Review of BenQ DesignVue PD3226G 144Hz Gaming Monitor: A Professional 4K Display Offering Smooth Gaming Performance
Cracking the Code on 4K Gaming Monitors: A Showdown Between the PD3226G and the Competition
Enough with the OLED craze, let's discuss some worthy 4K gaming monitors to challenge the BenQ PD3226G. Here's a rundown of five notable contenders:
- Gigabyte's GS27U
- Pixel Response Time: Swift response, keeping up with fast-paced action.
- Input Lag: Surprisingly low, promising smooth gaming.
- Viewing Angles: Quality IPS technology ensures wide viewing angles.
- Screen Uniformity: Typical performance for an IPS panel.
- Asus' XG27UCS
- Pixel Response Time: Lightning-fast, guaranteeing smooth motion.
- Input Lag: Unbelievable low latency for a seamless gaming experience.
- Viewing Angles: Wide angles provided by the IPS technology.
- Screen Uniformity: Standard performance for an IPS display.
- Alienware's AW2725QF
- Pixel Response Time: Quick response for smooth gaming visuals.
- Input Lag: Exceptional low latency, perfect for gaming.
- Viewing Angles: Good angles, though not as wide as IPS panels.
- Screen Uniformity: Solid, owing to its stellar build quality.
- HP's Omen 27k
- Pixel Response Time: Situated between the PD3226G and its competitors, offering decent response times.
- Input Lag: Acceptable latency for straightforward gaming.
- Viewing Angles: Good angles, though not as wide as IPS panels.
- Screen Uniformity: Good, given its smooth construction.
- BenQ's EX321UX
- Pixel Response Time: Remarkable response for smooth gaming action.
- Input Lag: Leaves little room for complaint, ideal for gaming.
- Viewing Angles: Wide angles, courtesy of the IPS technology.
- Screen Uniformity: Decent performance for an IPS display.
In Motion: Pixel Response and Input Lag
Don't be fooled by the higher refresh rates of the top-tier screens. The PD3226G holds its own with its excellent overdrive for a remarkably smooth motion resolution, even among 4K LCD panels. To fully appreciate this feature, set the AMA to High. It may lack a backlight strobe, but you'll hardly miss it. The PD3226G boasts lower-than-expected input lag, outperforming some high-refresh-rate monitors and catering to all but the most skilled gamers.
The View from Every Angle
The PD3226G shows off stronger off-axis image quality compared to many IPS panels currently available. From the sides, you'll notice a slight red tint that's less noticeable in actual content. There's minimal reduction in gamma or luminance, resulting in little visible change for viewers situated at 45 degrees off center. The top view shows a slight and somewhat acceptable blue tint with a slight gamma reduction.
The Screen's Eyeful: Screen Uniformity
To grasp how we measure screen uniformity, dive into our testing procedures. After running this test in User mode, we observed a slight hotspot in the lower right corner. This hotspot was imperceptible in content, making it an acceptable tradeoff considering it enabled full contrast and calibration potential. When tackling fixed color modes, the deviation hovered around 5%, which is average among the IPS panels we've reviewed.
Gear up to discover the PD3226G's true potential by comparing it with these impressive competitors. Here's how they stack up!
- The PD3226G's competitors, such as the Gigabyte GS27U, Asus XG27UCS, Alienware AW2725QF, HP's Omen 27k, and BenQ's EX321UX, are not limited to 4K gaming monitors; they also include advanced features like smartphones and other gadgets when it comes to technology.
- The PD3226G's impressive pixel response time and low input lag are not just confined to gaming; these features also make it a suitable choice for other fast-paced and responsive activities, such as using smartphones or other popular gadgets.
