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Good 144 Hz Monitors
posted in Hardware
1
#1
0 Frags +

I'm looking to buy a 144 Hz monitor with a ~$400 budget. Any recommendations?

I'm looking to buy a 144 Hz monitor with a ~$400 budget. Any recommendations?
2
#2
21 Frags +

BenQ or bust

BenQ or bust
3
#3
0 Frags +

VG248QE

A bit hard to set up, fucky calibration, but once you get that done it's a great monitor.

VG248QE

A bit hard to set up, fucky calibration, but once you get that done it's a great monitor.
4
#4
21 Frags +

BenQ xl2411z is the one I have, and I love it

BenQ xl2411z is the one I have, and I love it
5
#5
3 Frags +

=

=
6
#6
3 Frags +
DatDrummerGuyVG248QE

A bit hard to set up, fucky calibration, but once you get that done it's a great monitor.

here's the guide i followed to get mine to look good, aside from adjusting preferential monitor settings like brightness, saturation, etc.

$400 is a great budget for either the common benq or asus 144hz on the market, but you could wait until a holiday such as cyber monday to snag an even better deal. bought my asus for about ~$180 shipped during that time. lastly, you could keep your eye on r/buildapcsales.

[quote=DatDrummerGuy]VG248QE

A bit hard to set up, fucky calibration, but once you get that done it's a great monitor.[/quote]
here's the [url=https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/3c8fpi/the_old_thread_for_just_bought_a_glorious_asus/]guide[/url] i followed to get mine to look good, aside from adjusting preferential monitor settings like brightness, saturation, etc.

$400 is a great budget for either the common benq or asus 144hz on the market, but you could wait until a holiday such as cyber monday to snag an even better deal. bought my asus for about ~$180 shipped during that time. lastly, you could keep your eye on r/buildapcsales.
7
#7
2 Frags +

The VG248QE has been on the market for a while. You can probably get something slightly better, but it's hard to beat the VG248QE's price point (Goes for about $350 in Canada).

The only reason I have mine is because I stole it from DanceNumber at GXL (Weird story), and it only cost me $140 to fix.

The VG248QE has been on the market for a while. You can probably get something slightly better, but it's hard to beat the VG248QE's price point (Goes for about $350 in Canada).

The only reason I have mine is because I stole it from DanceNumber at GXL (Weird story), and it only cost me $140 to fix.
8
#8
0 Frags +

I understand it's subjective for every user and their system but there's no way I'd buy a 1080p monitor anymore. Obviously YMMV but I don't personally know anyone who hasn't had a monitor outlive their PC, and we're getting to the point where most GPUs will be able to run it, especially if you are utilizing adaptive sync.

Depending on your GPU and that $400 budget I think you should also consider the new Dell S2417DG. It's a bit above budget but hear me out. ---> It has a really light anti-glare coating in comparison to competitors, 165 Hz OC Gsync or 120 Hz ULMB, and 1440p at 24inch will be crisp af. From the few user reports so far it doesn't seem to experience the vertical artifacting that the 27 inch 1440p TN monitors tend to show, and the UFO test is super crispy with minimal inverse ghosting from the images I've seen. Plus it's a dell so the design wasn't gamer-fied. It's shaping up to be a really fucking good 24 inch gaming monitor. I'm eagerly waiting for them to hit the Aus. market.

Having said that, if all you need/want is 1080p, I really recommend that you just get one second hand and save some cash. OR you wait for the native 240 Hz panels shipping early 2017.

Also myself and Setsul have both explained at multiple points in the 144 Hz monitor thread why the VG248QE is a bad monitor. I don't recommend it regardless of what you pay for it.

I understand it's subjective for every user and their system but there's no way I'd buy a 1080p monitor anymore. Obviously YMMV but I don't personally know anyone who hasn't had a monitor outlive their PC, and we're getting to the point where most GPUs will be able to run it, especially if you are utilizing adaptive sync.

Depending on your GPU and that $400 budget I think you should also consider the new Dell S2417DG. It's a bit above budget but hear me out. ---> It has a really light anti-glare coating in comparison to competitors, 165 Hz OC Gsync or 120 Hz ULMB, and 1440p at 24inch will be crisp af. From the few user reports so far it doesn't seem to experience the vertical artifacting that the 27 inch 1440p TN monitors tend to show, and the UFO test is super crispy with minimal inverse ghosting from the images I've seen. Plus it's a dell so the design wasn't gamer-fied. It's shaping up to be a really fucking good 24 inch gaming monitor. I'm eagerly waiting for them to hit the Aus. market.

Having said that, if all you need/want is 1080p, I really recommend that you just get one second hand and save some cash. OR you wait for the native 240 Hz panels shipping early 2017.

Also myself and Setsul have both explained at multiple points in the 144 Hz monitor thread why the VG248QE is a bad monitor. I don't recommend it regardless of what you pay for it.
9
#9
0 Frags +
aim-BenQ or bust

Bought a BenQ at the beginning of the year and I will never regret it, nor downgrade for any reason

[quote=aim-]BenQ or bust[/quote]

Bought a BenQ at the beginning of the year and I will never regret it, nor downgrade for any reason
10
#10
7 Frags +

I got my ASUS VG248QE on sale($160) like 2 years ago and its great.

I got my ASUS VG248QE on sale($160) like 2 years ago and its great.
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#11
6 Frags +

even setsul said the fucking asus is bad fuck out of here you asus shills

even setsul said the fucking asus is bad fuck out of here you asus shills
12
#12
10 Frags +

The VG248QE is a fine monitor (using one right now) but there's no reason to get it unless you have a brilliant deal. The newer benq monitors are just much better now.

It's not a shit monitor it's just old and there's better stuff out there atm.

The VG248QE is a fine monitor (using one right now) but there's no reason to get it unless you have a brilliant deal. The newer benq monitors are just much better now.

It's not a shit monitor it's just old and there's better stuff out there atm.
13
#13
13 Frags +

1. The VG248QE uses PWM. It either scales with the refresh rate (6x) or older versions only go up to 360Hz which is utter garbage. Even at 864Hz it's still objectively inferior to PWM free dimming. Older versions of the BenQ XL2411T also used PWM, but can't even find those anymore because the newer versions are the same price and better and the XL2411Z is also the same price and far better. XL2411Z 1, VG248QE 0
2. The colours are bad and in Lightboost they'll make your eyes bleed. Unless you think RGB works fine with just 2 colours. RGB coverage is fine, so if you invest 200$ in a colorimeter, instead of getting the XL2411Z which is the same price and comes with better colours out of the box or get a 500$ monitor which will be far better than either, and then spend 3 days calibrating it the colours will be ok. XL2411Z 2, VG248QE 0
3. See #7. At 350$ in Canada the VG248QE is a terrible deal and it's hard not to beat it. Because the XL2411Z is still better, hands down, and goes for 330$. http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/GbNp99/benq-monitor-xl2411z
XL2411Z 3, VG248QE 0

And that's just one monitor, there's others as well.

tl;dr
VG248QE:
pros: none
cons: all of them

Fuck that thing.

1. The VG248QE uses PWM. It either scales with the refresh rate (6x) or older versions only go up to 360Hz which is utter garbage. Even at 864Hz it's still objectively inferior to PWM free dimming. Older versions of the BenQ XL2411T also used PWM, but can't even find those anymore because the newer versions are the same price and better and the XL2411Z is also the same price and far better. XL2411Z 1, VG248QE 0
2. The colours are bad and in Lightboost they'll make your eyes bleed. Unless you think RGB works fine with just 2 colours. RGB coverage is fine, so if you invest 200$ in a colorimeter, instead of getting the XL2411Z which is the same price and comes with better colours out of the box or get a 500$ monitor which will be far better than either, and then spend 3 days calibrating it the colours will be ok. XL2411Z 2, VG248QE 0
3. See #7. At 350$ in Canada the VG248QE is a terrible deal and it's hard not to beat it. Because the XL2411Z is still better, hands down, and goes for 330$. http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/GbNp99/benq-monitor-xl2411z
XL2411Z 3, VG248QE 0

And that's just one monitor, there's others as well.

tl;dr
VG248QE:
pros: none
cons: all of them

Fuck that thing.
14
#14
0 Frags +

This might be a good starting point to see what other monitors TFTV likes: http://www.teamfortress.tv/331/the-120hz-monitor-thread

This might be a good starting point to see what other monitors TFTV likes: http://www.teamfortress.tv/331/the-120hz-monitor-thread
15
#15
10 Frags +

benq xl2411z

no complaints whatsoever over the couple years i've had it

benq xl2411z

no complaints whatsoever over the couple years i've had it
16
#16
2 Frags +

most people that bought the asus 144hz got it on sale ridiculously cheap

i got mine for like $230 after promotion and rebate shit, sounded way better than dropping $300 on a benq

most people that bought the asus 144hz got it on sale ridiculously cheap

i got mine for like $230 after promotion and rebate shit, sounded way better than dropping $300 on a benq
17
#17
8 Frags +

the asus looks fine

the asus looks fine
18
#18
3 Frags +

im not sure if its the same as the 2411z but i use a 2420TE Benq and its really good

im not sure if its the same as the 2411z but i use a 2420TE Benq and its really good
19
#19
7 Frags +

Took about 30 seconds to make my asus look good & it was about half the price of any benq I could find

but I mean if one autistic kid says it's bad what do I know

nobody even uses the lightboost on it so I don't know what you're so upset about

Took about 30 seconds to make my asus look good & it was about half the price of any benq I could find

but I mean if one autistic kid says it's bad what do I know

nobody even uses the lightboost on it so I don't know what you're so upset about
20
#20
4 Frags +

i recommend the AOC g2460pf/pqu if you can find a good deal, i would NOT recommend the g2460fq, avoid that one like the plague; it's a piece of garbage and it shouldn't be on the market

i recommend the AOC g2460pf/pqu if you can find a good deal, i would NOT recommend the g2460fq, avoid that one like the plague; it's a piece of garbage and it shouldn't be on the market
21
#21
7 Frags +

#19
Trust me, that's because you have nothing to compare it to.

I mean for half the price it's ok, but then again for 150$ any 120Hz monitor should be good enough.

#19
Trust me, that's because you have nothing to compare it to.

I mean for half the price it's ok, but then again for 150$ any 120Hz monitor should be good enough.
22
#22
2 Frags +

I appreciate all the recommendations and tips you've guys have given me! Thank you a ton

I appreciate all the recommendations and tips you've guys have given me! Thank you a ton
23
#23
1 Frags +

gotta love it when people try to fight setsul with anecdotal evidence

gotta love it when people try to fight setsul with anecdotal evidence
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#24
3 Frags +
yttriumgotta love it when people try to fight setsul with anecdotal evidence

or maybe we're just giving our personal input?

when i went shopping for a 144hz almost a year ago every site online had every benq 144hz listed at $320 or more

i bought the asus 144hz because after promotion and rebate i paid less than $250

sorry i didn't shill out almost an extra $100 a year ago

[quote=yttrium]gotta love it when people try to fight setsul with anecdotal evidence[/quote]
or maybe we're just giving our personal input?

when i went shopping for a 144hz almost a year ago every site online had every benq 144hz listed at $320 or more

i bought the asus 144hz because after promotion and rebate i paid less than $250

sorry i didn't shill out almost an extra $100 a year ago
25
#25
2 Frags +

I feel like people have been recommending the xl2411z (what I have) and the VG248QE for so long. Why has nothing taken their place in the past few years?

I feel like people have been recommending the xl2411z (what I have) and the VG248QE for so long. Why has nothing taken their place in the past few years?
26
#26
11 Frags +

#24
See, my problem is that you're not actually recommending the VG248QE. You're recommending the deal you got on it.
If you only want 120Hz and nothing else then there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting the cheapest 120Hz monitor you can find.
However
1. The VG248QE is far from being the cheapest 120Hz monitor right now.
2. At it's full price there are just far better options.
3. OP got a budget of 400$. Why sacrifice so much in features and image quality when he absolutely doesn't have to?

You are just recommending it because you liked the deal you got, with absolutely no regard for better options or what would be good for OP.

Let me show you something.
This is what the VG248QE does:

http://www.prad.de/images/monitore/asus_vg248qe/standard.jpg

This is how it should look for a TN panel, not great, but acceptable.

http://www.prad.de/images/monitore/eizo_fg2421/werk-std.png

Most people don't even know how gamma works, so how do you expect them to fix it.
If you want I can show you a readout of how far off the colours are in LB, it's hilarious.

#25
From the earliest VG248QE and XL2411T they have all used the same panel. Both got a 2nd revision later and then came the XL2411Z but they still use the same panel. There is just nothing left to improve. It's already the best 1920x1080 144Hz TN panel and the XL2411Z squeezes everything you can get out of it.
Panel manufacturers won't make a better 1920x1080 144Hz TN panel since it'd mean a worse margin for them. It has been dropping in price for a while so they'd rather sell 180 or even 240Hz panels, which are more expensive, 2560x1440 144Hz TN panels, which are also more expensive, or 1080 or 1440 144Hz IPS panels, which are even more expensive.
So while there are newer options, e.g. cheaper options without Lightboost, other options with FreeSync and so on, for Lightboost/strobing, which is what most people want for fps games and this is a forum dedicated to an fps, the BenQ XL2411Z is still the best entry level option. Far more features/better quality than the cheapest, but not much more expensive.

#1
I completely forgot about you, too mad about people still recommending the VG248QE.
27" or 24"?
1440p or 1080p?
FreeSync/G-Sync yes/no?
Lightboost yes/no?

There's lots of options with your budget.

#24
See, my problem is that you're not actually recommending the VG248QE. You're recommending the deal you got on it.
If you only want 120Hz and nothing else then there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting the cheapest 120Hz monitor you can find.
However
1. The VG248QE is far from being the cheapest 120Hz monitor right now.
2. At it's full price there are just far better options.
3. OP got a budget of 400$. Why sacrifice so much in features and image quality when he absolutely doesn't have to?

You are just recommending it because you liked the deal you got, with absolutely no regard for better options or what would be good for OP.

Let me show you something.
This is what the VG248QE does:
[img]http://www.prad.de/images/monitore/asus_vg248qe/standard.jpg[/img]
This is how it should look for a TN panel, not great, but acceptable.
[img]http://www.prad.de/images/monitore/eizo_fg2421/werk-std.png[/img]

Most people don't even know how gamma works, so how do you expect them to fix it.
If you want I can show you a readout of how far off the colours are in LB, it's hilarious.

#25
From the earliest VG248QE and XL2411T they have all used the same panel. Both got a 2nd revision later and then came the XL2411Z but they still use the same panel. There is just nothing left to improve. It's already the best 1920x1080 144Hz TN panel and the XL2411Z squeezes everything you can get out of it.
Panel manufacturers won't make a better 1920x1080 144Hz TN panel since it'd mean a worse margin for them. It has been dropping in price for a while so they'd rather sell 180 or even 240Hz panels, which are more expensive, 2560x1440 144Hz TN panels, which are also more expensive, or 1080 or 1440 144Hz IPS panels, which are even more expensive.
So while there are newer options, e.g. cheaper options without Lightboost, other options with FreeSync and so on, for Lightboost/strobing, which is what most people want for fps games and this is a forum dedicated to an fps, the BenQ XL2411Z is still the best entry level option. Far more features/better quality than the cheapest, but not much more expensive.

#1
I completely forgot about you, too mad about people still recommending the VG248QE.
27" or 24"?
1440p or 1080p?
FreeSync/G-Sync yes/no?
Lightboost yes/no?

There's lots of options with your budget.
27
#27
2 Frags +
Setsul#1
I completely forgot about you, too mad about people still recommending the VG248QE.
27" or 24"?
1440p or 1080p?
FreeSync/G-Sync yes/no?
Lightboost yes/no?

There's lots of options with your budget.

I don't care which monitor size. I'm leaning towards 1440p, but if I can get much better deal for 1080p w/ FreeSync (because AMD) and light boost, then I'll most definitely go for the 1080p. To rank the aspects of the monitor from most important to least, it'd be 1. 120+Hz 2. FreeSync 3. Light boost 4. Resolution 5. IPS 6. Monitor size.
This is a list of monitors that I've been considering in no particular order: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vWoODfpBYHCjaBoWt5r7ijS5UBMVHa3j5D8yJH_kFDI/edit?usp=drive_web

[quote=Setsul]
#1
I completely forgot about you, too mad about people still recommending the VG248QE.
27" or 24"?
1440p or 1080p?
FreeSync/G-Sync yes/no?
Lightboost yes/no?

There's lots of options with your budget.[/quote]
I don't care which monitor size. I'm leaning towards 1440p, but if I can get much better deal for 1080p w/ FreeSync (because AMD) and light boost, then I'll most definitely go for the 1080p. To rank the aspects of the monitor from most important to least, it'd be 1. 120+Hz 2. FreeSync 3. Light boost 4. Resolution 5. IPS 6. Monitor size.
This is a list of monitors that I've been considering in no particular order: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vWoODfpBYHCjaBoWt5r7ijS5UBMVHa3j5D8yJH_kFDI/edit?usp=drive_web
28
#28
1 Frags +
unskilledi mean this is just me, but the only criteria i have for a 144hz monitor being good... is if it's 144hz
therefore, by this standard, the only OTHER criteria for it being a good monitor is how cheap it is
and that is why i bought the acer gn246hl

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/PmyFf7/acer-monitor-umfg6aab01

definitely not true

  • Some 144Hz monitors don't allow for overdrive at 144Hz which means their pixel gtg is 4/5ms
  • I have found a korean 144Hz that has an extra 3ms of input lag.
  • Not to mention some 144Hz support lightboost or some form of ULMB or none at all.
  • G-Sync or no? (most people don't care but some do)
  • The ROG SWIFT PG278Q has the best pixel gtg and overdrive control on the market, but their's some serious QC issues with that monitor and some people have gone through 6 or 7 of this monitor since it's release and died consistently after about 2-3months.
  • There's also the deal of IPS vs TN vs VA for 144Hz as well
[quote=unskilled]i mean this is just me, but the only criteria i have for a 144hz monitor being good... is if it's 144hz
therefore, by this standard, the only OTHER criteria for it being a good monitor is how cheap it is
and that is why i bought the acer gn246hl

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/PmyFf7/acer-monitor-umfg6aab01[/quote]

definitely not true

[list]
[*] Some 144Hz monitors don't allow for overdrive at 144Hz which means their pixel gtg is 4/5ms
[*] I have found a korean 144Hz that has an extra 3ms of input lag.
[*] Not to mention some 144Hz support lightboost or some form of ULMB or none at all.
[*] G-Sync or no? (most people don't care but some do)
[*] The ROG SWIFT PG278Q has the best pixel gtg and overdrive control on the market, but their's some serious QC issues with that monitor and some people have gone through 6 or 7 of this monitor since it's release and died consistently after about 2-3months.
[*] There's also the deal of IPS vs TN vs VA for 144Hz as well
[/list]
29
#29
0 Frags +

i use the LG 24GM77
24"
1080p
144 Hz / 120 Hz + Lightboost

its like 300$ usd max from most retailers online so its around ur budget range but im not sure how it is performance wise compared to most other monitors

i use the LG 24GM77
24"
1080p
144 Hz / 120 Hz + Lightboost

its like 300$ usd max from most retailers online so its around ur budget range but im not sure how it is performance wise compared to most other monitors
30
#30
-1 Frags +

#27
Then I'd say your options are (all 120+Hz and FreeSync)
1080p 24":
http://pcpartpicker.com/product/rY98TW/viewsonic-monitor-xg2401
or if you don't like 23.6" then
http://pcpartpicker.com/product/f3tWGX/nixeus-monitor-nxvue24a

1080p 27":
http://pcpartpicker.com/product/kgbkcf/viewsonic-monitor-xg2701
But you said you didn't really care about the size as much so much more interesting would be

1440p 27":
http://pcpartpicker.com/product/fMcMnQ/asus-monitor-mg278q

Lightboost is difficult because it works via nVidia 3D Vision which can't officially be supported on FreeSync monitors because nVidia is being nVidia. There is a chance to get strobing to work by tricking the driver into thinking it's a different monitor or even weirder stuff, but there's no guarantee.

120+Hz + FreeSync + IPS would be around 550$ (you'll get 1440p and 27" as well so it's not that much of a premium) but that's outside of the budget.

#27
Then I'd say your options are (all 120+Hz and FreeSync)
1080p 24":
http://pcpartpicker.com/product/rY98TW/viewsonic-monitor-xg2401
or if you don't like 23.6" then
http://pcpartpicker.com/product/f3tWGX/nixeus-monitor-nxvue24a

1080p 27":
http://pcpartpicker.com/product/kgbkcf/viewsonic-monitor-xg2701
But you said you didn't really care about the size as much so much more interesting would be

1440p 27":
http://pcpartpicker.com/product/fMcMnQ/asus-monitor-mg278q


Lightboost is difficult because it works via nVidia 3D Vision which can't officially be supported on FreeSync monitors because nVidia is being nVidia. There is a chance to get strobing to work by tricking the driver into thinking it's a different monitor or even weirder stuff, but there's no guarantee.

120+Hz + FreeSync + IPS would be around 550$ (you'll get 1440p and 27" as well so it's not that much of a premium) but that's outside of the budget.
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