Best 2560 x 1440 (1440p) Monitors
While 1080p monitors are far and away the most popular configuration in the market, and we are hearing more and more about 4k resolution being heralded as the successor to 1080p, 1440p (2560×1440) monitors are quietly acquiring market share. 1440p is becoming more popular as gamers upgrade to more powerful hardware more affordable prices. For example, AMD’s RX 480 graphics card will be able to handle gaming at 1440p and will even support virtual reality. To see if your current setup can run 1440p, simply check benchmarks from popular hardware sites. I’ve personally found that you are able to lower the anti-aliasing to counter the performance hit. Since the resolution is higher, the edges become smoother without AA.
So without further ado, let’s check out the best choices for making the jump to 1440p.
Acer Predator XB271HU 27″
The 27 inch Acer Predator sports an IPS panel for better color recreation, contrast, and clarity. This is a gaming monitor, so it comes with some great specs to beef up your experience. It has a native 144hz refresh rate, but if you are using Disply Port, you can press a button to bump it up to 165hz. Mix this with NVIDIA G-Sync to synchronize the refresh rate to eliminate screen tearing, minimize stutter and input lag, and enjoy sharper and smoother gameplay.
Features:
- Viewable Area: 27″ Display
- Panel Type: IPS
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz (OverClocking to 165Hz) – Using Display Port
- Response Time: 4ms
ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q 27″
You may as well call the ASUS ROG Swift and the Acer Predator above brothers. Both sport 27″ displays. Both are able to overclock from 144hz to 165hz using Display Port. Both take advantage of NVIDIA’s G-Sync for smooth, fast gameplay. And you guessed it, even the IPS panel in both monitors are made by the same company. You could almost call this a Coke vs Pepsi, or PS vs Xbox. Both are good, but you are going to find die hard fans on each side of the fence. A couple of things that the ASUS Rog has going for it however, is that is has a 1ms Response Time vs 4ms of the Predator and the price is a little easier to swallow. At the time of this writing, you can get the ASUS for $745 which is about 8% cheaper than the current price of the Predator.
Features:
- 27″ WQHD (2560 x 1440) Resolution
- IPS panel for 178-degree viewing angle and 100% sRBG color gamut
- NVIDIA G-Sync enabled
- Marathon-Ready with ASUS EyeCare
- Ergonomic stand for tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments
- VESA Mount ready for walls or monitor arms
- Response Time: 1ms
Acer XG270HU 27″
The first two monitors are great choices for gamers with NVIDIA cards, but what about the AMD peeps out there? The Acer XG270HU may be a great one to nab. It features very similar specs to the Acer Predator, however it is compatible with AMD’s FreeSync technology. While it does not come with the ability to Overclock to 165Hz, the cost is a lot lighter to on your wallet and over 50% cheaper than the Predator. If your GPU isn’t strong enough to pump out high enough frame rates to take advantage of 165Hz, then this is a great monitor at a great price!
Features:
- 27″ WQHD (2560 x 1440) Resolution
- Panel-Type: TN
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- GPU Synchronization: AMD FreeSync
BenQ ZOWIE 27″ eSports Gaming Monitor
Adopted worldwide by most professional eSports tournaments and players, BenQ Zowie is the official gaming monitor of the MLG CS:GO Major Championship along with other various eSports events. Tons of tech is built into this monitor such as the black eQualizer, 1ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate, motion blur reduction, and a controller to switch between presets. It is compatible with NVIDIA graphics cards but you’ll want an AMD FreeSync monitor to take full advantage of its capabilities.
Features:
- 27″ WQHD (2560 x 1440) Resolution
- Panel-Type: TN
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- GPU Synchronization: AMD FreeSync (compatible with NVIDIA G-sync)