Asus PB278Q Monitor & iMac 5K? Thoughts/Suggestions

[Ray&Paula]

I'm currently looking at 27" monitors to use with my "extremely soon to be loaded to the max iMac 5K." I'm not a gamer, my iMac 5K will be used for video editing and photography. I did come across the following Asus monitor and would like your thoughts;
Asus:
http://www.asus.com/us/Monitors/PB278Q/

B&H Photo
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893541-REG/ASUS_PB278Q_27_LED_LCD.html

The specs are pretty good as well as reviews. The top few things it has going for it is the price, LED backlit, PLS matte screen along with having 2560 x 1440 resolution. I'm sure some of you may be shaking your head.... Why have a monitor with the new iMac 5K?
For now, it will be used mainly for a Windows 7 PC, but since I'm making the purchase I would like to use it with the iMac 5K down the road. Maybe some of you are actually using this monitor. If you are, what cable are you using for the best resolution with the iMac 5K? Your thoughts and/or suggestions on this or any other monitor would be most appreciated. Thanks, Ray

 

[campyguy]

IMHO, pass on that monitor. It's OK, but it's 3-year-old tech and the image on the screen reflects that (pun intended). ASUS's newer, comparable monitors are much nicer to look at for about the same coin. The "tweaked" 278Q monitors are a different matter - the versions targeting gamers, again, pun intended - but IMO the PB278Q is very overpriced given its current competition.

I opted for two Dell P2715Q monitors - 4k, similar gamut, better specs, better warranty - all for just a bit more money. Last week Adorama had the P2715Q on sale for $455 with expedited shipping. I'm connecting one of my monitors to my riMac when I buy it after the refresh.

I tweaked my system (late-2013 rMBP) to recognize the monitors as DP and not televisions (so my Mac is seeing them as RGB displays) and am using SwitchResX to tweak the resolutions - I'm happy, and I spent about $40 more for a 4k display than the ASUS you're considering.

 

[UniDoubleU]

I recommend a 4K display as well, your images will look much sharper as it's at 8 mp vs 3 mp. Plus you can have more tools on it, 4K resolution will be useful for years to come.

 

[Ray&Paula]

Thanks for the replies..... I agree with both of you and have always believed in getting it right the first time. As I stated, I would be using this for my Windows 7 64bit PC for now. My Nvidia Quadro FX3700 video card handles up to 2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz according to specs. It has 2 x DVI-D outputs and I do have HDMI as well.

http://www.pny.eu/product/p-8-80-219/Discontinued-Products/NVIDIA-Quadro-FX-3700-PCIE/

http://www.nvidia.com/docs/IO/40049/Grayscale10bit_v03.pdf

With that being said, maybe there's a cable that can be used with a 4K monitor leading to my DVI-D connection. As for the IMac 5K, there shouldn't be any problem. I'm not a tech savvy person when it comes to which would be the best connections. My thoughts for the Asus or something similar having IPS or PLS with 2560 x 1440 resolution would serve me for the time being. As we all know, 4K monitors are and will be coming down even more in the near future. At that point, I'm sure I would opt for a nice 4K monitor for the iMac. Please give me your thoughts in regards to cable management for a 4K monitor for my PC and/or iMac. In addition, any other thoughts or suggestions are most welcome. Thanks again for all your help and input. Ray

 

[campyguy]

Ray, I have a few short bits of advice...

First, don't buy that ASUS monitor as it's old tech. That, and your video card isn't supported under your OS - it's got older DVI-I (digital and analog) output that may not even drive that monitor, let alone a newer 4k monitor.

AFAIK there are no bi-directional cables that will take DVI input and provide DP output, let alone the DP 1.2 output for a 4k monitor.

We're on the cusp of HDMI 2.0, USB 3.2, and newer chips that will drive the PCs and Macs of our dreams. I'll be buying a few new displays and at least one riMac - and I'll be waiting until later this year or early next year. But, I already have the monitors I want...

That written, IMO if you're buying that ASUS monitor, or upgrading to a more-powerful video card for your PC to drive a 4k monitor then you're tossing your money away. If you KNOW you're buying a riMac soon, then wait until then to get that nifty monitor - HiDPI monitors are still getting the kinks worked out, and Apple may announce a 5k monitor at their WWDC. I'm happy with my Dell P2715Q monitors - I looked at exactly the same ASUS you mentioned, and about a week before pulling the trigger the Dell 4k monitors came out.

If I wanted to get a riMac sooner and save some money, there's a bunch of models on Apple's refurbished store site - I'm actually tempted to get one and ditch my rMBP. We're too close to the WWDC for me to buy a new toy now...

 

[Ray&Paula]

Hi, I hear what you're saying...... and I agree with you about the ASUS being older tech. With that being said, I have no intensions of upgrading my PC, OS and video card. All works fine for now and once I receive my new iMac it will only be used for general use. As for my video card, the Quadro FX3700 does support my OS Windows 64bit PC as shown in the link below.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/quadro-win7-winvista-64bit-270.73-driver.html
After giving it some thought..... now wouldn't be a good time for a nice 4K monitor. I wouldn't be able to use it with my current video card, therefore defeating the purpose of it. Once I'm up and running on the new iMac 5K, I may not even give a 4K monitor a thought due to its size. Thanks again for all your help, Ray

 

[Ray&Paula]

Received my Asus PB278Q Friday....... In a word.... Awesome! So far so good! Connected my DVI-D and looked at several video's and the color seems to be great right out of the box. This is perfect for now...... A 4K monitor in the future will be on my list to go with the iMac 5K. Thanks for your input and help. Ray