]

In response to op, there are an abundance of 4k tv's, they come in up to 8ft sizes now, join the future and game on a 4k tv, like it was meant to be.

 

[AleXXX666]

Dude, read with understanding: I've said I recently switched to 4k 42" TV from that Alienware monitor...

lol, monitor is always better than TV...

No, but it's close for an ultra-wide.

that's different story...

 

[cvaldes]

In response to op, there are an abundance of 4k tv's, they come in up to 8ft sizes now, join the future and game on a 4k tv, like it was meant to be.

Another thing is that televisions tend to do HDR much better than computer monitors right now.

Since I got my LG C2, I have zero interest in media consumption on my computer monitors. Movies, television shows, Internet video, games all look better on the OLED television. Like night and day.

As I wrote before, my 27" 4K@60Hz IPS computer monitor is used for desktop productivity tasks which it excels at. Very satisfied with that.

 

[lexluthermiester]

that's different story...

Only a little. The pixel count is in a similar ballpark.

 

[Klemc]

HDR i found only A.Creed Origins doesn't do this oversaturated blacks pixelisation, idk how to describe it, on my OLED and when i used it on VA/IPS it was verry worst.

 

[A Computer Guy]

That's exactly why I'm looking at upgrading. As a software developer I spend my life looking at text and my eyes ain't getting any younger either.

I'm in the same boat. 4K is nice for reading, especially when you set the resolution to 1440p and 125% scaling.

 

[Klemc]

That looks good specs :

BenQ PD3226G (better at work)
AOC U32G4ZMN (idk)

PD3226G｜32" 4K UHD 144Hz Thunderbolt 4 Monitor for Designer

PD3226G 32" 4K UHD Designer Monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and Thunderbolt 4 delivers sharper details and smoother transitions

www.benq.com

AOC U32G4ZMN 31.5-Inch 4K 240Hz QD-Mini LED Monitor to Launch on September 6

AOC is set to release its new 31.5-inch QD-Mini LED monitor, model U32G4ZMN, on September 6, with a price of approximately $650 USD. The monitor, currently available for pre-order in Asia and features a 4K resolution and a refresh rate of 240Hz.

www.guru3d.com

 

[mechtech]

I have six simple criteria for a new monitor:

• 4K
• 32"
• > 60Hz
• 1800R curvature
• USB-C display connectivity (no need for monitor to be powered over this link, or to offer PD)
• sane price

and yet I cannot find a single display on the market that satisfies all of them. So far the two (!) I've narrowed it down to are:

• MSI MPG 321CURX: 4.5/6 because it's 1700R not 1800R, and as a "gaming" monitor will be stupidly overpriced - but it also doesn't seem to be available to buy, despite being announced 2 months ago
• Dell S3221QS(A): 4/6 because 60Hz and no USB-C; if Dell were to release a USB-C version for not too much more moola, I would probably be willing to bite

What really gets me is the lack of refresh rates in general for 4K. For 1080p and 1440p we have a multitude of 75Hz and 90Hz panels that give a nice range of options for buyers, but for 4K there's just a barren wasteland between 60Hz and 120Hz, and this doesn't seem to have improved since 4K monitors first came on the scene half a decade ago. Sure you can get up to 240Hz 4K panels now, but that's just bigger numbers for the sake of bigger numbers, not something actually useful to consumers. There also seems to be a push towards 1000R monitors in the "gaming" space which is also totally nonsensical to me... you aren't supposed to have your face plastered against the screen!

Thoughts? Prayers? Is the display industry becoming as feature bankrupt as every other PC segment, or is this just a case of old man yells at sky?

I think the "sane price" can be a bit of a tough one.

I'm using this one now for 4-5 years? https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PX8JMJV?tag=pcp0f-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1
I got it on sale for about $330CAD, and I have seen it as low as $300CAD

27" is my limit.
120hz would be nice and able to go to 24hz for VRR
true 10-bit colour (no FRC) would be nice
DP 2.0 would be nice
Built in speakers would be nice
gloss/glass or very light AG would be nice
upgradable firmware would be nice
3-5 yr warranty would be nice
exterior power brick preferred
a good scalar that works properly
a good menu setup

I think I will be waiting several more years and even then probably end up with some type of oled braking the bank.

 

[AsRock]

USB-C is the future of connectivity and if I'm going to lay down hundreds of pounds on a new monitor, I want it to be somewhat future-proof.

And no, I don't own Apple products.

My monitor has a UCB-C port and never used it and it been 17552 hours.

 

[Chomiq]

Gigabyte M32UP 160Hz 4K UHD IPS with HDMI 2.1 - PC Monitors

Another 32" 4K 160 Hz with USB-C

 

[Chrispy_]

I think the "sane price" can be a bit of a tough one.

I'm using this one now for 4-5 years? https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PX8JMJV?tag=pcp0f-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1
I got it on sale for about $330CAD, and I have seen it as low as $300CAD

27" is my limit.
120hz would be nice and able to go to 24hz for VRR
true 10-bit colour (no FRC) would be nice
DP 2.0 would be nice
Built in speakers would be nice
gloss/glass or very light AG would be nice
upgradable firmware would be nice
3-5 yr warranty would be nice
exterior power brick preferred
a good scalar that works properly
a good menu setup

I think I will be waiting several more years and even then probably end up with some type of oled braking the bank.

That sounds like a gaming OLED to me, I'm not sure if anything exists that actually covers all those bases but if you want gloss/light AG that just about rules out LCD these days. Also, OLEDs tend to have user-upgradeable firmware more often than the almost-never of LCDs.

I really want an OLED gaming monitor but I'm genuinely worried about burn-in given that I use it for productivity a lot of the time too. The OLED TV on the HTPC is just soo nice though, It's commandeered more of my time than the gaming rig recently.

Gigabyte M32UP 160Hz 4K UHD IPS with HDMI 2.1 - PC Monitors

Another 32" 4K 160 Hz with USB-C

Take out the requirement for a curved screen and the market is rich with options, some of which are award-winning. I do get that @Assimilator wants a curve though - I'm using a curved 32" 1440p on one of my PCs and for the distance I sit from it, I greatly prefer the curve over the previous HP Omen 32" flat display it replaced.

 

[mechtech]

That sounds like a gaming OLED to me, I'm not sure if anything exists that actually covers all those bases but if you want gloss/light AG that just about rules out LCD these days. Also, OLEDs tend to have user-upgradeable firmware more often than the almost-never of LCDs.

I really want an OLED gaming monitor but I'm genuinely worried about burn-in given that I use it for productivity a lot of the time too. The OLED TV on the HTPC is just soo nice though, It's commandeered more of my time than the gaming rig recently.


Take out the requirement for a curved screen and the market is rich with options, some of which are award-winning. I do get that @Assimilator wants a curve though - I'm using a curved 32" 1440p on one of my PCs and for the distance I sit from it, I greatly prefer the curve over the previous HP Omen 32" flat display it replaced.

My current lcd is fairly light AG. A lot better than my office one at work. Many laptop screens are gloss. I guess the point is lack of variety in the PC monitor market, specifically with coatings and ratios. It would also be nice if there was an accepted scale for AG, like 0 being none and 10 full on thick AG.

I have been looking at this one..............particularly the RD280U, and I'd have no issue paying the price if it had more of the things I'm looking for. The 3:2 ratio is nice, but the premium for it is too much. And I am not a coder, but AutoCad would be better on this ratio vs 16:9. Be nice to see a thorough review on that nano AG though.

Best Monitor for Programming: Clear Code, Full Focus

Programmers' top choice, RD Series monitors offer expert-approved clarity, helping you maintain focus. Get ready to dive into coding like never before!

www.benq.com

Edit - hey buy one for the "business" and let me know

 

[AleXXX666]

I'm in the same boat. 4K is nice for reading, especially when you set the resolution to 1440p and 125% scaling.

yeah, that's what I got when bought 27" 4K - default scaling is 125% which is 1440p - WHAT "4K" I GET THEN?

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Problem is finding one that actually works. I know, you're gonna say "how is it possible to build a USB-C-to-DP cable/adapter that doesn't do the one job it is designed to?" and I don't have a good answer for you; I can however personally attest that this is, unfortunately, A Thing.

I'm just saying, I've NEVER had issues with compatibility using displayport, or displayport to mini displayport, cables. So why even bother with USB C to displayport? Just a royal PITA for no benefit. You have to go out of your way to pick up a USB C monitor and special adapter just to say you use displayport over USB C instead of displayport over displayport.

It's not that the monitor industry is bankrupted in general, it's that 4K is hard to drive and the "PC mustard race" is actually something closer to the "PC beggar race". A 4K high-refresh monitor is well beyond most people's budget, and monitor is usually high on the list of where people cut costs. This gives a wide berth for premium monitors like the one you've described to be priced at practically whatever they want. Slap in some choice words like "gaming", "premium" and "G-Sync Compatible", and you get the picture. Even in upper segments, most people stop at 1440p because that's where you get the most ROI - acceptable image quality, and of course, saving on cost.

If you can tolerate lower PPI and have the real estate, buy a 42-inch LG C4 OLED TV. It's probably unbeaten and unbeatable for the price at ~$1K. 4K/144, G-Sync/FreeSync over HDMI. Once you experience OLED you don't want any other panel tech, trust me. Don't worry about burn-in on general desktop usage, my G3 is at a year old and about 3400 hours (mostly playing a game that has static HUD elements) and there is no sign of image retention to be seen. It's ready for prime time.

To me, its because monitors last. I bought a nice monitor, I'd love a nice 24-27" 4k freesync 144 monitor, but even if I found one, mine works. So why get rid of it?

If GPUs age like milk and CPUs like wine, Monitors age like granite. If I'm gonna buy one, it needs to be exactly what I want, at a decent price.

 

[lexluthermiester]

To me, its because monitors last. I bought a nice monitor, I'd love a nice 24-27" 4k freesync 144 monitor, but even if I found one, mine works. So why get rid of it?

Exactly! If you already have a good display, there is no reason to replace it unless you need a new feature.

 

[iameatingjam]

One reason I have such an old monitor is because its hard to find small 1440p monitors. It seems like its become a rule that 1440p gaming monitors have to be 27" or larger. Well I don't want a monitor thats 27" inch, that means I'll have less ppi, which means aliasing effects will be more evident. Which makes it feel like a downgrade/sidegrade to me.

So.... I'm still on my 10 year old monitor, just using dldsr to render at 4k and I think it looks great, and 60 fps still feels smooth for me. I don't feel a need to upgrade - so I haven't. I know people would say I'm an idiot for having such a high end gpu with such a low end monitor. But my gpu wasn't meeting my needs. I still feel like this monitor is meeting my needs.

I could really go for some better black levels though....

 

[Assimilator]

Update for anyone who cares: as if tech jesus has heard my prayers, an S3221QS popped up on Ebay for 2/3 the price of new, so I nabbed it. Has only been running for a few hours at this point, but pretty happy so far. Downside is that I have to run games at 25x14 instead of native since I only have a 4060 Ti, and that causes Windows 10 to have all sorts of conniptions with my other 2 non-4K monitors when Alt-Tabbing, so a Win11 upgrade may be on the cards.

Pretty impressed with the 4060 though, at idle-ish it manages to hold power consumption to under 12W for all 3 monitors.

 

[Hankieroseman]

I want to push 7860x2160 @240HZ for the DCS flight sim on 57" G95. Need 5090 and DP2.1.
4090 will run 49" G95 5120x1440 @240Hz(I broke it) the 57" looks more tv-ish at that resolution and 120Hz but it sure is a lot easier to read.

 

[eidairaman1]

Might consider 1440 being the new 1080p and 2160 being the SweetSpot, I miss 5:4 honestly

 

[Hankieroseman]

Might consider 1440 being the new 1080p and 2160 being the SweetSpot, I miss 5:4 honestly

1440 was nice for the sim but hard for me to read. It's more readable on a monitor that supports 7860x2160@120HZ/240HX w/DP2.1 comparing BIG Samsung's 49" and 57" G95's from personal experience.

 

[iameatingjam]

Might consider 1440 being the new 1080p and 2160 being the SweetSpot, I miss 5:4 honestly

I miss 16:10.