Gaming monitor debate

[donwschultz]

If it means anything, I upgraded my finely calibrated FW900 (regarded as the best CRT monitor ever made) to a finely calibrated ASUS VG248QE (144Hz). I went from 1200p@96Hz to 1080p@144Hz and it has been wonderful. The ASUS can't match the Sony for black levels, but not much can.

My only regret is that it is not G-Sync. Get the 144Hz G-Sync display.

Thanks and my thoughts as well at this point. At least I KNOW I am going to give up a bit in color and contrast (but not much) going with the AOC and with G-Sync I would be CERTAIN I would not have to worry about what refresh rate I am at, what FPS I am getting and if I will tear or stutter, etc.

 

[Black Octagon]

I have and love this monitor, which is in your price range: http://overlordcomputer.com/collections/27-monitors/products/tempest-x270oc-glossy

I think it's the best compromise for your needs without going for a variable refresh (G-Sync etc.) monitor.

Note: the monitor reaches refresh rates above 60Hz by overclocking. It's also DL-DVI only and comes with the usual limitations of IPS.

Disclosure: I mod for Overlord's forums (but I'm not an employee and have no commercial connection with them beyond being a happy customer)

 

[AMD64Blondie]

If it means anything, I upgraded my finely calibrated FW900 (regarded as the best CRT monitor ever made) to a finely calibrated ASUS VG248QE (144Hz). I went from 1200p@96Hz to 1080p@144Hz and it has been wonderful. The ASUS can't match the Sony for black levels, but not much can.

My only regret is that it is not G-Sync. Get the 144Hz G-Sync display.

Also a bitter former FW900(actually the HP A7217A-branded version) owner.

(Now sadly using a LG 27EA33 27-inch IPS 1080p LCD.)

The day my A7217A died was just abou the saddest day in my life.

 

[Stuka87]

Thanks. Any idea if my current TV (in sig) is TN? I would think it is but I'm not seeing the viewing angle thing (unless I'm looking at that wrong).

That TV uses a Sharp manufactured VA panel.

 

[CP5670]

I have a glossy Samsung S27A950D 120hz TN bought 3 years ago and love it. Even though its 6-bit +FRC it looks just as good as my IPS/PLS displays, only thing that bugs me about it is its 1080p.

I use a Samsung S27A750D, which is similar. These two might still be the only displays out there that do 120hz, are glossy and support backlight strobing. The 750D has better backlight uniformity but requires DP for 120hz. Even though it's only 1080p, I won't be upgrading this until there is 4K display that does all these things.

I came from a Mitsubishi 2070SB CRT that did 2048x1536 at 85hz with far better black levels, although the focus had worsened over the years. I was still using it as a second monitor for a long time after getting the LCD, and only took it out when I found out about the LCD's strobing function. The main reason I moved off it was the screen size. Going from 20" to 27" was a big improvement, even though the dpi is much smaller.

 

[Headfoot]

I have and love this monitor, which is in your price range: http://overlordcomputer.com/collections/27-monitors/products/tempest-x270oc-glossy

I think it's the best compromise for your needs without going for a variable refresh (G-Sync etc.) monitor.

Note: the monitor reaches refresh rates above 60Hz by overclocking. It's also DL-DVI only and comes with the usual limitations of IPS.

Disclosure: I mod for Overlord's forums (but I'm not an employee and have no commercial connection with them beyond being a happy customer)

A buddy of mine just got that one and is ecstatically happy with it. The high refresh rate compensates for some of the IPS sluggishness getting you as close to the best of both worlds as is possible with today's tech. If its in the budget, it really is one of the best monitors out there

 

[TemjinGold]

That TV uses a Sharp manufactured VA panel.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[amenx]

Asus is coming out with a 27" 120hz IPS panel by end of Q1, rumored to be around $600.

http://www.guru3d.com/news_story/asus_mg279q_27_120hz_ips_panel_gets_vrr.html

Glad to see this as currently we only have Catleaps and Overlords (and Qnix) that can approach (not do with certainty) 120hz. Catleaps and Overlords also have poor connectivity (only DVI) and no OSD functions other than brightness control.

 

[Despoiler]

Thank you. I will check out this monitor. You indicate that G-Sync will be of no real benefit to me. Would you please expand on that? Also, I assume you mean by persistence=input lag/pixel response time?

G-Sync/F-Sync really shine in he 40-59hz range on 60hz monitors. The more FPS you have over 60 combined with a faster refresh rate monitor the less tearing you notice. I have to be looking for tearing to notice it on this monitor where as on my 60hz IPS it was stupid obvious.

Persistence is a form of motion blur. What strobing backlights do is insert a full black frame between each rendered frame. This makes the LCD act like a CRT in terms of image quality.

http://www.blurbusters.com/demo-of-motion-blur-from-persistence/
http://www.blurbusters.com/faq/60vs120vslb/

 

[hawtdawg]

I also have an Overlord and really like it. Mostly because the panel uniformity is perfect, and mine does 120hz. I do notice the blur though, it makes going from 96hz to 120hz not as noticeable as it probably would be. Also, the contrast sucks, but that's just IPS panels.