[Ocd]

Yeah I tested Displayport with my gaming pc (980ti) and hdmi with a laptop and ps4.

Acting like that on hdmi I could almost understand it(although it’s not right being a monitor) but Displayport is primarily a pc input. There’s no excuse.

[motsm]

Even with low expectations, I’m still really disappointed with the black levels of the EW2750ZL. My CRT is a Dell P1230, and it’s black levels aren’t even as good as the CRT I had before it, but the 2750 still glows like crazy compared to it. I have the brightness down to 20, but to make the black levels merely OK, I have to turn it to 0. That said, I’m trying to figure out if LCD tech is still this abysmal, or perhaps my unit is especially bad. May be the difference between a return or exchange, unless I decide the extra size is worth dealing with this.

I will add, that I had an LCD many years ago, but I returned it rather quickly after playing a bit of Doom 3 (which was still new at the time), as it was truly a terrible sight to behold. At least LCD’s have improved since then, but perhaps not enough for me.

GTX770, HDMI to EW2750ZL and both set to 0/255.

[PCM2]

That’s unfortunate to hear, motsm. Perhaps you’d have better luck with one of the VA models with stronger contrast (like the Philips BDM4065UC). Although that may of course be entirely impractical for many reasons. It’s really going to take technology that does away with the backlight entirely before things can really trump CRTs in all departments.

[motsm]

Yeah, the size of the Phillips is indeed too impractical for me, and as nice as 4K would be for desktop work, it would destroy my 770 for gaming. Also, when comparing the two reviews, the BenQ seems to compare favorably to the Phillips at low brightness settings, which is what I’m using. Thanks for the reply though.

OLED has been taunting me for years now, been waiting ever since I saw the specs of the XEL-1.

[phie]

Hi,

I’ve a big problem and I hope anyone can help me.

Since 12 hours I’m looking for a 27′ Monitor for the play games with the pc and console at Full-HD.

I read many reviews and I think, it must be just one of those monitors:

Benq EW2750ZL
Samsung S27E390H

What should I buy to reach the best and fastest graphic?

The Benq should have better contrast and RGBs gamma but bad overshooting.
The Samsung should have better colors (or not?!) but bad ips glow.

Is this right?

Thanks and have a nice Sunday :).

[PCM2]

Hi phie and welcome,

This thread addresses the core of your ‘dilemma’. I would recommend reading through some of this thread – at least the first half of my opening post here. It isn’t really a clear-cut choice and it depends on your own individual preferences and sensitivities. You’re correct regarding contrast differences, but whilst colours will be more consistent and accurate on the Samsung they aren’t exactly ‘better’ – it depends what you’re after. This is explored in great detail in our reviews of both the BenQ EW2750ZL and Samsung S24E390HL as well. At the very least I’d recommend focussing on the ‘colour reproduction’ section of the EW2750ZL review.

When it comes to responsiveness, the Samsung is simply the faster monitor. But not everyone finds the EW2750ZL intolerably slow and may find that the benefits it offers in terms of contrast and black depth outweigh this. I’m not sure where you got the idea of ‘bad overshoot’ from on the EW2750ZL, because as explained in the review that simply isn’t the case.

[phie]

Thank you very much for the answer.

I read the posts and the reviews but I’m still a bit confuse :(.

I just have four questions:

1. What does it mean that the contrast is better? How should I image this?
2. How much “faster” is the Samsung?
3. Is there according to you a better monitor than the E390HL for the overall performance with gaming @Full-HD and 27′?
4. Which monitor would you personally buy? 🙂

In the “recommended Monitors” the benq is for “a bit of pc or console gaming” recommended while the samsung is mainly for this purpose. So it seems that the samsung performs generally better for this. But then you write: “For gaming and general purpose I feel these AMVA+ panels offer a rich and rewarding experience with pleasing variety and richness to colours.” That’s because I’m still confused too…

Thanks for your patience.
(I would like to donate, is there a Paypal account or so?)

[PCM2]

Don’t worry, it isn’t a straightforward choice and as with many things to do with monitors can confuse the best of us. To address your questions:

1) Higher contrast technically means that at a given brightness (you measure the brightness of pure white for this), blacks are deeper and darker. When comparing the EW2750ZL and E390HL models the difference here is around 3 times the contrast. What that means in practice is that blacks appear ‘inkier’ on the BenQ and where you have bright shades and dark shades combining, the bright shades really stand out in a special way (explored more in the review). The uniformity of the backlight is also better and you don’t get the ‘PLS glow’ that can eat away at some of the detail near the corners of the screen. But there is something with VA panels called ‘black crush’ that means that some of the details in dark scenes towards the centre of the monitor are actually worse than they should be as well. So it isn’t straightforward.

2) The problem with pretty much all VA panels, including the EW2750ZL, is that their pixel responses can’t always happen as quickly as they need to for optimal performance. In fact some are so much slower that they give a quite extended ‘trail’ behind moving objects. The Samsung does have a certain amount of ‘blur’ which is linked to the refresh rate, but it does not have the same extent of trailing. Some users don’t mind this trailing, but others do and it actually makes them feel quite uncomfortable when gaming. Or they feel it makes it difficult to remain competitive in their games.

3) No I don’t, which is why the S27E390HL is the current recommendation there.

4) As I always say things are very subjective and there is no right or wrong answer. I am a real fan of good VA monitors myself and feel that the overall image quality can really add something nice to gaming. Having strong contrast and certain shades that ‘pop out’ is really nice and so is having nice dark scenes appearing with good depth and atmosphere. Having said that, I also feel the consistent richness of colours on IPS models is a good bonus – especially when you’re considering relatively large screens. But for me the decider would be that I simply don’t find the EW2750ZL responsive enough for my liking when gaming, so I’d have to choose the Samsung just on a personal level.

And donations to the website are greatly appreciated. There is a little link in the footer of the website (under where it says ‘Buying a monitor?’). It’s right at the end of that paragraph, where it says ‘making a donation’. If you click that text it will allow you to make a PayPal donation.

[phie]

Thank you again for the reply.

I ordered the Samsung. I just have at home the S27C750P that I bought for a long time and that I can compare with the E390HL. But I think it will be the E390HL.

I will make my donation. Now I can stop to search for monitors ;).

EDIT: Do you think the S27C750P is slower than the Benq?

Cheers from Berlin.

[PCM2]

I do not think the S27C750P is slower than the BenQ, the same if not a little faster really.

[phie]

Sorry, with “faster” I meant “pixel responses”. Has the Samsung C750P a better pixel responses than the Benq, according to you?
Because I feel that my actually monitor is enough responsiveness. If it is so would it mean that the Benq would be a better choise also if the E390HL has better “consistent richness of colors”?

Thanks again.

[PCM2]

I was referring to pixel responsiveness, as input lag is comparable on all of these monitors. I tested the S27C750P and EW2750ZL quite some time apart so it is tricky to compare. But going from memory I have a feeling that the BenQ is a bit slower in terms of pixel responsiveness. That fact you’ve got an S27C750P is helpful though, as you can decide what you like and dislike about it.

If you find the colours a bit lacking or variable (like – less saturated towards the edges of the screen) for example, the E390HL would probably be a better choice for you than the BenQ. If you like the image quality of the S27C750P then the EW2750ZL could be a decent choice. It sounds as if you’re looking for something a bit different though, a change. So it might be worth testing out the Samsung. You can always return it if you’re not happy, which isn’t ideal I know but it still a possibility.

[motsm]

PCM2, I am wondering if you know of any 5000:1 VA’s in the 24 – 27″ range on the horizon, or new VA’s perhaps with unknown specs at this time? I was looking at the S27C650P before, but I couldn’t find a single in depth review of it, and it looks like it’s been discontinued now anyway, otherwise I’d be tempted to test it out. The 3000:1 ratio of the EW2750ZL just isn’t quite enough for me, but I think 5000:1 may be just enough to not be overly bothersome. Really appreciate your input.

[PCM2]

I don’t know of any upcoming models or indeed panels with 5000:1 specified, specifically. But our EW2750ZL went a bit beyond that anyway, so specified contrast ratios can be a bit misleading.

[motsm]

They are often misleading indeed, which is why I passed on the S27C650P which is rated at 5000:1, after not finding a solid review. Guess I’ll have to make up my mind on the 2750, maybe think of it as a stop gap. Thanks for the input, and of course for the reviews, really a great resource.

[phie]

@ PCM2

I just bought the S27E390H.

What I can say is that this monitor is just better that the S27C650P: colors are more, stronger and alive.

Now I read that the HP 27CW should also performs very, very well (wecravegamestoo.com review).

The OP says: “As of October 2015, the HP 27CW and 25XW are easily the best monitors in terms of all-around performance which I have reviewed, and are easily some of the best displays created thus far.”

What do you think about this? Should performs the HP better than the 390HL according to what you can read?

Thanks.

[PCM2]

Really it depends on your preference for screen surface. Much as I’d recommend the Dell S2415H or S2715H if you prefer glossy screens. The HP models are good alternatives it would seem, but availability here in the UK is scant so they aren’t going to be ones I can openly recommend. I am happier to recommend the aforementioned Dell models which I have experience with and have received plenty of positive user feedback for. The HP 25XW, at least, does seem like a very capable monitor from user feedback and indeed the review by TeslaStorm / NCX.

Anyway, I’m glad to hear that you’re happy with the colours on the S27E390HL. And I appreciate your donation. Thanks. 🙂

[Malinkadink]

Hey just posting so i can hopefully avoid further emails from others replying 😛 Didn’t see any other way to unsubscribe from notifications except to post and not check the notify me box 🙂

[phie]

@ PCM2

I bought the HP to compare with the E390H.
I will report back which monitor according to me is the best.

(I made my donation, thank you!)

[PCM2]

Malinkadink, there is an ‘unsubscribe’ link towards the top right, under the page numbers. Unchecking the ‘Notify me’ box after posting should also work, as you did.

phie that’s great. Thanks again for the donation and I look forward to your feedback on the HP. 🙂

[Author]

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