PC ERA - got a quick question about monitors and resolution

[tripleg]

I have the ROG PG27U that has a native resolution of 3840x2160 with a 2080ti.

Playing games in this resolution is obviously demanding and I'm not getting the frames I'd like when I do so - especially in games like CoD Warzone, etc.

So, I'd like to lower my resolution, but when lowering it to something like 1920x1080, things are often blurry and not as clear/crisp as the native resolution.

How do I find an optimal resolution, or, is it an OK compromise to have games run in a different resolution than desktop (will I see a noticable improvement in frames when doing so)? Add to the complexity that I often like to alt-tab and browse on my other monitor, so keeping both resolutions the same is close to ideal.

Any thoughts/instructions on how best to proceed?

 

[Bradford]

playing out of the native res will always look somewhat blurry on a fixed-pixel display.


I would suggest turning down graphics settings or playing windowed rather than sacrificing resolution if you care about the blurriness.

If you are already alt-tabbing a lot just play windowed, honestly.

 

[ProstatePuncher]

Play windowed mode? Should help with tabbing out, clarity of image (wont be stretched to fit the monitor), and more.

 

[RGB]

Running at native res but using the game's resolution scale is a great option if it's available. You get native res UI elements and you can experiment with what percentage scale gives you the performance you want.

 

[SnazzyNaz]

1. Play windowed.
or
2. Play at EXACTLY 1920x1080 and enable integer scaling in the Nvidia control panel. 1080p multiplies perfectly into 2160p. It won't look as detailed as native but it won't be as messy or soft looking as other non-native resolutions like 1440p.
or
3. If a game supports it, lower the in-game resolution scaling option while leaving your output at 2160p. At least that way you retain a native res UI.

 

[kami_sama]

So when you use a smaller resolution than what your display natively has, normally there's an upscaling that's really bad, that's why it's blurry.
Look up integer scaling. Because 1080p is half in horizontal and vertical, you can just use 4 pixels as one, and while you don't get the benefit of 4k, it shouldn't be blurry.

 

[Nostremitus]

Maybe try a resolution that keeps the same pixel density but letterboxes? Basically, run a 21:9 aspect ratio with 1:1 scaling.

 

[NovumVeritas]

If the game offers resolution scale use it. Play native 4K and scale resolution down.

 

[tripleg]

If you are already alt-tabbing a lot just play windowed, honestly.

Click to shrink...

I assume games that are demanding would rather want to be played in Fullscreen/dedicated in terms of maximizing FPS.

Given the monitor + 2080ti I think it's quite silly that one has to play a game like Warzone in low settiings to hit ~120hz, but maybe that's where we are with that particular game.

 

[tripleg]

So when you use a smaller resolution than what your display natively has, normally there's an upscaling that's really bad, that's why it's blurry.
Look up integer scaling. Because 1080p is half in horizontal and vertical, you can just use 4 pixels as one, and while you don't get the benefit of 4k, it shouldn't be blurry.

Click to shrink...

Looking up integer scaling now - any particular resource / thing I should hit?

 

[kami_sama]

Looking up integer scaling now - any particular resource / thing I should hit?

Click to shrink...

I saw this article: https://www.anandtech.com/show/14765/nvidia-releases-geforce-436-02-driver-integer-scaling-and-more
You can see how to set it up.

 

[Bradford]

I assume games that are demanding would rather want to be played in Fullscreen/dedicated in terms of maximizing FPS.

Given the monitor + 2080ti I think it's quite silly that one has to play a game like Warzone in low settiings to hit ~120hz, but maybe that's where we are with that particular game.

Click to shrink...

It doesn't make a big enough difference to matter, especially if you are already having issues hitting framerates in exclusive. Decreasing the resolution will make up more performance gains than you would lose playing windowed.