- Jan 12, 2014
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- 10,520
So I'm looking to upgrade my monitor soon, more appropriately add a new primary one and relegate my current one to a secondary screen.
I've had my current monitor for probably 5 years or so now, a Dell sp2309w that has served me well. I'm wanting to get at least a 27" one in size and better image quality. I also want 1440p, don't want 4k, too high, I'm running a 7970 which still can do well (top end a couple years ago) but not ready to upgrade my video card to get 4k capabilities. This of course means my video card is not FreeSync capable.
I game a lot as well as do programming at home, look up many websites, etc... Gaming is probably my top use at home with the others follow up fairly closely.
My top two contenders are two very different BenQ ones...
BL3200PT
32" which I think I'll really enjoy the size... I use a 39" 4K tv at work (software engineer) and I feel 32" will be a perfect size for me at home.
The VA panel has amazing contrast ratio, I've been a firm believer in contrast ratio being the most important image quality aspects, especially in games with a lot of dark and visually deep scenes. I have a 65" top end Panasonic plasma (glad I got one since they don't make them anymore) and absolutely love the black levels. Other aspects are very important too and this monitor seems to have great image quality all around... but two key aspects for me are black levels and contrast ratio as well as viewing angle (if I'm a bit off on my current monitor it can effect the image enough for me to notice).
The biggest con of course is the response time and input lag, as the review on this site points out it's actually a bit above average for a monitor if it's type, but with that combined with only 60hz it obviously can't compete with gaming TN panels.
XL2730Z
Average video quality... but definitely on the good end for a TN panel.
Great input lag and response time, 144hz refresh rates... and freesync. I will use it primarily for gaming so this is obviously a big deal. I used to play FPS games a lot more than I do now, but I still like to play them fairly often (TF2 is my fallback game when unsure what to play). I *think* I'm fine with giving up response time and not gaining the benefits of 144hz, but part of me wonders.
Basically I'm looking at:
32" vs 27"
Image quality (especially much better contrast ratio and viewing angles) vs fast gaming response times/input lag/ and freesync
My 7970 won't support FreeSync but part of me want's to set up future compatibility for FreeSync if I upgrade my video card in the next year or two... of course that part of me says who cares I'll just snag a 3rd monitor (and use it as my primary gaming monitor) when I do.
My other option of course is to wait, with Freesync and GSync new, 144hz now becoming more common and faster response IPS panels coming out (so might see some VA ones coming) in the future... so if I can force myself to be patient maybe I should just wait?
Curious on thoughts and experiences from others with 144hz monitors, freesync, as well as excellent contrast capabilities in VA panels like this... hard to compare.
I've had my current monitor for probably 5 years or so now, a Dell sp2309w that has served me well. I'm wanting to get at least a 27" one in size and better image quality. I also want 1440p, don't want 4k, too high, I'm running a 7970 which still can do well (top end a couple years ago) but not ready to upgrade my video card to get 4k capabilities. This of course means my video card is not FreeSync capable.
I game a lot as well as do programming at home, look up many websites, etc... Gaming is probably my top use at home with the others follow up fairly closely.
My top two contenders are two very different BenQ ones...
BL3200PT
32" which I think I'll really enjoy the size... I use a 39" 4K tv at work (software engineer) and I feel 32" will be a perfect size for me at home.
The VA panel has amazing contrast ratio, I've been a firm believer in contrast ratio being the most important image quality aspects, especially in games with a lot of dark and visually deep scenes. I have a 65" top end Panasonic plasma (glad I got one since they don't make them anymore) and absolutely love the black levels. Other aspects are very important too and this monitor seems to have great image quality all around... but two key aspects for me are black levels and contrast ratio as well as viewing angle (if I'm a bit off on my current monitor it can effect the image enough for me to notice).
The biggest con of course is the response time and input lag, as the review on this site points out it's actually a bit above average for a monitor if it's type, but with that combined with only 60hz it obviously can't compete with gaming TN panels.
XL2730Z
Average video quality... but definitely on the good end for a TN panel.
Great input lag and response time, 144hz refresh rates... and freesync. I will use it primarily for gaming so this is obviously a big deal. I used to play FPS games a lot more than I do now, but I still like to play them fairly often (TF2 is my fallback game when unsure what to play). I *think* I'm fine with giving up response time and not gaining the benefits of 144hz, but part of me wonders.
Basically I'm looking at:
32" vs 27"
Image quality (especially much better contrast ratio and viewing angles) vs fast gaming response times/input lag/ and freesync
My 7970 won't support FreeSync but part of me want's to set up future compatibility for FreeSync if I upgrade my video card in the next year or two... of course that part of me says who cares I'll just snag a 3rd monitor (and use it as my primary gaming monitor) when I do.
My other option of course is to wait, with Freesync and GSync new, 144hz now becoming more common and faster response IPS panels coming out (so might see some VA ones coming) in the future... so if I can force myself to be patient maybe I should just wait?
Curious on thoughts and experiences from others with 144hz monitors, freesync, as well as excellent contrast capabilities in VA panels like this... hard to compare.
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