GeneralIs 4K Gaming Pointless?
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GeneralIs 4K Gaming Pointless?Posted:

Lood
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About 7 years ago I built my first PC and had a great time doing it. Unfortunately, I had to sell not too long after in order to make payments that I owed, but recently I have been looking at building a new desktop in the near future, one that would be significantly more powerful and take advantage of all of the newest technologies that I didn't get to experience last time. I've been excited about 4k gaming and what this experience will be like. I have a One X but not enough money at the moment for a 4K TV or monitor. Then I came across this video by Linus Tech Tips that debates the usefulness of a 4k monitor.



I just wanted to post here to ask whether or not you all feel that 4K gaming is worth the price tag it comes with. As Linus says in that video, by the time you buy/build a system that is capable of 4k, and its peripherals, you'd have spent enough money to buy several 1440p systems with monitors that run at a much higher frame rate.

I am most interested in individual experiences. What kind of system do you have? Do you like it how it is and if not, what would you change? Lastly, what kind of system would you recommend? I am personally leaning towards 1440p with a 120-140hz monitor.
#2. Posted:
Adam
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I've been running a 4K system for a few years now and it's not cheap. You have to buy the latest and greatest Nvidia graphics card to pump out them framerates for that high resolution.

I started with a 980TI and have a 1080 atm. Both cards were not cheap but were needed for 4K gaming. I actually bought the 1080 for HDR support and not for graphic improvements.

It comes down to this IMO - There's no need to go 4K if you're just gaming. 1440p and a high refresh rate monitor is easier to run graphics wise and will give you the edge for competitive gaming.

I bought my 4k monitor for productivity purposes and then I bought another for the same reason. I don't do competitive gaming but when I do play games like project cars, BF5 etc, I'm astounded by how good games can look when you start pushing the resolution and implementing technologies like HDR.
#3. Posted:
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Same as Adam, I bought a 4K monitor as it was cheap and this was while I still had a GTX 970 which as you could probably guess, didn't run 4K very well. I also moved up to a GTX 1080 but then eventually got bored of 4K. Yes it's nice when everything is crisp and clear but it just wasn't that impressive for gaming after a while. I found 4K to be a luxury that isn't really needed.

I eventually moved up to a 3440x1440 100hz panel which IMO was a better leap. Now I will always take refresh rate over resolution any day for gaming.

The sweet spot is definitely 1440p 100hz+ IMO. Once you go high refresh rate, it's very difficult to go back to 60hz.

At the end of the day, it's all opinionated. There is no "this is best" sort of thing. It's just what you prefer.

Don't get me wrong though, 4K is great for productivity with some nice screen real estate.

I'm definitely looking forward to the days where 4K 100hz+ becomes affordable though. Lets be honest who doesn't want 4K high refresh rate?

Adam wrote 1440p and a high refresh rate monitor is easier to run graphics wise and will give you the edge for competitive gaming.
Adam I'm not saying you're wrong but 1440p high refresh rate is about as demanding as 4K if not more...

3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz = 497664000 pixels per second
2560 x 1440 @ 144Hz = 530841600 pixels per second
3440 x 1440 @ 100Hz = 495360000 pixels per second
#4. Posted:
looder
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4k gaming is not cheap and will require you latest and greatest graphics card but its not useless IMO. Some people prefer high resolution over higher refresh rate. It all comes down what you actually want.
#5. Posted:
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4k @ 60Hz is just as hard to run as 1440p @ 120Hz, so 1440p 144Hz is harder than 4k60.

High refresh rate 1440p monitors have been very over-priced, and/or poor quality for a while but there's a good amount of decent 1440p 144Hz monitors at fairly good prices now, which is probably why people are saying 4k gaming is pointless. 4k gaming isn't pointless though, it depends on your preference and what you'll be using your system for.

Personally, though, I'd be aiming for a nice 1440p 144Hz monitor with a VA or IPS panel, or alternatively a 3440x1440 high refresh rate monitor.

Regardless, you'll be spending the same amount on PC components to be able to run 3440x1440@100-120Hz, 2560x1440 @ 120-165Hz, or 4k @ 60Hz
#6. Posted:
iceyd
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I basically treat games as either 'PC' or 'Living Room' games. If it's a shooter or fast paced action game, I prefer the high refresh rate @ 1440p on my computer. If it's slower paced eye candy, I just plug into the 4k tv in the living room.
#7. Posted:
Jason
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Not really if you watch a lot of movies on 4K and play a lot of 4K games it's useful.
#8. Posted:
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I don't think so. If you splash the money on it, 4k is great. Playing games at 4k over 60fps is awesome. And then you can also watch videos and movies in 4k

It does cost a considerable amount to run though
#9. Posted:
Fox
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4k is great if you've got the TV for it can be quiet useful for watching Movies & gaming but personally I don't see the big deal lol


Last edited by Fox ; edited 1 time in total
#10. Posted:
Jason
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Not really worth it unless your big on quality honestly.
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