BenQ XL2430T 24-Inch 144Hz Gaming Monitor Review

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Results: Viewing Angles, Uniformity, Response And Lag

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, please click here.

Here is TN’s only real weakness, and it’s always an issue, regardless of how well the display performs in other areas. If you need better off-axis performance, there’s really no other choice than IPS or one of its variants. At 45 degrees to the sides, the XL2430T exhibits a significant red/green color shift and a large drop in brightness. There isn’t much color change in the vertical plane, but detail rendering becomes washed out. In the 24-inch size, however, we don’t find this behavior to be problematic; only someone sitting to one side of center would be affected.

Screen Uniformity: Luminance

Newer TN screens improve greatly in their uniformity over older displays. We used to be impressed by an 8.2-percent result in the black field test. Now that number is just average. It’s still a good thing, though. Our XL2430T sample looked perfect to the naked eye, no matter what the brightness level.

Here’s the white field measurement:

In the white field test, we again see nothing but a smooth-toned screen without visible variation in brightness.

Screen Uniformity: Color

The AOC G2460PG is somewhat of an aberration with such good color uniformity. All of the other displays come close to one another, and none have any visible issues.

Pixel Response And Input Lag

Please click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

And now we arrive at the main reason for buying a 144Hz monitor: speed. It’s impossible to see a visual difference between five and eight milliseconds. But our 1000FPS camera can. Whichever monitor you choose, it will have excellent motion processing and minimal motion blur, even without the use of the backlight strobe.

Here are the lag results:

This display is just a touch slower to respond to inputs than most of its competition. Like the response test, however, we are hard-pressed to see an actual difference. What is obvious is how much better any of these gaming monitors are than cheaper business-class screens. If you want maximum performance from your gaming rig, a fast-refresh model is an absolute must.

Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

  • spp85
    Me IPS all the way. One you switch to an IPS display you are done with a TN panel
    Reply
  • test090927
    Don't be interrupted by want type of panel it is.
    TN and IPS both have there own advantage. TN for low response time and relatively high refresh rate, whereas IPS has better color reproduction and viewing angle. However, IPS panel generally has long response time, which might cause ghosting when gaming.

    For XL2430T TN panel which might seem bad color reproduction, the color is actually fine and it can be adjusted by "Color Vibrance" mode. It's a great choice for you.
    Reply
  • Grognak
    Nearly $400 for a 24in 1080p monitor, that's quite expensive.
    Reply
  • wtfxxxgp
    Wow. Some people don't bother to read the article. The reviewer clearly states that the ONLY difference between this TN panel and an IPS panel is viewing angle. How is this a problem unless you're using more than 1 monitor? How many people sit and game when they don't have their monitor right in front of them? EVERYTHING ELSE about this monitor as far as performance is concerned completely out-classes IPS panels. Stop complaining, read the full article and unless you have anything constructive to say, rather don't say anything at all. Commenting that you're waiting for an IPS panel or wouldn't ever go back to a TN panel is rather useless. As for me, I think the price is very reasonable for this monitor, given its excellent review on everything that matters to a gamer.
    Reply
  • lostgamer_03
    I stopped reading after "TN panel". Not even worth my time.
    Reply
  • wishmaster12
    all your paying is for 24 more hz, I bought a 24in 120hz for 250$
    Reply
  • chenw
    I stopped reading at 'IPS', not even worth my time.

    Seriously, after comparing the VX2770 and swift (which is a classic IPS to TN), I wasn't even sure what IPS was all about, the IPS had much worse BLB and didn't look that much greater (granted, it was probably a bad IPS panel).
    Reply
  • chenw
    Just to clear up, I know the monitor in review is a TN panel
    Reply
  • knightmike
    FreeSync
    Reply
  • AndrewJacksonZA
    Is it known if this monitor is FreeSync-compatible, or can be upgraded to be FreeSync-compatible?

    Thank you
    Reply