Best 120hz Gaming Monitors as of today?

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meatshot8)

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So I've been searching these forums and noticed that nearly all of the 120hz threads are from either 2009 or early 2010. Surely there have been better monitors released since then, right?

Which are the ones I should look into? I'm going to be using this monitor almost entirely for FPS gaming meaning vibrant colors for movie watching is nice but not necessary at all. Lag control takes priority.

Thanks in advance.
 
Go to tftcentral UKs site, they have the announcements for all the upcoming 3D monitors. I would wait for the 3rd Gen displays.

Do a forum search there are a ton of recent threads with the info you seek on the current displays.
 
the lg w2363d has the lowest input lag of all 120hz tfts
picture quality is also good (for a tn)
 
I wouldn't go by input lag alone on the 120hz monitors, since several of them average under 4ms, at which point other factors are more important such as blurring / ghosting performance, color and grayscale, uniformity, adjustability of the stand, appearance, customer service, cost, inputs and screen appearance (semi-glossy / matte / etc.).

This is coming from a huge proponent of low-input lag gaming, so I understand how important low input lag is. But the difference between an average of 1ms lag and 3ms lag (not response time) is imperceptible, but the other stuff is hard to miss.

I would also keep an eye on the deals forums here are on sites like anandtech and fatwallet or dealapex. I saw a recent instant $100 off on the Alienware AW2310, and before that the LG was on sale on Amazon (close to $90 off).
 
So there's still no new panel technology that allows both wide viewing angels and low response time?
 
Appreciate the input everyone.

So far I'm leaning towards the LG W2363D. Does anyone here own one and if so can you give a quick personal opinion pros and cons rundown? Any feedback is welcome.
 
meatshot8) said:
Appreciate the input everyone.

So far I'm leaning towards the LG W2363D. Does anyone here own one and if so can you give a quick personal opinion pros and cons rundown? Any feedback is welcome.
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i've owned the lg
it had a slight color shift when sitting too close
colder on the left warmer on the right i think
and the typical tn viewing angle problems...
but super-smooth and responsive otherwise

the asus is supposed to have better color reprodution but comes with 2 frames input lag
 
mndeg said:
So there's still no new panel technology that allows both wide viewing angels and low response time?
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Unfortunately, no. There were some interesting new displays mentioned at CES 2011, some were 120hz TN (including new ones in the larger 27" sizes but still at 1080p), some were gaming focused 60HZ IPS, but no new display tech or combination of features for monitors is on the short-term horizon that I know of.

The two new LCD display technologies (or significant upgrades of existing tech) that I know of are AMVA5 and Samsung's PLS, but neither are being targeted at monitors (that I know of), at least initially. There should be some trickle down at some point, but I think it's more likely that we will continue to see the status quo but with some new releases in the first half of 2011.
 
mndeg said:
So there's still no new panel technology that allows both wide viewing angels and low response time?
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No TFTs are a compromise between uniformity, color, response, lag, viewing angles, blacks in which none are perfect at any statistic but some are better in some and worse in others. The only thing they all get right is perfect text. If you're a sensitive gamer and into critical color at angle there is no solution. Some would say even just a gamer there is no solution since all blur/lag even the fastest.
 
My solution to finally permanently replace my CRT was a dual monitor setup, 120hz TN for gaming and an IPS for everything else. I have to say that as far as gaming goes, the 120hz TNs are real step up from even the very best '2ms' 60hz TNs, they have that same liquid feel that you only get with high-hz gaming. I used to think it was particular to CRTs, which is why I kept my gigantic CRT for so long, but this is very very close. By itself, the TN wouldn't be a good enough replacement for the CRT, but I just shift windows to the 2nd (IPS) monitor for non-gaming use.
 
sethk said:
My solution to finally permanently replace my CRT was a dual monitor setup, 120hz TN for gaming and an IPS for everything else. I have to say that as far as gaming goes, the 120hz TNs are real step up from even the very best '2ms' 60hz TNs, they have that same liquid feel that you only get with high-hz gaming. I used to think it was particular to CRTs, which is why I kept my gigantic CRT for so long, but this is very very close. By itself, the TN wouldn't be a good enough replacement for the CRT, but I just shift windows to the 2nd (IPS) monitor for non-gaming use.
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Interesting idea. I've wanted a 120hz 30" monitor for a long time now, but I have no idea when they'll get it together. I assume it would require HDMI 1.4+ or DisplayPort to drive that resolution at that refresh rate since the bandwidth of dual link DVI is already saturated at 60hz.

I just don't know if the benefit of 120hz would outweigh the cons of moving back down to 23" on an TN panel. Bleh.
 
I was able to borrow an Acer GD235HZ from someone to test on my rig and MAN. The panel itself looks like shit but 120hz is like night and day. What's the best 120hz panel you can buy these days in terms of quality and minimal input lag? Is there anything coming around the bend that would be worth waiting for?

One weird thing I'm noticing is how general Windows is working when both this display and my 30" are hooked up. The moment I drag a window even partially into the 30", it turns into a 60hz update, even if I fully move it back to the 120hz display. Also, the input lag on my 30" seems to be higher in general now that this other display is connected. I don't think it's just my perception either, I think something is causing it to be laggier.
 
OK, This is what you do about the lag. Pack the monitors up and send them both to me and let me look at them. I will need 2-3 months to figure out if there is a real problem or if it is just your perception. If you could send some Nvidia 3D glasses that could make the evaluation go a bit faster by a week or so.

Thanks
 
hcforde said:
OK, This is what you do about the lag. Pack the monitors up and send them both to me and let me look at them. I will need 2-3 months to figure out if there is a real problem or if it is just your perception. If you could send some Nvidia 3D glasses that could make the evaluation go a bit faster by a week or so.

Thanks
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No problem, but you should know that I customarily smear my monitors with my own feces as a sort of ritual against dead pixels.

All joking aside, I just tried a few combinations of things to sort out this lag issue. It appears that if I have the 120hz monitor set to 60hz (so that they both displays are at 60hz), there is no input lag on the 30". As soon as I put the 120hz monitor into 120hz mode, moving windows on the 30" appears to have definite input lag AND general lag in movement. If I drag a window around for more than about 2 seconds, it starts to get even choppier. I tried swapping the ports that the DVI cables were in and the issue remained.

This appears to be an issue with the nVidia drivers, or perhaps how Windows itself handles multiple displays that are running different refresh rates. Unfortunately I do not have an ATI card to test with, nor do I have another OS to try to boot into. This isn't necessarily a deal breaker, just an annoyance. Anyone else notice this? I want to be clear that the lag I'm seeing is not just the night and day side-by-side difference between 120 and 60hz, it's definitely some sort of problem.

Sorry to derail the thread. If I do end up purchasing a 120hz monitor, I will likely go with the LG one since it seems to be the newest and least laggy of the bunch (judging by reviews and word of mouth.) If I don't decide on buying one, I will probably just wait until an IPS or perhaps OLED monitor comes out, which could be a very long time.
 
BenQ XL2410T appear to have NEGATIVE input lag. I suppose it´s just me being so used to my massive lcd tvs input lag that does it. But I played williams pinball on my PS 3 yesterday and I could swear that the flippers read my mind and reacted before I pushed the button!

It´s as low as on my CRT. As for response better then any of the 60hz monitors I have tried. Not quite up to CRT standards but that is impossible for the LCD technology to achieve. May be better but I have a much easier time leaving with some trailing then some input lag. The backlight bleed is way to much in 3D mode and not really acceptable. Surely after a week with it I am starting to learn to ignore it but it´s on RMA since this can and should be better.

But otherwise accepting the fact that it´s no reference I must say I find games and movies do look good on it. But then again I don´t compare it to reference tvs and such I have since long given up that dream. If TN panels is the way to go for low input lag and good response then it was the right decision though I have asked for better S-IPS panels and such in the past. I rather get a better TV for when response don´t matter that much. Stereo3D screws up the image quality somewhat anyway so it´s fine on TN.
 
Pretty damned disappointing lack of options and variety still on this scene IMO although to be fair it's still fairly new.

I'm not feeling the itch to part ways with my IPS NEC 2490wuxi.
 
Q-BZ said:
Pretty damned disappointing lack of options and variety still on this scene IMO although to be fair it's still fairly new.
.
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Yeah its a shame, but this tech is almost 2 years old.. If i remember right, the first 120hz monitor was a Zalman, then came the Samsung 2233rz in 2009 2Q.

It would be nice to see manufacturers give us more options!
 
sniggle said:
No problem, but you should know that I customarily smear my monitors with my own feces as a sort of ritual against dead pixels.
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Wouldn't that be hilarious if someone read this thread and actually tried that? And it worked!
 
sethk said:
My solution to finally permanently replace my CRT was a dual monitor setup, 120hz TN for gaming and an IPS for everything else. I have to say that as far as gaming goes, the 120hz TNs are real step up from even the very best '2ms' 60hz TNs, they have that same liquid feel that you only get with high-hz gaming. I used to think it was particular to CRTs, which is why I kept my gigantic CRT for so long, but this is very very close. By itself, the TN wouldn't be a good enough replacement for the CRT, but I just shift windows to the 2nd (IPS) monitor for non-gaming use.
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Yeah I'm doing the same. Asus VG236H for gaming and casual use. NEC 20WMGX2 for photoshop and just plain when I want accuracy and no colorshifting.
 
I think the manufacturers were waiting to see if 3D might take hold or if they could justify the investment in 120HZ by sales. That would mean the gaming community would be the one driving the technology by their purchase of 120Hz monitors for 3D or just for the fluidity in 2D. Then you have the economy across the world to deal with. Will the investment bring a return better than an investment in another arena. Look at those companies that are offering something different in 120Hz recently. ASUS, ACER, Alienware, SAMSUNG. ASUS created vaporware with their 27" offering a year ago. It would seem to me that a 27" 120HZ monitor would have to be LED lit because of the size of the monitor and the brightness hit it will take in 3D. If a company delivered a 120Hz monitor that was Nvidia compatible at that size and it was great in 2d but in 3D became too dark, that product and company would take a big hit from the community. SO.... the increased cost in development and manufacture would be a real issue they need to look at before deciding if the investment in this product would bring a decent ROI(return on investment)

Personally I have all the 24" 60Hz monitors I need(see the sig) I will wait for the 27" 120HZ monitor that has an acceptable review at an acceptable price. At $600 I would buy any of the above brands I mentioned in a heartbeat(providing it came with glasses). At $650 I would wait to see who was offering the better specs. At $700 I would sit back and wait because

1. good 3D games are rare.
2. they would need to drop the $$$ of the 23.6" 3D monitors by about $50.
3. I think the sweet spot for them to reach the masses of gamers is $600

I hope that is the spot where they can be profitable and satisfy the niche.
 
Thanks again everyone. After looking at countless reviews over the past few days there seems to be only 1 reasonable option. I've decided on the LG W2363D and will be buying it tomorrow :)
 
It may be the fastest of the bunch (not by much), but you do realize it also has the worst image quality before and after calibration of the bunch, as well as poor color presets? After calibration to 120cdm/2 on Flat Panels HD it clocks in at 522:1 in terms of contrast, while the rest are over 800:1. PRAD.de says it requires calibration to get good image quality, where as with the Asus, Alienware and Acer are pretty much good to go out of the box. Most 60hz TN's offer better picture qualit and color presets over the LG.

This is why it would be wise to wait, surely the next batch of 120hz monitrs will offer as low lag and better PQ. If not the 2nd gen displays will be cheaper.
 
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meatshot8),

At this point in the offering cycle it is best to wait and see what is coming.. This years CES offerings may be a bit better than what you are looking at getting. A little patience can save you a great deal of disappointment unless you a can buy it local and return it without paying a restocking charge and/or shipping charge if net purchased.
 
meatshot8) said:
Thanks again everyone. After looking at countless reviews over the past few days there seems to be only 1 reasonable option. I've decided on the LG W2363D and will be buying it tomorrow :)
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let us know how it turns out!
 
Change of plans. Getting the OptX AW2310 instead since it just went on sale for $60 off 8)

I understand your suggestions of waiting 6+ months for the 3rd generation panels to come out, but I'm just too impatient to wait that long and I highly doubt they'll be significantly better than the great ones that are already out now since their still TN panels.

Re: rfisher983 I will post a minireview after I've had a few days with it.

Cheers.
 
I am also going to wait until some new models come out. I was able to play with the Acer for about a week, and while the benefits of 120hz are very apparent it's just lacking in so many other departments. The Acer in particular also has a pretty annoying humming noise that changes depending on what's on the screen.

I am hoping their 27" model is a bit better and comes out pretty soon, because it's going to suck going back to 60hz.
 
i think its time for mod the bios on a lcd monitor\overclock time so as to jack the power of the video decoding processor in the thing .
as long as you don't mind this sticking out of the back of your lcd its all good :D

large-thumb.jpg
 
More than happy with my Asus VG236, it's a fantastic screen. No ghosting, can't say i've noticed any input lag but that's hard to judge with a pretty good rig & mouse/keyboard setup. I could never go back to a 60hz panel ever again.
 
Just got the Asus VG236H last week.. and I love it. Once you game on 120hz.. you can't go back.
 
at what price 27" though... are they going to be under $1000?

i just got a aw2310 for $350 shipped [straight from dell]

its currently sitting at the fedex location cause my city is kinda being hit by a blizzard right now

but tomorrow or thursday... im going to go get it!!!
 
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War Zone said:
i think its time for mod the bios on a lcd monitor\overclock time so as to jack the power of the video decoding processor in the thing .
as long as you don't mind this sticking out of the back of your lcd its all good :D

large-thumb.jpg
Click to expand...

Haha, that would be interesting. :D
 
meatshot8) wrote:

Change of plans. Getting the OptX AW2310 instead since it just went on sale for $60 off 8)

I understand your suggestions of waiting 6+ months for the 3rd generation panels to come out, but I'm just too impatient to wait that long and I highly doubt they'll be significantly better than the great ones that are already out now since their still TN panels.

Re: rfisher983 I will post a minireview after I've had a few days with it.

Cheers.
Click to expand...


Good luck in whatever you do. Usually the deals come out just before the new technology arrives. They need to clear the stock before the better stuff is available.
 
I've had the W2363D for about a few months now, and I've been more than happy with it :). I could not move to 75Hz LCD after my SyncMaster 997MB (19" CRT) so I had to pick up 120Hz one because I play fast FPS games, and I'm not regretting my investment. I just hope there would be bigger ones, like 27" or 30", with 120Hz. That could even replace my TV! I even thought about moving to 75Hz U2711, but realized that it's impossible :eek: So when are the new 120Hz monitors coming out, the big ones? As I remember, Acer is about to publish the new 27" monitor?
 
I was talking to a big electronics retailer and they are expecting them to be available sometime during the middle to the end of February. The Acer people were in their offices and informed them that they were going to be available. I told him the model number and he immediately said "Oh, that's the new 27 3D monitor". So they are being brought to the channel as of now. They did not have pricing info though.
 
picked up my aw2310 from fedex today! its sitting behind me at work waiting to come home and amaze me :)
 
I really do not understand how manufacturers acknowledge PC gamer's wants and needs for 120hz panels for 3D and just because the refresh rate makes seeing things better. But, yet they continue with the trend of 16:9 monitors. I am sure the want of something like a 24" 16:10 120hz monitor from the hardcore gamer/enthusiast crowd is big enough for manufacturers to notice. Sure, there's the cost issue, but what about when 24" 16:10 used to cost the same as many 23" 16:9 that are out today? I honestly think it's BS and there is no cost issue, just profit. What's so hard about making a 24" 16:10 120hz panel targeted toward the enthusiast segment? Graphics card companies make $500 graphics card that are sold to people who are less than 10% of the PC market. So, what will it hurt to cater to the same people with an aspect most of us want? It would increase brand loyalty and recognition.

This is just a rant after owning my AW2310 for 2 days which is sitting next to one of my BenQ G2400WD's. I love the response time and the smoothness, but the size just makes me really pissed, because what else can I choose as far as 120hz panels go? aside from CRT territory. How can 16:9 panels even be considered true sizes? Seeing how the vertical is so much shorter than a 16:10.
 
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