05/22/2020 UPDATE. The IPS 240hz monitor tier list.(I've measured/tried the all) and my honest explanation why.

[iopq]

I got a headache looking at UFOs with ULMB on, but it's the first monitor that I've had that had strobing. I'll give it another shot at lower refresh rates maybe.

[RLCSContender*]

Hi everyone, new poster here, but devoted reader !

yeah, i'm basically at the end of this project. After my Asus VG259qm arrive and once tested, i only have 1 monitor left to test and that is the 360hz alienware IPS monitor from Dell. i'm VERY skeptical about the 360hz IPS because it would need a 2.4ms-2.5ms pixel response time to keep up at 360hz.

I'd like to thanks RLCScontender for his reviews on the new 240HZ IPS panels first because as I'm looking for purchasing one of these, I've been religiously reading every bit of information for a long time now, and those reviews def helps a lot.p

you're welcome.

I haven't purchased yet as I am waiting for the VG259QM review, but I'd like to ask if you could test if the ULMB (not the ULMB-Sync) at 120Hz-144Hz is usable or not as that would be my main use of VRB on this model.

Same question for the MSI mag251rx does the "Anti-motion blur" feature behaves 'ok' (meaning no artefacts/coronas or inverse ghosting) at 120-144hz ranges ? (I'm playing two kind of games where I'd like to use VRB when I cannot reach 240fps such as PUBG, and I'll probably turn it off when I play CS for example, but it's still nice to have the ability to just turn it off or on whenever I want !).

Also it might be a "noob" question but I'm not sure how the MSI Anti-motion blur features works do I have to lock my refresh rate @120Hz for example via the OSD and enable the antimotion blur setting to get it working @120Hz or should I go through CRU for example ? Will I still be able to have ~10bits colors ? (8+FRC) ?

Thanks anyway !

Once I receive my Asus VG259qm, I will take a look. The OD tuning is different but from what forii said(who owned both), the BFI(backlight stobing/anti motion blur) on the 25" asus was way better than the 27" version according to him.

Also, to answer the rest of your question from the MSI, i would rather show it. Forii here is better than me at doing these UFo tests but here you go. Yes, the MSI MAG251rx is ranked #1 when it comes to pixel response times/inverse ghosting ratios(aka, it's PLAYABLE and not an overshoot fest). It's basically the fastest IPS monitor in the world from 240hz and below. if the FPS exceed 240hz, then the Asus VG278qm is faster.

I will also upload my new copy of motion blur test on the MAG251RX, I think I have better camera, watch it in 1080p , watch in fullscreen and wait for good focus, its still not same quality, but its very very similar like you could see in reality

phpBB [video]

+ Motion blur test (turned ON)

phpBB [video]

but yes, the MSI has among the least aggressive crosstalks, but defiintely NOT the best. The viewsonic XG270 from what i've seen has the best backlight strobing(anti motion blur). ME personally, i've tried backlight strobing at 240hz on the msi and I saw NO crosstalk whatsoever. If i had to rank the backlight strobing of all the ips monitors i've tested, the MSI is either 2nd place behind the viewsonic xg270

[RLCSContender*]

My Asus VG259qm got delayed by a couple of days, something about hazardous materials but anyway, i should be getting it to my front door soon

So far, what i'm seeing is 3.8-4.2 ms response times just by looking at those UFO tests at OD(tracefree) 60.

I see some black level smearing(undershoot or black trails behind those UFOS) on OD(tracefree) 60 @ 280hz, which means it's definitely not 3.5ms g2g. If it was 3.5ms g2g, it shouldnl't show any form of smearing. here's an example

MSI MAG251rx 3ms response time on FASTER Overdrive setting @ 240hz max refresh



Asus VG259qm on tracefree(OD) 60 @280hz max refresh(got these from chief)



Asus VG259qm on tracefree(OD) 80 @280hz max refresh(got these from chief in this thread)



Delll Alienware AW2521hf on FAST @240hz 0-1% overshoot 3.4ms g2g(measured)



acer predator xb253Q Gx. 4.4ms g2g(however, it's input lag is the LOWEST) on normal overdrive setting.



the VG259qm @280hz on 80 OD is mandatory becauase pixel smearing means the response time isn't fast enough for the 280hz refresh rate so you HAVE to use OD 80 on the vg259qm to reduce the motion blur AND eliminate any black level/pixel smearing. But the trade off is overshoot.

The overshoot @280hz on the asus vg259qm is actually less than the alienware on its "super-fast" OD setting. Since it was around 20-22% overshoot.

for the vg259qm overshoot error rate. My guess is, at 11-13% overshoot error rate on its OPTIMAL overdrive setting of tracefree(OD) 80 @280hz. The response times SHOULD be under 3ms. Just by looking at those UFO tests alone, this would mean that the VG259qm is the fastest monitor in the world on its OPTIMAL overdrive setting of OD 80 @280hz refresh rate.

Heres' my opinion on what type of overshoot is acceptable.

165hz refresh rate and below(adaptive sync range)
Acceptable overshoot error rate=under 10%
240hz refresh rate and below
acceptable overshoot error rate=under 15%

the reason why i have this criteria is because inverse ghosting artefacts are MORE obvious on adaptive sync ranage monitors(165hz and below) since the artefacts dissipate slower than at 240hz.

and bcuz we are talkign about 280hz instead of 240hz refresh rate, that would mean that MY acceptable overshoot error ate at 280hz is 16%

Just by looking at the overshoot, the VG259qm at OD 80 @280hz refresh SHOULD be on the safe end (clearly under 15%, it's probably 11-12%. For a 240hz monitor, in PRACTICE this is VERY diffiucult to see, but at 280hz, it's basically invisible. Then again, i speak for myself in that regard. But when i had the vg279qm, i saw no pixel smearing, and i saw no crosstalk if i used ELMB-SYNC at 240hz and above.(Even though the UFC tests show crosstalk, in practice i didn't see any).

and for more Lulz, the Samsung Odyssey G7 UFO test @240hz on its best overdrive setting
https://www.reddit.com/r/Monitors/comme ... y_g7_32in/



MPRT looks nice, but the black level smearing is horrendous

[RLCSContender*]

I get this message a lot but i will finally say it.

The alienware aw2521hf if G-sync is on on EXTREME overdrive, it's NOT 1MS RESPONSE TIME.. Yes, the ghosting is gone and I DID measure it, it' was about 2.6-2.7ms with a MAJOR input lag hit sometimes glitches by the monitor turning black. The alienware 25" panel has a unique scaler on the DP. This was supposed to be a native g-sync monitor from the inferences that i saw.

i recommend turning G-sync/freesync OFF, funny glithces like the monitor flickering or turning black, or the monitor showing lines. (at least when i had the alienware). The input lag isn't worth the overshoot mitigation. "fast" OD with 0-1% overshoot is already clear enough as it is.

TRUE 1ms response times aren't even possible even with the fastest TN. Only OLED can get TRUE 1ms response times and below(if i'm wrong, feel free to fact check me). EDIT yes it's possible but there will be monumental overshoot. The Asus VG279qm on trace free 100 is 1ms g2g, and i nearly puked afterwards when i tried 100 OD playign rocket league.


check out my review. Alienware AW2521HF review

Tools used

1. $500 digital oscilloscope
2. photosensor
3. data extrapolation to determine input lag

what is being measured?

pixel response times 10%-90%

1.
FAST overdrive @240hz

2. Super-fast overdrive @240hz (NO g-sync)



3. Super-fast overdrive @237hz (g-sync compatible on)






points of reference

the MSI MAG251rx on "faster" overdrive at 3ms g2g is STILL faster than the alienware aw2521hf on "FAST" overdrive at around 3.4ms g2g. however, the alienware with G-sync On on Super-fast is FASTER than the MSI. lastly, the VG279qm is FASTER than both of them if the framerate(FPS) goes above 240hz.

how do I know? because i measured it myself. Here is the photodiode to get these response times. Its' the best one on amazon

[Max_hz]

VG279QM came and I have yet another monitor from the same lineup with a dead pixel, but this time it's not in such a terrible spot on the monitor. I'll have to think if I'm going to return this or not.

That sucks, is that pixel visible on all colors? at least you have now the chance to compare both sizes curious which one
you like the most.
I think I will keep my monitor after all, the eye strain I got probably comes from my glasses.

I've just ordered this monitor and hearing about your experience kind of worries me. I have tried to make the jump to higher refresh rate monitors I tried the Zowie xl2430> viewsonic xg2402>aoc 24g2. The first two gave me really bad eyestrain, while the Aoc caused me slight discomfort. I can't trace the issue back to anything but FRC (temporal dithering). I have almost given up on getting a high refresh rate 1080p until I've seen that these 240hz ips panels are true 8 bit. Having given it time, does the eye strain get better? Have your previous 144hz+ monitors also given you some degree of eye strain or discomfort?

Yes it's going better now still take regular breaks, haven't got my new glasses yet.
From the monitors I got before only the LG 24LG600 gave me some discomfort, with the Viewsonic XG2402 I had no problems at all.

Wish you you more luck with the VG259QM! It's a very nice monitor.

[Makie]

@RLCScontender

I purchased the Mag251rx based on your reviews and I couldn’t be more pleased. I have it connected to my ps4pro and use the “fastest” setting and adaptive sync on for playing modern warfare. Do you recommend turning off adaptive sync on consoles for the lower input lag or keeping it on to smooth out the tearing?

[RLCSContender*]

The final verdict before i move on to the VG259qm.


MSI MAG251rx(RIGHT PHOTO) vs Alienware AW2521hf(LEFT PHOTO), the two monitors with the lowest 10-90 % pixel response time averages.

Chief or anyone browsing this thread., i need a second opinion, on these UFO tests. which do you think has less motion blur? (ignore those ugly oversaturated colors of the MSI, which made that UFO test grainy). Look at the eyes, look at the back, look at any form of ghosting, etc

the MSI and Alienware 240hz IPS panels are the ONLY ones who can break the 3ms g2g barrier(more consistently on the MSI since it's around 3ms g2g on "faster" OD , whereas the Alienware AW2521HF at "fast" is 3.4ms g2g.

0.4ms g2g difference. Most people would NEVER notice. But here are the UFO tests side by side



here's what the UFO test is SUPPOSED to look like without any motion blur



obviuosly, i bumped the saturation setting on the MSI all the way maxed so ignore the ugly colors on the MSI. Look at the sharpness of each photo. Do you see more blurring/ghosting on the alienware? I sure do(the eyes especially, the back of the alien)

the downside is that the MSi has a 5-7% error rate whereas the alienware does not at around 1-2% and thtey are USING the same panel.

based off what i'm seeing, the MSI looks slightly sharper. There isn't that much blur on the alien's back, and the microphone double image on the MSI is more faint. Also, i'm able to see THREE EYES and their retinas on the MSI's UFO test whereas i cannot see any eyes on the Alienware UFo test.

[RLCSContender*]

@RLCScontender

I purchased the Mag251rx based on your reviews and I couldn’t be more pleased. I have it connected to my ps4pro and use the “fastest” setting and adaptive sync on for playing modern warfare. Do you recommend turning off adaptive sync on consoles for the lower input lag or keeping it on to smooth out the tearing?

consoles is what the MSI has an advantage of than any other 240hz ips monitor because its "fastest" overdrive setting is the optimal setting at 60-120hz while keeping its 5-7% inverse ghosting error rate. I confirmed this myself (check out hardware unboxed semi-accurate review, he too claimed the MSI at "faster" overdrive at 60hz was the optimal setting..

i never turn on any form of adaptive sync when i game on PC. What I do is, i uncap the max FPS on each game title and i go on nvidia control panel and make an FPS cap for myself bcuz uncapped FPS has huge FPS fluctuations. this is the loweest input lag possible without microstutters(since capping the FPS to a high enough amount helps reduce microstutter). Then again, the MSI has among the lowest input lag of basically all of the monitors anyway. It's so low that whenever i play online, i felte like i was playing offline. Only the Acer clones has slightly less input lag

However, for console gaming. to avoid microstutters on fixed refresh, turn on HDMI-VRR(That's what they call it if you use the MSI for consoles) i recommend you turn on HDMI-VRR (or adaptive sync on your xbox gaming settings. set the response time to "faster" which is 3ms g2g even at 60hz and you're good to go.

for esports titles=adaptive sync off
for console geaming=adaptive sync on. (aka HDMI-VRR on)

My reason for this is microstuttering and choppy gameplay. at 60hz, microstuttering is WAYYYY more NOTICEABLE COMPARED to 240hz and adaptive sync MITIGATES THIS very well.

[Kryptik]

Hi RLCScontender and everyone, thanks for this thread and all the information. I've been doing some research lately and looking for a 240hz IPS monitor. Some of the information is a bit too technical for me. I've went through some of your posts and others and was just getting more confused based on some of the things I read here and in many other online reviews. So hopefully someone can clarify to me in a simpler way what would be the best 240hz IPS monitor for me based on what I'm looking for.

In the past I've used many different monitors and I recently had 3 monitors I use for different purposes. One of the monitors I used was the 144hz Viewsonic XG2401 which I sold recently because I'm planning to upgrade. The other 2 I use are Asus PA248 IPS which is the main monitor I use for doing digital art. I also have a Dell CRT that I use for fps gaming. So I'm hoping I can find a good IPS monitor that can replace all.

Basically I'm looking for a monitor that has good colors for doing digital art. Anything that is an upgrade over the PA248 would be fine which i think most of these monitors probably are since the PA248 is kinda old. I'm also looking for a fast monitor that is good for fps games like quake.

In the past I've used many different 144hz TN monitors. The Viewsonic XG2401 was the best of all of them that I kept for a while. It was good for most games but still not as good as a CRT when it comes to a game like quake. It was still somewhat laggy and not as snappy specially online so that's why I still prefer using a CRT.

My question is based on what I just mentioned, what would be the best 240hz IPS monitor with reasonable image quality and also good for a game like quake? I mainly play online competitively. I play other PC games but not much and I don't use consoles.

I think for a game like quake input lag and motion clarity are the most important factors. These are the 4 main monitors I'm considering and would like to hear your input.

ViewSonic XG270
Asus VG259QM
Alienware AW2521HF
MSI MAG251RX

Out of these 4 the MSI is my least favorite for some reason. Probably because i don't know much about it or haven't seen enough reviews on it. Also I heard its colors aren't that great and its design and stand aren't that good. I would just rather go with the VG259QM or the AW2521HF because they seem to be the best all around, also they have a lower price and 25 inch 1080p is ideal.

The XG270 was my main pick but now I'm starting to lean toward the other 2 because it's more expensive and it's 27 inch. I've heard that the XG270 was the best when it comes to motion blur reduction but not sure how it compares to others. Would it really matter or make a difference for a game like quake?

Also would the VG259QM at 280hz benefit quake if the maxfps cap is 250 or there's no point in it?

Thanks in advance.

[WayUpGaming]

Hi guys! New here so please take it easy on me lol. So I recently built my new rig for streaming/gaming, here are the specs:

Intel i7-9700K 3.6 GHz running at 4.6 GHz
Corsair DDR4-3200 16GB
MSI GeForce RTX 2080

So I've been spending days looking up which monitor I should buy for my rig. I plan on playing competitive Valorant and I get 240+ fps. This PC is mainly for gaming but I also do watch content on it as well. Here is the list of monitors I have narrowed down my decision to:

Acer Predator XB273X
Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM
Viewsonic XG270
Dell Alienware AW2720HF

Which one out of these 4 would you choose in my shoes and why? Just wanted some opinions from the best monitor forum I can find. Also not as important of a factor, but if someone could tell me which one of these monitors is best suited for the PS4, that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks in advance, can't wait to hear from you guys!