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Is the BenQ XL2420TE 24in LED 144Hz Gaming Monitor Worth it?

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  • Monitors
  • LED Monitor
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Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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March 17, 2014 3:07:55 PM

Hey guys so i'm planning a gaming rig witch has a GTX 780TI in it and people have been saying to get a 144HZ instead of a 60HZ monitor.
Should I to get best performance?

More about : benq xl2420te 24in led 144hz gaming monitor worth

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March 17, 2014 3:16:30 PM

If you play a lot of FPS games (especially competitively); or generally games with a whole lot of action, you'll benefit from a 144Hz monitor.

If you're more into MMOs or MOBAs, you could get a 1440p monitor, or just be fine with your average 1080p 60Hz monitor.
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March 17, 2014 3:40:56 PM

No, do not get that monitor. Period!
I think what your friends meant to recommend to you was to get a G-sync monitor. G-sync monitors are the ones that add extra features for gaming. This one doesn't have G-sync
So... look for a model with G-Sync. Most of them are also 144hz, but they will specifically say that they have G-sync

Of course, you only need a G-sync model if the features it offers matter to you (like what enemy1g mentioned).

For FPS, G-sync's "g-sync mode" will smooth out the framerates in your game so they will be less jerky when your framerates dips low.

On the other hand, if you play strategy games a lot, then you can use G-Sync's "strobe mode" instead. strobe mode gets rid of motion blurring that all LCDs have ... and it is great to have in a strategy game where you are trying to follow moving objects (then they won't be blurry). Note: however, that in order to enable strobe mode, you have to disable g-sync mode which smooths out the framerates (but that doesn't matter for strategy games).


The downside to a g-sync monitor?

Most g-sync monitors use the lower quality TN panels. You currently, cannot get a good IPS screen with g-sync. So.... if you want a better quality picture and can live without G-sync, look for a an IPS monitor. IPS is the panel type and most monitors that have the feature will tell you they do.
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March 17, 2014 3:49:26 PM

Go with the ASUS VG 248QE http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2HH7G0. The VG248QE is a 144Hz monitor for a great price that is also G-Sync compatible.

Since you have a GTX 780Ti, a 144Hz monitor is justifiable because you can exceed 60 fps in most games.
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March 17, 2014 4:10:43 PM

CeePeeEwe said:
Go with the ASUS VG 248QE http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2HH7G0. The VG248QE is a 144Hz monitor for a great price that is also G-Sync compatible.

Since you have a GTX 780Ti, a 144Hz monitor is justifiable because you can exceed 60 fps in most games.


Oh, sorry, I didn't realize.... apparently you can't buy a monitor yet with G-sync in it. :(  So... you got several choices:
* Get that Asus model now, buy a g-sync kit (if you can find one anywhere) and install it into the monitor
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/g-sync/diy
* Wait for these models to come out:
http://www.blurbusters.com/gsync/list-of-gsync-monitors...
* Or, if you don't want g-sync mode, but you do want strobe mode, which eliminates motion blurring, you can get one of these and enable it:
http://www.blurbusters.com/faq/120hz-monitors/
* Or if you don't need variable framerates or getting rid of motion blur, you can just get a plain 120Hz or 144Hz like the BenQ one you mentioned in your first post.
* Or if you don't need that, then just get a higher image quality panel: get an IPS or PLS.
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March 17, 2014 9:35:45 PM

Well im not to bothered about quality but I want on that will have the best game play performance!!
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March 18, 2014 1:15:07 AM

KevinAr18 said:
CeePeeEwe said:
Go with the ASUS VG 248QE http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2HH7G0. The VG248QE is a 144Hz monitor for a great price that is also G-Sync compatible.

Since you have a GTX 780Ti, a 144Hz monitor is justifiable because you can exceed 60 fps in most games.


Oh, sorry, I didn't realize.... apparently you can't buy a monitor yet with G-sync in it. :(  So... you got several choices:
* Get that Asus model now, buy a g-sync kit (if you can find one anywhere) and install it into the monitor
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/g-sync/diy
* Wait for these models to come out:
http://www.blurbusters.com/gsync/list-of-gsync-monitors...
* Or, if you don't want g-sync mode, but you do want strobe mode, which eliminates motion blurring, you can get one of these and enable it:
http://www.blurbusters.com/faq/120hz-monitors/
* Or if you don't need variable framerates or getting rid of motion blur, you can just get a plain 120Hz or 144Hz like the BenQ one you mentioned in your first post.
* Or if you don't need that, then just get a higher image quality panel: get an IPS or PLS.

Well im not to bothered about quality but I want on that will have the best game play performance!!

And I don't care much about G-sync
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a b 4 Gaming
a b C Monitor
March 18, 2014 11:30:46 AM

benkrems said:
KevinAr18 said:
CeePeeEwe said:
Go with the ASUS VG 248QE http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2HH7G0. The VG248QE is a 144Hz monitor for a great price that is also G-Sync compatible.

Since you have a GTX 780Ti, a 144Hz monitor is justifiable because you can exceed 60 fps in most games.


Oh, sorry, I didn't realize.... apparently you can't buy a monitor yet with G-sync in it. :(  So... you got several choices:
* Get that Asus model now, buy a g-sync kit (if you can find one anywhere) and install it into the monitor
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/g-sync/diy
* Wait for these models to come out:
http://www.blurbusters.com/gsync/list-of-gsync-monitors...
* Or, if you don't want g-sync mode, but you do want strobe mode, which eliminates motion blurring, you can get one of these and enable it:
http://www.blurbusters.com/faq/120hz-monitors/
* Or if you don't need variable framerates or getting rid of motion blur, you can just get a plain 120Hz or 144Hz like the BenQ one you mentioned in your first post.
* Or if you don't need that, then just get a higher image quality panel: get an IPS or PLS.

Well im not to bothered about quality but I want on that will have the best game play performance!!

And I don't care much about G-sync

Go through this list and see which of the gaming features would matter to you....


Ask yourself this:
Does LCD motion blurring matter to you?
Details:
All LCD monitors blur movement due to the way they work compared to CRT monitors. Not everyone may notice it; but to some people it is a big deal. The most obvious examples of when you will notice it is: when scrolling text (the text becomes blurry enough that you cannot read it while scrolling) or when trying to follow a moving object across the screen and simultaneously trying to pick out little details (like trying to following a spaceship moving across the screen in a game and trying to simultaneously pick out details on the ship ... (the ship is blurry and you can't actually pick out the details).
Both of the above examples will not be blurry on a CRT.
Example:
To demonstrate this problem with LCD monitors, try out this test:
http://www.testufo.com/blackframes#test=eyetracking
1. Try follow the moving spaceship as it moves from left to right. Try to focus on details of the moving spaceship as it moves across the screen. Notice how it appears blurry and you can't pick out as many details as the stationary one. Also notice how the background blurs. On a CRT monitor the moving spaceship would be just as sharp as the stationary one and the background would not blur.
2. Now, focus on the stationary spaceship. Notice how all the sudden, the background is no longer blurry ... the "motion blur" is gone. This shows you how the problem only occurs during movement of objects.
Getting rid of the blur (part 1):
First, let me start by explaining the cause. Essentially the cause is just one thing: LCD monitors do not "flicker" like CRT monitors do. An LCD monitor holds the same image for almost the entire frame and then changes, this causes us to blur moving objects. However, the full reason is a bit more technical:
Microsoft talks about it here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg4634...
CRT monitors work a little differently: they show a picture for a very brief moment and then turn dark for the rest of the frame. This allows the brain to fill in the off-time or black time with sharp and precise motion.
Getting rid of the blur (part 2):
The solution they have found is to make an LCD monitor work like a CRT ... by turning off for most of the frame or inserting black periods between each frame. However, this does come with it's downsides: (1) You need to run at 120Hz and not 60Hz so you don't get sick from CRT-like "flicker" Remember how CRT monitors at 60Hz made most people sick after long periods and you had to raise the refresh rate to use a CRT safely? (2) By turning off for part of the frame, the image becomes slightly dimmed. I have not tested this in person to see how big a problem it is or isn't.
How to find monitors with this black frame insertion feature.
Different brands call it by different names, but here's a list of monitors that have this feature:
http://www.blurbusters.com/faq/120hz-monitors/
Some brands include the feature in the monitor itself. However, the new G-sync monitors will also include this as an option that you must enable in the control panel called "strobe mode" or using this utility if you don't have an Nvidia video card: http://www.blurbusters.com/zero-motion-blur/lightboost/

Does framerate stuttering matter to you?
I will just let you read it for yourself:
http://www.blurbusters.com/gsync/preview/
As you know, the framerates in a game can vary by quite a bit -- especially when you change from a complex to a less complex scene... when you suddenly get a lot of explosions, etc.... Sometimes this sudden framerate change can throw off your aim. G-sync with "g-sync mode" on attempts to smooth out this, so framerates don't change quite so suddenly and are a little bit more consistent.
If this feature matters to you a lot for "twitch" games, then get a G-sync capable monitor or wait for one to come out with it built in.

Other gaming features not part of G-sync
Here's a few other things to consider in a monitor for gaming use:
Input Lag
Some monitors have a longer delay between when they receive a picture from the video card and when they actually show it on-screen. Sometimes this delay can be several frames. The lower the input lag, the better for gaming. Unfortunately, the ONLY way to know this piece of information is by reading reviews. Some monitors "claim" low input lag, but there is always that chance they could be outright lying like they do on so many other aspects.
Higher Refresh rates
In general, the higher refresh rates can be helpful for "twitch" gaming. Back in the CRT days, I remember some gamers claimed they could see the effect of rates up to around 90Hz on their gaming, but I honestly don't know. However, there is one big benefit to picking a higher refresh rate monitor: a high refresh rate monitor probably also had good response times to accomodate those higher refresh rates.

Some gaming monitors for you to consider
All things considered, the BenQ XL2420TE and the ASUS VG 248QE are both a pretty good choice for gaming use. They both, supposedly, have a pretty low input lag and higher refresh rate. However, with the Asus, you get the option to add gsync at a later date, if you wanted..
However, if you really don't want g-sync's g-sync mode, there is another option:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
It has a better picture than the Asus or BenQ, because it is not a TN panel (it is an MVA panel). MVA panels have very nice, deep blacks and better viewing angles than TN. However, this panel does not have G-sync g-sync mode... but it does have the backlight strobing or flicker effect that gets rid of motion blurring (mostly useful for strategy games). It also was designed with lower input lag and the higher refresh rate.



If none of these gaming features matter to you, then just get a standard monitor:
Note: many of the specs on the monitor box are outright lies: especially the response time number and often the contrast ratio. You can try to get a monitor that claims 1ms response time, hoping it is good for gaming, but there's an equal chance they are just outright lying and it may be 5ms or 21ms!
* Panel type: IPS or PLS -- most monitors use the cheaper TN panels; IPS and PLS will give you better viewing angle and color consistency across the screen. You will know a monitor is IPS, because they usually say so.
* Size
* Resolution 1920x1080 is common, but there's some nicer ones with mover vertical space like 1920x1200 Once you go over 24", you will need higher resolutions.
* matte or glossy screen (matte will be less reflective and glossy will be highly reflective to the point of being annoying, but it has much better colors)
* Various eyestrain reducing features (like eliminating backlight flicker, lower blue light or radiation emissions, etc...)

Here are some examples of IPS models at 1920x1080:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...
Here are some examples of IPS models at 1920x1200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...
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March 18, 2014 1:37:36 PM

KevinAr18 said:
benkrems said:
KevinAr18 said:
CeePeeEwe said:
Go with the ASUS VG 248QE http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2HH7G0. The VG248QE is a 144Hz monitor for a great price that is also G-Sync compatible.

Since you have a GTX 780Ti, a 144Hz monitor is justifiable because you can exceed 60 fps in most games.


Oh, sorry, I didn't realize.... apparently you can't buy a monitor yet with G-sync in it. :(  So... you got several choices:
* Get that Asus model now, buy a g-sync kit (if you can find one anywhere) and install it into the monitor
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/g-sync/diy
* Wait for these models to come out:
http://www.blurbusters.com/gsync/list-of-gsync-monitors...
* Or, if you don't want g-sync mode, but you do want strobe mode, which eliminates motion blurring, you can get one of these and enable it:
http://www.blurbusters.com/faq/120hz-monitors/
* Or if you don't need variable framerates or getting rid of motion blur, you can just get a plain 120Hz or 144Hz like the BenQ one you mentioned in your first post.
* Or if you don't need that, then just get a higher image quality panel: get an IPS or PLS.

Well im not to bothered about quality but I want on that will have the best game play performance!!

And I don't care much about G-sync

Go through this list and see which of the gaming features would matter to you....


Ask yourself this:
Does LCD motion blurring matter to you?
Details:
All LCD monitors blur movement due to the way they work compared to CRT monitors. Not everyone may notice it; but to some people it is a big deal. The most obvious examples of when you will notice it is: when scrolling text (the text becomes blurry enough that you cannot read it while scrolling) or when trying to follow a moving object across the screen and simultaneously trying to pick out little details (like trying to following a spaceship moving across the screen in a game and trying to simultaneously pick out details on the ship ... (the ship is blurry and you can't actually pick out the details).
Both of the above examples will not be blurry on a CRT.
Example:
To demonstrate this problem with LCD monitors, try out this test:
http://www.testufo.com/blackframes#test=eyetracking
1. Try follow the moving spaceship as it moves from left to right. Try to focus on details of the moving spaceship as it moves across the screen. Notice how it appears blurry and you can't pick out as many details as the stationary one. Also notice how the background blurs. On a CRT monitor the moving spaceship would be just as sharp as the stationary one and the background would not blur.
2. Now, focus on the stationary spaceship. Notice how all the sudden, the background is no longer blurry ... the "motion blur" is gone. This shows you how the problem only occurs during movement of objects.
Getting rid of the blur (part 1):
First, let me start by explaining the cause. Essentially the cause is just one thing: LCD monitors do not "flicker" like CRT monitors do. An LCD monitor holds the same image for almost the entire frame and then changes, this causes us to blur moving objects. However, the full reason is a bit more technical:
Microsoft talks about it here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg4634...
CRT monitors work a little differently: they show a picture for a very brief moment and then turn dark for the rest of the frame. This allows the brain to fill in the off-time or black time with sharp and precise motion.
Getting rid of the blur (part 2):
The solution they have found is to make an LCD monitor work like a CRT ... by turning off for most of the frame or inserting black periods between each frame. However, this does come with it's downsides: (1) You need to run at 120Hz and not 60Hz so you don't get sick from CRT-like "flicker" Remember how CRT monitors at 60Hz made most people sick after long periods and you had to raise the refresh rate to use a CRT safely? (2) By turning off for part of the frame, the image becomes slightly dimmed. I have not tested this in person to see how big a problem it is or isn't.
How to find monitors with this black frame insertion feature.
Different brands call it by different names, but here's a list of monitors that have this feature:
http://www.blurbusters.com/faq/120hz-monitors/
Some brands include the feature in the monitor itself. However, the new G-sync monitors will also include this as an option that you must enable in the control panel called "strobe mode" or using this utility if you don't have an Nvidia video card: http://www.blurbusters.com/zero-motion-blur/lightboost/

Does framerate stuttering matter to you?
I will just let you read it for yourself:
http://www.blurbusters.com/gsync/preview/
As you know, the framerates in a game can vary by quite a bit -- especially when you change from a complex to a less complex scene... when you suddenly get a lot of explosions, etc.... Sometimes this sudden framerate change can throw off your aim. G-sync with "g-sync mode" on attempts to smooth out this, so framerates don't change quite so suddenly and are a little bit more consistent.
If this feature matters to you a lot for "twitch" games, then get a G-sync capable monitor or wait for one to come out with it built in.

Other gaming features not part of G-sync
Here's a few other things to consider in a monitor for gaming use:
Input Lag
Some monitors have a longer delay between when they receive a picture from the video card and when they actually show it on-screen. Sometimes this delay can be several frames. The lower the input lag, the better for gaming. Unfortunately, the ONLY way to know this piece of information is by reading reviews. Some monitors "claim" low input lag, but there is always that chance they could be outright lying like they do on so many other aspects.
Higher Refresh rates
In general, the higher refresh rates can be helpful for "twitch" gaming. Back in the CRT days, I remember some gamers claimed they could see the effect of rates up to around 90Hz on their gaming, but I honestly don't know. However, there is one big benefit to picking a higher refresh rate monitor: a high refresh rate monitor probably also had good response times to accomodate those higher refresh rates.

Some gaming monitors for you to consider
All things considered, the BenQ XL2420TE and the ASUS VG 248QE are both a pretty good choice for gaming use. They both, supposedly, have a pretty low input lag and higher refresh rate. However, with the Asus, you get the option to add gsync at a later date, if you wanted..
However, if you really don't want g-sync's g-sync mode, there is another option:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
It has a better picture than the Asus or BenQ, because it is not a TN panel (it is an MVA panel). MVA panels have very nice, deep blacks and better viewing angles than TN. However, this panel does not have G-sync g-sync mode... but it does have the backlight strobing or flicker effect that gets rid of motion blurring (mostly useful for strategy games). It also was designed with lower input lag and the higher refresh rate.



If none of these gaming features matter to you, then just get a standard monitor:
Note: many of the specs on the monitor box are outright lies: especially the response time number and often the contrast ratio. You can try to get a monitor that claims 1ms response time, hoping it is good for gaming, but there's an equal chance they are just outright lying and it may be 5ms or 21ms!
* Panel type: IPS or PLS -- most monitors use the cheaper TN panels; IPS and PLS will give you better viewing angle and color consistency across the screen. You will know a monitor is IPS, because they usually say so.
* Size
* Resolution 1920x1080 is common, but there's some nicer ones with mover vertical space like 1920x1200 Once you go over 24", you will need higher resolutions.
* matte or glossy screen (matte will be less reflective and glossy will be highly reflective to the point of being annoying, but it has much better colors)
* Various eyestrain reducing features (like eliminating backlight flicker, lower blue light or radiation emissions, etc...)

Here are some examples of IPS models at 1920x1080:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...
Here are some examples of IPS models at 1920x1200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...


Okay should I just wait till a G-sync monitor to come out since I live in AUS
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March 18, 2014 1:51:39 PM

benkrems said:

Okay should I just wait till a G-sync monitor to come out since I live in AUS

Considering the only option right now is to buy the Asus VG 248QE and try to install it yourself... yeah, it might be best to wait if you want that feature..

Here is the list of G-sync models that are coming out:
http://www.blurbusters.com/gsync/list-of-gsync-monitors...

Note: the only reason you should wait is if you want G-sync's variable framerate feature. All the other stuff you can get in monitors available on the market now. G-sync variable framerate featurs is the one that smooths out the framerates (it doesn't make game have higher FPS, just smooths them out for a more "fluid" feeling game).


Speaking of monitors out now, here is what you can get:
You can still get low input lag, high refresh rates, and a monitor that eliminates motion blur.
BenQ XL2420TE and the ASUS VG 248QE both have the low input lag and higher refresh rate.
EIZO FG2421-BK has low input lag, high refresh, motion blurring elimination (backlight flicker), and a better picture quality (MVA panel)



Out of curiosity, which of the G-sync features were you interested in?
The framerate smoothing one or the motion blurring elimination one (note you can only have one or the other, not both on at the same time).
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March 18, 2014 2:15:12 PM

KevinAr18 said:
benkrems said:

Okay should I just wait till a G-sync monitor to come out since I live in AUS

Considering the only option right now is to buy the Asus VG 248QE and try to install it yourself... yeah, it might be best to wait if you want that feature..

Here is the list of G-sync models that are coming out:
http://www.blurbusters.com/gsync/list-of-gsync-monitors...

Note: the only reason you should wait is if you want G-sync's variable framerate feature. All the other stuff you can get in monitors available on the market now. G-sync variable framerate featurs is the one that smooths out the framerates (it doesn't make game have higher FPS, just smooths them out for a more "fluid" feeling game).


Speaking of monitors out now, here is what you can get:
You can still get low input lag, high refresh rates, and a monitor that eliminates motion blur.
BenQ XL2420TE and the ASUS VG 248QE both have the low input lag and higher refresh rate.
EIZO FG2421-BK has low input lag, high refresh, motion blurring elimination (backlight flicker), and a better picture quality (MVA panel)



Out of curiosity, which of the G-sync features were you interested in?
The framerate smoothing one or the motion blurring elimination one (note you can only have one or the other, not both on at the same time).


Okay well I'm not to bothered about G-sync So witch monitor should I get and nivida might make a Q-sync panel for other screens soon?
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a b C Monitor
March 18, 2014 2:34:00 PM

I guess this is the recommended one at this point. It has most of the features you need, plus the ability to add G-sync, if you want.
ASUS VG 248QE
Also, the BenQ XL2420TE has all the similar features (minus G-sync), so if you prefer that one instead, go ahead.


There is another option, but I'm hesitant to recommend it for one reason (I'll explain at the end).
If you want an even better monitor without the ability to use G-sync, then this one:
QNIX QZ2710
http://www.blurbusters.com/overclock/120hz-1440p-ips-mo...

I has has a better IPS panel, that gives better picture than the TN panels most monitors use like the Asus model.
It is a larger screen (27") and higher resolution (2560x1440).
It also has a low input lag... and can be overclocked to a higher refresh rate if you follow the instructions on that link.
Why am I hesitant to recommend this one to you? Well, it's because of the resolution. Gaming at that resolution would slown down the FPS quite a bit, and normally you want to run a monitor at the native resolution, so this one thing might make it a bad choice for gaming (in a weird sort of way :)  ).
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