Screen for everything in general

[cobito]

Hello. At the moment I have a Viewsonic VX2025wm screen that I bought almost 20 years ago with my previous PC (https://foro.hardlimit.com/topic/41326/mi-nuevo-pc). Now I have it connected to a Thinkpad x230 via VGA, which has been my main PC in recent years.

The Viewsonic is really good. It has a VA panel (better than all current TNs and some cheap IPSs), a resolution of 1680x1050 (16:10) and an acceptable size of 20". But the corners have become cloudy, the DVI input has stopped working and it doesn't have HDMI. Plus, I want something bigger.

The usual use will be a bit of everything. The most demanding will be video editing and occasional gaming, but the main use will be centered on "office" tasks. A few years ago I saw that the only options were TN and IPS panels, but I see that VA has become fashionable again. I see many models.

TN is ruled out. In time, VA had better image quality and a slower response time and IPS vice versa. But now I see "gaming" screens with VA panels, so I imagine that in all this time the issue has changed.

I don't have a defined budget, but I don't want it to reach 500€, unless there is a good justification.

In summary:

• At least 32".
• At least 4k.
• IPS or VA panel.
• No more than 500€ unless it's worth it.

More than giving me specific models (except if you know one firsthand that you especially like), it is to clarify the issue of the panel. For my use I think VA would be the thing but I don't know if that's the case, if I should look at other characteristics, ranges/series of certain brands, brands and models to avoid, etc.

Thanks.

[pos_yo]

@cobito
Check this out if it suits you. It's curved, I'm not sure if that's a problem. But with those dimensions, they usually make it curved because VA's have problems with viewing angles. I bought a 27" IPS Arzopa for about €150 (approx.) that I'm very happy with, but of course, it's smaller than what you're looking for. There are Chinese brands that are hitting hard in terms of quality/price.
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0DN6P5W4Z

[cobito]

@pos_yo There is an important detail that I forgot to mention in the first post (it is already edited). It has to be at least 4k.

Curved or not, the truth is that I hadn't thought about it. I have already read several comments that at first it is strange but when you get used to it, it is better. I am not ruling it out for the moment.

[krampak]

For mixed use, I think IPS is the best option. VA will offer you better blacks, but you have to evaluate that for yourself (especially in multimedia).

One that meets the 4 requirements you've set would be:

https://www.pccomponentes.com/lg-32un650-w-315-led-ips-ultrahd-4k-hdr-freesync

Alternatively, in VA (and slightly exceeding the budget), I would opt for:

https://www.pccomponentes.com/samsung-lu32j590uqu-32-led-ultrahd-4k-freesync

However, both have a 60Hz refresh rate. I don't know what kind of games you play, but for FPS, it would be insufficient.

And finally, a curved VA alternative (and more economical), but still at 60Hz:

https://www.pccomponentes.com/samsung-lu32r590cwrxen-32-led-ultrahd-4k-curva

P.S.: Are you aware of the size that 32" is? I found it huge going from 24 to 32, I can't imagine going from 20 to 32 although when mine broke, I changed it for a 27" one that I'm very happy with. In fact, I see that the 32" version of mine isn't that far off from your budget... https://www.pccomponentes.com/monitor-lg-ultragear-32gr93u-b-32-led-ips-ultrahd-4k-144hz-freesync-premium

[cobito]

@krampak Yes, I have an idea of the size. The screen will be mounted on the wall and the desk has a depth of 75cm, so it will be well-sized. Mine is now about 50cm...

This is where I have doubts. You have put several screens, some IPS, others VA, all at 60Hz and all (except the curved one) around 500€. Then you put the 32" version of yours that has everything the others have and also goes to 144Hz and also around 500€. LG seems to me a brand with a certain reputation, in screens similar to Samsung I suppose. Where is the catch?

I will play FPS, but I am not a Hz shibarita. I suppose that if I try the 144Hz, I will like them, but as I have never tasted them...

In any case, the 144Hz one is winning simply because I see no reason to spend more or less the same and have something worse.

Edited: There is also for example, this LG that meets everything, for less than 300€. VA, but well. It is clear that there must be more differences, but which ones? Perhaps they are subjective and it is a matter of seeing the screen live or reading reviews from someone who has not sold himself to the brand.

Edited 2: There is also this MSI of 160Hz for the same price. I remember when I bought the Viewsonic, I almost went crazy. Well, I see that this one does not have G-Sync or HDR. So the LG UltraGear 32GR93U-B returns to first place.

[Fassou]

Being in a similar situation back in April, I started looking at 27" 4k monitors and above, and ended up focusing on Fast IPS (discarding VA and anything above 1ms GtG), to finally buy an AOC U27G3X for 350€ (I couldn't wait too long to find a better deal).

I was also checking the prices of the ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCS but it didn't go below 400€ (right now there are some promos that make it a bit cheaper).

With the tempting Chinese prices, I didn't dare, but the one who is going to buy pairs of monitors directly, will probably be interested in taking the risk.

Your 32" option I think that wanting 4k + high Hz + GSync makes the price skyrocket

Personally I would put two monitors before one of 32", although it all depends on the use you give it, and I'm not too fussy about colors and that.

Salu2!

[cobito]

@Fassou The screen will be at a prudent distance and I don't want to fall short. To the point that I was looking at 37" screens, but when I got on the subway and saw how it would look, it seemed excessive to me. 32" is a suitable size for 75-85cm of distance. 27" would also work but very tight at that distance (I have that size at work, at that distance and it's fine but a little more would be better).

About the multimonitor, the problem is that I would have to get two screens that won't meet several requirements. For my particular case, it's better to have a good central screen and a cheap secondary screen, because I only use the multi screen for server management and development issues: for that I don't need IPS, 4k, 144Hz, etc. With something basic that shows a Linux console or a web browser to test changes, it's more than enough.

The thing is that for me the screen is something that I'm going to use until it bursts. It's not a consumable like a graphics card, which I know has an expiration date even when it still works. That's why I don't mind reaching 500€ and paying for 32" with all kinds of gadgets, when for much less, I have something a little more basic in 27". Moreover, in 32" 4k it seems that there isn't much difference in price between a normal screen and one with gamer things. For some reason, the jump in cost is in the size more than in the characteristics.

What's more, I'm going to tell you that at first I'm going to use an iGPU, so you can see what 144Hz and others will be useful for me: nothing. But if for a little more I can have it available for when a dedicated graphics card fails, better.

The AOC U27G3X that you mention costs at the moment about 60€ less than the LG 32GR93U. For that difference I don't even think about it. The truth is that you got a good deal.

[cobito]

It is already ordered along with my new PC which is a version of the new server decaffeinated in some aspects (Ryzen 7 9700X, Noctua NH-U12A) and vitaminized in others (Crucial P510 SSD, this screen).

Thanks to all.