BenQ XL2730Z Black-Red 27" 1ms (GTG) WQHD Widescreen 2560 x 1440 LED Backlight TN Panel Adaptive-Sync (Free Sync), Auto Game Modes, Ergonomic Professional Gaming Monitor

Pros: Hey everyone! as a Neweggspert, I review a lot of hardware on this site. Prior to buying this monitor I played around with an LG 24” GM77 144hz gaming monitor. With that monitor I learned how nice a fast refresh rate is, when you have a dual R290 gaming rig, but I was disappointed with it's overall quality. So I did tons of research on 27” and 34” monitors, and became excited to see freesync in action. I “settled” on this monitor for use over the next 5 years. I am going to give you guys some pointer on how to set up your monitor, in case you maybe feeling frustrated. I am going to spread my review over the different sections, but there are no cons to this monitor, except it only comes with 6ft display cables.

There are many factors that come into play, when it comes to smooth game play. To keep it simple lets look at just playing single player FPS's, which is where you get the MOST benefit with a high refresh monitor. Currently, you NEED to have two video cards to enjoy above 60fps in most current games (100 FPS = 100hz).

Game play messes up when either the monitor or the video cards are not running at close to the same rates (in sync). Freesync cures tearing and studdering, by telling the monitor when to refresh, allowing for “on the fly” adjustments of the refresh rate.

There are a couple of very important factors to enable freesync.
1) You need the BETA drivers (14.502.1002-141223a-179058C) they are a 15.x version which I could NOT find on AMD's website I found them at GURU3D.
2) You must use display port, and load the BenQ monitor's driver's from the CD.
3) A good display port cable
4) To check the freesync box in the Catalyst “My Digital Flat Panels” tab, at the bottom. If it is not there, you have the wrong driver version.
5) It currently only works with one video card, no crossfire yet (in April).

Performance of a 1440 monitor vs. 1080, is I only took about a 25% performance hit for about 50% increase in resolution, so I am happy about that!

Freesync is amazing! In a nutshell, it keeps your display smooth, even at as low as 20 fps, all you notice is lack of smoothness from things moving. Like if a cartoon slowed way down (you would see the action skipping) and everything else stays rock solid. It makes a huge difference when you experience it. Your eyes see smooth motion at anything above 30 fps so anything above that just becomes amazing. If your video cards can do above 60 fps consistently then game play will be extremely smooth and sharp with minimal blurring. So why go up to 144hz. It is simple.. the future!! Because you will grow into this monitor for many years. I am not an AMD fanboy at all, but I love this technology because it gives a real tangible improvement to game play! WHY? did they not come out with it years ago?

Cons: Ok onto the monitor itself. If laptops used this display type, they would sell millions more laptops. This is hands down the BEST TN panel I have ever seen. Here is why!

1) the blacks are very good and even in all parts of the display.
2) Viewing angles for a GAMING monitor are pretty awesome, sitting square, all corners are uniform in colors and lighting.
3) THE COLORS!! they are not washed out at all, use the standard mode for the average player.
4) This monitor is so CRISP, from text to showing rendered details. It is the perfect resolution for a 27” monitor.
5) The stand is perfect, and adjusts to however you need it.
6) I love the easy menu system, using the side buttons and dongle.

Honestly, this is my first BENQ monitor and I am completely blown away!! I have had some pretty decent monitors over the years, and a few terrible ones. This BENQ monitor has met every expectation as a GAMER that I could ever have. If you are not a serious gamer you may not be happy with TN panel, because you need to be centered and squared to it! Not to the side, or above, you need to be close to CENTER.

The text is so crips and clear! I do not have to strain my eyes to read. You have ever adjustment you will need to professionally calibrate this monitor. You can also download profiles for the monitor as well, which makes it much easier if you aren't good at calibration.

The colors are so good, I can put it next to my ASUS IPS panel, and it is pretty darn close. More than good enough for me, and I am a cinemaphile! They are deep and rich! It has the TRUEST calibration, in standard mode, that I have EVER encountered with a display or TV out of the box. That really says a lot about how much BENQ really cares about the quality they are putting on the market. Next BENQ needs to build TV's! And I'm in. I understand now, how BENQ became the standard for GAMERS in competitive arenas for tree years straight.

Since I do modding for games too, the display pilot partitions are really awesome and make it quick for me to snap windows into place.

The software overall seems well done to me. I have not experienced the slow downs others are talking about.

Overall Review: The LG I was using before was doesn't even rate a 5 compared to this monitor. BENQ has set a new standard that will be hard to beat, and the quality of design makes them worth every penny!

When I set my computer up with the new monitor, and had originally downloaded the 14.12 AMD drivers I had MANY issues, even though I cleaned out all driver remnants with DDU. Catalyst also kept telling me there is something “wrong” with my display port, and it was downgrading it. I believe it was because I cannot “multi-stream” but I am not sure. I tested everything multiple times and I can verify there is nothing wrong with my setup.

If you are a GAMER, get off the fence and do not even hesitate to buy this monitor! Even without freesync it is completely awesome and you will not regret spending more moo la for the extra real estate and resolution! I came out of this a BENQ fanboy though!

BENQ I want a 21:9 curved monitor that is 34” wide and made with your quality. Be proud of yourselves, you have made a real flagship product here, NEVER compromise! and you will keep me as a customer.

Pros: Good color depth, easy to set up, like the side-mounted USB ports.

Cons: Monitor display suddenly started flickering like mad recently. Needs to be RMA'd

Overall Review: A monitor less than a year old should not be failing like this so soon. Poor quality control, BenQ.