When it comes to making CAD drawings or creating Revit models, having a high-quality monitor is essential for accurately and efficiently creating designs. The best monitors for AutoCAD and Revit offer a large display with high resolution and a wide color gamut.
Besides the monitor specifications are also the budget and available workspace important when it comes to finding the best monitor for AutoCAD and Revit. A dual monitor setup is often preferred because it allows you to have your model open on one monitor and use the other for reference material. But also ultra-wide (curved) monitor can be a good option.
In this article, I will show a couple of great monitors for AutoCAD, Revit, or 3D Modeling in general.
Choosing the Best Monitor for AutoCAD or Revit
When you are looking for the best monitor for CAD or 3D Modeling, then it’s important to know which monitor features are essential. CAD and Revit models are built up out of fine lines. So one of the most important details of a monitor is that it needs to be able to show these lines crisply and sharply.
So when searching for the best monitor, we are going to focus on the following features:
- Resolution
- Display size
- Color gamut
Resolution
When working with CAD drawings or 3D models, it’s important that your monitor has a high resolution. A higher resolution provides a high level of detail and clarity. So we want at least a resolution of 4k (3840 x 2160), also referred to as Ultra HD. A 4K monitor displays four times as many pixels as a standard 1080p monitor. This means that text and lines in CAD drawings will be sharper and more legible, making it easier to read and understand the details of the design.
In addition, a 4K resolution also allows for more screen real estate, which means you can have more information and tools visible on the screen at once. This is important when working with large and complex CAD drawings or 3D models, as it allows you to have multiple views or layers open at once, making it easier to navigate and make changes to the design.
If you are in the market for an Ultra Wide monitor, then you really need to look for one with a 5K resolution. The most Ultra Wides in the market are 4K, giving you a vertical resolution of 1080 or 1200px. This is significantly less than the 2160px of a normal 4K monitor.
Display size
The best monitor size for AutoCAD or Revit depends on the user’s needs and preferences. However, a larger monitor size provides more screen real estate and makes it easier to view and work with multiple drawings and tools at the same time.
A 27-inch monitor with a resolution of 2560×1440 is considered the minimal option for CAD and Revit users, as it provides a balance of screen size and resolution. But I recommend getting at least a 4K 27-inch monitor. This size of the monitor is large enough to provide plenty of screen real estate but still fits in most workspaces.
If you have the room and budget, then a 40-inch UltraWide is the best option. The larger screen size and an ultrawide aspect ratio of 21:9 allow for even more screen real estate and makes it easier to view and work with multiple drawings and tools at the same time.
Color gamut
A color gamut refers to the range of colors that a monitor is capable of reproducing. It is typically measured in terms of the colors that can be produced by the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which is the most common color model used in displays. The most common color gamut for monitors is the sRGB color gamut. It covers about 72% of the colors that can be seen by the human eye.
However, there are other color gamuts that are available, such as Rec 709 and DCI-P3, which have a wider color range and can reproduce more colors than sRGB. These color gamuts allow for more accurate color reproduction.
It’s important to note that just because a monitor supports a wide color gamut it doesn’t mean that it will display all the colors it’s capable of reproducing. It depends on the color profile and calibration of the monitor, as well as the source of the content, and the video card.
1. Dell UltraSharp U2720Q
One of the top options for CAD and BIM professionals is the Dell UltraSharp U2720Q. This 27-inch monitor features a 4K resolution, which allows for incredibly detailed and precise designs. It also has a wide color gamut, covering 99% of the sRGB color space, and a fast 60Hz refresh rate. In addition, it has a USB-C port, which allows for easy connectivity to laptops or other devices.
What is great about the Dell U2720Q is the exceptional color coverage of 95% DCI-P3. This means that it covers 25% more color than a standard monitor, giving you true color reproduction. The monitor can be tilted, swiveled, pivoted, and adjusted in height.
Dell UltraSharp U2720Q Specifications
- Size: 32-inch
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K)
- Color support: 99% sRGB, 99% Rec 709, 95% DCI-P3
- Brightness: 350 cd/m2
- Contrast Ratio: 1300 to 1
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Response time: 5ms
If you don’t have the space for two monitors or a large ultra-wide, then this 32-inch monitor is the perfect choice for working with AutoCAD and Revit.
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Make sure you also read out guide on the best BIM and AutoCad Laptops
2. BenQ PD2700U
The BenQ PD2700U is another great monitor for working with AutoCAD or Revit. This 27-inch 4K monitor has also a wide color gamut, covering 100% of the sRGB color space, and has a fast 60Hz refresh rate. It also features USB-C connectivity, a built-in KVM switch, and a height-adjustable stand for ergonomic comfort.
What I really like about the PD2700U is that it comes with a special CAD/CAM mode. This gives superior contrasts of lines and shapes in your CAD and 3D Model drawings. Another great feature is the built-in KVM switch. The switch allows you to connect two devices to your monitor, using only a single keyboard and mouse. This way you can easily switch between multiple devices.
But besides switching between devices, you can also enable DualView mode. It allows you to view the screen of two devices simultaneously using Picture by Picture – (PBP) or Picture in Picture (PIP) mode, which gives you the ability to optimize your workflow.
BenQ PD2700U Specifications
- Size: 27-inch
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K)
- Color support: 100% sRGB, 100% Rec 709
- Brightness: 350 cd/m2
- Contrast Ratio: 1300 to 1
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Response time: 5ms
The BenQ PD2700U is a high-quality and versatile monitor. It offers everything you need for efficient and accurate design work. There is also a 32-inch model available of this BenQ, the PD3200U.
3. ASUS ProArt PA279CV
Another great option is the ASUS ProArt PA279CV. This 27-inch 4K monitor offers a resolution of 3840 x 2160, a wide color gamut, covering 100% of the sRGB and 95% of the DCI-P3 color spaces, and a 60Hz refresh rate.
This high-end monitor is specifically designed for professionals in the creative field, including CAD designers. The high resolution and wide color gamut provide a detailed and precise display, which is great for CAD drawing and 3D modeling. The monitor is factory calibrated and Calman Verified which guarantees industry-leading color accuracy.
ASUS ProArt PA279CV Specifications
- Size: 27-inch
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K)
- Color support: 100% sRGB, 100% Rec 709
- Brightness: 350 cd/m2
- Contrast Ratio: 1000 to 1
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Response time: 5ms
Overall, the ASUS ProArt PA279CV is a great choice for CAD professionals looking for a high-quality and precise monitor. With its hardware calibration, wide color gamut, fast refresh rate, and convenient features such as USB-C connectivity and a built-in cable management system, this monitor offers everything you need for efficient and accurate design work.
4. HP Z40c G3 Ultra-Wide Curved
The HP Z40c G3 monitor is a high-quality monitor that is well perfect for CAD drawing and 3D modeling. The 40-inch curved screen provides an immersive viewing experience and the 5K resolution of 5120 x 2160 delivers crisp and clear images. It supports a wide color gamut, covering 100% of the sRGB and 98% of the DCI-P3 color spaces.
One of the standout features of this monitor is its large size, which makes it perfect for multitasking and working on large models or CAD drawings. The curved design also enhances the viewing experience, providing a more natural and comfortable viewing angle.
HP Z40c G3 Specifications
- Size: 39.7 -inch
- Resolution: 5120 x 2160 pixels (5K)
- Color support: 100% sRGB, 100% Rec 709, 98% DCI-P3
- Brightness: 300 cd/m2
- Contrast Ratio: 1000 to 1
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Response time: 14ms
One of the only downsides of this monitor is its cost, which is quite high. Additionally, the monitor’s size may be too large for some and might not even fit in some workspaces.
Overall, the HP Z40c G3 monitor is an excellent choice for BIM professionals who need a large and high-quality display. Its size makes it perfect for multitasking and working with large drawings. The monitor’s cost and size are the only drawbacks, but if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line display and you have the space for it, the HP Z40c G3 is definitely worth considering.
5. LG 40WP95C-W
Another great option if you are looking for an UltraWide monitor for AutoCAD or Revit is the LG 40WP95C-W. This is a high-end ultrawide monitor that is designed for professionals who need a large and versatile display. The monitor has a 40-inch curved panel with a resolution of 5120×2160, which provides an immersive and wide viewing experience. The ultrawide aspect ratio of 21:9 is great for having your CAD drawing open on one side and your reference files on the other.
It supports, just like the HP Z40c, a wide color gamut and HDR, which ensures that colors are accurate and vibrant. The monitor also has a fast response time of 5ms and a high refresh rate. One of the downsides of this monitor is, just like the HP, that it’s quite expensive, which may not be suitable for everyone.
LG 40WP95C-W Specifications
- Size: 39.7 -inch
- Resolution: 5120 x 2160 pixels (5K)
- Color support: 100% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3
- Brightness: 300 cd/m2
- Contrast Ratio: 1000 to 1
- Refresh rate: 72Hz
- Response time: 5ms
Overall, the LG 40WP95C-W monitor is an excellent choice for professionals who need a large and versatile display. Its ultrawide aspect ratio, image quality, and versatility make it perfect for multitasking and working with AutoCAD, Revit, or for 3D modeling.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, when choosing the best 4K ultra-wide monitor for AutoCAD or Revit, it is important to consider the resolution, display size, and color gamut. Any of the monitors mentioned above would be a great choice for CAD or Revit professionals looking for a high-quality and large monitor.
It is also important to consider the size of your workspace and budget as well. With a 5K ultra-wide monitor, you will be able to work on multiple programs, views, and reference files at the same time, improving your productivity and efficiency.
I hope this article helped you find the best monitor, if you have any questions, just drop a comment below.
will you really notice the difference in the LINES with a 4K monitor? I don’t have one now and I see the lines fine.
The advantage of the 4k over a normal 1080p screen is that the lines will still be crisp and sharp when you zoom a bit out. Another big advantage of 4k screens is that you can have more information on your screen, allowing you to work more efficiently.