Getting depressed trying to find a monitor

[durrburger]

So I've been using the Sony x900f TV as a monitor for a while now and was hoping to upgrade my 1080 Ti with a 3080 as soon as it was announced to keep gaming at 4k, but since that won't be happening anytime soon I started looking at 1440p gsync (compatible) monitors instead.

 

As someone who primarily plays single-player games, 144hz is the most I'll ever need, and I'm not sure what response time I should aim for as I don't know how much more pronounced it is at 144fps compared to 60. For reference, this TV has a 10ms 100%, 3ms 80% response time and I never notice ghosting at 60 fps, wheareas it was a constant eyeseore on the old Samsung NU7100 at 9,5/24ms. From what I understand ghosting is more visible at 144hz so it needs a faster response time to remain ghost-free?

 

TN monitors are a hard no, and with IPS as much as I hate their contrast, what's killing me more is that basically every panel I've seen has some degree of bleed/ips glow that's massively distracting to me. The problem with this is I'll have to buy from a reseller as stores have atrocious prices in my area as well as terrible selection, so I can't keep buying and returning unless there are some serious issues (backlight bleed probably won't apply). As I vastly prefer VA when ghosting isn't noticeable, Odyssey G7 seemed like a perfect monitor but the curve is hugely unappealing, especially at 27, and they are currently 570/640 euros for 27/32 models respectively in my area, which is more than the maximum 450€ I'd be willing to spend for a monitor right now. I've been looking through Rtings reviews and I can't find a single VA alternative that doesn't have some other glaring flaw and smearing, or an IPS monitor that doesn't have terrible black uniformity with clouding etc.

 

Are there any decent cheaper alternatives for G7 or IPS monitors with a bit better QC in terms of bleed? Like I said I don't play competitive games so visuals are a priority in terms of contrast, relative color accuracy (as in not having extremely oversaturated or noticeably inaccurate colors), good gsync (freesync) to avoid input lag and tearing. I've gotten really used to the huge screen sizes so trying to find a 32 inch one with decent text clarity, though 27 is fine as well.

[2DPrinter]

I'm getting sad looking for a new graphics card...

(sorry don't have an answer just wanted to say that)

[durrburger]

1 minute ago, 2DPrinter said:

I'm getting sad looking for a new graphics card...

(sorry don't have an answer just wanted to say that)

That's the sadness I wanted to cure with a 1440p monitor at least so that my current GPU can hit 60 in modern titles but...here we are

[Ashley MLP Fangirl]

since you are so picky, i'd go to a large electronics store that sells displays and just compare them in the store if they have them on display...

[durrburger]

I would gladly but nearly all the monitors available in the local stores are the 100-200 euros 1080p60 lowest end panels, since that's what most people buy. Same with TVs, not a single model is on display that's above entry level.

[xg32]

reading through your post, it narrows down to 32inch 4k or 27inch 1440p/144hz. the g7's curve is nauseating and the black smearing is pretty bad.

 

The good 32inch 4k monitors are coming out later this year, for 1440p/144hz i recommend this

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1607537-REG/msi_optix_mag274qrf_qd_27_monitor.html

 

this is the best visual/gaming monitor in its class

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1488890-REG/lg_27gl850_b_27_ultragear_nano_ips.html

 

if that's out of stock then this 

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1488890-REG/lg_27gl850_b_27_ultragear_nano_ips.html

 

though if you are completely visual focused, might wanna check out used photo mons, but they are all 60hz til the new models next year.

 

once you prioritize visuals, then usually ultrawide and curved cost too much unless those are the priorities.

[SolarNova]

I picked out the Dell S3220DGF for a family member not that long ago.

Its a good VA panel, uniform, and minimal ghosting from what i saw with my limited experience with it. You basically choose between 'Super Fast' and 'Extreme' OD modes. one leaves some minor ghosting behind, while the other eliminates most of it, but adds some overshoot artifacts. Nothing to drastic mind you. its not perfect, but it has a good balance of features and quality.

It doesnt have BFI however, which can really make a difference when well implemented. That said, most monitors with it dont allow its use with VRR enabled so i wouldnt hold the lack of BFi against it to harshly. Unless ur used to having it ofc.

Oh and the curve is very minor at 1800R.

 

Other than that, u'll have to wait for the Flat G7 to be released later this year, but thats unlikely to be cheaper than the current curved one as its supposedly going to have some upgrades which include a FALD implementation, which immediately yells ' more expensive'.

[durrburger]

11 hours ago, xg32 said:

reading through your post, it narrows down to 32inch 4k or 27inch 1440p/144hz. the g7's curve is nauseating and the black smearing is pretty bad.

 

The good 32inch 4k monitors are coming out later this year, for 1440p/144hz i recommend this

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1607537-REG/msi_optix_mag274qrf_qd_27_monitor.html

 

this is the best visual/gaming monitor in its class

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1488890-REG/lg_27gl850_b_27_ultragear_nano_ips.html

 

if that's out of stock then this 

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1488890-REG/lg_27gl850_b_27_ultragear_nano_ips.html

 

though if you are completely visual focused, might wanna check out used photo mons, but they are all 60hz til the new models next year.

 

once you prioritize visuals, then usually ultrawide and curved cost too much unless those are the priorities.

Thanks for the recommandations! The MAG274QRF looks like the best all around affordable IPS so far if VAs are out of the question, which looks like it. Which do you think is better between it and Gigabyte M27Q? Going by Rtings they are pretty close with MSI having better uniformity but much less accurate colors, though not sure how much uniformity/clouding can vary between units. Both are 440-460€ in my area.

 

As for the LG 27GL850-B it looks worse than both going by this comparison unless I'm missing something. I just don't understand their local dimming segment which I know is there for reference but, between these 2 the LG has worse contrast and black uniformity, but comparing their local dimming reference videos it has much better blacks. Are those videos even from the specific monitors they are reviewing? 

[durrburger]

10 hours ago, SolarNova said:

I picked out the Dell S3220DGF for a family member not that long ago.

I was looking at that one yesterday but saw that a lot of people on reddit complained about smearing everywhere. What type of games/content did you see the smearing on that model? I'm guessing that most people who are comparing VA smearing are usually playing fast paced esports games so I never know how much value to put into smearing comments as I never play those. Then again my old Samsung TV that I briefly used as a monitor had atrocious ghosting even while scrolling through black text on white websites...

[xg32]

6 hours ago, durrburger said:

Thanks for the recommandations! The MAG274QRF looks like the best all around affordable IPS so far if VAs are out of the question, which looks like it. Which do you think is better between it and Gigabyte M27Q? Going by Rtings they are pretty close with MSI having better uniformity but much less accurate colors, though not sure how much uniformity/clouding can vary between units. Both are 440-460€ in my area.

 

As for the LG 27GL850-B it looks worse than both going by this comparison unless I'm missing something. I just don't understand their local dimming segment which I know is there for reference but, between these 2 the LG has worse contrast and black uniformity, but comparing their local dimming reference videos it has much better blacks. Are those videos even from the specific monitors they are reviewing? 

i havent used the msi or gigabyte one myself (those came out later targeting the GL850's contrast issues so they are both better), though the LG one was on sale for awhile because of that.

 

(1) MSI MAG274QRF-QD Review, Setting New Performance Records at 1440p 165Hz - YouTube

 

(1) Gigabyte M27Q Review, Impressive Budget 1440p 170Hz Performance - YouTube

 

[SolarNova]

On 4/13/2021 at 12:22 PM, durrburger said:

I was looking at that one yesterday but saw that a lot of people on reddit complained about smearing everywhere. What type of games/content did you see the smearing on that model? I'm guessing that most people who are comparing VA smearing are usually playing fast paced esports games so I never know how much value to put into smearing comments as I never play those. Then again my old Samsung TV that I briefly used as a monitor had atrocious ghosting even while scrolling through black text on white websites...

I popped around to visit yesterday, had a look over their shoulder, they were playing the 'Dual Universe' early access/alpha/beta. I couldnt see any obvious Smearing or overshoot.

I believe i tried it out with  'The outer worlds' when it was delivered, was only a quick test, but again there was very little smearing that i noticed in that game.

I havnt used it for any meaningful length of time however. Im sure there would be times it may be more obvious, like games with particularly dark environments where any potential smearing could cause objects to look darker in motion. I havnt been able to test that kind of scenario out however.

 

With VA panels however its something your going to have to expect to see to some degree, in some scenarios. Your only other option is to go IPS, but ull loose the contrast, black level, and have to deal with IPS glow. Alternatively ull have to spend a lot more on a much larger 48" display and go OLED.