It is unfortunate that LCD panel prices aren't dropping as quickly as they have in the past. Not only are QHD (2560x1440) screens still positioned at premium levels, but the newest and most capable Ultra HD monitors are even more expensive. Without question, for the foreseeable future, expect to pay extra for high pixel density.
Panel speed also seems to be evolving slowly. Gamers are pining for more responsive displays able to keep up with their sizable investments in high-end graphics. All of our tolerances are different. But it's common wisdom that IPS is not the technology you want to complement a competitive gaming box. These days, it's fairly easy to exceed 60 FPS with v-sync off in a first-person shooter. Unfortunately, the only IPS monitors able to exceed that figure are modified ones.
There is still no factory support for refresh rates greater than 60 Hz. A few high-refresh rate TN-based screens are popular in the gaming community though, and we have some of those heading our way too. And of course, the next big thing for gamers is likely to be G-Sync, which matches framerates between source and display on-the-fly creating a blur-free experience with no pesky artifacts like frame tears. Look for hands-on reviews of these new monitors very soon as well.

Getting back to NEC's EA274WMi; this is a monitor that is good for everything else. Someone who sits in front of their screen eight or more hours a day at work is going to appreciate the color accuracy, clarity, and high pixel density. IT managers will enjoy the rugged build quality and management features NEC includes. As you can see from our tests and hands-on impressions, this display does what it sets out to do really well.
Pre-calibration performance lags behind competing products. But choosing the right color temp preset (number three) means you’ll be close enough to avoid complaints about accuracy. If you have the instruments, you can calibrate the EA274WMi to a pretty high standard, which matches a few of the more expensive monitors we've tested. Brightness and contrast are right up there with other displays in this price category too. Light output is more than sufficient. You could conceivably use this monitor outdoors, on location at a photo shoot, for example. Contrast, while not record-breaking, is about average for the IPS monitors I've seen.
And when you do calibrate, ControlSync and NEC’s NaViSet Administrator software make it easy to replicate those settings across the other units deployed in your office. We’re not aware of anyone else offering that functionality. And managing energy usage is equally simple thanks to some neat features built in to the OSD.
I'm not calling the EA274WMi a revolutionary product by any stretch. But we're still impressed with its design, build quality, enterprise-class features, and performance. The NEC display also isn't cheap. Then again, though, cheap isn't a word you can use to describe any QHD screen. Perhaps when everyone has recouped their R&D costs from Ultra HD and prices on 4K hardware start dropping, they'll put some pressure on displays with 2560x1440 resolution. Until then, this monitor at least deserves consideration for what it does well.
- NEC EA274WMi: A High-Performance 27" Monitor
- Packaging, Physical Layout, And Accessories
- OSD Setup And Calibration Of The NEC EA274WMi
- Measurement And Calibration Methodology: How We Test
- Results: Brightness And Contrast
- Results: Grayscale Tracking And Gamma Response
- Results: Color Gamut And Performance
- Results: Viewing Angles And Uniformity
- Results: Pixel Response And Input Lag
- NEC EA274WMi: Some Unique Features
I'm sure this monitor is slight better, but come on NEC, $800 is ridiculous.
Even more ridiculous is this quote from the review:
"At $800, this is the least-expensive high-res model in the line. "
haha!
The Korean 2560x1440's are in the $300 - $400 price range.
Who the hell is pricing these things?
Untrue Overlord warranties their OC model and is the only OEM making IPS panels specifically for gamers. Why Tom's doesn't have one of the Tempests to review I still don't understand. Oh wait - that's right - it's pay to review on this site! DOH!
I got my 30" 16:10 2560x1600 LCDs like three years ago for $980-ish.
Let me know when 1440p hits 25% share of the market. At that point MAYBE you can claim it's the standard. I expect an email in 3-4yrs...ROFL.
http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/
scroll down to primary monitor resolution. .93%...
Note 1080p=32.91%
Ideally for it to be standard it has to be the highest percent right? 1080p. GET IT?
Yes I want us to get to higher res monitors being standard ASAP (with GPU's that can actually push this res without the need for 2+ cards), but reality is that day hasn't arrived so quit saying this BS.
Also understand that .93% is the penetration of gamers. I'm guessing it is far less if you include the non-gamers who mostly have no need to splurge on an $400-800 monitor to view the web or email and anything under $490 or so I wouldn't touch at 27in/1440p, and not at all without Gsync. I wouldn't buy a monitor without that (put the purchase off) unless mine DIED today forcing me to upgrade. The cheapest NAME you'd recognize on newegg is asus at $490.
Untrue Overlord warranties their OC model and is the only OEM making IPS panels specifically for gamers. Why Tom's doesn't have one of the Tempests to review I still don't understand. Oh wait - that's right - it's pay to review on this site! DOH!
This is absolutely not true. Our editorial and advertising departments are purposely kept very separate. In fact, I couldn't even tell you if there are display vendors advertising on the site. We review monitors because they're an important part of the computing experience.
If you or another representative of Tempest would like to submit a display for review, please contact us! Alternatively, we can reach out to you, also
That said, I am considering sticking with 60HZ and moving to a Korean 30" 2560x1600 panel. I've gamed at 60HZ for a long time and am used to it, but I'd really like to have more screen real estate. If someone comes out with a 30" panel that supports 120HZ for something REASONABLE then I'd be interested, but I'm not dropping as much as an entire computer on a display.
Get what you pay for, all these noobs with their 1080p displays are so limiting themselves.Ive been gaming on 30 inches for over 3 years now that I paid $1200 for. Been worth every cent to have much more real estate over the 120hz option. 4K is my next purchase when they come down to $1500 or less.
I will email Overlord to tell them so since I have been supporting them since they started! Fan boy? You betcha!
That said, I am considering sticking with 60HZ and moving to a Korean 30" 2560x1600 panel. I've gamed at 60HZ for a long time and am used to it, but I'd really like to have more screen real estate. If someone comes out with a 30" panel that supports 120HZ for something REASONABLE then I'd be interested, but I'm not dropping as much as an entire computer on a display.
I will email Overlord to tell them so since I have been supporting them since they started! Fan boy? You betcha!
You voted my post down for stating the obvious truth and proving it? What for? I'm already above 1080p, but as stated it's the most common used res NOT 1440p. So what is your problem with the post? Same question for the other two that voted down the truth. Some people. I even stated I want us to move on...LOL. You don't like steam surveys or something? Hate for me?...Whatever...
I will email Overlord to tell them so since I have been supporting them since they started! Fan boy? You betcha!
You voted my post down for stating the obvious truth and proving it? What for? I'm already above 1080p, but as stated it's the most common used res NOT 1440p. So what is your problem with the post? Same question for the other two that voted down the truth. Some people. I even stated I want us to move on...LOL. You don't like steam surveys or something? Hate for me?...Whatever...
I'll answer your question with a question - why in the hell do you care that your post got voted down by me and 2 others? Do you need confirmation on all your posts of your ability to pull some stats and say something on a forum?
Ok then - great job! Atta Boy!
I didn't like the tone of your post it came off arrogant and at the same time needy to show how "in the know" you think you are.
Funny, I didn't know I was supposed to provide a justification for not liking someone's post, but there you go.
I will email Overlord to tell them so since I have been supporting them since they started! Fan boy? You betcha!
You voted my post down for stating the obvious truth and proving it? What for? I'm already above 1080p, but as stated it's the most common used res NOT 1440p. So what is your problem with the post? Same question for the other two that voted down the truth. Some people. I even stated I want us to move on...LOL. You don't like steam surveys or something? Hate for me?...Whatever...
I'll answer your question with a question - why in the hell do you care that your post got voted down by me and 2 others? Do you need confirmation on all your posts of your ability to pull some stats and say something on a forum?
Ok then - great job! Atta Boy!
I didn't like the tone of your post it came off arrogant and at the same time needy to show how "in the know" you think you are.
Funny, I didn't know I was supposed to provide a justification for not liking someone's post, but there you go.
OH, you're the PC police. We have enough of that junk already. Judge the data, not the person. So the priorities for you when judging a post isn't about the post at all...ROFL. I'm arrogant, needy and my TONE sucks...As long as the data is good who cares...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Graham%27s_Hierarchy_of_Disagreement.svg
Congratulations. You made it to the 3rd level. Responding to the tone of my post...LOL. But that is still completely failing with your "vote". That's OK...I only care about the data anyway, which isn't changing. Come back when you've got something to say about the data instead of me
"criticizes the tone of the writing without addressing the substance of the argument." ....Yep. Actually I think you may have done the bottom 3.
Why do you care how I sound? Ah...Not here for the data? Just here to judge people's tone, attack their character etc.
The answer to your ?: I comment to find out if someone can argue with the data (for stock purposes mostly, I want MORE data if I can get it, no matter how their TONE is - they might save me money etc). If nobody can tear it down or show better data points, I'm probably on the right track