[Pillo]

I’ve already interacted with Adam on the yt channel about srgb mode of the EX2780Q and received great feedback, thanks!. I’m about to get EX2780Q, and my choice (compared to LG 27GP850P) is mainly due to the fact that i’m worried about the excessive color saturation of nano ips.
I also considered Odyssey G7, but I see that, despite the excellent response times, it still has the typical VA weaknesses.
I really love the “dull” VA-like color tone, and have tried to get it on every monitor I’ve used so far, but purchasing a gaming monitor I need the best responsiveness of ips, not so much for eye strain as for personal preference.
I would like to understand if, in this respect, innolux/benq is a good starting point, or if I can give a chance to the 27GP850P and therefore to a more “modern” display

[PCM2]

Hi Pillo and welcome,

As covered in this thread, I don’t really recommend models in this segment using Nano IPS panels due to weak contrast. This is still an issue even on apparently ‘new’ nano IPS models in this segment, like the 27GP850 (or 27GP850P which from what I can see is just a minor regional re-launch or refresh). If you focus on the underlying technology, it’s really changed very little from when it was first implemented by LG Display and partners on models such as the ViewSonic XG270QG and 27GL850. That was back in 2019, which is the same era as the BenQ EX2780Q and its panel. The Innolux panel technology (and similar panels from AUO) have moved on in terms of pixel responsiveness, if that’s important to you, and are competitive with the latest Nano IPS offerings in that area. The thread I linked to covers these, too. The EX2780Q is still much better than typical VA models in terms of pixel responsiveness.

Depending on model the colour gamut may be similar to, superior to or inferior to the 98% DCI-P3 targeted by typical Nano IPS offerings. But you don’t have to use that full gamut. If you prefer a ‘dull’ look, you would probably benefit from sRGB emulation regardless of model, which I know you were curious about on the BenQ. VA models like the Odyssey G7 can output fairly ‘punchy’ colours as well, simply due to the native gamut (if you’re using that) – panel type is a factor, but the gamut is very important. The EX2780Q’s integrated ‘Rec. 709’ mode is decent to clamp the gamut close to sRGB (as covered in the review), but there are also good GPU-level alternatives as covered in the sRGB emulation article. These GPU-level alternatives provide a useful fallback for models that don’t provide a good sRGB emulation setting of their own. If you go for the EX2780Q or one of the alternative models that avoids using a Nano IPS panel (such as the MSI G273QF/QPF) you benefit from the superior contrast performance and for some models enhanced viewing comfort due to a less energetic peak of blue light. I’ve certainly received a reasonable volume of feedback from people who find the 27″ 165Hz Nano IPS panels to be somewhat uncomfortable and this is probably due to their relatively energetic blue light peak.

[Pillo]

thanks a lot for all this detailed information 🙂 yes i have read the article and with this i discovered the novideo_srgb option for nvidia sRGB emulation. Glad to find confirmation about the contrast level of Nano IPS (i have read various feedback from users experience, but your direct opinion is way more trustworthy source),
and the LBL whole thing:

It’s also worth noting that the panel used in this monitor has a shifted blue light energy peak from the usual 450nm to 455nm

https://pcmonitors.info/reviews/benq-ex2780q/

Do you think i could go with MSI G273QF if i can save some bucks?
Maybe it needs more accurate user calibration compared to EX2780Q, from what i gather

[PCM2]

I think the G273QF is a well-rounded budget choice. The gamma tracking isn’t as good as it is on the EX2780Q, which affects accuracy. But it’s not so bad that things will look completely out of whack, and I suspect most users wouldn’t even notice the difference between the two models when it comes to gamma. It still provides strong contrast, a good level of responsiveness and has a native gamut that gives some extra vibrancy without strong oversaturation (it’s less oversaturated than the Nano IPS options using their native gamut, ~93% DCI-P3 rather than ~98 DCI-P3). And of course you can use sRGB emulation if you want to cut down that saturation further. 🙂

[Pillo]

where i come from we say “pay more and sit back” 😀 (hard to translate it properly).
Joking aside, thanks a lot. Now i know I can consider the G273QF without much worry

[Pillo]

i wonder if Asus VG27AQ
is a good option too, also in relation to sRGB accuracy and “viability”, just in case of better deal compared to EX2780Q and G273QF

[PCM2]

It is a good option actually, yes. It remains one of the best ‘standard gamut’ options out there and they’re quite rare now! It offers a well-balanced performance with good contrast for the panel type, respectable colour performance within the sRGB colour space (aside from gamma being a little off, but like I said with the MSI might not be an issue for you anyway) and a good level of responsiveness. 🙂

[Pillo]

glad to hear that, thanks 🙂
G7 is still involved as option, but i got the whole picture now

[Pillo]

got today EX2780Q and i am very happy. The Rec. 709/srgb mode is exactly what i wanted, with the plus of ips vibrance in itself. I used lagom.nl, as usual, for tune mostly the contrast (letting the one in OSD at the middle and lowering it at 40 via nvcp settings, for greater midtone clarity, and set the color vibrance to 54) and the correct “range” of 2.2 gamma (where it is more blended).
I tune just the brightness “on demand”, increasing it playing games (the remote is very handy for this).
At the moment i don’t think i need others calibration modes like novideo_srgb.
The amount of ips glow is acceptable: it is a bit more rilevant on white screens, at the bottom, but virtually unnoticeable in games and in any sort of dark scenes/screens. Anyway i’m going to get a lightbar (I should have taken it even with the old monitor) for eyes comfort and for further mitigate the blb, albeit minimal.
I’m a bit sad and guilty 😀 about abandoning my PG248Q, like i’m in Toy Story, but i really needed a bigger and more defined display. I will pair the Asus with another build which i’ll make after upgrading from 6700k to 13600k

Thanks a lot Adam for setting me on the right path!

[PCM2]

You’re welcome and I’m glad to see the EX2780Q is providing exactly the kind of experience you were looking for! Indeed the remote is a surprisingly useful feature if you want to frequently access the OSD or change brightness.

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