topic Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor in Installation & update

Cad monitors v. Games monitor

KeesW — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 23:57:05 GMT

Having ordered a new computer with an RTX graphic card I am also considering replacing my 10 year old Dell 27" monitor. with a new 32" 4K screen. Is there such a thing as a CAD monitor, or will any good 4K screen such a Dell, Samsung, LG or HP, etc., do the job? I don't use the computer for gaming.

Also, how does a curved screen work for CAD work? I find that I often loose my curser with even a 27" screen. I've changed my Archicad curser to an Autocad style extended one with long vertical and horizontal arms but this option is not always available for other MS Office programs. A curved screen may make better use of one's peripheral vision but might, annoyingly, distort what is shown on the screen.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

Lingwisyer — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 03:14:46 GMT

I used a 1800r curved ultrawide monitor when WFH and had no issue. There are plenty of articles around which talk about them. In my opinion it is not really worth paying more for it... though I do not think I have seen a flat ultrawide so if you go that way there is not the option. I find the ultrawide really nice for Archicad and Photoshop given my workspace will all of the toolbars and palettes on the sides.

Have you considered using a cursor highlighter?

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

Erwin Edel — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 06:56:42 GMT

True 'gaming' monitors will have a high refresh rate to show a high number of frames per second when gaming. So you pay a small premium for that feature.

Not sure about 'cad' monitors, but really high end monitors have very good colour representation.

The brands you mention should be fine and should easily last you another 10 years like your current Dell has.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

Miha_M — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:38:39 GMT

I don't think a gaming monitor will make any difference. As @Lingwisyer said, gaming monitors are mostly better for higher refresh rates (120Hz or even higher), but this is noticeable at high paced motion images - games. As our CAD environment is mostly static or slow paced 3D navigation only, the benefit of a high refresh monitor rate is questionable. Maybe the monitor resolution and needed graphic card power for driving that resolution are more important. But if you plan using an RTX based graphic card a 4K monitor will run without any problems, as even the older RTX 2060 supports 8K output as well. Just make sure the work environment size (icons and text) are something you can work with.

I use a 27 inch 2K display and am very happy with it.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

jkershaw — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 00:49:04 GMT

side note: how did you change your Archicad cursor to an AutoCAD style? Can't seem to find that option...

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

Lingwisyer — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 01:37:04 GMT

I have gotten refurbished monitors from Delloutlet. Comes with a new manufacturers warranty too.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

KeesW — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 01:42:46 GMT

Open an Archicad file

Select VIEW > RULER > CURSOR PROJECTION

That is it!

The cursor projection stays after you deselect RULER. To return to the default cursor repeat the above mentioned process and deselect Cursor Projection.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

KeesW — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 01:44:53 GMT

I think so - ages ago. But I still found it too small. The cursor projection is always visible.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

Nader Belal — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 10:46:04 GMT

@KeesW , about monitors:

as a rule of thumb you should avoid gaming monitors.
long time ago I have read an article that discouraged the use of curved monitors with CAD work, as lines may frequently appear curved or inclined on curved monitors, besides right now is a lot easier to get a decent wide and straight monitors.
avoid glossy surface monitors at all cost.
A decently factory colored calibrated monitor worth more than what they ask for, anything that achieves 72% of NTSC color space is more than enough, unless your work includes professional color grading.
the higher the refresh rate the less strain on the eyes, but right now I believe that any monitor with more than 120hz refresh rate is an overkill.
As an advice, check this site Rtings , they have the best reviews you can get on monitors, and they even classify them by intended usage

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

jkershaw — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 20:28:30 GMT

Thanks! Although by default it was not there in the Architectural Commands 25 menu structure. I had to add the Cursor Projection command to the menu via the Work Environment configuration.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

DJHYDRO73 — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 01:05:11 GMT

Hey Kees or Booster, this is a little bit late but don't mistake buying a 4k monitor for CAD if you have not done so already. I believe the best CAD monitors today are the Ben Q 32 full HD, Particularly the PL3200 or the PD3200Q. These monitors have great aspects and height and are easy on your eyes. They are as durable as they come as I thought. I broke one when I dropped one in my driveway and only a small bump to the bezel and back to business. I am a site improvement designer and a water resources engineer; my 2D hydro models can run for 4 hours on a Threadripper with dual RTX 3090 with GPU accelerated software; it used to be for a weekend. I don't want to know how long will it take to render that in 4K, and I don't believe you need or want 4K. Unless you are into fluid tracing dynamics or something of the sort, you want to stay away from 4K as much as you can. Your graphics card and your eyes will thank you for it. I am a gamer also, and I have monitors solely for those purposes, which are 4K. I can go on and on with the why and how, but I believe the article I left for you below sums it up. My dad is also an architect, and if you ask him, he would tell you the story of when he went shopping with his measuring scale trying to find a 24" x 36" or a 30" x 42" monitor. He just wanted to see his drawings at full paper scale before printing, which makes a lot of sense.

Take care,

DJ VAGNETTI, MsCE PE

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

KeesW — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 04:38:37 GMT

I bought a new screen in September. It is an HP Z27K G3 27" 4K UHD IPS Studio Monitor and has amazing resolution and clarity. On PAR with a MAC I think. I considered a bigger 32" monitor but it wouldn't fit on my desk. I don't know if having or not having 4K makes a difference but went with it to maximize the potential benefit of having an RTX graphics card.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

Lingwisyer — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:05:33 GMT

Nice docking monitor. Looks a bit pricy if you are not using that functionality.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

KeesW — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 11:23:55 GMT

I've always admired the graphics of Macs and their 27" screen is fantastic. I wanted the most comparable PC screen I could find and this was it (in my opinion). My wife is an editor and got an HPZ27n G2 27" 12 months ago. Similar (but not 4K) and equally excellent for text work. I was so impressed that I stuck with HP but went for the best I could get in the 27" HP range. My previous monitor (27" Dell ultra sharp) lasted 10 years - and is still going. So, spending a bit extra to, hopefully, last the next 10 years is not a bad investment. I could not afford, or wanted, to change to a Mac.

Re: Cad monitors v. Games monitor

Nader Belal — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 11:27:37 GMT

Some reviews found a similar Mas Monitor

https://youtu.be/k8RkyaSHFLM?t=366