Acer Predator XB1 27inch WQHD IPS G-Sync 144Hz Gaming Monitor
Acer Predator XB1 27inch IPS LED Gaming Monitor, 2560x1440, 4ms, 144Hz (165Hz OC), G-Sync, 1000:1 Contrast, DisplayPort, HDMI, USB3 Hub, Tilt, Swivel, Pivot, Height Adjust, VESA COmpatible
Tends to be around the $800 - $900 mark, so around $100 off.
That one supposedly works with Gsync?
does it? then im not sure what makes it different, cheaper panel used by viewsonic? either way im very happy with the acer monitor posted.
@HKS: Yeah I have the X34P myself and love it.
I've been tasked with finding a good monitor for a friend though, to pair with his new 2070s, and I'm struggling to tell what difference it would make between these 2, to justify the extra $300- that he could use to but a 1TB SSD, and some.
@HKS: The XB1 has a hardware Gsync module in it, whereas the Viewsonic is Gysnc compatible which is Nvidia's way of saying Freesync.
I had bought this monitor before. I also have bought that monitor.
Tbh I couldn't tell a difference. I played Anthem on high I had about 100fps.
The gsync/freesync Im not sure if there is a difference in the real world?
The only difference is that the acer has better ergonomics and the viewsonic is $300 cheaper.
My specs ryzen 3700x 2080 Super.
Can some one help me understand why there is such a stark price difference between this, and say something like this? https://www.centrecom.com.au/viewsonic-vx2758-2kp-mhd-27-144…
Is it worth the price difference. That Viewsonic supposedly works perfectly with Gsync too, beyond that I don't see a difference. Would love to know.
Brand price premium, gaming variant price premium. Is it worth the price difference? definitely not.
Buy the viewsonic unless you want the acer for the aesthetic.
The difference is the frequency range that G-Sync and FreeSync operate with. Monitors with a proper G-Sync module have no range, so works between 0hz and 144hz, The FreeSync used in the monitor you've linked only works between 48hz and 144hz.
Whether or not this matters is dependant on what you're playing and how powerful your PC is.
Would i run into any problems using a g sync main monitor and a freesync as a second monitor both 144hz?
I would disable Freesync on the second monitor to avoid issues, but keep in mind that W10 is finally starting to patch issues that it has with mixed refresh rates, so you do not need to purchase monitors with matching refresh rates to guarantee a smooth experience any more.
I've also seen anecdotal references that recent GPUs do not typically have this issue. Keep in mind if you're upgrading from an existing 144Hz monitor, you might find this choice to be a waste of time, and GSync to largely be a waste of money.
Since the freesync range is so high that monitor supports LFC, once it drops below 48hz it will start to double the frames, this effectively works down to 1-2fps too.
I believe g-sync also starts to double frames below a certain fps if i'm not mistaken.
I think the solution to that is just to have a good computer in the first place? :)
Didn't see your comment before I replied. You are 100% spot on. For all the positives of variable overdrive, if you get a well reviewed Freesync monitor, you can spend that $150 on a better graphics card and get an overall better experience, or alternatively go up to a better resolution and refresh rate combo (eg. 4k 144Hz or QHD 240Hz).
All VRR monitors have a frequency range that stops before 0, usually 24-60Hz. GSync has more stringent standards with this, and demands a high bar of ratio between max refresh rate and minimum refresh rate, but it still has non-zero variable.
What it does below its true minimum refresh rate is engage low-frame rate compensation, a feature that is also on many Freesync monitors (particularly FreeSync 2, though this naming scheme has changed. So once it goes below its true minimum refresh rate, for a given frame rate, it delivers a multiple of that (typically 2x or 3x) that puts the output back into the VRR range of the monitor.
Beyond that, hardware GSync provides two key features, one of which is always present: variable overdrive, and ULMB.
Variable overdrive dynamically adjusts the monitor overdrive (read: voltage drive to achieve response times) optimally for each refresh rate displayed based on manual testing and tuning of the panel technology. On a Freesync monitor without variable overdrive, you will instead need to adjust your overdrive setting on a case-by-case basis if you intend to play at a lower or higher FPS than usual.
ULMB is a manually calibrated strobing mode designed to reduce motion blur by reducing eye movement during each frame shown, similar to how CRT monitors used to provide smooth motion. This comes at the expense of a reduction in perceived brightness proportionate to the time and level the backlight is dimmed for. NVIDIA's offering is calibrated to reduce cross-talk between the image, and currently only operates at 100Hz, 120Hz and 144Hz (i.e. it disables adaptive sync in order to provide the best possible experience for this mode).
Outside of this, hardware GSync panels have slightly better QA due to the close work done with NVIDIA in implementing and certifying this technology.
Hardware GSync has its place, but it's almost never worth the premium, nor does it really mask the weaknesses of a given panel particularly better. The person who said the Viewsonic presents as much better value is 100% correct, but I would advise to disable adaptive sync on it and just set the overdrive for 144Hz, as if you fluctuate between even 90Hz and 144Hz, there is no single satisfactory overdrive mode.
Personally I'm waiting for QHD 240Hz offerings, and will probably wind up with a TN panel in doing so, but I'm looking forward to seeing more of the VA and IPS offerings in this category, as well as any OLED monitors that appear at 120Hz+ over the next few months (including LG's 48" CX).
Looks like its $799 on the website?
Is it a bargain for this specific product?
Yes, yes it is.
Is it value, compared to the viewsonic 27" with identical stats, at below $400?
No, no it is not.
Also, while this monitor has slightly better pixel response in testing, the viewsonic has near VA level black uniformity on the viewsonic. Its an amazing panel.