I've got a friend who plans to do some upgrading on his rig.  He's pretty much set on a 970 (whatever best version he can get for $350 is) but is debating on monitor types.  It'd be for gaming, and he's going between a 1080p 144hz monitor or an 2k ultrawide.
 
My thought is the 1080p for that card, but I thought I'd see what some other people who probably know more than me think about it.
 
Thanks!

970 is perfect for 1080p 144Hz gaming, 1440p would be too much.
2K needs at least 980 if you ask me and even then 144Hz would be mostly not possible.

No need for V-Sync at 1920x1080 at 144 Hz. I've never had any screen tearing even at 200 FPS.

Thanks for the replies guys!  So sounds like my friend should stick with a 1080p monitor then (with a high hz) for best performance and frame rates then with a 970.

I think it's going to depend on what's more important. It has been proven that you will do better in an online fps with a higher refresh rate but for people like me, I can live with lower fps and would rather have more detail as I play mostly single player games. There have been tests were some "average" people can not tell if they are gaming at 60Hz or 120/144Hz. Not sure if a single 970 gtx could push 2K @ 120Hz but that would probably be the sweet spot, for me anyway.

Ultimately, it depends on what you're playing. A LOT of false information being posted here. 970 isn't good for 1440p? My wife uses a 750ti for 1440p. Granted, all she plays is World of Warcraft, but that's the point. It depends on what you play. And as for not seeing screen tearing, some see it more easily than others. I can't play any game without VSYNC on or I see it. If I'm playing WoW or even the Arkham games, I see screen tearing everywhere above or below the refresh rate.
 
The 970 is a card well suited to both 1080p and 1440p. My recommendation is 1080p @ 120/144hz, or 1440p @ 60hz. This will allow for a similar level of detail, but your choice of more fluid framerate or higher resolution image. So there it is, speed or image quality?
 
The low end option, and what I'm currently using due to older hardware and looking to ditch, is 1080p @ 60hz. With VSYNC on, you get higher graphics settings without the concern of 1440p or >100hz. But that's not desireable, IMO, and I am upgrading from that monitor in the near future.

This guy actually did a nice job of breaking it down with a similar scenario... He is using a single 780ti card
 

 

I had noticeable screen tearing when I was using a 60 Hz monitor but even then it was only micro-tearing. I can't even notice that with my 144 Hz monitor.

I guess it depends on the monitor too since the video that Linus Tech Tips made had some horrendous artifacts and tearing that I have yet to see on any of my builds or monitors. Ignorance is bliss so whatever you do just don't tell me what to look for because I'm happy with my PC and my monitor. When I get tired of this monitor or it wears out I will spring up to a 1440 at 144 Hz. A 4k monitor is out of the question for someone of my age and with my eyesight I wouldn't be able to see the difference.