Thread: 120Hz Monitors?

The only issue I have with 120hz monitors is that vertical sync is now at 120 fps. And without V-sync you need over 120 fps to prevent screen tear.....

Oh well then I must be confused and I will blame it on my lack of sleep last night....

Originally Posted by WickedSoN

Negative, without v-sync if you get OVER 120 fps you get screen tear. If you are below 120fps on a 120hz monitor there is absolutely no screen tear. Screen tear does not seem to be a big issue @ 120hz from what I have seen (my system gets up to 150fps playing bf3 at times, i get very little to no visible screen tear. You have to look really hard to see any).

This is correct. However... (clears throat)... I have found that the quality of display from an IPS panel to be absolutely beautiful. Everything is just sharp, bright, and clear, where with the TN panels they are... well, not. Sure, IPS panels are much more expensive, and finding one with 120Hz is likely just TOO expensive, which means the decision typically comes between IPS or 120Hz.

I went from a 27" TN panel (60Hz) at 1920x1080 to a 27" IPS panel (60Hz) at 2560x1440. The difference, aside from the extremely higher resolution, was simply night in day in terms of picture quality. I had to upgrade my graphics cards to push games at this higher res, and even still, the 60Hz refresh still allows for some screen tearing from time to time. But I live with it because most of the time I am too busy looking at the amazing picture quality.

For some games, the screen tearing was so atrocious that I had to play with Vsync, which I NEVER do in a multiplayer game, but I simply couldn't stand the tearing in Crysis 2 after I installed the HD rextures and DX 11 patch. It would tear even when my FPS readout on FRAPS was between 60-70. Just something with that engine wanting Vsync for some reason.

I'm with Heavy. LOVE my IPS panel. It was an Asus, so it came pre-calibrated, too. With BF3, on max settings, I've had no problems with tearing...just with getting distracted with my environment as my enemies kill me.

120 hz for the win. I have an LG and its awesome, everything is so smooth.

Originally Posted by WickedSoN

I will not argue that, IPS wins in the quality department. I can see where IPS would benefit someone who deals with graphical design, photoshopping, or any other graphically detailed application. But for gaming 120hz trumps 60hz no matter how you slice it.
The difference in feel and responsiveness is night and day. The benefit of 120hz for FPS gaming is a HUGE advantage. I would never go back to 60hz.

I wouldn't say "no matter how you slice it". I think it all depends on what you want. If you want the absolute best graphical experience available, then you want something higher resolution, upwards of 2560x1440 or 2560x1600. The obvious, yet more expensive choice, is an IPS panel, which gives even better results. This may be my opinion, but it is an opinion shared by many other enthusiasts and gamers that don't mind spending over $1000 on a monitor.

Getting a 120Hz monitor only helps with screen tearing, which may be more important to some gamers, but they end up missing out on the benefits provided from the TN panel. Also, TN panels also have a faster response time, but in most modern LCD monitors, ghosting because of slow panels just really isn't a problem like it was 5-6 years ago.

So it really comes down to choice. If you are deciding between similar 22" TN panel monitors and simply debating over the cost of 60Hz vs 120Hz, then sure, 120Hz will be the better performer almost every time. But when you start putting it up against an IPS panel... and in particular a high res panel, I highly recommend giving them both a test drive before pulling the trigger as the IPS panel just might amaze you.