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

[ProX]

With my VG279QM and 240hz I see better motion clarity with OD 80, but in CS GO it feels like my bullets aren't counted sometimes, but with OD 60 the game is felt in proper way. With 280hz and OD 60 I feel input lag more than with 240hz and 60OD.

For me two options affordable: 240hz and 60 OD or 280hz and 80 OD.

Which one do you prefer? I'm starting to reconsider 240hz OD60, it somehow feels better than OD80 which seems way too aggressive.
I absolutely agree on OD80 being inconsistent and not detecting bullets, I don't know what's the cause, it should be the opposite.

In the Hardware Unboxed VG279QM they say that OD40 is better than OD60 but after testing in both Ufotest and Frog Pursuit I must say that it's the opposite on the VG259QM.
The ufotest at 240hz with OD60 has absolutely NO ghosting in the 2 out of 3 ufotests rows, only the darker background creates some minor blur behind the UFO but still much better than the alienware and very similar to the MAG251RX but trading the faint corona with faint blur.

OD80 is imo only viable at 280hz

I can`t confirm that the VG259QM is much better than the Alienware AW251HF in the UFO-Test, i tested both models and it seems close to me..you can compare it here:

[axaro1]

I can`t confirm that the VG259QM is much better than the Alienware AW251HF in the UFO-Test, i tested both models and it seems close to me..you can compare it here:

The ufotest with the dark green background looks exactly like the pictures you took, however if you compare the ufo shots with the brighter background:



This is what my VG259QM looks like with OD40 240hz:

[ProX]

Here is one from the AW2521HF with brighter background, how it comes that my unit is so much better than yours (comparing the AW2521HF images)...

[axaro1]

how it comes that my unit is so much better than yours (comparing the AW2521HF images)

I used an image from this thread, I didn't test any AW2521HF, your unit defintely looks great.

[milojr21]

1. download cru and create a custom resolution of 1920x1080p at 240hz refresh rate. Once you do that, exit the screen and go to nvidia control panel and under "PC" it will show 1920x1080 as NATIVE instead of the HD/4k/etc. This means it will use display scaling isntead of GPU scaling which reduces input lag

(credits to pedrodd for providing this photo)





Thank you for this info but is there anywhere that explains this easier for a dummy like me?

First you have to know the backstory. I was wondering WHY, under PC resolutions(under nvidia control panel) that it doesn't say "NATIVE" on it but in Ultra HD, HD, SD TV resolutions, it shows as "native". The problem with its "native" resolution under UHD, HD, SD, you cannot set the refresh rate any higher than 120hz but under the non-native 1080p resolution, i'm able to put it at 240hz refresh rate.

at the time, i thought it wasn't a big deal but i didn't understand the magnitude of this importance. Basically, if you leave it on its native resolution(under UHD, HD, SD), it will be on display scaling, the problem was, i cannot go higher than 120hz. Whereas on the non native 1080p resolution under PC, i'm able to get 240hz but because the computer considers it "non-native", it will scale with the GPU, giving it a slightly more blurry screen and MORE input lag. i WAS THIS CLOSE TO RETURNING THE MONITOR.

thank god for CRU. where i was able to switch the native resolution to PC instead of Ultra HD, HD, SD. Once I did this, it's now officially scaling on the DISPLAY instead of my GPU. The differences are subtle but noticeable.





step 1 download/install CRU (i have windows 10) so this is for windows

https://custom-resolution-utility.en.lo4d.com/windows

step 2 Open Cru.exe (DBL click on it)

step 3 uncheck ALL of the resolutions on the left side

step 4 click on DELETE ALL, then click on ADD, it will take you to a different screen.

step 5 TYPE In 240.000, then click Ok. Click OK then exit.


here are pictures(for the sake of convenience, i'm using pedro and foriis photos, so credits to them)

(FOLLOW THE RED MARKERS)

(FOLLOW THE GREEN MARKER)

step 6. on NVIDIA control panel, go to resolution.1080p or 1920x1080 will show up "NATIVE" under PC resolutions and NOT on Ultra HD, HD, SD(TV resolutions). I tested this and i was shocked when at 120hz refresh on its native TV resolution, the input lag was slightly better than the intput lag at 1080p non native PC resolution at 240hz.

Nvidia control panel lies to you. even if you you set it as "display scaling" if it's NOT on its native resolution, it will just automatically do GPU scaling(added input lag).

and guess what i found out when i was tinkering with all that? that the MSI MAG251rx is 10bit+FRC(12 bit color depth) under HDMI connection @120hz





i killed TWO birds with ONE stone that day. Actually 3 birds (less input lag, less blurry screen, and 12 bit color depth)

EDIT: you can also use CRU to have a custom resolution LOWER than 1080p, that way if you want to have more FPS, it will still scale on the display and NOT on the GPU. Another thing, other 240hz ips monitors do not have this problem. Their native resolution is automatically set under PC(right out the box). So if u own a 240hz ips monitor OTHER than the msi mag251rx, you don't need to do all of this(unless u intend to use ur monitor on a lower resolution(more FPS) while STILL able to scale on the display instead of GPU)

I think you can just remove TV resolutions from the extension block and it will have pc has native resolution

[workonyou]

Hey there.
Insane testing you did there. I did not read through all 39 Pages but I read the first and skipped through some of the others.

I am wondering why you said Backlight strobing is a must have for you since you use it to break a losing streak.
Is there a reason then why you don´t always use it in the first place? It apparently makes you play better!?

I am also currently on the struggle if I should get the AW2521HF (340€) or MAG251RX (399€) or VG259QM (350€).

out of the three, it goes like this

1. MSI. Not available or too expensive?
2. Asus 25", not available or too expensive?
3. Alienware 25", not available or too expensive?

dont' waste your money on anythign else but these three.

i would go with the MSI given that option. the MSI is fast and has a godly gaming app where you can cheat in REAL TIME. For example, if you are quick scoping with a sniper rifle on CSGO or battlefield or want to get that perfect head shot, 1 click of a button and 240hz backlight strobing is on with the MSi, and boom, the guy's brains got blown out. or if i want to get that PERFECT kick of in rocket league, 1 click of the button to turn on 240hz strobing, and i get that PERFECT hit right in the middle. They will soon add "zero latency" on the MSI gaming app for the msi mag251rx as well.



to me, backlgiht strobing is pretty darn important. The MSI has this app where you can assign any macro, even the crossheirs. if you play with it enough, you can use that as a way to cheat or gain an unfair advantage.

also, the MSI can get a 12 bit color depth signal via HDMI @120hz

Finally a good review for VG259QM, Thanks for all the effort can wait to see the numbers . Btw i want to ask about MSI gaming app. so basically you have to press a button for the backlight strobing to be activated to get the perfect headshot or perfect kick in rocket league, then do u need to press the button again to off it?
If so does this mean Everytime i try to get the perfect headshot or perfect kick in rocket league i have to press the button every single time? wouldnt that be abit annoying since u mostly need spend the time focusing. Sorry im completely ignorant about this app, trying to understand it.
Thanks for the clarification in advance and stay safe

I don't have the zero latency option in my Gaming OSD. Was it removed in 2.0?

[RLCSContender*]

I can`t confirm that the VG259QM is much better than the Alienware AW251HF in the UFO-Test, i tested both models and it seems close to me..you can compare it here:

The ufotest with the dark green background looks exactly like the pictures you took, however if you compare the ufo shots with the brighter background:



This is what my VG259QM looks like with OD40 240hz:

axaro,the vg258qm 25" version at OD 60 at 240hz refresh AND at 280hz, there's slight smearing, so just because the UFO tests may look clear, if you look at the assymetrical blur, there's obvious black trails. So therefore it's OD 60 @240hz is slower than the required 4.17ms g2g(u need 4.17ms g2g to keep up with the 240hz refresh rate), and at OD 60 there's obvious black trails @280hz(u need 3.7ms g2g to avoid black level smearing/pixel smearing). i've personally measured it's 4.3-4.4ms g2g.

this isn't even that difficult to see. it's rather simple. VG279qm's 80 OD at 240hz looks sharper than vg259qm's 60 OD @240hz. Just by loooking at it.

the vg259qm is poorly tuned up until 280hz where OD 80, which i've measured was around 12.5-13% error rate, which is very much playable and i didn't see any inverse ghosting artefacts in practice. (Then again, i only speak for myself)

[RLCSContender*]

MSI MAG251rx OD Faster @240hz refresh rate, 5-6% overshoot error rate 3.0-3.1 g2g



Asus VG259qm on tracefree(OD) 60 @280hz max refresh(got these from chief). No blue overshoot coronas but you see ghosting on the dome and see that black level smearing on the legs and back of the UFO. this means it's slower than the required 3.7ms g2g you need to avoid the black level smearing(ghosting).



Asus VG259qm on tracefree(OD) 80 @280hz max refresh(got these from chief in this thread) this was roughly 12-13% overshoot that i've measured. the hard numbers should be posted very soon. i've already got the results. I have a maximum 16% error rate buffer @280hz to be playable and a 10% error rate buffer @165hz to be playable.

[axaro1]

@RLCScontender can you take another shot of the ufotest on your MAG? I can't see the black outline on the left side of the UFO, it seems out of focus.

Can you provide pictures with the 3 different Ufotest backgrounds?

[Kryptik]

I just ordered the VG259QM from Amazon last night. I've been keeping an eye on some of these monitors the last week or so. The MAG251RX and AW2521HF are hardly available or they are a bit expensive but I got the VG259QM for $320. Hopefully I made the right decision with this one. I was also interested in the Viewsonic XG270 but it's more expensive and I'm not sure if i will like 27 inch. This will be my first 240hz IPS monitor. I'm going to try it and see how I like it for now. If Viewsonic releases a 24 version or better monitors comes out then I might reconsider in the future.

One question about the VG259QM. I don't think it comes with a Displayport cable. Can you get 280hz with HDMI cable or should i get a Displayport cable and should i get 1.2 or 1.4?

Looking forward to the detailed information about the VG259QM.