[UPDATE: VG248QE & ULMB] Review of Benq XL2411Z V2 Firmware

[MakubeX]

Hey Chief, do you think it's worth getting the VG248QE + G-Sync kit at this point? Considering that the Asus Rog Swift will be out of my price range.

[sheepdog16]

Do you guys think this is a good idea at this point? Getting the G-sync upgrade kit will cost me about $235 with shipping, so the whole setup will total about $515 + any restocking fee from returning the BenQ.

I know the ASUS Rog monitor is coming out in July but it's going to be $700+, plus I would rather keep the resolution at 1080p or 1200p since pushing 100+ fps at 2K will be much more difficult (I have a single GTX 780 Classified). Other than the Asus Rog I don't know of any other G-sync monitor coming out in the near future.

Hey makubex.

I think that the G-Sync upgrade was worth it. Now that I have the G-sync Module, I can use either ULMB, or G-sync, which are fantastic features. If you are abit more on a budget though, I'd suggest looking at only the VG248QE and no G-Sync Module, as you are right that trying to push 1440P @ 100+ FPS at refresh rates greater than 100Hz is very expensive on a computer.

I am selling one of my own VG248QE G-Sync edition monitors, as a friend of mine got me one for a special occasion, even though I already had one, lol. PM me if you are interested.

[MakubeX]

Do you guys think this is a good idea at this point? Getting the G-sync upgrade kit will cost me about $235 with shipping, so the whole setup will total about $515 + any restocking fee from returning the BenQ.

I know the ASUS Rog monitor is coming out in July but it's going to be $700+, plus I would rather keep the resolution at 1080p or 1200p since pushing 100+ fps at 2K will be much more difficult (I have a single GTX 780 Classified). Other than the Asus Rog I don't know of any other G-sync monitor coming out in the near future.

Hey makubex.

I think that the G-Sync upgrade was worth it. Now that I have the G-sync Module, I can use either ULMB, or G-sync, which are fantastic features. If you are abit more on a budget though, I'd suggest looking at only the VG248QE and no G-Sync Module, as you are right that trying to push 1440P @ 100+ FPS at refresh rates greater than 100Hz is very expensive on a computer.

I am selling one of my own VG248QE G-Sync edition monitors, as a friend of mine got me one for a special occasion, even though I already had one, lol. PM me if you are interested.

Thanks for your input, much appreciated. I don't see the option to PM you. Do I need to add you as a friend first?

[sheepdog16]

Do you guys think this is a good idea at this point? Getting the G-sync upgrade kit will cost me about $235 with shipping, so the whole setup will total about $515 + any restocking fee from returning the BenQ.

I know the ASUS Rog monitor is coming out in July but it's going to be $700+, plus I would rather keep the resolution at 1080p or 1200p since pushing 100+ fps at 2K will be much more difficult (I have a single GTX 780 Classified). Other than the Asus Rog I don't know of any other G-sync monitor coming out in the near future.

Hey makubex.

I think that the G-Sync upgrade was worth it. Now that I have the G-sync Module, I can use either ULMB, or G-sync, which are fantastic features. If you are abit more on a budget though, I'd suggest looking at only the VG248QE and no G-Sync Module, as you are right that trying to push 1440P @ 100+ FPS at refresh rates greater than 100Hz is very expensive on a computer.

I am selling one of my own VG248QE G-Sync edition monitors, as a friend of mine got me one for a special occasion, even though I already had one, lol. PM me if you are interested.

Thanks for your input, much appreciated. I don't see the option to PM you. Do I need to add you as a friend first?

PM'd you

[MakubeX]

Do you guys think this is a good idea at this point? Getting the G-sync upgrade kit will cost me about $235 with shipping, so the whole setup will total about $515 + any restocking fee from returning the BenQ.

I know the ASUS Rog monitor is coming out in July but it's going to be $700+, plus I would rather keep the resolution at 1080p or 1200p since pushing 100+ fps at 2K will be much more difficult (I have a single GTX 780 Classified). Other than the Asus Rog I don't know of any other G-sync monitor coming out in the near future.

Hey makubex.

I think that the G-Sync upgrade was worth it. Now that I have the G-sync Module, I can use either ULMB, or G-sync, which are fantastic features. If you are abit more on a budget though, I'd suggest looking at only the VG248QE and no G-Sync Module, as you are right that trying to push 1440P @ 100+ FPS at refresh rates greater than 100Hz is very expensive on a computer.

I am selling one of my own VG248QE G-Sync edition monitors, as a friend of mine got me one for a special occasion, even though I already had one, lol. PM me if you are interested.

Thanks for your input, much appreciated. I don't see the option to PM you. Do I need to add you as a friend first?

PM'd you

I see what issue is now, it won't let me see PMs because I haven't participated in this forum enough.

Edit: looks like I just made the quota. I can PM now.

[Falkentyne]

I don't know if you previously need to unlock Lightboost with a 3D Vision kit, that's why I asked people to try it (and no one did it yet, it seems).

On all LightBoost monitors, you need to unlock LightBoost with either 3D Vision or Strobelight (though Strobelight is not Z-Series compatible). Once unlocked, just changing the VT works to enable/disable LightBoost.

For readers who don't know, LightBoost initialization uses a 2-step process: A one-time initialization (unlock) that lasts until the monitor is unplugged from power, and then doing changes to timings (Vertical Total) to turn it on/off.

ToastyX automates this on the non Z-Series monitors.
For Z-Series, LightBoost is unnecessary if you stick to BENQ BR and Blur Busters Strobe Utility. (unless you really need lower strobe crosstalk in exchange for worse color quality)

Chief,
I'd still love to at least TRY lightboost, just so I can compare it side by side with my VG248QE (which is currently hooked up to my Pentium 4). But there doesn't seem to be any way to do this now with an AMD card. It was difficult, but possible, to trick lightboost to being initialized on the VG248QE when hooked up to a Geforce 570M laptop, through a Dvi->Hdmi adaptor--I had to force 120hz manually with the vertical total as a custom resolution, which the monitor complained about "incorrect cable"--but still worked with the INF override and 3d vision emulator. But the Benq is FAR less forgiving of this--it either goes into power save mode, or the picture scrambles or the monitor just shuts off and on again. I *will* admit that I accidentally installed the INF override onto the laptop's display, but that STILL shouldn't cause those problems (and I can't be bothered trying again, as I know I am risking damage).

I really wish there were a way to unlock lightboost...I just want to SEE what it's like and compare it.......

[monitor_butt]

Looking at the OP, it seems the VG24 is the better monitor? I see so many people saying the XL2411Z is far better, but from the images OP posted, it looks like ASUS is far superior. The AMA is awful on my XL2411Z even on high, thus why I just leave it disabled. And it seems the blur reduction forces AMA to on no matter the settings on the BenQ, so I don't even bother using it.

Kind of wish I got the ASUS looking at this post now.

[Falkentyne]

You're completely wrong here.
First you bumped a 6 month post to say something pointless.
Second, there are two things you are missing here.

1) Lightboost on the VG248QE is better than Benq Blur Reduction motion quality wise. Yes. Lightboost has per line overdrive and accelerated scanout. Benq's motion blur reduction has a BETTER image quality in FPS games, because the colors and contrast don't take a nose dive at all in BBR mode--only the brightness (luminance) does, and with the vertical total tweak, the crosstalk will be virtually unnoticeable and you will barely notice the ghosting. 2D games, however, will benefit from lightboost.

2) Lightboost MASSIVELY degrades the colors and the contrast. To avoid the purple tint, you need to have contrast around 45 on the VG248QE, and this makes everything horribly muted and massively washed out. Now I do have the 2720Z 27", but it ALSO has lightboost mode, and you only need contrast 37 to remove the purple tint ,and the colors and contrast are MUCH MUCH better. The colors don't get muted, the contrast still maintains close to a 1000:1 ratio (at 44 and under contrast; higher than 44 is the clipping point), just the image becomes very cool (colors K).

3) BOTH the VG248QE And the XL2411Z have lightboost ! If you're going to say "benq blur reduction sucks" well guess what? BOTH PANELS ALSO HAVE LB! and in lightboost mode, both panels look almost identical. and the VG doesn't have BBR as an alternate. So...the Z benq wins.

This is one thing people keep massively forgetting when they bash the Benq monitors over Asus' lightboost--Yes, AMA does suck but BOTH monitors have lightboost ! People act like the Asus has it and the Benq doesn't.

BTW, fun fact:
if you drop the contrast to ZERO on the 2720Z in lightboost mode, the image quality becomes IDENTICAL to the VG248QE's lightboost at contrast 40. Both washed out and horrible contrast, but with virtually NO ghosting at all at 100 hz. (120hz has more ghosting and slightly worse crosstalk at the very top).

[monitor_butt]

You're completely wrong here.
First you bumped a 6 month post to say something pointless.
Second, there are two things you are missing here.

1) Lightboost on the VG248QE is better than Benq Blur Reduction motion quality wise. Yes. Lightboost has per line overdrive and accelerated scanout. Benq's motion blur reduction has a BETTER image quality in FPS games, because the colors and contrast don't take a nose dive at all in BBR mode--only the brightness (luminance) does, and with the vertical total tweak, the crosstalk will be virtually unnoticeable and you will barely notice the ghosting. 2D games, however, will benefit from lightboost.

2) Lightboost MASSIVELY degrades the colors and the contrast. To avoid the purple tint, you need to have contrast around 45 on the VG248QE, and this makes everything horribly muted and massively washed out. Now I do have the 2720Z 27", but it ALSO has lightboost mode, and you only need contrast 37 to remove the purple tint ,and the colors and contrast are MUCH MUCH better. The colors don't get muted, the contrast still maintains close to a 1000:1 ratio (at 44 and under contrast; higher than 44 is the clipping point), just the image becomes very cool (colors K).

3) BOTH the VG248QE And the XL2411Z have lightboost ! If you're going to say "benq blur reduction sucks" well guess what? BOTH PANELS ALSO HAVE LB! and in lightboost mode, both panels look almost identical. and the VG doesn't have BBR as an alternate. So...the Z benq wins.

This is one thing people keep massively forgetting when they bash the Benq monitors over Asus' lightboost--Yes, AMA does suck but BOTH monitors have lightboost ! People act like the Asus has it and the Benq doesn't.

BTW, fun fact:
if you drop the contrast to ZERO on the 2720Z in lightboost mode, the image quality becomes IDENTICAL to the VG248QE's lightboost at contrast 40. Both washed out and horrible contrast, but with virtually NO ghosting at all at 100 hz. (120hz has more ghosting and slightly worse crosstalk at the very top).

You can debate it all you want, the pictures in the first post speak for themselves. Sure, the adjustable brightness with blur reduction is nice with the great tool mr. chief provides, but looking at it from a purist point of view, ASUS has the cleaner motion picture.

From my understanding and from what I've read, ASUS just has a superior pixel overdrive option compared to the shoddy implementation BenQ did with AMA. I mean, just look at BenQ AMA on normal ON - http://i.imgur.com/8PmITEb.jpg - that is awful, lol!

And as for are bumping a thread, get over it? It's a forum, a place of discussion. Why should I go make a new thread when I can post in one that has a lengthy conversation that matches the discussion?

[Falkentyne]

And once again you conveniently ignored everything I said.
The XL2411Z has lightboost. It looks IDENTICAL to the VG248QE, but you have to lower the contrast.

I'm sorry but someone who has BOTH PANELS right in front them, is more qualified to make a decision on this than a random internet forum troll.

I have the XL2720Z and VG248QE.

I've unlocked lightboost on both of them.
They look identical if I set the 2720Z to 0 contrast (this was known by Chief blur buster long ago, to improve the ghosting quality on the 27" screens, because the 27"'s have much higher contrast ratios and color quality in lightboost mode, but the ghosting gets out of hand as compensation for this; reducing the contrast to 0 rectifies this).