Pick the right 4K monitor

Not all 4K monitors are created equal.

Some may just do the job of editing and the playing of 4K videos.

For a gaming rig, you need to ensure that the monitor supports 3,840 x 2,160 pixels at 60Hz.

Check that it supports DisplayPort 1.2, since this interface has the bandwidth to transmit the 4K signal.

Ideally, the monitor should include a DisplayPort cable.

Newer models, such as the Asus PA328Q monitor, support HDMI 2.0, which can also handle 4K resolution at 60Hz. Unfortunately, they are not available here yet.

The two 4K monitors I have tried are perfectly contrasting examples of what you can find in the market.

Acer CB280HK

$899

The much more affordable of the two 4K displays I have tried, this Acer 28-inch monitor uses a twisted nematic panel, which explains why its colours do not look as vivid as those on a monitor using in-plane switching (IPS) technology.

Viewing angles are good, but not as wide as an IPS display.

On the other hand, it is suitable for gaming as it is less likely to suffer from screen tearing and other artefacts because of its low response time (1 millisecond for grey-to-grey transitions).

I like its flexible stand. The height and tilt of the screen can be adjusted, and the screen can be rotated into portrait mode.

Dell UltraSharp UP3214Q

$2,699

Dell has a number of 4K monitors, but I would not recommend the $699 P2815Q, which has a refresh rate of only 30Hz at 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.

Instead, get the 32-inch UP3214Q if you can. Designed for professionals who need 4K monitors for video, animation or game production, this IPS display has exceptional colour accuracy and wide viewing angles.

With an 8 millisecond response time, it is not as fast as the Acer, but good enough if you are not a big fan of first-person shooting or racing games.

This article was first published on Oct 8, 2014.
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