va VA panel ok for gaming?

[DannyBoy312]

Hello everyone.

 

So... VA panels and gaming. I'm currently looking into upgrading my current TN gaming display in favor of something a bit larger and with better viewing angles and color reproduction. I'd like to get a panel with a high refresh rate and because I can't shell out $600+ for an Asus ROG IPS, 144HZ, 1440P, 'everything but the kitchen sink' display, VA panels caught my eye. They seem to be a great middle of the road option between TN and IPS and everything looked hunky dory until I caught wind of a possible issue with gaming: VA panel ghosting and smearing. My question is, is this still an issue that will forever plague this tech or is it a relic of a bygone development stage?

[Guest]

It is fine.

[Jbonn386]

I prefer VA i can't stand the Bleeds and Glows of an IPS panel.

[ShoshinUK]

12 minutes ago, DannyBoy312 said:

Hello everyone.

 

So... VA panels and gaming. I'm currently looking into upgrading my current TN gaming display in favor of something a bit larger and with better viewing angles and color reproduction. I'd like to get a panel with a high refresh rate and because I can't shell out $600+ for an Asus ROG IPS, 144HZ, 1440P, 'everything but the kitchen sink' display, VA panels caught my eye. They seem to be a great middle of the road option between TN and IPS and everything looked hunky dory until I caught wind of a possible issue with gaming: VA panel ghosting and smearing. My question is, is this still an issue that will forever plague this tech or is it a relic of a bygone development stage?

I have been using one of these for a couple of months now, gaming hard.
https://www.asus.com/us/Monitors/ROG-Strix-XG32VQ/ProductPrint/    (I think out of your stated budget)

Overall I am very happy with it, can't say I have noticed ghosting or smearing to effect gameplay. But it is there compared to my previous (very good) TN.

The only mainstream display technology I have not extensively gamed on is IPS which will be my next purchase to test through.

My current monitor ticks many boxes for me, and is reasonably priced. 

[DannyBoy312]

1 minute ago, ShoshinUK said:

I have been using one of these for a couple of months now, gaming hard.
https://www.asus.com/us/Monitors/ROG-Strix-XG32VQ/ProductPrint/    (I think out of your stated budget)

Overall I am very happy with it, can't say I have noticed ghosting or smearing to effect gameplay. But it is there compared to my previous (very good) TN.

The only mainstream display technology I have not extensively gamed on is IPS which will be my next purchase to test through.

My current monitor ticks many boxes for me, and is reasonably priced. 

Thank you so much! Was definitely looking for a first-hand opinion.

[DannyBoy312]

8 minutes ago, Jbonn386 said:

I prefer VA i can't stand the Bleeds and Glows of an IPS panel.

Gotcha. Apparently, it has gotten better but still, something that can be noticeable. Thanks

[joshuawi99]

19 minutes ago, DannyBoy312 said:

Hello everyone.

 

So... VA panels and gaming. I'm currently looking into upgrading my current TN gaming display in favor of something a bit larger and with better viewing angles and color reproduction. I'd like to get a panel with a high refresh rate and because I can't shell out $600+ for an Asus ROG IPS, 144HZ, 1440P, 'everything but the kitchen sink' display, VA panels caught my eye. They seem to be a great middle of the road option between TN and IPS and everything looked hunky dory until I caught wind of a possible issue with gaming: VA panel ghosting and smearing. My question is, is this still an issue that will forever plague this tech or is it a relic of a bygone development stage?

I got the Acer Predator z271 with tobii eye tracking since one month and i am very happy with 165hz on this panel at 5 ms

[FiveNine]

5 hours ago, DannyBoy312 said:

Gotcha. Apparently, it has gotten better but still, something that can be noticeable. Thanks

Basically what he said. I wanted an ultrawide but gave up because it was IPS and 90% of the panels had horrendous corners, like someone was pointing a flashlight... it's ridiculous and unacceptable that those units even made it out of the factory

[BuckGup]

The IPS glow on my previous monitor made white look sorta yellow in one corner. Swapped to a VA panel and never looked back. Does have some weird ghosting problems but you have to look for it to see it

[ShoshinUK]

On 01/03/2018 at 3:30 PM, DannyBoy312 said:

Thank you so much! Was definitely looking for a first-hand opinion.

No worries, the main draw for me was the 16:9 32 inch format - everything is a bit bigger to shoot than the ultrawides!

[DannyBoy312]

Just a quick update, I decided to buy a VA monitor: the MSI Optix 32" VA panel with a Refresh Rate of 165Hz*! The only potential downside is the 1080p resolution stretched across 32" but given my limited budget and the desire for both a larger and more advanced panel, I feel like I made a worthwhile decision. I was also lucky enough to get it on sale on Newegg for $299 USD (typical price is ~$380.) It's supposed to arrive today so I'll put it through its paces and swing back here to share my thoughts. Thank you again, everyone!

 

*https://www.msi.com/product/monitor/Optix-AG32C/Gallery

[ShoshinUK]

1 hour ago, DannyBoy312 said:

Just a quick update, I decided to buy a VA monitor: the MSI Optix 32" VA panel with a Refresh Rate of 165Hz*! The only potential downside is the 1080p resolution stretched across 32" but given my limited budget and the desire for both a larger and more advanced panel, I feel like I made a worthwhile decision. I was also lucky enough to get it on sale on Newegg for $299 USD (typical price is ~$380.) It's supposed to arrive today so I'll put it through its paces and swing back here to share my thoughts. Thank you again, everyone!

 

*https://www.msi.com/product/monitor/Optix-AG32C/Gallery

That's an utterly great deal! I hope the 1080p on that size works for you.

If the pixelation is not bad please let me know, as this monitor could out perform my current one.

 

[DannyBoy312]

On 3/6/2018 at 12:52 PM, ShoshinUK said:

That's an utterly great deal! I hope the 1080p on that size works for you.

If the pixelation is not bad please let me know, as this monitor could out perform my current one.

 

Yeah, so after less than an hour of gaming the pixelation was too much for me to handle and I decided to package it back up and return it ha ha. I am severely disappointed and will be looking at a 1440P panel instead in the near future. That said a 32" 1440P panel is way out of the question budget wise. Like I mentioned before I currently have a 24" panel; would it be worthwhile to upgrade to a 27"? Or just stick with my 24" for now until I can swing an extra $300 just for the extra 4"?

[ShoshinUK]

On 08/03/2018 at 3:52 PM, DannyBoy312 said:

Yeah, so after less than an hour of gaming the pixelation was too much for me to handle and I decided to package it back up and return it ha ha. I am severely disappointed and will be looking at a 1440P panel instead in the near future. That said a 32" 1440P panel is way out of the question budget wise. Like I mentioned before I currently have a 24" panel; would it be worthwhile to upgrade to a 27"? Or just stick with my 24" for now until I can swing an extra $300 just for the extra 4"?

Appreciate you letting us know about this.

27 1440p 16:9 is fab. 

The only reason I went to 32 1440p 16:9 is my eye sight. I am old, and whilst not a great player I am competitive. I play Squad mostly and that demands the ability to spot and shoot at range. Everything is a bit bigger on my screen. 

I had this screen for a good while:
https://www.asus.com/uk/Monitors/ROG-SWIFT-PG278QR/

It's a fantastic screen, I also saw the IPS version and it is also marvellous.

Personally if I were you I would go 27 1440p, I don't know anyone else with my screen format - a few mates have ultrawides but thats a different thing really. Things arn't bigger, just more stuff on the sides (not for me).

[DannyBoy312]

2 hours ago, ShoshinUK said:

Appreciate you letting us know about this.

27 1440p 16:9 is fab. 

The only reason I went to 32 1440p 16:9 is my eye sight. I am old, and whilst not a great player I am competitive. I play Squad mostly and that demands the ability to spot and shoot at range. Everything is a bit bigger on my screen. 

I had this screen for a good while:
https://www.asus.com/uk/Monitors/ROG-SWIFT-PG278QR/

It's a fantastic screen, I also saw the IPS version and it is also marvellous.

Personally if I were you I would go 27 1440p, I don't know anyone else with my screen format - a few mates have ultrawides but thats a different thing really. Things arn't bigger, just more stuff on the sides (not for me).

Wow, thank you. I'm a bit used to 1ms response times so that may take a bit of getting used to moving to 4ms but on the whole, I feel good now. I've been debating whether to just ditch the idea period and be good for now but I feel like after you saying this I'm going to jump in. Thank you!!! I will update (again) once the new panel arrives!

[ShoshinUK]

If budget is a thing this is ticking many boxes!

https://www.ebuyer.com/811128-kg1-series-kg271u-a-qhd-gaming-monitor-um-hx1ee-032?mkwid=s_dc&pcrid=51482416139&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=CjwKCAiA_ojVBRAlEiwAOLRxI0ja0ffObmnSlBR6AgDVAiRKwTME3j9OPZGv94Lc0prugRJtDkGgphoCK8cQAvD_BwE

 

 

[DannyBoy312]

On 3/9/2018 at 3:36 PM, ShoshinUK said:

If budget is a thing this is ticking many boxes!

https://www.ebuyer.com/811128-kg1-series-kg271u-a-qhd-gaming-monitor-um-hx1ee-032?mkwid=s_dc&pcrid=51482416139&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=CjwKCAiA_ojVBRAlEiwAOLRxI0ja0ffObmnSlBR6AgDVAiRKwTME3j9OPZGv94Lc0prugRJtDkGgphoCK8cQAvD_BwE

 

 

Thank you so much for the link! I actually ended up joining a MassDrop for the MSI MAG27CQ. Was able to get VA, 2K, 144Hz at 27 inches for 379.99 USD. I can't wait to get it!

 

Thank you again, everyone, for all your help.

[DannyBoy312]

Alright, so I received the MSI MAG27CQ. All I have to say is why isn't this panel more popular? I am blown away. Quality control is good, not a single dead pixel, no light bleed, perfect. Incredible response times, deep inky blacks (VA panel), and beautiful in every way. I love it and switching from my daily driver 1080p 24" to this has been well worth it. Thank you again, everyone. I am seriously considering doing a review of it simply because more people should know more about this excellent panel!

[ShoshinUK]

Glad your happy, can you notice any ghosting/smearing that effects fast gameplay compared to TN?

[DannyBoy312]

23 hours ago, ShoshinUK said:

Glad your happy, can you notice any ghosting/smearing that effects fast gameplay compared to TN?

You know, I haven't yet. I have only had a chance to play Watch Dogs 2 so far which, by nature, isn't overtly fast-paced (besides driving, but even then.) That said, I actually just picked up Far Cry 5 and will be installing it this evening; I think it will be a better indicator of such potential issues. I'll post my findings tomorrow!

[DannyBoy312]

 

Ok, so I am happy to report that I haven't noticed any significant smearing or ghosting. The only thing I have noticed is the lower FPS which was to be expected switching from 1080P to 1440P. 

 

It's actually also on sale on Newegg right now if you search for MAG27cq. (I also took the time to write a review for it and gave it 5 eggs.)

[DannyBoy312]

Ok final update, after playing some more in Far Cry 5 (with the rose colored glasses off now) there is indeed some pretty bad pixel trailing. I guess you could call it smearing. It happens mostly with darker scenes and around finer edges (i.e. leaves on trees etc.) Just last night playing I had to stop because it was giving me a headache. I tried everything to remedy it; lowering in game settings to achieve a higher framerate (~120FPS), OSD anti-motion blur settings, in game brightness/contrast, various Vertical Sync settings (off included), and even sitting back further.

 

Well, that's that, now to just see if I can live with it or sell ANOTHER monitor... I feel like such a snob and if it were a minor issue I would most certainly learn to get over it, but since it's appreciably impacting gameplay I feel like I'm at least justified in the sense that it's a component that I'll be keeping for the better half of a decade.

 

[Glenwing]

10 minutes ago, DannyBoy312 said:

Ok final update, after playing some more in Far Cry 5 (with the rose colored glasses off now) there is indeed some pretty bad pixel trailing. I guess you could call it smearing. It happens mostly with darker scenes and around finer edges (i.e. leaves on trees etc.) Just last night playing I had to stop because it was giving me a headache. I tried everything to remedy it; lowering in game settings to achieve a higher framerate (~120FPS), OSD anti-motion blur settings, in game brightness/contrast, various Vertical Sync settings (off included), and even sitting back further.

 

Well, that's that, now to just see if I can live with it or sell ANOTHER monitor... I feel like such a snob and if it were a minor issue I would most certainly learn to get over it, but since it's appreciably impacting gameplay I feel like I'm at least justified in the sense that it's a component that I'll be keeping for the better half of a decade.

 

Not that this is helpful, but if it's not too much to ask, could you test if the MAG27CQ supports 120 Hz over HDMI? It's claimed in the manual, but would be good to have confirmation

[DannyBoy312]

EDIT

[DannyBoy312]

18 hours ago, Glenwing said:

Not that this is helpful, but if it's not too much to ask, could you test if the MAG27CQ supports 120 Hz over HDMI? It's claimed in the manual, but would be good to have confirmation

Will do, I did plan on trying Dual Link DVI as well... I think I'll also hook up my old TN gaming panel to see if it's just an issue with Far Cry 5. Apparently, others had a similar ghosting issue in Far Cry 4 so we'll see. If it remains across the TN as well as the different inputs I'll have to dive deeper. The odd thing is that I didn't seem to notice the problem a few days ago while playing...