How Does Linux Handle Resolution Scaling?

Regev

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I'm torn between a 4K and a 2K monitor (32"). Both models have IPS panels and cost about the same. I'll effectively run it at 2K res (2560x1440) anyway (so I can read the text and see the UI), but I think it would be nice to have crisp, sharp text of a 4K monitor scaled down to show in 2560x1440 (like on Mac). But does Linux handle display scaling well enough? Even if it does manage to scale it, will the text look sharper on a 4K than 2K provided both run the text and UI at 2560x1440?
 


Does that mean I should just pick a 2K and avoid the headache? :)

p.s Does anyone have a good experience running Arch on a 4K screen scaled to 2560x1440?
 
I've been running on 4k for about a year. I don't run Arch, but it is Linux.
Three things I've found about hi-res monitors, (this is true on windows also).
1. Your video card makes a difference. Bigger, faster, more Mem = better.
2. Your monitor makes a difference, all 4k monitors are not the same. Refresh rates make a huge difference. 30Hz can cause mouse, clicks when you don't them. 60Hz is workable.
75Hz or even 144Hz is better. Many monitors have different refresh arates at different resolations, so just because it's 75Hz at 2560x1440 doesn't mean it will be at 4k.
3. Your eyesight makes a difference. I have two 4k monitors, one is 19 inch and one is 27 inch.
I can barely read text on the 19 inch monitor. I can enlarge the text in many applications, but
then I lose the advantage of having so many pixels.
 
I've been running on 4k for about a year. I don't run Arch, but it is Linux.
Three things I've found about hi-res monitors, (this is true on windows also).
1. Your video card makes a difference. Bigger, faster, more Mem = better.
2. Your monitor makes a difference, all 4k monitors are not the same. Refresh rates make a huge difference. 30Hz can cause mouse, clicks when you don't them. 60Hz is workable.
75Hz or even 144Hz is better. Many monitors have different refresh arates at different resolations, so just because it's 75Hz at 2560x1440 doesn't mean it will be at 4k.
3. Your eyesight makes a difference. I have two 4k monitors, one is 19 inch and one is 27 inch.
I can barely read text on the 19 inch monitor. I can enlarge the text in many applications, but
then I lose the advantage of having so many pixels.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.
Do you *not* use scaling at all on the 4K 27"?! I remember using a 5K iMac scaled 200% (2560x1440) - even then it was too small for me! I figured 32" on 2560x1440 (scaled from 4k or 5k/ or just native) will be the perfect text-size for me. But I want the text to be as sharp as possible. In that case would you buy a native 2K or a 4K and scale it?
 
On my Samsung, I've noticed a little fuzziness while I scale. Other monitors might be sharper.
But the fuzziness is so noticeable that the text is sharper in 4k (no scaling) than it is in 2k (scaled).
 

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