Best 27-32" Gsync Monitor?

Joined
May 20, 2011
Messages
1,007
There's a lot more options these days for a GSync gaming monitor then there was a few years ago when I looked last. What's your opinion on the best monitor in this category?

I do play competitive fps games along with rts and rpg games, so good response times are a must. Would probably prefer 1440p but I'm interested in 4k options too.

Thanks for your thoughts!
 
Depends what you're looking for
*deep breath in*
Gsync compatible, gsync, or gsync ultimate?
IPS, VA, or TN?
Curved or no curve?
Ultra wide or standard?
How high of hz/fps are you looking for?
Do you have a brand preference?
Price range?
What do you consider good response time? <5ms, 1ms only?
Are you planning on upgrading your 980ti or what GPU will you be using?
 
Depends what you're looking for
*deep breath in*
Gsync compatible, gsync, or gsync ultimate?
IPS, VA, or TN?
Curved or no curve?
Ultra wide or standard?
How high of hz/fps are you looking for?
Do you have a brand preference?
Price range?
What do you consider good response time? <5ms, 1ms only?
Are you planning on upgrading your 980ti or what GPU will you be using?

Wow thanks for getting detailed!

Prefer real GSync, not sure what GSync ultimate is...
IPS, unless someone can make the argument for a good VA panel.
No curve.
Standard but would consider ultrawide.
At least 144hz@1440p/120hz@4k
No brand preference.
Up to $1200, of course lower the better.
Have experience with a Dell S2716DG which is a 1ms TN panel that my roommate had. Liked how smooth it felt but the colors/contrast left a lot to be desired. Looked into getting one myself but they are still in the $400-500 range and feel like there must be something better out there. That said sub 5ms would probably be fine for me, lower the better.
Planning on upgrading to a 3080 once available.

Appreciate your time.
 
Take a look at some of my threads trying to find a 4k 120 Hz ips... Kinda like looking for a unicorn, but there's some hint of a few coming 'soon'.

From what I've seen - 4k is too much for a 27.
 
Gsync ultimate montiors have a nvidia g-sync processor built into the monitors, they will be the priciest but the lowest latency, best looking, and fastest response monitors overall.
Check out this list if you want to search for specifics yourself: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/g-sync-monitors/specs/
Based off the specs you listed you have to stay with a smaller panel (27-29"), there are very few IPS 30+" monitors that hit that 144hz+ range without being $3-4k.

Personally I'm looking at two monitors atm, I really like IPS panels as well but for the cost I'm about to pull the trigger on a Dell S3220DGF vs the Dell AW3420DW.
It is curved but I can get it with a 5y warranty through my work's Dell partnership for $421 out the door with tax/shipping vs just under $1k for the AW and I get better hz.
I have a U3415w currently but its getting long in the tooth with it's 60hz and I'm looking to upgrade to the 3080 20g model when they release as well.

I'm trying to wait until I upgrade my GPU to decide on a monitor with hopes that they release a new IPS 144hz+ Dell monitor at 30+" at some point.
 
Take a look at some of my threads trying to find a 4k 120 Hz ips... Kinda like looking for a unicorn, but there's some hint of a few coming 'soon'.

From what I've seen - 4k is too much for a 27.

yeapp, at least a 32 for 4k.
 
There are zero 32" 4K options. The 27" 4K options are all IPS panels which isn't good either.
 
The backlight bleed on my BenQ IPS is definitely noticeable, but only when games are exceedingly dark (noticeable for me during loading screens only for the most part). I will say that the bleed is at least uniform and not like the "X" across the screen that some of my older monitors used to have. I will say that the worst feature of all time is HDRi - the HDR modes on my BenQ all use a light sensor to adjust brightness to the room - for someone that plays games in a dark room it is frustrating to switch to one of those modes only to see my wonderfully color accurate and bright diet-HDR display slowly dim itself into 0 brightness with no ability for me to stop it. There is another HDR mode on the monitor, but the colors are worse.
 
There are zero 32" 4K options. The 27" 4K options are all IPS panels which isn't good either.
Correction: There are no 32" 4K options in your price range: https://www.anandtech.com/show/1530...onitor-w1152zone-mini-led-fald-gsync-ultimate

No smeary gamma-shifty VA can hold a candle to this beast :woot:
But even normal IPS is better than VA because let's be clear: VA panels are sheet

27:
LG 27GL850
MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD
This LG looks very nice and isn't even very expensive.
I was looking recently at LG 27GN950 which is 4K variant and I am quite impressed with its measurements. It is much more expensive than what I would like it to be though (eg. compared to 1440p variants) and I would prefer it to support HDMI 2.1 (120Hz VRR) for PlayStation 5, especially at that price point.
 
Correction: There are no 32" 4K options in your price range: https://www.anandtech.com/show/1530...onitor-w1152zone-mini-led-fald-gsync-ultimate

No smeary gamma-shifty VA can hold a candle to this beast :woot:
But even normal IPS is better than VA because let's be clear: VA panels are sheet


This LG looks very nice and isn't even very expensive.
I was looking recently at LG 27GN950 which is 4K variant and I am quite impressed with its measurements. It is much more expensive than what I would like it to be though (eg. compared to 1440p variants) and I would prefer it to support HDMI 2.1 (120Hz VRR) for PlayStation 5, especially at that price point.
The MSI supports console resolutions
 
The good ones come out later this year. Hopefully you can cash out your GameStonks to afford one
 
The MSI supports console resolutions
Does it?
2560x1440 is only supported on Xbox consoles
Also for 120Hz VRR I am pretty sure you will need HDMI 2.1... not sure on Xbox

BTW. If that was not clear I am not interrested in Xbox console 🙃
 
whats wrong with ips? as long as it has a mode to get sub 2ms response it should be fine
Picture quality is quite a bit worse than VA. Playing the same games on my quantum dot VA television looked much better than on my IPS gaming monitor. Higher contrast, better blacks, vibrant colors, no IPS glow.
 
Correction: There are no 32" 4K options in your price range: https://www.anandtech.com/show/1530...onitor-w1152zone-mini-led-fald-gsync-ultimate

No smeary gamma-shifty VA can hold a candle to this beast :woot:
But even normal IPS is better than VA because let's be clear: VA panels are sheet
That is completely incorrect, at least as far as image quality is concerned. Go to rtings and look at the television reviews. The IPS models score poorly, while the VA models do really well.
 
Picture quality is quite a bit worse than VA. Playing the same games on my quantum dot VA television looked much better than on my IPS gaming monitor. Higher contrast, better blacks, vibrant colors, no IPS glow.
I have had the exact opposite experience personally, not sure what models you're comparing either nor am I familiar with quantum dot.
 
'IPS glow' seems to me to be a made up problem to justify VA panels* - at least in the monitor space.

I can see where people get a large screen and sit across the room on a couch to watch a movie with the lights out might notice the 'glow' (and consequently, decide a VA panel is better for not having this)... But when working under normal conditions (with the lights on so you can see the stuff on your desk) - 'IPS glow' is nonsense.

Similarly, passive watching a screen across the room won't demonstrate the color shifting problem with VA panels... But do design work at monitor distance and you will see it.

Look - if you like a VA panel and it suits your needs... Go for it. But don't pretend it's better than IPS. It is really only better at one thing - dark room viewing from a distance great enough to minimize the color shifting... AND in that specific case - they are fine


*I know what IPS glow is... But I've never tried to do my work in utter blackout conditions with an entirely black screen.
 
Last edited:
Does it?
2560x1440 is only supported on Xbox consoles
Also for 120Hz VRR I am pretty sure you will need HDMI 2.1... not sure on Xbox

BTW. If that was not clear I am not interrested in Xbox console 🙃
In this review I believe it mentioned somewhere that it does some upscaling and then downscaling to make it compatible, and I believe that includes PS5. Sorry, I don't have a timestamp, it's been a couple days.

I just got the monitor today based on this review, since my 27GL850 was still within the return period. I actually was super happy with the LG monitor and stumbled on this review by accident, but due to the better contrast I went with MSI. Haven't done gaming yet to compare, but just watching YouTube and reading, and looking at my wallpaper (yup, super scientific comparison so far), it seems just as good at least. They were the same price, I figured why not.

I will say I wasn't happy with the contrast/blacks of the LG in darker scenes. It wasn't a deal breaker, but I kept on having to increase brightness to see some details better in darker places. I hope this MSI monitor helps since that review specifically points out it has quite a bit more contrast than the revered LG panel.
The LG is better built and looks better overall IMO, but I guess the contents of the monitor count more than the bezel and base, right?

For 32" it sounds like Amazon: Samsung Odyssey G7 is one way to go
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
'IPS glow' seems to me to be a made up problem to justify VA panels* - at least in the monitor space.

I can see where people get a large screen and sit across the room on a couch to watch a movie with the lights out might notice the 'glow' (and consequently, decide a VA panel is better for not having this)... But when working under normal conditions (with the lights on so you can see the stuff on your desk) - 'IPS glow' is nonsense.

Similarly, passive watching a screen across the room won't demonstrate the color shifting problem with VA panels... But do design work at monitor distance and you will see it.

Look - if you like a VA panel and it suits your needs... Go for it. But don't pretend it's better than IPS. It is really only better at one thing - dark room viewing from a distance great enough to minimize the color shifting... AND in that specific case - they are fine


*I know what IPS glow is... But I've never tried to do my work in utter blackout conditions with an entirely black screen.
VA is measurably better as far as picture quality is concerned.
 
VA is measurably better as far as picture quality is concerned.
You gonna provide some measurements or models that are allegedly better? Or is it just your opinion?

I’ll agree VA do have better refresh rates and contrast levels, however thats sacrificed by the viewing angles, color production, and response time that often pale in comparison to the latest IPS panels.
 
You gonna provide some measurements or models that are allegedly better? Or is it just your opinion?

I’ll agree VA do have better refresh rates and contrast levels, however thats sacrificed by the viewing angles, color production, and response time that often pale in comparison to the latest IPS panels.
Look at rtings. A Sony or Samsung VA panel television is going to fare much better than an LG with an IPS panel. Color is much better on a VA panel. Contrast and vibrant colors are two areas that IPS panels do not do as well at. Viewing angles is their one redeeming quality.
 
My understanding is that VA tv's and VA monitors aren't in the same league. Bigger pixels are easier to produce and TV's pay the bills, monitor tech lags behind as a niche that's harder to deal with. If I was to (finally) retire my 12 year old Panasonic plasma I'd be out looking at VA. For monitors I've been IPS for 8 years, and waiting to pick up a 2nd 27GL850. The Samsung Odyssey G7 looks like a heck of a screen and I considered it, I'm just not sure about aggressive curves when I need two screens (would be a weird W shape on my desk, lol).
 
You gonna provide some measurements or models that are allegedly better? Or is it just your opinion?

I’ll agree VA do have better refresh rates and contrast levels, however thats sacrificed by the viewing angles, color production, and response time that often pale in comparison to the latest IPS panels.
Actually measurements if they are naive show VA in much better light than they deserve. Same goes for off-angle shots of black screen that people use to prove "VA are so much better"
And if you make simple test but make it properly this is that they show:
ilmtkvb7ecfrvibs1o.jpg
What is there are strips of #000000 and #080808.
Black does appear to be the same not showing any change but very dark grey level raises so much that it looks like completely different level on most of the screen surface than was intended - and what calibration probe will measure.
You would need to sit in some perfect sweet spot located at infinite distance to have consistent gamma.

IPS panels also have off angle issues like raised black level and slightly lowered white level (so contrast overall) but even on one of the worst offenders in this regard AUO panels image looks pretty much the same when viewed from extremely large angle let alone when sitting in normal position.

Also ambient light makes contrast issues mostly gone while no amount of external light will make VA look good.
But I guess VA's gamma shift is something you need to see and once you do it cannot be unseen.

I personally would rather get IPS TV but thankfully in TV's we had PDP (plasma) and today have OLEDs so thankfully I was able to avoid having to deal with this mess there 🙂
 
I'm just not sure about aggressive curves
Capture.png

They even come cracked in half, when they bend them so much these days lol. Not to mention the BLB flashlighting spots caused by imperfections when bending the panel.
 
  • Like
Reactions: XoR_
like this
VA is measurably better as far as picture quality is concerned.
By what measures? We've already identified dark room viewing and contrast are a plus in favor of VA, but view angles (which are often 'corrected' by awkwardly curving the monitor) and color shift are a negative.

VA is plagued with latency - even when it comes with a high refresh rate.

So - again, it is use specific. As a TV / movie / single player game - console panel... They're fine. But if you use the panels as a monitor in a well lit room, need color consistency or if you game competitively where you are trying to reduce latency... IPS is superior.

As said - neither is perfect... But different people have different requirements and if VA works for you... Rock on
 
VA is plagued with latency - even when it comes with a high refresh rate.
No it's not since the invention of the G7.

They are plagued with BLB though, so it's unlikely you can get a good monitor that's worth keeping.
 
No it's not since the invention of the G7.

They are plagued with BLB though, so it's unlikely you can get a good monitor that's worth keeping.
I have a Dell s3220dgf 32 inch VA. No ghosting, everything wonderful. I had the 27" MSI MAG Quantum-Dot IPS before this. It ended up being too small so I wanted to upgrade. The pic quality of this VA is at least as good, I can say that for sure. I actually like it better because of the contrast on the VA. I did have a 27" VA ViewSonic Elite a few months ago (it was a new model) and reutrned it because of ghosting when scrolling on pages. But this Dell is great. It is curved, but it's honestly not noticeably, or at least didn't feel odd to me or take any getting used to. I like it a lot. 0 complains about this monitor and I'm kind of a perfectionist with tech sometimes.
To boot, I got it for $386 after tax :) The MSI was $480 some after tax and Viewsonic Elite was $450. So very very happy.
 
Back
Top