I will shortly be needing a new monitor. I don't have a great understanding of 4k or why I might or might not need one in my photo editing. Price is a factor and evidently 4k comes at a higher price point. So what does 4k add to those of us doing photo editing?
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4K Monitor - yes or no
- Thread starter keiththom
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PHXAZCRAIG
Forum Pro
Everything seems sharper.
I would vote most definitely yes, unless the price is just too much for you. But 4K can be had at a decent price. One question might be, how small is so small it is not needed, or the inverse - how large can a monitor be before 4k is really needed?
For me, the monitor size question happened around 24 inches. 2k or 4k there seems ok, but for larger, I want higher resolution.
Then again, I have a 15 inch laptop with (almost) 4k screen (actual 3.5k), and I love the screen. Part of the reason I love it is that is also an OLED screen, which gives greater dynamic range.
Aside from the monitor question, you also need to have a look at the ports on your current video card to see if it will support one (or two) 4k monitors. When I first moved up to 4k, I was disappointingly surprised to find out that my GPU wouldn't drive even one, much less two. And I didn't have the right ports on the GPU to connect either! DVI port? No. HDMI port - maybe. (Need to look very closely there, and the cable matters two).
I ended up getting a new GPU with two DisplayPort connections, and two DP cables to connect my monitors. Significant added expense.
I would vote most definitely yes, unless the price is just too much for you. But 4K can be had at a decent price. One question might be, how small is so small it is not needed, or the inverse - how large can a monitor be before 4k is really needed?
For me, the monitor size question happened around 24 inches. 2k or 4k there seems ok, but for larger, I want higher resolution.
Then again, I have a 15 inch laptop with (almost) 4k screen (actual 3.5k), and I love the screen. Part of the reason I love it is that is also an OLED screen, which gives greater dynamic range.
Aside from the monitor question, you also need to have a look at the ports on your current video card to see if it will support one (or two) 4k monitors. When I first moved up to 4k, I was disappointingly surprised to find out that my GPU wouldn't drive even one, much less two. And I didn't have the right ports on the GPU to connect either! DVI port? No. HDMI port - maybe. (Need to look very closely there, and the cable matters two).
I ended up getting a new GPU with two DisplayPort connections, and two DP cables to connect my monitors. Significant added expense.
The important thing is whether you use older programs that won't scale the user interface according to the screen resolution used. Otherwise, the text on the user interface can look mighty tiny on a 4K monitor.
For example, I'm using a 2560 x 1440 res 27" monitor and an older version of Photoshop. Even with the 2560 x 1440 resolution, the PS interface is very tiny and just barely usable for me. Wouldn't be able to use a 27" 4K monitor in this case.
If you do decide to get a 4K monitor, recommend a screen size larger than 27".
- 1920 x 1080 - 24" monitor
- 2560 x 1440 - 27" monitor
- 3840 x 2160 - (4K) Larger than 27" monitor
I was satisfied with 3840 X 2160 on a 27" monitor. Text scaling was at 150%.
However, my current monitors are 32" nominal, also 3840 X 2160. Text scaling is still at 150%.
YouTube displays at 2560 X 1440, unless I set the text scaling to 100%. (Which is impractical for Web browsing and other text work.)
I use the most up to date versions of Photoshop and Lightroom Classic. And occasionally Topaz plugins. The only old programs I sometimes use is the old original NIK software.
I haven't looked at that. But since I just updated to a Dell XPS 8950, I would imagine that it would have all the newer ports. I know my old monitor wouldn't connect to it and I had to purchase some cables to adapt to the newer style ports.
Looking back, I saved these links to monitors others have suggested, although the Dell UltraSharp U3223QE is pushing my limits on price.
www.rtings.com
Dell U2723QE Review
The Dell U2723QE is a 27-inch, 4k office monitor. It features an IPS Black panel that Dell claims delivers deeper blacks than regular IPS panels, and it has seve...
www.rtings.com
Amazon.com: Dell UltraSharp U3223QE 31.5" 4K UHD WLED LCD Monitor - 16:9 - Black, Silver : Electronics
Amazon.com: Dell UltraSharp U3223QE 31.5" 4K UHD WLED LCD Monitor - 16:9 - Black, Silver : Electronics
www.amazon.com
Robert Zanatta
Veteran Member
Once you go 4K you never go back. 
Robert Zanatta
Veteran Member
If a really old app didn't work quite right, I change the display scaling for that application. It's worked every time for me.
Craig Gillette
Forum Pro
4K is only one of the factors driving prices. There can be different gamuts, calibration features, screen types, different connectivity, different stands, etc., which all impact prices. Higher end dedicated photo monitors will be expensive at lower res or smaller/larger screen sizes, too.
I have the LG UHD 32-Inch 32UP83A-W. It's not a high end photo monitor but works for me. I also use it for general purposes, browsing, etc. Not gaming - I think gamers would generally want higher refresh rates.
I think there will be those who will be adamant that one doesn't need 4K. I think the level of the work one does, screen size, etc, can impact whether one "needs" a particular resolution.
My older monitor had some connectivity issues, it was DVI, I think. But a recent computer/graphics card and recent monitor probably won't be a problem.
Would you guys favor or rule out any of these? Or add something else?
You guys are SUCH a huge help when I need computer devices!!
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Karl_Guttag
Senior Member
Definitely go 4K if you can afford it if you are thinking about a 32-inch monitor. With a larger monitor, you can see more of the image, and with the 4K more detail.
You should consider more than just Dell monitors. If you are photo editing, color calibration becomes important. Having an "Art" monitor does add to the cost but still, you can stay in the $500 range at 4K and 32". Most modern monitors will support both HDMI and Displayport and every graphic card will support one or both of these (and you can get cables that will adapt).
I'm not wedded to Dell at all. Those were just monitors I've seen discussed in prior discussions and I made a note to remember them. I'm open to anything within my means. I'm retired and on S.S. but I've always made it a point to get the very best within my means so I don't have to buy twice.
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None of them look bad to me. I personally would probably want one of the Dell QE models because of their IPS Black panels providing a higher contrast ratio. Unless you're a gamer, as the Dells don't have variable refresh rate (which is IMO useful for 4K gaming, but otherwise doesn't matter).
If you sit very close to the monitor, 27" otherwise 32". I'm happier with 32".
On my desk, my monitor is about 29 inches from my eyes when I edit. ??
Samuel Briggs
Veteran Member
Take a look at the Asus Proart monitors: https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-ProArt-...id=1671756504&sprefix=asus+pro,aps,186&sr=8-2
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I'm closer, about 22" from mine, so personally I'd want a 32" monitor for your distance.
Karl_Guttag
Senior Member
Unless you are into gaming, stay away from "gaming monitors." They will focus on refresh rate over color accuracy.
Asus, Viewsonic, and BenQ, at least pay considerable attention to color accuracy.
BenQ is $2K at 32", so it is probably out.
Viewsonic and Asus have "Art/Pro" (meaning color calibrated) 32" 4K monitors in the $500 range. It also means you can (with an added "Pro calibration" device) update the calibration. Most modern monitors from brand names are pretty good these days. Still, if photo editing is a big thing for you, then I would go with one that guaranteed calibrated. I don't know why, but Viewsonic reviews are a little better on Amazon.
A 32-inch 4k color acurate monitor will also be great for looking at your pictures when you are done editing.
That depends on what sort of graphics card you got.
The base 8950, with only the Intel integrated graphics, appears to have a single DisplayPort. (I'm a little surprised that there is no HDMI port.)
I'd expect most graphics cards to have multiple outputs. nVidia seems to typically offer 3 DP and one HDMI.
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It would need to be a pretty old GPU to not handle 4K UHD. .
Its virtually impossible to find a TV these days that doesn't handle UHD and all of those are on HDMI. At least for non gamers. Gamers want higher refresh rates.
One thing to watch is some monitors may be better using the higher end ports or may have other libations. My old BenQ HDMI #1 was a bad choice. Refresh was very low. The second HDMI port OTOH was fine. Why they put the lower refresh on the first port is beyond me but you'd only notice this reading the manual wondering why things looked so bad.
Some new monitors come with cables. They maybe be too short so that's something to check. If you need cables I find the Amazon brand ones fine and relatively cheap.
Its virtually impossible to find a TV these days that doesn't handle UHD and all of those are on HDMI. At least for non gamers. Gamers want higher refresh rates.
One thing to watch is some monitors may be better using the higher end ports or may have other libations. My old BenQ HDMI #1 was a bad choice. Refresh was very low. The second HDMI port OTOH was fine. Why they put the lower refresh on the first port is beyond me but you'd only notice this reading the manual wondering why things looked so bad.
Some new monitors come with cables. They maybe be too short so that's something to check. If you need cables I find the Amazon brand ones fine and relatively cheap.
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