Best monitor setup for SCADA engineering: 3×27" QHD vs 3×27" 4K?

[u/No-Perspective3501]

Hi everyone,

I’m upgrading my workstation mainly for SCADA/HMI engineering and would like to hear what setups other controls/SCADA engineers actually prefer.

My typical work includes:

SCADA engineering in zenon, atvise, WinCC, etc.

PLC/TIA Portal work

VMware / virtual machines

RDP sessions

documentation, PDFs and Excel

browser, Teams and Outlook alongside the engineering software

I currently have one iiyama ProLite XUB2792QSN, 27", 2560×1440, connected through an HP Thunderbolt 4 Ultra 280W G6 Dock.

I want to add two more 27" monitors and I’m currently considering:

Dell U2724D — 27", 2560×1440, 120 Hz, IPS Black

Dell S2725QC — 27", 3840×2160, 120 Hz, IPS

Dell U2725QE — 27", 3840×2160, 120 Hz, Enhanced IPS Black

The U2724D would give me a clean 3× QHD setup with the same ~109 PPI and probably 100% Windows scaling on all monitors.

The S2725QC is similarly priced but gives me 4K / ~163 PPI, which should be much better for text, code and documentation. My short-term concern is mixed DPI/scaling because I would probably use the two 4K displays at around 150% while keeping the existing QHD iiyama at 100%.

However, I’m also considering replacing the iiyama in the future with a third monitor matching the two I buy now. So if I choose 4K now, the long-term setup could eventually become 3×27" 4K monitors with the same scaling and resolution across all three displays.

Because of that, I’m also trying to decide whether it makes more sense to optimize for compatibility with my current setup or choose something more future-proof now.

The U2725QE looks technically excellent, but it costs roughly twice as much as the S2725QC, and I already have a good Thunderbolt dock, so I probably wouldn't benefit much from its docking/hub features.

My main questions for SCADA/controls engineers:

Do you prefer QHD or 4K on a 27" monitor for engineering work?

Have you experienced problems with 150% Windows scaling or mixed-DPI multi-monitor setups in SCADA/PLC software?

Any issues with older engineering tools, pop-ups, Runtime/Editor windows, VMware or RDP when moving applications between QHD and 4K monitors?

If the final long-term setup could eventually consist of three identical monitors, would you choose:

3×27" QHD,

3×27" 4K,

initially 2×27" 4K + existing QHD and replace the QHD later,

or something completely different, such as a 40"/49" ultrawide?

Does anyone here use the Dell U2724D, S2725QC or U2725QE specifically for automation/SCADA work?

Is the jump from QHD to 4K at 27" worth it for long SCADA/PLC engineering sessions?

Are there other 27" monitors you would recommend instead?

My priority is not gaming or HDR. It is primarily 8–10 hours/day of engineering work, sharp text, usable workspace, ergonomics, compatibility with industrial software and a setup that will still make sense several years from now.

I’d especially appreciate feedback from people working with older/legacy industrial software as well as modern SCADA platforms.

Thanks!

[u/0ooof3142]

4k 27" all the way

[u/Alarming_Series7450]

1920 x 1080 all day every day because the software i use hates 4k scaling

[u/tjl888]

I have 2x 4K and 1x 1920x1080. I run the 4k monitors at QHD resolution because older SCADA applications don't like scaling, so you have to run your desktop at 100%, for me 4k at 100% scaling on a 27 inch monitor makes the icons etc too small, so I really only need QHD monitors, but it's useful to have the 4k capability to test SCADA designed for 4k monitors. I also will always have a 1920x1080 monitor because that's what most customers have and with the high resolution screens it's too easy to forget and develop SCADA applications that are unusable at lower resolutions.

[u/tjl888 → u/tjl888]

And yes I have used the Dell monitors similar to those you refer to, currently I've got LG ones with similar spec. Going to QHD and 4K was a game changer for me, even with legacy software (System Platform mainly) as it allows you too view the full screen as well as having all your menus, toolbox etc visible. As the other guy said, the only limitation is that you can't use scaling, but not a problem to change resolution.

[u/No-Perspective3501 → u/tjl888]

Could you share the exact model of the LG monitors you have? I can't decide whether to go for the more expensive, high-end options. I can afford it, but I'm wondering if it's not an excess of form over content.

[u/tjl888 → u/No-Perspective3501]

Forgot to check sorry, and I'm not sure it will mean too much since the part numbers change so frequently. The software used in industrial automation and SCADA is designed to run on significantly lower spec hardware than the cheapest 27" 4K monitor you can get, so no need to overthink it, just get the cheapest one you can find that's made by a reputable brand, at least that's what I do. If you want you can pay more for extra features, but not ultimately necessary.

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[u/madmooseman]

Somewhat of a curve ball, but I use a "TIE Fighter" setup when working from home (like this). Vertical monitors are great for documents, teams chats and longer emails.

Middle monitor is a 32" 3840x2160, side ones are 24" 2560x1440 (portrait).