[Help] 27” 1080 vs 1440

[JR_Shoegazer]

Background: My primary monitor is a BenQ XL2546. I have always had a really hard time seeing enemies at any distance beyond close-mid range. In multiple games it seems like enemies are just too small. The XL2546 was also not as big of a game changer in motion blur as I’d hoped. After playing around with the settings it’s still just ok. Maybe I expected too much, maybe it’s a sub par panel, or maybe my eyes are terrible. I’ve noticed when doing some of the tests that I might just be really sensitive to PMW because I often feel like I’m seeing double (if not more).

Due to all the reasons above I am considering a new monitor. 27” instead of 24” since enemies always seem small. I’m having trouble deciding between another 240hz 1080p monitor (like ViewSonic XG270, ASUS TUF VG279QM, etc.) or a 144hz 1440p monitor. I’ve heard a lot of people complain about low PPI of 27” 1080p monitors. I’m worried I will still have trouble seeing enemies at a distance with low PPI.

Is the motion blur properties of 240hz monitors worth the trade off of low PPI 1080p? Do some 144hz 1440p monitors have good enough motion blur reduction that the lower refresh rate doesn’t matter?

If anyone has experience with both I’d love to hear your thoughts.

[LikeableSloth]

have you tried pulling the monitor closer?

[JR_Shoegazer]

Yes I play with it very close.

[ericl]

What are you playing? In games like Overwatch I've found there's a drastic difference between playing someone like Tracer (close combat, fast paced) and Widowmaker (long range sniper). Similarly, if you're playing CS:GO / Valorant or COD, you're likely to have slightly different requirements.

For snipers, I found that 27" was better because, as you mention, the image is just plain BIGGER so it's easier to see at long range.

For fast paced combat in FPS games, I found that a high refresh rate at 240hz is the ideal (and 25" is fine) as it's easier to focus on the whole picture at once.

However if you're currently using an XL2546 with the proper settings (you have DYAC motion blur enabled), then I wouldn't expect a night and day difference with other monitors.

Oh, and as for the 1440p, it definitely DOES make a difference (and makes things nicer) however it won't improve your aim performance. I have a 144hz 1440p monitor and I aim better on my 240hz 1080p monitor. Hell, sometimes I even lower the resolution to 1600x900 because it feels snappier (at like 400fps in game).

I'm currently running 27" 1920x1080 @ 240hz with blur reduction.

I also own 25" 1920x1080 @ 240hz (sitting on the shelf beside me) and have a 27" 1440p @ 144hz monitor as my secondary (which used to be my primary... what a beautiful screen!)

TL;DR 27" is better for sniping because the image is bigger, 25" is better for super fast paced / RTS games where you need to see the entire screen at once and if you already have a Zowie 2546, I wouldn't expect a huge step forward with other monitors because I hear it's already pretty good.

[LikeableSloth]

Zowie just announced officially two new monitor lines one of them being the updated TN 240hz with a better stand so you can pull it Futher towards you making it seem bigger when I saw the announcement I thought wow wtf is the point in this but hey you might just be the target demographic

[JR_Shoegazer]

I play a lot of FPS games. Mostly Valorant, and sometimes Apex Legends right now. For some reason the “blur” looks just as bad with DYAC on and off due to crosstalk. I’ve tried the custom resolution tricks and everything. Maybe my eyes are really bad and more sensitive to motion blur? Maybe I have a weird panel? I don’t know. Other people seem to love the XL2546.

One of the issues with Valorant is they don’t let you change the FOV, or used stretched res. So there’s no way for me to get enemies to appear larger.

[SEJB]

Speaking for myself I'd never buy a 1920x1080 27" monitor simply because the general use would be such a waste of space.
2560x1440 gives so much more desk space and you can scale it down to lower resolutions if you need to.

[karel88l]

It is not horrible (1080p on 27") but definitly less crispier then 1440p.Best is would be to see it in person.

[JR_Shoegazer]

Yeah I might stop by a Best Buy or something to see in person. Also, I’ve realized my astigmatism could be a major source of the blur problem I’ve experienced on the XL2546. Even with glasses. I might be better off getting Lasik than a different monitor.

[RealNC]

I have two 27" monitors. One 1440p, one 1080p. Visibility in CS:GO and Overwatch was not an issue with the 1080p one. But with 1440p, the image just looks better. With the 1080p display, the image is a bit "grainy," especially on the desktop (you can see individual dots in small fonts.)