This monitor is a high-end gaming monitor that combines a top specs: 144Hz refresh rate, NVIDIA G-SYNC panel with 1440p resolution.
It is a curved gaming monitor with a gorgeous 31.5″ screen, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and great NTSC/RGB colors.
This monitor is a high-end gaming monitor that combines a top specs: 144Hz refresh rate, NVIDIA G-SYNC panel with 1440p resolution.
Review of the Best 1440p 144hz Monitors
Not quite ready for the 4K leap but still want an upgrade over your current 1080p monitor? Then a 1440p monitor just might be the ideal middle ground for you!
Going with a WQHD (wide quad Hi-Definition) monitor could actually be a very smart decision, and for more reasons, than you might think.
QHD (Quad HD), WQHD (Wide Quad HD), or 1440p, is a display resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels in a 16:9 aspect ratio. The name QHD reflects the fact that it has four times as many pixels as HD (720p). The 1440p with 144hz refresh rate is the current market trend, and it’s competing heavily with the 4K UHD monitors for just about every viewing slot on the market. With this said, the UHD monitors are more expensive and are best suited for streaming and watching movies, while the WQHD monitors are less expensive and best for gaming.
In this article, we will be presenting you with the best 1440p monitors that you can get in 2019, discussing their advantages, disadvantages and all the general reasons as to why you might want to pick a 1440p monitor over a 1080p or a 2160p one.
Product Image Name maxResolution Screen More Information
1. Acer 1440p 144hz 2560 x 1440 27” Flat More Information
2. MSI 1440p 144hz 2560 x 1440 31.5” Curved More Information
3. ASUS 1440p 144hz 2560 x 1440 27” Flat More Information
4. Dell 1440p 144hz 2560 x 1440 27” Flat More Information
5. Viotek 32-inch WQHD 144hz 1440p curved monitor 2560 x 1440 31.5” Curved More Information
- Panel Technology: IPS
- Inputs: DisplayPort, HDMI, USB 3.0
- Response Time: 4 ms GTG
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
My Take: This Acer 1440p 144z Predator XB1 is also known as the Predator XB271HU. This is a WQHD monitor that delivers exceptional screen performance features.
Features
A quick look over this screen shows you a sleek design with hard features for an impressive show of talent. With its 27″ WQHD (2560 x 1440) screen using Twisted Nematic Film (TN Film) (170°x160°) panel technology, what you get is a very fast response time of 1 ms GTG and a great brightness of 350 nits.
The screen comes with DisplayPort, HDMI and a USB 3.0 connection and has an edgy stylized stand that tilts, swivels and adjusts to the height of each user. You also get a VESA mount if you want this on a wall and not a desk or table.
This model works with all 3D glasses and reduces the “motion freeze” delays with its 144hz frequency. The hardware includes the NVIDIA G-SYNC™ that has an exceptional GPU with high refresh rate.
Design
The Acer Predator XB271HU has nice sleek features, the red accents add to the overall impression, and the Predator Logo stands out. This design is ergonomic for most desktop users and is also designed for multiple monitor set-ups.
Picture
The picture quality is decent, and it comes with a low contrast ratio, this means blacks appear grey in a dark room. If you use it in a well-lit room, you don’t have an issue with this. On the downside is the reflection handling, it’s under par, and the colours are not the most accurate. This means you need to calibrate it before or during use. The image does remain accurate at all angles but doesn’t support HDR.
Motion
What you do get is exceptional motion handling, and this model comes with DC dimming that retains a flicker-free screen. The BFO enables you to clear up even more motion issues. You can overclock the refresh rate from 144hz to 165hz, and it works with NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology.
| Number of Screens | 1 |
| Screen Size | 27″ |
| Screen Mode | WQHD |
| Response Time | 1 ms GTG |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Horizontal Viewing Angle | 170° |
| Vertical Viewing Angle | 160° |
| Backlight Technology | LED |
| Panel Technology | Twisted Nematic Film (TN Film) |
| Tilt Angle | -5°to35° |
| Swivel Angle | 30° |
| Maximum Adjustable Height | 5.91″ |
| Adjustable Display Pivot | Yes |
| Horizontal Frequency | 30 kHz to 140 kHz – HDMI 1.4 34 kHz to 209 kHz – DisplayPort |
| Vertical Frequency | 24 Hz to 60 Hz – HDMI 1.4 30 Hz to 144 Hz – DisplayPort |
| Video | |
| Maximum Resolution | 2560 x 1440 |
| Standard Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
| Overclock Refresh Rate | 165 Hz |
| Color Supported | 16.7 Million Colors |
| Brightness | 350 Nit |
| Tearing Prevention Technology | NVIDIA G-SYNC™ |
| Audio | |
| Number of Speakers | 2 |
| Speaker Output Power | 2 W |
| Interfaces/Ports | HDMI, USB, DisplayPort |
| Power | |
| Operating Power Consumption (Energy Star) | 32.02 W |
| Standby Power Consumption | 470 mW |
| Off-Mode Power Consumption | 430 mW |
| Physical | |
| VESA Mount Standard | 100 x 100 |
| Dimensions | 14.4” x 24.2” x 2.4” |
| Height with Stand | 21.69″ |
| Depth with Stand | 10.55″ |
| Weight (Approximate) | 10.14 lb |
| Weight with Stand (Approximate) | 15.43 lb |
What I like the Most
This is a great gaming and video watching screen with an edgy design and super modern stand. Overall great performance, but then it’s an Acer, and I wouldn’t expect less. Price wise it’s in the upper middle bracket, not the most expensive, but definitely not the most budget-friendly. It works well across platforms, but the picture quality could be better.
- 31.5" LCD panel LED Backlight
- Wide View Angle - 178
- 1ms response time
- Optimized to reduce the strain on your eyes
- Super narrow bezel
My Take: This is the MSI Optix AG32CQ curved gaming monitor. This monitor comes with a 31.5 inch, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time VA panel and is designed for a superior gaming experience.
Features
The Optix AG32CQ is built using the AMD® Freesync™ technology and is an excellent unit that has a 31.5″ LCD panel LED Backlight (2560 x 1440 WQHD) screen with a 144Hz Refresh Rate that displays without leaving an after image. The 1800R curve panel design provides a more intense viewing angle and has a 1ms response time that eliminates screen tearing and choppy frame rates.
This model delivers True Color- NTSC 85%, sRGB 110%, and the wide angle view is a visible 178o.
This model comes with the AMD FreeSync™ hardware and is optimized for full MSI gaming experience.
Some of the additional upgraded features include less blue light, which reduces eye strain, and this is enhanced with an extra-large curved screen that is 31.5” wide. The WQHD 2560×1440 resolution is contained in an ultra-thin bezel so you get all the benefits of a perfect vision without space being wasted. You also get curvature rate of 1800R which combines with the other features to provide a 110% coverage with SRGB at 85%. This means you get on average 20% more gamut coverage than you would get from competitors, and the 144Hz refresh rate + 1ms response time gives you excellent smooth recovery between images for a perfect gaming experience. This is enhanced with the MSI anti flicker technology and is further enhanced when using the MSI FPS sight toggle.
To finish up, the FreeSync technology syncs your monitors refresh rate to your AMD® GPU; this reduces screen tearing or stuttering.
Design
This MSI Optix model has a very basic design, even with the curved screen. Although the screen is stylish, the stand comes with some limited adjustability, so while it looks good, it could perform better.
Picture
What got me most was the sub quality picture for such an advanced looking screen, and while the curvature upgraded the poor image quality when compared to the 27” flat screen variant, the edges are still worse than the image in the center. The brightness is fine, but in a fully lit room, the screen seems dim. It also doesn’t have HDR.
Motion
As a 1440p 144hz screen it supplied the motion performance I expected and this combined with the FreeSync features resulted in a very fluid motion with no tearing. With this, the FreeSync doesn’t extend below 90hz, so it’s limited.
| Panel Size | 31.5″ (80cm) |
| Panel Resolution | 2560 x 1440 |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Response time | 1ms (MPRT) |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Brightness (nits) | 250 cd / m2 |
| Viewing Angle | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Curvature | 1800R |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| DCR | 100000000:1 |
| NTSC / sRGB | 85% / 110% |
| Active Display Area (mm) | 697.344 (H) x 393.696 (V) |
| Pixel Pitch (H x V) | 0.2724 (H) x 0.2724 (V) |
| Surface Treatment | Anti-glare |
| Display Colors | 16.7M |
| Video ports | 1x DP(1.2) 1x HDMI(2.0) 1x DVI |
| VESA Mounting | 100 mm x 100 mm |
| Control | Menu, Bri (-), Vol(+) Input/Enter, Power |
| Power Type | External Adaptor 12V 5A |
| Power Input | 100~240V, 50~60Hz |
| Power consumption | 60W |
| Signal Frequency | 56 to 214.56KHz (H) 48 to 144Hz (V) |
| Adjustment (Tilt) | -5° ~ -15° |
| Dimension (W x H x D) 723mm x512mm x 209mm | 723mm x512mm x 209mm |
| Weight (NW / GW) 6.63kg / 8.94kg | 6.63kg / 8.94kg |
| Note | Display Port: 2560 x 1440 (Up to 144Hz) HDMI: 2560 x 1440 (Up to 120Hz) |
What I like the Most
This MSI model is slightly more expensive than the Acer, but then MSI is always more expensive than Acer. This is an exceptional model that delivers some serious gaming experience and is perfect for serious system users. The price too is higher than the Acer by about 15%, which accounts for the curvature. It’s all down to whether you like curved screens or not. This is a good screen for gaming, but less so for office use, and is OK for streaming video. It doesn’t support HDR, and the bottom line is that this is a decent model that gives you the added advantage of a curved screen for gaming.
- 1ms response time
- 60-120-144Hz refresh rate
- Crisp 27-inch, 2560 x 1440
- Minimizes motion blur to display more natural movement
My Take: This is the ASUS ROG Swift 27” WQHD 2560 × 1440 gaming monitor. This model comes with integrated NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ technology and has an adjustable refresh rate range of 60Hz, 120Hz or 144Hz. The ROG Swift also gives you crosshair overlays for FPS games and multiple in-game timers for RTS/MOBA games.
Features
The ROG Swift PG278Q is one of ASUS leading Gaming Monitors. This is a 27″ 2K WQHD (2560 x 1440), 1ms, up to 144Hz, G-SYNC™ with a super slim bezel of only 6mm. This model integrates the ASUS GamePlus onscreen timer/crosshair, and gives you a 60-120-144Hz refresh rate turbo key and also comes with their 5-way OSD navigation joystick for a more enhanced gaming experience.
The stand is ergonomically designed for a full range of adjustments including tilt, swivel, and pivot and height adjustment. You also get a VESA mount for optimal placement.
The 144Hz Refresh Rate gives you the highest frame rate for a lag-free experience, no more motion blur to gain and it beats all conventional screens. It comes with an incredible 1ms Rapid Response Time that is a standard now in the best 1440p 144hz monitor Reddit describes.
The NVIDIA®G-SYNC™ Technology synchronizes the ROG SWIFT’s refresh rate to the GPU in your GeForce GTX-powered PC, and this eliminates screen tearing while minimizing display stutter and input lag. Actually, ASUS and NVIDIA work together to create some bespoke applications that manage ASUS displays even better than their competition.
The NVIDIA®Ultra Low Motion Blur Technology is active in reducing the effects of motion blur and delivers crisp edges in fast-paced gaming environments. You can also toggle the Ultra-Low Motion Blur function from the OSD setting.
You also get the NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ 1 and 2 kits that enable you to support up to three WQHD displays simultaneously. If its total immersion into the game without VR goggles, then this is the level of screen accessibility you want to gain.
Add to all these features the ASUS-exclusive 5-Way OSD Navigation Key, and you get exceptional OSD select control with a flick of your finger. Another great control is the ASUS-exclusive Refresh Rate Turbo Key that lets you toggle between 60, 120, or 144Hz refresh rates for different applications.
One important feature that stands out is the Smart Air Vent Design. The ROG SWIFT PG278Q is so powerful; they added special smart air vents to assure exponential cooling effectivity, reducing overheating and maintaining optimized component performance.
The ROG Swift also comes with exceptional LED Light-in-Motion Effects.
Some more features to consider are the DisplayPort 1.2 for native WQHD output and dual USB 3.0 ports. This cable management design is set at the back of the monitor to arrange neat cable connectivity. This integrates seamlessly with their 6mm ultra-slim bezel design, giving you all the features and functionality that a professional gamer requires to succeed and dominate his or her opponents.
Design
The ASUS PG279Q is a very good designed model and comes with excellent ergonomic features, This is a solidly built model with thin borders and has clean cable management. The base also lights up with red LED’s for anyone that wants a fancy feature.
Picture
When it comes to picture quality, the ASUS stands out from its peers and delivers a good contrast ration with equally good brightness levels that overcome any glare issues. This screen works in all levels of lit rooms, from pitch black to fully lit. As such, it’s a great monitor for many uses.
Motion
The ASUS PG279Q is a leader in motion quality, and you can enable NVIDIA’s ULMB feature too accent performance. Since this has a 144hz refresh rate, it handles all action, and the G-Sync provides excellent smoothing.
| Display | |
| Panel Size | Wide Screen 27.0″(68.47cm) 16:9 |
| True Resolution | 2560×1440 |
| WQHD Resolution | 2D mode: 2560×1440 (up to 144Hz) 3D mode: 2560×1440 (up to 120Hz) 2D Surround: 7680×1440 (up to 144Hz) 3D Surround: 7680×1440 (up to 120Hz) |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.233mm |
| Brightness(Max) | 350 cd/㎡ |
| Contrast Ratio (Max) | 1000:1 |
| Viewing Angle (CR≧10) | 170°(H)/160°(V) |
| Response Time | 1ms (Gray to Gray) |
| Display Colors | 16.7M (real 8 bit) |
| Video | |
| Trace Free Technology | Yes |
| Color Temperature Selection | 4 Modes |
| 3D Technology | Shutter Glasses 3D Technology |
| GamePlus(modes) | Yes (Crosshair/Timer) |
| HDCP support | Yes |
| Hotkey | GamePlus 5-way OSD Navigation Joystick Turbo key |
| I/O Ports | |
| Signal Input | DisplayPort 1.2 |
| USB Port(s) | 3.0×2 |
| Signal Frequency | |
| Digital Signal Frequency | 89~222KHz(H)/50~144Hz(V) |
| Power Consumption | |
| Power On | <38.7W** |
| Power Saving/Off | <0.5W |
| Design | |
| Chassis Colors | Black |
| Tilt | +20°~-5° |
| Swivel | Yes |
| Pivot | Yes |
| Height Adjustment | Yes |
| VESA Wall Mounting | 100x100mm |
| Super Narrow Bezel Design | Yes |
| Security | Kensington lock |
| Dimensions | |
| Phys. Dimension with Stand (WxHxD) | 619.77×554.53×237.9mm |
| Box Dimension (WxHxD) | 756x456x300mm |
| Weight | |
| Net Weight | 7.0Kg |
| Gross Weight | 10.5Kg |
What I like the Most
Everything, I like all the physical aspects of this monitor, it’s exceptional. However, this is an ASUS, and it comes with an ASUS price tag which I am not too keen on. ASUS delivers high-quality products, and when compared to the other best and top rated monitors in the same category, it’s hard to swallow the 25% difference in price. However, when it comes to performance and QoP, it is a hard beast to beat. The bottom line is that this delivers in all categories, for home use, for gaming, office work, media work, streaming and cross-performance, it’s the best of the five in this list.
- LED-backlit LCD monitor - 27"
- QHD 2560 x 1440 at 144 Hz
- Response Time: 1 ms
- Screen Coating: Anti-glare, 3H Hard Coating
My Take: The Dell S2716DG Monitor is a 27” QHD monitor with a 144hz rapid refresh rate and NVIDIA® G-Sync™ technology. This monitor combines all the power of a full QHD with a price that is hard to beat.
Features
The Dell S2716DG Monitor is a classic example of how to create perfection at minimal cost to the user. This monitor combines all the top features you find in this category including the NVIDIA G-SyncTM hardware and a refresh rate set to 144 Hz.
You get a monitor with a viewing area that is 68.47 cm (27-inch) measured diagonally, that eliminates lag time and gives you a rapid 1ms panel response time, all this is integrated with QHD resolution 2560 x 1440 of 3.68 million pixels.
The physical attributes are engineered to provide you with a full range of adjustability to suit your specific needs, including tilt, pivot, swivel and height. The model also comes with a full array of connections including peripherals such as headphones, mouse and keyboard. It also provides you with HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, and 4 x USB 3.0 ports.
You also get a 100 x 100 VESA mount holes for a wall mounted experience.
Design
When it comes to design, Dell is boring, and this is another boring model, but it does give you want you to want, and that’s a screen to view your content. The adjustability is great, however, so you do get personalized adjustability that suits every individual’s specific needs.
Picture
The Dell S2716DG does let you down here, the picture quality, when compared to other, is poor. This comes in the form of poor contrast ratio with terrible black uniformity. This means you cannot play in a dark room, dark content looks washed out, and blacks look gray. As such, this is a bright or lit room monitor only. This monitor doesn’t support HDR, but it does have decent SDR and covers the sRGB colour space with good efficiency.
Motion
This model stands out with near perfect motion fluidity, and this is the redeeming feature that places this monitor in the top five. In a well-lit room, the motion management on this screen is near to perfect.
| Product Description | Dell 27 Gaming Monitor – S2716DG |
| Device Type | LED-backlit LCD monitor – 27.” |
| Energy Class | Class A+ |
| Adaptive-Sync Technology | NVIDIA G-SYNC |
| Features | USB3.0 hub |
| Panel Type | TN |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Input Connectors | HDMI, DisplayPort |
| Display Position Adjustments | Pivot (rotation), swivel, tilt |
| Screen Coating | Anti-glare, 3H Hard Coating |
| Diagonal Size | 27″ |
| General | |
| Display Type | LED-backlit LCD monitor / TFT active matrix |
| Adaptive-Sync Technology | NVIDIA G-SYNC |
| Built-in Devices | USB 3.0 hub |
| Native Resolution | QHD 2560 x 1440 at 144 Hz |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.2331 mm |
| Brightness | 350 cd/m² |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| Color Support | 16.7 million colors |
| Response Time | 1 ms |
| Horizontal Viewing Angle | 170 |
| Vertical Viewing Angle | 160 |
| Backlight Technology | LED backlight |
| Features | 72% (CIE 1931) color gamut, 82% (CIE 1976) color gamut, edge-to-edge glass |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 24.1 in x 2.2 in x 14.3 in – with stand |
| Weight | 15.87 lbs |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort HDMI 4 x USB 3.0 Audio Line-in Headphones |
| Mechanical | |
| Display Position Adjustments | Pivot (rotation), swivel, tilt |
| Flat Panel Mount Interface | 100 x 100 mm |
| Security Slot Type | Kensington security slot |
| Power | |
| Voltage Required | AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) |
| Power Consumption Operational | 90 Watt |
| Power Consumption Stand by | 0.5 Watt |
| Power Consumption Sleep | 0.5 Watt |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Without stand | 24.5” x 2.2” x 14.3“, 9.7 lbs. |
| With stand | 24.1” x 7.9” x 16.4”, 15.9 lbs. |
| Environmental Standards | ENERGY STAR Certified |
| Min Operating Temperature | 32 °F |
| Max Operating Temperature | 104 °F |
| Humidity Range Operating | 10 – 80% (non-condensing) |
What I like the Most
The price, I like the price, it’s a Dell, so they make sure you get great value for money, and their prices are hard to beat. This model is a no-nonsense model, so I guess they saved on the overall design for performance, which is actually good in my books. I don’t mind all the fancy shmancy models, but to be honest, I don’t really care for them either. I want a monitor that is easy and reliable and delivers top quality performance. I also want to get it for free, or maybe you pay me to take it? Hah, this is the budget-friendly model, and damn, I have one.
- 2560x1440p, QHD, 144Hz
- DUAL LINK DVI, HDMI, DP
- Borderless monitor
- LOW BLUELIGHT, FPS/RTS
My Take: This is the VIOTEK’s GN32LD Curved Computer Monitor that gives you QHD quality in a 32” curved display. This model comes with their FreeSync and Overdrive experience and has a 1800R curve for a perfect 16:9 viewing performance.
Features
The GN32LD is a 32” QHD monitor with 2560 x 1440p resolution at the 144Hz refresh rate, and it comes with 16.7 million colors and 5,000,000:1 DCR. The curvature of this 16:9 widescreen is 1800R, and the overall experience is phenomenal when connected to even the most rigorous games.
The curved screen is designed to provide the ultimate in 3D experience, and with the extra wide screen size, 5” does make all the difference between a 32” and a 27”, you find that Viotek has hit the ball out of the park with this model.
This monitor comes with five preset settings, and this means you can toggle between gaming, viewing videos, and just working on some documents. It comes with a VESA mount that lets you attach it to a wall for perfect viewing at a distance, or using their stand for full personalized viewing adjustment.
The Viotek GN32LD has an integrated crosshair function, and this is exactly what you need in any FPS game. Added to this is the PBP function which lets you multitask, you can play and stream at the same time and combine FPS, RTS, or RPG, and for non-gamers you just use this monitor for enhanced productivity as well we as for chatting, video conferencing and just surfing the web.
One stand out feature is the reduction of blue light which is known to tire eyes out and even damage them from over fatigue. This monitor not only curves the light, but it also reduces the blue light emissions too.
This box also provides you with DVI, HDMI, and display ports supporting all the connectivity options you require.
The checklist for performance includes:
- A high quality refresh rate of 144Hz & 16:9 widescreen with a 1800 mm / 1800R curve, rendering you with 16.7 million colors & 5,000,000:1 DCR
- Fully customizable providing you with DVI, HDMI, and DP connectivity options.
- Eliminated eye strain from anti-glare screen generating reduced blue light.
- Any stand compatibility, with VESA too.
- 5 integrated preset functions to switch between all streaming modes including gaming, video and general work and surf.
Design
When it comes to lesser-known brands, Viotek sticks out as a serious contender for becoming a force to reckon with. This overall design is a bit of an overkill, with too many fancy features mingling together, however. The stand is sturdy and has good personalization adjustment capabilities. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a swivel, and that’s poor design faux pas, and also there is a no-no cable management channel for a neater setup. One other issue is the OSD controls are under the screen, not in front, so you need to guess what you are pressing blindly, this is actually a big no-no, and is why this model still needs some ergonomic upgrading.
Picture
This model uses a Samsung VA panel, so you get the standard Samsung VA issues with it. As such, the picture is slightly under par when compared to other models, and the brightness reaches 365 nits and not the 280 nit they claim, which is OK. On the other side of the coin is the underperforming contrast which is only 2500:1 and not 3000:1 as they state.
Motion
As with all 144hz monitors, this one also delivers great reaction times however VA monitors are notorious for being the slowest of response rated LED technologies.
| Model Number | GN32LD |
| Screen Size | 31.5’’ |
| Curvature | 1800R |
| Viewing Angle | 178° (H)/178° (V) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440p |
| Backlight | E-LED |
| Typical Brightness | 280 |
| Default Color Temperature | 6500 |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| Dot Pitch | 0.09 x 0.27mm |
| Response Time | OD3MS |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Output | Audio |
| Signal Input | DP; DVI; HDMI |
| Power | AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz 1.5A |
| Power Consumption Typical: | 50W, Max: 60W |
| Environmental Temp & Humidity Operating | 32ºF to 122ºF 10-90% RH (non-condensation) |
| Storage | -4ºF to 140ºF |
| VESA Mounting | 75 x 75 mm |
| Dimension (With Stand) | 28.3” x 20.96” x 13.97” |
| Weight | 20.68 Ibs. |
What I like the Most
This is the best of all worlds, you get size in their 31.5” screen, you get curvature with 1800R, and you get reduced blue light, dammit man, this is the beast. Even the price is OK. However, the only downside is that it doesn’t have built-in speakers. I know, when you game you want real speakers, but some small glitzy built-in shit, but sometimes when you are just working, and I do that sometimes, I don’t want the power of an AC/DC concert banging away in my brain, but a smother quieter chat with friends, get what I’m saying. The bottom line is that this is a great monitor, well deserving its place in the top five, but the audio was my only issue.
Monitors 101
How to get 1440p 144hz
If you want the best performance from a WQHD or what is known as 1440p 144hz, you need to make sure the rest of the rig can support this kind of power. After all, what’s the point of a screen that delivers superpowers if the energy supplied is good for a Duracell rabbit only. As such, pair the screen with an i7-7700k, or 8700k core and hybrid (liquid and air) cool it to overclock. Then get the GTX 1080ti or comparable card and now connect any one of the five monitors above. This will give you so much performance that you might end up in a missing person list when people don’t realize you aren’t missing; you are just stuck to the screen for over a decade.
Is a 1080 Ti enough for a 1440p 144Hz
This is a perceptual question, since monitors are powered by systems, and games define the level of quality you can reach. Also, everyone’s eyesight is different. The essentials are this if a game is designed to cap at 60fps, then anything faster won’t make a difference. If you only use the computer for office work, WTF do you need a WQHD for? Even if you work in an architect’s office and perform 3D rendering, you don’t need this level of performance. Now let’s look at gaming, such as Unreal Tournament. When you set up a 1080ti versus a 1440p 144hz screen, you don’t get too much of a difference, in fact, its negligible. However, if you want to push the game to perform better, then the WQHD wins hands down. With a 1080ti you cannot get 144hz, and this makes all the difference. Which means you need to lower the details when using a monitor that doesn’t give your 1440p at 144hz. As games tend to upgrade their quality every year, the need for more powerful viewing options is growing. In fact, some games just don’t work at lower screen strengths, and they are built to be used with the latest technologies. This might be a conspiracy theory where gaming companies and screen companies are working together to strip you of your money by forcing you to upgrade your monitor all the time. And I thought Apple was bad, phew, there is less than world domination to worry about.
What do I need for 1440p 144hz
You need this for gaming or for serious 3D rendering in CAD and other applications. Also good for animation production. To reach this level, you need more than a screen, you need a top rated graphics card with a 144hz GPU and preferably a top rated CPU such as the i7-7700k or 8700k or AMD equivalent. You will also need some serious coolers, preferably a big air cooler, or focused water coolers for both the GPU and the CPU. Make sure you don’t overlook the CPU since without it, you will not maintain the 144hz over time, and the system will not only overheat it will falter.
Comparisons
4k 60hz vs 1440p 144hz
4K’s are expensive; they are designed to deliver a shit load of pixels, to be accurate, 4K means you have a 4,000 wide pixel display which is rated at 3840 x 2160 pixels. What’s the point of having that level of detail if the game is designed for 1440p? In fact, the higher resolution can impede the overall performance of the game since too many pixels means overloading your graphics card. Now, this means you need a more powerful graphics card that leads to a more powerful CPU, and presto, you just bought a Cray supercomputer for a billion dollars.
Now, even if you don’t upgrade everything, if you buy a 4k 60hz monitor and connect it to a standard integrated graphics card, you might consider having a fire-extinguish handy. That card will have an embolism and blow up. In fact, most games are best suited for 1080p displays, where only the top tier games use 1440p and only pro players invest in a 1440p 144hz monitor.
The bottom line at the bottom of the answer:
1440p is better than 4k because it’s cheaper, it works with more games than the 4K, and you don’t need a dual GPU or invest in some heavy hardware to support such powerful systems, and there are more 1440p monitors that come with G-Sync and FreeSync integration. Ultra-wide 100hz vs 1440p 144hz
This is all about perception since performance is very similar. Ultra-wide screens are great for some users, while others prefer a more focused approach, hence the crossfire wires for FPS which focuses you on the target. UW lovers will claim that the extra wide screen gives you more collateral vision to react faster.
However, let’s sum up the issue through two key factors:
Resolution: combining a higher resolution with PPI gives you a sharper and clearer image which eliminates the need for AA. Also, the more resolution you have, the more screen real estate you get to play with.
Ultra-Wide: is perfect for gaming experiences and streaming 16:9 movies. It also lets you playback 21.9 films in the entire screen, with no upper and lower black bars (perceptual shrinkage). Most modern games and all new ones are developed for UW screens, so you get the same 16:9 with no black bar framing. However, if you don’t have support for 16:9, then UW is not for you.
The bottom line: 1440p 144hz (WQHD) is amazing and outperforms 100hz. Also you now get wide WQHD screens, so why bother with a 100hz UW when you can get a perfect WQHD? This is a debatable point, and the board is still open for review.
1080p 60hz vs 1440p 144hz
1080p is great for a lot of applications, but WQHD or 1440p 144hz is still the gamers gold standard.
At the same time, 4k screens (60hz) must come with 1440p to maintain their edge over the 1440p 144hz versions. The 4k screens are perfect for streaming but they need a lot of juice to power them. If you play online gaming you don’t need more than a 1440p 144hz monitor, anything above this is overkill.
With this, the latest 4k models are becoming less demanding on some standard systems, and you can get some prey decent 60hz monitors at a reasonable price. To be honest, if you need to buy a 4k monitor, don’t get a 1080p, only get a 1440p version. Also, as I mentioned above, 4k can seriously overtax weak systems, so if you do have a 4k, you need to run it with a 4k compatible CPU and GPU system.
Now, in contrast to what I stated above regarding 4k versus 1440p 144hz, most gamers don’t notice the difference between a 4k and a WQHD since the game determines the quality of the resolution. The only time you will notice a difference is if the screen is underperforming and provides less quality than the basic WQHD. As such, a 1080 60hz works well, but a full widescreen 4k model will work even better.
Tip: For TV streaming, consider turning off the true-motion effect. When you watch movies that tru-motion smoothing screws up the experience and makes it look like you are watching a homemade documentary. When you turn off the true-motion feature, you end up with films streaming at their best.