Help Choosing a Gaming monitor under $500

[SigmaInigma]

I am in the market for a new gaming monitor. Right now I have the Asus 144Hz VG248QE and a Dell U2312HM. I always switch back and forth between these two monitors because I like the colors on the Dell better but I feel like the speed on the Asus monitor helps me in FPS games. In all honesty I don't know if I have ever seen a difference in games with the Asus monitor I just feel like I do better with it sometimes. I have tried lightboost and while I can see an obvious difference on the UFO Test I have not been able to tell a difference in game at first glance. I play games like Battlefield, Planetside 2, and RTS Games. I also play my Xbox One on my monitor sometimes.

I have looked at the new BenQ Z series monitors as I have heard they have motion clarity that is better than lightboost and with better colors. I really think I want a 24" Monitor but I would not be opposed to a 27". I am also interested in technologies like G-Sync. Sometimes I wonder if I should just upgrade my current monitor with Gsync and forget about lightboost. I have also looked into some 1440P monitors like the ASUS PB278Q.

I have two GTX 780s so I think I could run a 1440P monitor fine.

All in all I am really just torn on what to get. I am interested in all these new technologies like higher res 1440P, BenQ Blur Reduction, and Nvidia Gsync and I can't make a decision on what to get. I was hoping I could get some of your opinions.

Thanks in advance!

[flood]

keep in mind that the ulmb mode of the gsync kit for the vg248qe gives much better colors than that from the vanilla vg248qe's lightboost mode.

[SigmaInigma]

I didn't know that. Thanks for that information. I just think the GSync DIY Kit is a little expensive without even getting a new monitor. If I do get a new monitor what is your recommendation?

[SigmaInigma]

keep in mind that the ulmb mode of the gsync kit for the vg248qe gives much better colors than that from the vanilla vg248qe's lightboost mode.

I didn't know that. Thanks for that information. I just think the GSync DIY Kit is a little expensive without even getting a new monitor. If I do get a new monitor what is your recommendation?

EDIT: Sorry for the double post.

[Chief Blur Buster]

I didn't know that. Thanks for that information. I just think the GSync DIY Kit is a little expensive without even getting a new monitor. If I do get a new monitor what is your recommendation?

GSYNC monitors are great with the GSYNC option and the ULMB option, but is currently above your $500 limit.
All 1440p monitors today (and any future ones this year) do not have any extra motion-improving features such as GSYNC or strobing, so if you want those bonuses, you will want to stick to 1080p or raise your budget for the upcoming ASUS ROG PG278Q (predicted to be about ~$800).

If you want good colors and 'LightBoost' equivalent under $500, I would recommend the BENQ Z-Series which supports Blur Busters Strobe Utility, either the XL2411Z at $300. If you want 27", the XL2720Z is avialable for $500. The colors of BENQ Blur Reduction is much better than LightBoost.

There are 4 major brands of motion-blur-reducing strobe backlights now:

LightBoost (first generation, poor colors)
ULMB (second generation, better colors)
Turbo240 (second generation, better colors)
BENQ Blur Reduction (second generation, better colors)

For a comparision of all the strobe backlights, see the Official 120Hz+ Monitors List