NVIDIA G-Sync Pulsar monitor - Asus ROG Strix XG27AQNGV

[kyube]

Thanks mate, appreciate the reply and detail. So for games like Apex or The Finals etc. do you think a Zowie Dyac2 monitor running at a fixed refresh is a much better choice for motion clarity?
In The Finals, for example, I can pretty much guarantee a locked 260fps at 1440p (around 330 at 1080p). In that instance, is Dyac2 a noticeable improvement over Pulsar? I personally haven't felt any additional eye-strain from Pulsar but I appreciate it can differ significantly from person to person.

We can use the XL2546X as an example (I don't think the 66X+, 86X and 86X+ are tuned in the same way sadly)
DyAc Premium on this model has a 10% duty cycle.
This would mean that, at 240Hz, you'd have a "effective refresh rate" of 2400 Hz. (~0,416667 ms strobe 'on' period) with the ability to adjust brightness to whatever you want.
This above is CRT levels of clarity (they achieve <0,1ms on red & blue phosphors, the green one is ~0,5ms)
In contrast, these QHD@360Hz panels can only achieve 600-1000 Hz in ULMB2 (& Pulsar) at best...
Note: I deem the 60Hz feature obsolete / useless from a practical standpoint.

Considering that most competitive games are played at very fast speeds (use TestUFO ghosting at 1920px/s, 2880px/s and 3840px/s to estimate what I'm referring to), this makes Pulsar mediocre compared to competitors.

Other options, which would be satisfactory for 240-300FPS games such as The Finals & Apex:
AOC Q25G4SR (or it's successors such as the P245MS Pro) — marketed as "0,3ms MPRT" (which is what they achieve when they have a 10% duty cycle @ 300Hz) Example of UFOs
MSI X30MV — ~0,7ms (effective "1428Hz refresh rate" @ 300Hz) Example1, unknown speed, example2, 960px/s, example3, unknown speed
Acer XB273U KF — QD-based edge-lit LCD which is seemingly marketed as 0,5ms MPRT (likely achieved when using VRB Extreme) @ 300Hz
Acer XB273U GX — QD-based edge-lit LCD likely achieves similar values as above model, as it's likely a predecessor of it.

Older generation ULMB1 models (24" QHD TN's, 360Hz FHD IPS) are also solid options, but a bit worse compared to options above.

Here's the ASUS Pulsar model @ 360Hz with ULMB2 enabled, 1920px/s UFO

Would you say ULMB2 at a fixed 240hz on these Pulsar monitors would help with both clarity and the processing latency?
Again, I'm not overly sensitive to processing latency, I certainly haven't felt like the Pulsar monitor is slower than any other monitor I've used (swapping between 500hz QD OLED and Pulsar at the minute).

No, it's mediocre compared to competitors.
Even the Benq XL2730Z, which a forum member recently took pursuit photographs of, performs much better than Pulsar on the same or even larger refresh rate (which should never happen on a good BLstrobing implementation)

If you want to add tearing elimination on-top of fixed refresh rate strobing, use NVidia Fast-Sync or RTSS' Scanline-Sync

[brownvim]

Don't seem like a good comparison/alternative to me, Zowie XL2546X a 1080p TN Panel?



Bad crosstalk/ghosting too?

[kyube]

Don't seem like a good comparison/alternative to me, Zowie XL2546X a 1080p TN Panel?
Bad crosstalk/ghosting too?

I never said it's a good alternative.
It targets a better duty cycle compared to all >120Hz ULBM2 modes, which allows it to achieve monstrously better eye-tracked motion performance.
The QHD@360Hz models don't hold a candle to it, in that regard.

To me, 24" FHD & 27" QHD isn't that large of a display resolution difference.
The TN aspect can be somewhat mitigated by using a screen protector (to enhance contrast ratio) and trying to avoid scenarios where viewing angles would deteoriate.
Ideally, 24" QHD 300–400Hz IPS' (of which there are a lot of models which would be satisfactory), is a much better package for the use-case he mentioned.

[brownvim]

I never said it's a good alternative.

t2na literally asked you "whats a better choice"

I think recommending a 1080p TN panel like the XL2546X feels like quite a big downgrade for someone who’s already using a Pulsar (1440p IPS) and a 500 Hz OLED.

Going from sharp 1440p text and good viewing angles down to 1080p TN with noticeably worse text clarity, narrow viewing angles (colours and gamma shift off-centre), lower contrast, grainy older matte coating, no strobing support on console, and more prone to overshoot/ghosting — just to chase a lower MPRT at locked frame rates — doesn’t feel like a good trade-off for most people.

For me, a monitor needs to be better in more ways than just raw strobing sharpness in very specific locked-FPS scenarios. The recommendations seem to focus heavily on achieving the best possible MPRT while rarely mentioning (or completely ignoring) the significant trade-offs involved, which can come off as incomplete advice.

The 60 Hz ULMB2 mode already shows the Pulsar is capable of very low MPRT. It’s up to Nvidia whether they can bring similar performance to the higher refresh rate modes in future firmware. I agree the Pulsar mode still needs work, but I’d like to see them at least offer better fixed-rate ULMB2 options.

[kyube]

t2na literally asked you "whats a better choice"

And I've never specified it being the only, best option without any repercussions. Every choice has a compromise, but Pulsar is too much of a compromise to be a valid choice for his use-case.
I even told explicitly mentioned that 24" QHD 300-400Hz panels are relatively "ideal", compared to other choices.

I think recommending a 1080p TN panel like the XL2546X feels like quite a big downgrade for someone who’s already using a Pulsar (1440p IPS) and a 500 Hz OLED.

Not at all, it's one of the ways one can achieve the best possible clarity for FPS-locked titles such as The Finals & Apex.
What's OLED useful for when all you get is the same S&H blurry mess of <300FPS?
What's Pulsar (VRR+PWM) useful for, when all you get is compensation pulse nerfing MPRT to the ground due to erratic frametimes?

Now you've reminded me, I completely forgot to mention the predecessor:
The ASUS PG27AQN with it's ULMB2 would be a much better option than the new Pulsar models due to the absolutely ridiculously good ULMB2 implementation.
The lowest setting (PW=10) can do "effective 8000Hz refresh rate" @ 24 cd/m² @ 360Hz.
The highest setting (PW=100) can do "effective 1440Hz refresh rate" @ 270 cd/m² @ 360Hz
You have multiple settings between them to choose, which would make it a solid choice.

Though, I still think that Titan Army P245MS Pro (& AOC's upcoming same panel equivalent) is a far better product due to the increased PPI, HDMI 2.1 FRL6 and QD-based backlight solution.

Going from sharp 1440p text and good viewing angles down

27" QHD isn't a sufficiently large enough jump to claim it's "sharp".
See:
94 PPD is the minimum target one should chase for

...to 1080p TN with noticeably worse text clarity,
narrow viewing angles (colours and gamma shift off-centre),
lower contrast,
grainy older matte coating,
no strobing support on console,
and more prone to overshoot/ghosting

Noticably worse text sharpness & narrower viewing angles (which isn't that much of a dealbreaker, as it can be played around with)? Sure, I agree with those complaint somewhat.
However:
• It's not (perceived) lower contrast ratio, it's the same as any other new generation IPS/TN LCD.
It's also why I suggested a glossy screen protector, to enhance contrast ratio and enhance perceived color reproduction even further.
• The Pulsar models also have a matte coating, so I don't understand your point there?
• No strobing on console is a redundant use-case for someone who's competitively oriented, as the user above?....
• "More prone to overshoot/ghosting" is difficult to assess, as TestUFO is only 1 small portion of possible RGB combinations, which may or may not translate over to the specific workload (Apex / The Finals) he has chosen.

— just to chase a lower MPRT at locked frame rates — doesn’t feel like a good trade-off for most people.

My reply wasn't meant for "most people". It was meant for a specific individual with a specific, concrete use-case, where these new Pulsar models can't compete with it's competitors.

For me, a monitor needs to be better in more ways than just raw strobing sharpness in very specific locked-FPS scenarios.
The recommendations seem to focus heavily on achieving the best possible MPRT while rarely mentioning (or completely ignoring) the significant trade-offs involved, which can come off as incomplete advice.

"Incomplete advice"?.... Did you read what the user above wants at all?...

The 60 Hz ULMB2 mode already shows the Pulsar is capable of very low MPRT.
It’s up to Nvidia whether they can bring similar performance to the higher refresh rate modes in future firmware. I agree the Pulsar mode still needs work, but I’d like to see them at least offer better fixed-rate ULMB2 options.

60Hz fixed refresh rate strobing is a extreme eye strain concern & it's not a high enough sample rate for any serious competitive environment (Apex / The Finals)
It's akin to playing with a 125Hz mouse, while everyone is on >1 kHz
Considering the models were being cooked for 2 years, I have no hope in Nvidia ever fixing their fixed refresh rate modes.

[liquidshadowfox]

Just to put my 2 cents in the ring, I currently use both the Asus PG27AQN and the Asus XG27AQNGV (Gsync pulsar) and here are my thoughts:

1. Unless you are really sensitive to input lag (I don't notice any input lag in normal use and 60 hz ULMB 2 26 ms of input lag doesn't affect me on controller playing elden ring or dark souls), you won't feel it on the Gsync pulsar
2. Asus PG27AQN does look sharper in ULMB 2 mode but there's minor crosstalk in the other 2/3rds of the screen
3. Asus PG27AQN has red phosphor backlight which leads to "red ghosting" that's more noticeable at lower refresh rates, it's bearable at 240 hz and 360 hz though where you might not even notice it

If you are lazy like me and the following applies to you, I highly recommend the gsync pulsar:
a. Not having to change between Gsync and ULMB/backlight strobe mode manually using a monitor OSD (Nvidia control panel sometimes works but doesn't let you set a specific max Hz so best case scenario you leave your monitor at 240 hz Gsync and swap between Fixed and Gsync at 240 hz because 360 hz has more crosstalk than 240 hz on PG27AQN)
b. Want better motion clarity than Gsync on + no backlight strobe or better than OLED without BFI
c. VRR flicker from OLED Gsync/Freesync (so you are stuck with either Vsync on, Nvidia fast sync or scanline sync)
c. Don't want to change your clarity position depending on the game (gsync pulsar does a really good job of controlling crosstalk across the screen)
Gsync pulsar is great! Even in it's current borked state, it still a pleasure to use with most games. I actually lock my games fps to 90 and games not only look incredible in motion, but I don't notice any crosstalk, my average fps match my 1% lows so there's no huge swings so pulsar stays on more often AND I get an effective motion clarity of 360 hz or higher without actually having to hit that frame rate!

Now I will mention not everything is rainbows and butterflies with this Gsync pulsar display and here are my gripes with it
1. No option to set Gsync pulsar/ULMB 2/Gsync only mode through nvidia control panel
This is absolutely stupid in my opinion, this is EASILY a huge quality of life change they can add to nvidia control panel such that my monitor stays in Gsync only mode while I'm working or on the desktop (lets be honest, 24/7 flickering would cause eye strain to anyone imo) and then allow us to make per game profiles where Gsync pulsar would engage for games where your fps fluctuates a little bit, ULMB 2 mode for games that are either locked to 60 fps or you get a really consistent FPS = 1% lows fps = Hz so the fixed backlight strobe looks great
2. No option to set max Hz of monitor per game/program profile
This would mostly affect ULMB 2 implementation as it's a tedious process having to go into nvidia control panel and manually setting your Hz to the desired ULMB Hz, why can't we have it set per game? Maybe I want 60 hz ULMB for elden ring or 120 hz or higher for other games where I know I can hit FPS = Hz and essentially disable the compensation pulse downside of Gsync pulsar. I don't want to use an outside script or 3rd party program for this other than nvidia control panel or nvidia app, they should have the engineers to implement this.
3. Currently 100 hz - 180 hz has a double image issue
It appears nvidia is looking into this so we will see when this update comes and if it'll improve motion clarity above 180 hz as well)
4. No reflex analyzer
Not sure if it'll ever come with a firmware update but worth mentioning
5. Motion clarity boost above 200 hz doesn't look like it's there compared to lower refresh rates in pulsar mode and ULMB 2 mode
This might be a hardware limitation of the rolling scan backlight strobe having it's own "light diffusion response time" that leads to more blur at higher frame rates, I'd argue there might be a case for nvidia to allow an option to use ULMB 2 using global scan instead of rolling scan at the expense of more crosstalk just to actually get adjustable pulse width and better motion clarity than what's being offered by Gsync pulsar at higher refresh rates
6. Gsync pulsar needs more work at higher refresh rates
I'd argue if they would allow the pulse width to go down to half (at the expense of 250 or even 200 nits of brightness) it might mitigate the loss of blur reduction due to the light diffusion. This strobing technology feels like it's ALMOST there in terms of being a "set it and forget it" solution
7. Nvidia Reflex isn't doing this monitor any favors
Most games I've tested I seem to not get as good motion clarity with gsync pulsar enabled + reflex enabled, I usually have to resort to either turning off reflex or using riva tuner Front edge sync or async mode to get the frame times to play nice in order to get the motion clarity back. Nvidia should be reflex Gsync pulsar "aware" somehow to take into account that the frame pacing matters more than whatever they are doing to ruin the frame pacing in exchange for lower input lag (that again I don't feel any difference but maybe other people will).
8. Gsync pulsar range between 55 hz - 360 hz
I think they absolutely SHOULD allow for gsync pulsar to work down to 60 hz (making it 55 hz to allow the 5 fps buffer they have set before it disables pulsar) since there's a lot of 60 fps locked games and not everyone likes the jarring experience of turning off Gsync to switch to ULMB 2 mode (those several seconds of monitor flicking off before turning back on several times before it sticks). With a lower 200 - 250 nit target it would also reduce how noticeable the flicker at 60 hz is (I tried it with ULMB 2 60 hz and setting a lower brightness helps a lot). Also wouldn't rolling scan have less harsh flicker at 60 hz than global shutter flicker? sounds like they should at least put out a beta firmware and let the public test it or at least some select few.

I'm looking forward to the next firmware update and hope it will reduce the input lag of ULMB 2 60 hz and fix the 100 hz - 180 hz double images.

[Angel Soler]

Just to put my 2 cents in the ring, I currently use both the Asus PG27AQN and the Asus XG27AQNGV (Gsync pulsar) and here are my thoughts:

1. Unless you are really sensitive to input lag (I don't notice any input lag in normal use and 60 hz ULMB 2 26 ms of input lag doesn't affect me on controller playing elden ring or dark souls), you won't feel it on the Gsync pulsar
2. Asus PG27AQN does look sharper in ULMB 2 mode but there's minor crosstalk in the other 2/3rds of the screen
3. Asus PG27AQN has red phosphor backlight which leads to "red ghosting" that's more noticeable at lower refresh rates, it's bearable at 240 hz and 360 hz though where you might not even notice it

If you are lazy like me and the following applies to you, I highly recommend the gsync pulsar:
a. Not having to change between Gsync and ULMB/backlight strobe mode manually using a monitor OSD (Nvidia control panel sometimes works but doesn't let you set a specific max Hz so best case scenario you leave your monitor at 240 hz Gsync and swap between Fixed and Gsync at 240 hz because 360 hz has more crosstalk than 240 hz on PG27AQN)
b. Want better motion clarity than Gsync on + no backlight strobe or better than OLED without BFI
c. VRR flicker from OLED Gsync/Freesync (so you are stuck with either Vsync on, Nvidia fast sync or scanline sync)
c. Don't want to change your clarity position depending on the game (gsync pulsar does a really good job of controlling crosstalk across the screen)
Gsync pulsar is great! Even in it's current borked state, it still a pleasure to use with most games. I actually lock my games fps to 90 and games not only look incredible in motion, but I don't notice any crosstalk, my average fps match my 1% lows so there's no huge swings so pulsar stays on more often AND I get an effective motion clarity of 360 hz or higher without actually having to hit that frame rate!

Now I will mention not everything is rainbows and butterflies with this Gsync pulsar display and here are my gripes with it
1. No option to set Gsync pulsar/ULMB 2/Gsync only mode through nvidia control panel
This is absolutely stupid in my opinion, this is EASILY a huge quality of life change they can add to nvidia control panel such that my monitor stays in Gsync only mode while I'm working or on the desktop (lets be honest, 24/7 flickering would cause eye strain to anyone imo) and then allow us to make per game profiles where Gsync pulsar would engage for games where your fps fluctuates a little bit, ULMB 2 mode for games that are either locked to 60 fps or you get a really consistent FPS = 1% lows fps = Hz so the fixed backlight strobe looks great
2. No option to set max Hz of monitor per game/program profile
This would mostly affect ULMB 2 implementation as it's a tedious process having to go into nvidia control panel and manually setting your Hz to the desired ULMB Hz, why can't we have it set per game? Maybe I want 60 hz ULMB for elden ring or 120 hz or higher for other games where I know I can hit FPS = Hz and essentially disable the compensation pulse downside of Gsync pulsar. I don't want to use an outside script or 3rd party program for this other than nvidia control panel or nvidia app, they should have the engineers to implement this.
3. Currently 100 hz - 180 hz has a double image issue
It appears nvidia is looking into this so we will see when this update comes and if it'll improve motion clarity above 180 hz as well)
4. No reflex analyzer
Not sure if it'll ever come with a firmware update but worth mentioning
5. Motion clarity boost above 200 hz doesn't look like it's there compared to lower refresh rates in pulsar mode and ULMB 2 mode
This might be a hardware limitation of the rolling scan backlight strobe having it's own "light diffusion response time" that leads to more blur at higher frame rates, I'd argue there might be a case for nvidia to allow an option to use ULMB 2 using global scan instead of rolling scan at the expense of more crosstalk just to actually get adjustable pulse width and better motion clarity than what's being offered by Gsync pulsar at higher refresh rates
6. Gsync pulsar needs more work at higher refresh rates
I'd argue if they would allow the pulse width to go down to half (at the expense of 250 or even 200 nits of brightness) it might mitigate the loss of blur reduction due to the light diffusion. This strobing technology feels like it's ALMOST there in terms of being a "set it and forget it" solution
7. Nvidia Reflex isn't doing this monitor any favors
Most games I've tested I seem to not get as good motion clarity with gsync pulsar enabled + reflex enabled, I usually have to resort to either turning off reflex or using riva tuner Front edge sync or async mode to get the frame times to play nice in order to get the motion clarity back. Nvidia should be reflex Gsync pulsar "aware" somehow to take into account that the frame pacing matters more than whatever they are doing to ruin the frame pacing in exchange for lower input lag (that again I don't feel any difference but maybe other people will).
8. Gsync pulsar range between 55 hz - 360 hz
I think they absolutely SHOULD allow for gsync pulsar to work down to 60 hz (making it 55 hz to allow the 5 fps buffer they have set before it disables pulsar) since there's a lot of 60 fps locked games and not everyone likes the jarring experience of turning off Gsync to switch to ULMB 2 mode (those several seconds of monitor flicking off before turning back on several times before it sticks). With a lower 200 - 250 nit target it would also reduce how noticeable the flicker at 60 hz is (I tried it with ULMB 2 60 hz and setting a lower brightness helps a lot). Also wouldn't rolling scan have less harsh flicker at 60 hz than global shutter flicker? sounds like they should at least put out a beta firmware and let the public test it or at least some select few.

I'm looking forward to the next firmware update and hope it will reduce the input lag of ULMB 2 60 hz and fix the 100 hz - 180 hz double images.

I like your comment, and to be honest, I agree with most of what you are saying.

I returned the monitor because, for me, input lag in 60 Hz mode is the most important part, since I am very sensitive to input lag at that refresh rate.

And as for the last thing you said, if that really turns out to be true, then I really would buy the monitor again.

[brownvim]

Thanks liquidshadowfox for the detailed take, it’s really valuable coming from someone who actually owns both the PG27AQN and the Pulsar.

The PG27AQN was honestly the only monitor I considered a real competitor, but the crosstalk at the top and bottom of the screen (that I saw in pictures) already put me off quite a bit. Your feedback has pretty much confirmed it’s not for me. I really can’t stand double images/ghosting — I notice it way too much to be happy with the clarity. I want Nvidia to add the same version of their fixed strobing mode to the Pulsar as its currently a regression in strobing flexibility.

Nvidia have said the new firmware update is dropping “very soon”. I’m pretty sure they fix the ghosting/double image issue (especially in the 100-180 Hz range). Anything else they improve would be great, but I’ll be happy if they just sort that out without breaking anything else for now.

Fingers crossed they keep working at it and try their best!

[leave]

1. No option to set Gsync pulsar/ULMB 2/Gsync only mode through nvidia control panel
This is absolutely stupid in my opinion, this is EASILY a huge quality of life change they can add to nvidia control panel such that my monitor stays in Gsync only mode while I'm working or on the desktop (lets be honest, 24/7 flickering would cause eye strain to anyone imo) and then allow us to make per game profiles where Gsync pulsar would engage for games where your fps fluctuates a little bit, ULMB 2 mode for games that are either locked to 60 fps or you get a really consistent FPS = 1% lows fps = Hz so the fixed backlight strobe looks great

I'm thinking of buying one, so I'd like to ask: even if I enable G-Sync only in full-screen mode, will there still be flickering on the desktop screen?

[liquidshadowfox]

1. No option to set Gsync pulsar/ULMB 2/Gsync only mode through nvidia control panel
This is absolutely stupid in my opinion, this is EASILY a huge quality of life change they can add to nvidia control panel such that my monitor stays in Gsync only mode while I'm working or on the desktop (lets be honest, 24/7 flickering would cause eye strain to anyone imo) and then allow us to make per game profiles where Gsync pulsar would engage for games where your fps fluctuates a little bit, ULMB 2 mode for games that are either locked to 60 fps or you get a really consistent FPS = 1% lows fps = Hz so the fixed backlight strobe looks great

I'm thinking of buying one, so I'd like to ask: even if I enable G-Sync only in full-screen mode, will there still be flickering on the desktop screen?

The answer is yes, it flickers at high frequency based on what I see in my smartphone slow mo mode. So even if you set it to Gsync fullscreen it'll flicker at what I presume is 360 hz but it won't fluctuate unless you play a game in fullscreen mode