[SUMMARY] Gaming Monitor Recommendations

jasonwsc

Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
409
Reaction score
140
EDIT: Not updated anymore, too many stuff to keep up. :s13: Some recommended review channels and sites.

Monitors Unboxed / Hardware Unboxed

PCMonitors.info

I just changed my monitor and did a lot of review browsing, so might as well make a quick list. Let me know if I missed out any, too many monitors already. If got any good reviews I will try and link inside here. Mostly for local context, so I will try to only list monitors that will be available here. 100hz and above only, 60 or 75hz no need adaptive sync, any office monitor will do.

Models sorted by best to worst are marked clearly. Otherwise assume lists are randomly sorted.

Quick guide on difference between panel types

TN
Pros: Cheap, fast response time
Cons: Poor viewing angles and picture quality
Good for pro gamers only

VA
Pros: Excellent contrast(deep blacks), good picture quality, decent viewing angles
Cons: Slower response times(black smearing), somewhat prone to flickering with adaptive sync enabled
Good for people who use PCs in the dark and like to watch movies

IPS
Pros: Excellent viewing angles, good picture quality, decent response times
Cons: Weaker contrast than VA, prone to IPS glow
Good for gamers who want better picture than TN and normal office work

A true 144hz monitor requires a 7ms response time, with or without overdrive. However, pushing the panel too much to reach 1ms with overdrive will result in overshoot(coronas), while a slow panel will have ghosting.

The quoted response time from manufacturers are usually BS, I rather check the technical info of the panel itself on Panelook.

Some manufacturers tune the same panel better than others, so you might need different overdrive settings for the best experience. So read the reviews before buying if possible.

EH BRO I LAZY DUN WAN DO RESEARCH, TLDR CAN?

No. But if you are really lazy just avoid no name brands like Prism+ and what not.


24/25"

1080p 144Hz/165Hz


IPS 24.5” AUO panel (5ms response time) (Sorted by best to worst IMO)

1. Acer VG252Q P/ XB253Q GP (normal version of panel, backlight made by AUO)
I bought this one. Better IMO than the AOC 24G2 since it is SRGB only, but slightly more expensive.
https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/acer-xb253q-gp/

2. BenQ EX2510


3. ASUS VG259Q (uses CELL version of panel, ASUS provided backlight)
Supposedly has oversaturated greens based on reviews, no idea if it's true

IPS 23.8” Panda panel (5-7.5ms response time) (Sorted by best to worst IMO)

1. AOC 24G2/24G2U/Philips 242M8 (highly rated by reviewers for good overdrive settings/wide colour gamut monitor)



NOTE: There is a new version of the AOC 24G2 with faster response times but worse contrast/colour accuracy.
https://youtu.be/RdmE3NcyAgM
2. ASUS VP249QGR/ VG249Q(VG model has a slightly faster overdrive)

3. MSI Optix G241

4. Viewsonic XG2405

5. Acer VG240YP (early models have OSD bug, should be fixed by now)

6. Prism+ PG240/SuperSolid P24 Pro (both monitors are basically identical)

7. Armaggeddon Xtreme XF24HD (same OEM as Pixio PX247)


I assume all Chinese monitor rebrands should have similar performance.


Curved VA 23.6” Samsung panel (better contrast/weaker response time)

1. AOC C24G1 (1500R) / Philips 242M7 (1500R)


2. Acer ED242QRA (1800R)

3. Prism+ X240 V2 (1200R) / V1 (1800R, same OEM as Viotek GN24C)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIpVnzkkov8

4. Viewsonic VX2458-C-MHD (1800R)

5. MSI Optix G24C4 (1500R) / G24C (1800R)

6. Samsung C24RG50 (1800R)

TN (pro gamer ah, still buy TN?)

1. Acer KG251Q
2. BenQ ZOWIE XL2411P (no Freesync/GSync compatibility)
3. LG 24GL600F
4. Dell S2421HGF

240Hz

IPS

1. Acer VG252Q X/ XB253Q Gx (AUO)
2. Asus VG259QM (AUO)
3. Alienware AW2521HF
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/dell/alienware-aw2521hf

Curved VA
1. Samsung Odyssey G5
 
Last edited:

jasonwsc

Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
409
Reaction score
140
27"

1080p 144Hz/165Hz

IPS (Sorted by best to worst IMO)

1. LG 27GL650F (LG?)
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/lg/27gl650f-b

2. AOC 27G2 (Panda)

3. MSI G271 (probably Panda)

4. ASUS VG279Q (AUO, see below)
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/asus/vg279q

5. Acer VG271 P (AUO, 14ms??!! response times)

https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/acer/nitro-vg271

Curved VA
1. Acer ED273A

2. Acer XZ272 P

3. AOC C27G1


4. MSI G27C4

5. Prism+ X270

6. Viewsonic VX2758-C-MH (no displayport)

7. Gigabyte CV27F
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/aorus-cv27f-165hz-curved-hdr,6358.html

8. Armaggeddon XTREME XC27HD

TN
1. ASUS VG278Q

2. AOC G2790PX

1440p 144Hz/165Hz

IPS (Sorted by best to worst IMO)

NOTE:
Some Innolux IPS panels may have flickering issues. Example 1. Example 2

Honestly the top few panels are all very good and really just get whichever is cheaper.

1. MSI MAG274QRF/-QD (new AUO) (Very good response time, QD model has quantum dot layer but costs like $200 more...)


2. Dell S2721DGF (LG nano-IPS, so lower contrast) (Cheaper than LG but same performance)
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/dell/s2721dgf


3. LG 27GL850 (LG nano-IPS)
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/lg/27gl850-b

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6JxuEQhU18
4. Acer VG272UP (LG nano-IPS, acer QC is not as good as Dell or LG)

5. Gigabyte M27Q (Sharp) (Excellent response times, Gigabyte model comes with KVM, but Sharp panels are BGR, not RGB, so potential text clarity issues)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNIqwxAZ-MQ
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/gigabyte/m27qhttps://pcmonitors.info/reviews/gigabyte-m27q/
6. Gigabyte FI27Q/Q-P (Innolux, well-tuned overdrive, but not top tier)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GytoH0mS62A
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/gigabyte/aorus-fi27q
https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/gigabyte-aorus-fi27q-p/

7. Asus VG27AQ (AUO, panel is weaker, but backlight strobing works with adaptive sync)
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/asus/tuf-vg27aq
https://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/asus_tuf_gaming_vg27aq.htm

8. Viewsonic VX2758-2KP-MHD (Innolux)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukKev6cPZhY

9. BenQ EX2780Q (Innolux, not the biggest fan of BenQ overdrive settings)
https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/benq-ex2780q/

10. Acer VG270UP (AUO)/271UP (Innolux panel) older models, avoid
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/acer/vg271up

11. HP X27i (unknown panel??)

12. Prism+ F270i PRO (???)

13. ViewSonic XG270QG (LG, hardware GSYNC module, way too expensive)


Curved VA
1. Acer XZ272U P
2. AOC AG272QCX
3. MSI G27CQ4
4. PRISM+ X270 PRO

TN
1. AOC AG273QCG
https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/aoc-ag273qcg/

1080p 240Hz

IPS

1. LG 27GN750
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDLMaQn17NY
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/lg/27gn750-b

2. Alienware AW2720HF
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/dell/alienware-aw2720hf

3. Acer VG272 X/XV273 X
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/acer/nitro-xv273x

4. Asus VG279QM

Curved VA
1. Samsung Odyssey G5
2. PRISM+ X270 240Hz

1440p 240Hz

IPS

1. Dell Alienware 27 AW2721D
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/dell/alienware-aw2721dhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH3-ep-SNNk
Curved VA
1. Samsung Odyssey G7 (potential flickering issues, may have been fixed with firmware update)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go1qsBetgV0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_dl8Lpt-Fk

34 Inch Ultrawide (WIP)
 
Last edited:

Shutterbox

Greater Supremacy Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
76,733
Reaction score
16,754
I've sort of narrowed down 27" 2k 144khz choices to:
1) Benq EX2780Q
2) Asus VG27AQ
3) Viewsonic VX2758

all these using same innolux AAS IPS-type panel

:o
 

jasonwsc

Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
409
Reaction score
140
I've sort of narrowed down 27" 2k 144khz choices to:
1) Benq EX2780Q
2) Asus VG27AQ
3) Viewsonic VX2758

all these using same innolux AAS IPS-type panel

:o

The Asus one uses the AUO IPS panel though.

I would buy the LG 27GL850 if I have the money. Acer VG272UP seems like another good choice cos LG panel.
 

Shutterbox

Greater Supremacy Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
76,733
Reaction score
16,754
The Asus one uses the AUO IPS panel though.

I would buy the LG 27GL850 if I have the money. Acer VG272UP seems like another good choice cos LG panel.

Its ex.
Read on pc monitor that the LG panel has its own issues
 

jasonwsc

Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
409
Reaction score
140
Its ex.
Read on pc monitor that the LG panel has its own issues

I've sort of narrowed down 27" 2k 144khz choices to:
1) Benq EX2780Q
2) Asus VG27AQ
3) Viewsonic VX2758

all these using same innolux AAS IPS-type panel

:o

Note sure about this, but I have read about flickering issues on monitors using the 1440p 144hz Innolux panels.

Acer VG271UP

Viewsonic VX2758-2KP-MHD

Added the above info to the list. Personally think LG panels safer haha. But some of their TV backlight seems to fail earlier than other brands based on what I heard, dunno if it's true.
 

JoePilot

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2011
Messages
10,090
Reaction score
204
Proud owner of a MSI G27CQ4 which I took delivery abt a week ago.
1440p 27” VA, 165Hz, Freesync/Gsync compatible, 1500r curved
Very attractively priced cos dum have bells n whistles like speakers n LEDs n HDR
Very slight backlight bleed (normal)
Well calibrated out of the box.

Highly recommend
 

wei406015

Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2013
Messages
198
Reaction score
1
now still got people use TN?

i looking at AOC 24G2 and LG 24GL600F-B, cant decide on which one
 

jasonwsc

Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
409
Reaction score
140
now still got people use TN?

i looking at AOC 24G2 and LG 24GL600F-B, cant decide on which one

Obviously the AOC 24G2 is better. But good luck finding it in stock.

The LG is TN, no point buying it now when IPS ones are available.
 

GoldenStars

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2017
Messages
1,463
Reaction score
220
Proud owner of a MSI G27CQ4 which I took delivery abt a week ago.
1440p 27********* VA, 165Hz, Freesync/Gsync compatible, 1500r curved
Very attractively priced cos dum have bells n whistles like speakers n LEDs n HDR
Very slight backlight bleed (normal)
Well calibrated out of the box.

Highly recommend

How much and where did you get it for?

Posted from PCWX using SM-N975F
 

Nickkkyy

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
278
Reaction score
2
Looking to buy prism pg240, anyone got review on this monitor?
Technical specs seems good on paper, but performance wise?
 

jasonwsc

Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
409
Reaction score
140
No one bought the PRISM+ monitor cos it's too expensive for a rebranded Korean monitor.

Why buy from small local company with worse warranty when you can buy AOC 24G2 and Asus VP249QGR for around the "sale" price of $260~

At the current $300~ prices, the AUO models like Acer VG252Q P and Asus VG259Q are a much better buy.

If you want cheap IPS, the Armageddon model is damn cheap. Often $179 if you stack $20 coupon on qoo10.
 
Last edited:

Hyperephania

Arch-Supremacy Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2014
Messages
18,497
Reaction score
8,211
No one bought the PRISM+ monitor cos it's too expensive for a rebranded Korean monitor.

Why buy from small local company with worse warranty when you can buy AOC 24G2 and Asus VP249QGR for around the "sale" price of $260~

At the current $300~ prices, the AUO models like Acer VG252Q P and Asus VG259Q are a much better buy.

If you want cheap IPS, the Armageddon model is damn cheap. Often $179 if you stack $20 coupon on qoo10.
To be fair, can hardly find 24g2 instock.

I just got the vp249qgr

Sent from My Phone using GAGT
 

PetPet

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
95,157
Reaction score
265
The LG 27GL850 is similar to the Lenovo Legion Y27Q-20 :o
 
Last edited:

jasonwsc

Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2013
Messages
409
Reaction score
140
Why no dell monitors?

I got list a few Dell and Alienware leh.

But mostly cos Dell don't make good gaming monitors at the lower end. Most people aren't paying $300 for a 1080p TN S2421HGF.

The Dell S2721DGF looks pretty good though. LG nano IPS 1440p panel but still a bit too expensive. I personally think Dell QC is a bit better than Acer. :s13:
 
Last edited:
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts.

Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards, Terms of Service and Member T&Cs for more information.
Top