TFTC Review: Eizo Foris FS2735 (1440p 144Hz IPS Freesync)

[crisium]

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/eizo_foris_fs2735.htm

Another 1440p 144Hz IPS display has entered the ring: Eizo Foris FS2735

Freesync has two range options:

30-90hz
or
56-144hz

Most gamers should be able to choose wisely based on which game they are playing. Don’t forget AMD’s Frame Rate Target Control if you are worried about a demanding game occasionally going over 90fps. They learned their lesson from the Asus MG279Q which only offered 35-90.

Its response times compared to the other Freesync displays:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/images/pixperan/eizo_fs2735.jpg
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/images/pixperan/asus_mg279q.jpg
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/images/pixperan/benq_xl2730z.jpg


Blur Reduction (backlight strobing) at 144Hz, 120Hz, and 100Hz. This is more choice than any G Sync and Freesync (BenQ XL2730Z TN offers 120 and 144). There is also a 60Hz Blur Reduction but TFT Central does not recommend it.

Eizo Foris FS2735 120Hz and 144hz with Blur Reduction:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/images/eizo_foris_fs2735/120hz.jpg http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/images/eizo_foris_fs2735/144hz.jpg

BenQ XL2730Z TN for comparison:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/images/benq_xl2730z/blur_pursuit.jpg

TFT Central Pros:
First high refresh rate IPS screen with FreeSync and Blur Reduction offered
Low lag, fast response times, and interesting gaming extras provided
Solid all round performance from IPS-type panel

Cons:
Ergonomic adjustment stiff and tricky to use
FreeSync causes some bugs and complications in Blur Reduction operation and overdrive control
Glow on dark content is remaining issue of IPS panels

I thought about waiting for this one but bought the BenQ TN months ago. I think the Response Times of TN may have spoiled me now, but this looks to be the go-to Freesync QHD 144Hz IPS display over the Asus since it has two Freesync ranges and backlight strobing. It's Response Time looks a bit below the Asus though. Anyone intend to pick it up when/if they can find one?

 

[xthetenth]

That depends entirely on the price. I'm unlikely to get it just because it's so expensive, and I doubt I'd see a benefit. I'd consider it if it were my primary monitor, it's compelling for that, but I'm not giving up on getting an ultrawide for my primary (if the stupid XR341CK would have its price come down sometime this decade), and that means that if I go all in on insanity, I'd be perfectly fine with MG279Qs flanking it, and buy another high end card or two with the difference.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I was holding out for this monitor but for the price versus the reality that I may still have an unacceptable level of IPS glow has sitting here with my hands empty. I do have a lot more confidence that this monitor will have better uniformity than it's competitors, but even then IPS limitations might just not be for me. Maybe I'll just suffer my old super glowy Dell even longer and wait for some OLED.

 

[xthetenth]

I was holding out for this monitor but for the price versus the reality that I may still have an unacceptable level of IPS glow has sitting here with my hands empty. I do have a lot more confidence that this monitor will have better uniformity than it's competitors, but even then IPS limitations might just not be for me. Maybe I'll just suffer my old super glowy Dell even longer and wait for some OLED.

Good IPS is really good. I have to work to notice IPS glow on my LG 34UM95, so if they do a good job with good panels they could be pretty much immaculate. I need a dark room and a camera that I blow out the contrast with to even see any glow. I don't know this screen, but there is room for some seriously impressive stuff.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Well considering they listed it as a con in the summary, albeit IPS generally... Might be a bit of a CYA considering buyers of this monitor will likely be EXTREMELY picky.

 

[moonbogg]

This is identical to the Acer and Asus models that came out first, a long time ago last year. Same exact panel. Waiting doesn't pay for stuff like this. Just grab a monitor because these are all the same and they all put the same AU panel in a different plastic case. Nothing will change until a new panel is developed and used in another huge wave of gaming screens.

 

[3DVagabond]

This is identical to the Acer and Asus models that came out first, a long time ago last year. Same exact panel. Waiting doesn't pay for stuff like this. Just grab a monitor because these are all the same and they all put the same AU panel in a different plastic case. Nothing will change until a new panel is developed and used in another huge wave of gaming screens.

I assume you mean just the same panel because the feature sets are quite different.

 

[xthetenth]

This is identical to the Acer and Asus models that came out first, a long time ago last year. Same exact panel. Waiting doesn't pay for stuff like this. Just grab a monitor because these are all the same and they all put the same AU panel in a different plastic case. Nothing will change until a new panel is developed and used in another huge wave of gaming screens.

For something like this panel "the same panel but with a different QC process" is potentially a very big deal. Never mind the different features (switchable FreeSync should be a good compromise between refresh rate coverage and potential IQ issues with over/underenthusiastic overdrive at the edges of the range).

 

[moonbogg]

The QC issues were sorted out a long time ago. People see IPS glow and they think that's a QC issue. They don't notice that the glow originates in the lower right corner and grows toward the upper left as you move your head in that direction, because the IPS glow on these panels is angle dependent and is not a defect. They all have it.
Regarding features, of course the different brands offer their own unique touch to try and be unique, and that's good. I'm just saying the trend for these new monitors was set with the release of the first 2 or 3. It was clean that everyone was releasing new monitors based on the new AU panel and to wait over a year doesn't make sense.
People thought the Asus was going to be the big ticket. It wasn't. It was the same exact thing as the Acer. They are all the same.
Regarding light bleed, that is a crap shoot from all vendors with their gaming screens from what I can tell. Light bleed is often exaggerated by people taking photos in the dark with their monitors at 10 solars worth of brightness on a black screen.
Uniformity on this screen also sucks like the rest of them. Otherwise it seems like a good panel and is to be expected for what it is.

I think what people really want is a good OLED gaming screen. Expectations are too high for current technology to make most people happy. I want my miracle monitor and I want it now.

 

[Ajay]

I think what people really want is a good OLED gaming screen. Expectations are too high for current technology to make most people happy. I want my miracle monitor and I want it now.

I'm waiting for reasonable priced OLEDs b/4 I buy another monitor, but I suspect that I'll have to wait at least a few years.
Thanks for the cogent explanation of IPS 'glow'.