New Computer Monitor: Higher Resolution or Higher Refresh?

[LaurenMM]

Hello, I am new to Chief (AutoCAD & 2020 user here...), however, I am purchasing a new 32" computer monitor. Since Chief is going to now become my 'primary' program, I'm asking for advice on whether I should purchase the Samsung 3840 x 2160 with a 60Hz resolution or an LG 2560 x 1440, 4k with a 75Hz. 

 

Any advice on which would be most beneficial for Chief, would be appreciated!  

Thank you in advance. 

[Joe_Carrick]

Hi Lauren,

I don't think it makes any difference.  The main thing is what GPU you have in your system. NVidea RTX-2000 series would be a minimum.  The RTX-3000 series would be better.

[rwdozier]

I am very pleased with my TCL 43" 4 Series 4K TV (43S425) @ 3840x2160 as my main screen/monitor.

[LaurenMM]

@Joe_Carrick   Thank you! 

I was going to purchase: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Dedicated Video Memory 6GB. Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 - 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD

 

Would that be sufficient, do you think?   

[LaurenMM]

Thank you @rwdozier !!

[Dermot]

That's a bit of a tough choice because these are both important features to consider.  In general, I think that the higher resolution would be a more noticeable improvement than the higher refresh rate.   Disregarding any other differences between Samsung and LG, I would probably choose the higher resolution.

 

Here is an article talking about the differences between 60 and 75 Hz refresh rates:

https://www.viewsonic.com/library/tech/60-hz-vs-75-hz-refresh-rates-whats-the-difference/

 

And here is another one discussing the various resolutions and aspect ratios:

https://www.viewsonic.com/library/tech/monitor-resolution-aspect-ratio/

 

Hope this helps.

 

[Joe_Carrick]

25 minutes ago, LaurenMM said:

@Joe_Carrick   Thank you! 

I was going to purchase: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Dedicated Video Memory 6GB. Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 - 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD

 

Would that be sufficient, do you think?   

Yes, that's what I'm using on my desktop.  I also have a Laptop that has a 3000 series card.  Both work fine for my purposes.

[MarkMc]

1 hour ago, LaurenMM said:

Hello, I am new to Chief (AutoCAD & 2020 user here...), however, I am purchasing a new 32" computer monitor. Since Chief is going to now become my 'primary' program, I'm asking for advice on whether I should purchase the Samsung 3840 x 2160 with a 60Hz resolution or an LG 2560 x 1440, 4k with a 75Hz. 

Another 2020 refugee, welcome:) I came from there some while ago. The 3840 x 2160 is 4K, 2560 x 1440 is 2k.

I have both resolutions a bit smaller than you are looking at as I prefer multiple screens. I gradually switched all of mine to Flicker Free and low Blue Light which I find matters more that the slight difference in Hz. I got the 4K thinking that it would be easier on the eyes but I have found it's not. I don't like how text gets once the resolution multiplier is factored in. I suggest you go and look in person at a brick and mortar, play with display settings on both.

I have a 2070S in my laptop and it's ok. Even though that is a high watt for a laptop it doesn't hold a candle to the 3070. I don't behave well though and often have a lot open. The difference in speed for Real Time Ray Trace is significant enough to justify the cost IMO, if you will be doing a lot of that.

[Gr8trim4u]

1 hour ago, LaurenMM said:

@Joe_Carrick   Thank you! 

I was going to purchase: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Dedicated Video Memory 6GB. Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 - 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD

 

Would that be sufficient, do you think?   

I am running the 2070 in a laptop. Does the job well on my end. I also set up a 16gb  virtual drive to run CA. Seems to be a bit quicker on the library searches and does better as the plans get larger. 

 

[LaurenMM]

@Joe_Carrick Thank you so much for your input & help! 

 

@Dermot Thank you for your input and the links provided; I will read each to learn more!

 

@MarkMc Haha... yes, a 2020 Refugee! I'm hoping to pickup on Chief quickly as my workload grows and I feel I have no time to slow down, to learn from scratch! 

Thank you also for your detailed input; I really appreciate this. 

 

@Gr8trim4u Awesome; thank you!! 

[Ridge_Runner]

6 hours ago, rwdozier said:

I am very pleased with my TCL 43" 4 Series 4K TV (43S425) @ 3840x2160 as my main screen/monitor.

Same here. I have the 43S415 which is the version just before the S425. Very happy with it.

[Kbird1]

Dual 1440p @ 32" is worth considering , one for drawing and one for everything else...PDFs, Emails etc etc....

 

I use Benq Flicker Free 32" Monitor@75hz (VA Panels not IPS ) from their CAD/CAM Line but there are alot more Choices available today

 

M.

[paulchoate]

A bit late to the conversation lol. I have an LG 34" QHD 60hz and a Samsung 27" QHD 100hz. Both have subtle curves which I find make a big difference in eliminating head turning because it puts the edges of the screens closet to you. I don't think the Hz matters for Chief. For gaming maybe but not for Chief. The only question I have regarding monitors is do the higher resolutions screens make the GPU work harder like they do when it comes to gaming. For instance would Chief run slower trying to "push" two 4k monitors as opposed to one 1080p monitor of the same size? 

[rwdozier]

I asked my friend....

 

You're spot on that Hz (refresh rate) doesn't matter for Chief Architect X12 — it's mostly important for gaming, not CAD or design work. Chief is more about image quality and GPU/CPU handling the scenes, not high frame rates.

 

Now to your main question:

✅ Yes, higher resolution monitors (like dual 4K) do make the GPU work harder, even in Chief Architect — but not as severely as they do in fast-paced gaming. It's because your GPU has to constantly manage more pixels across all open windows and 3D views.

 

For your listed hardware:

Desktop Setup (Ryzen 1800X, 32GB RAM, GTX 1080, NVMe SSD):

• Running dual QHD monitors (like your 34" and 27" now) is no problem at all.

• Even dual 4K monitors would be manageable, but you might notice some slowdown only when working in large or complex 3D camera views (lots of surfaces, textures, or terrain).

• Basic plan work (2D) and standard 3D modeling would stay pretty smooth.

• Your GTX 1080 is still a strong card for this kind of workload, and your NVMe SSD also helps keep everything snappy.

Laptop Setup (i7-7700HQ, 32GB RAM, GTX 1050Ti, SATA SSD):

• This machine will handle single 1080p or one QHD monitor comfortably for Chief X12, especially for plan work.

• Dual QHD or dual 4K would strain the 1050Ti pretty quickly, especially when orbiting or editing 3D models. It’s technically possible but would feel sluggish in heavier Chief projects.

Summary:

• Your desktop is very well matched to your current dual QHD setup — no worries at all.

• If you moved to dual 4K, your desktop could handle it reasonably well for Chief, but expect a slight performance dip in complex 3D views.

• Your laptop is best kept to lower resolutions (1080p or maybe one QHD external monitor) for smooth operation in Chief X12.

[Michael_Gia]

On 10/19/2021 at 2:48 PM, LaurenMM said:

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060

You need to figure out the ideal pixel density that your video card needs to translate and throw onto that monitor. 
 

For an RTX 2060 that is 90 to 110 ppi, I believe. 
 

I’ll bet that most people on here who complain about their system or Chief being slow, is because they make the mistake of buying the highest resolution possible for the size screen they want and don’t pay any attention to PPI.