G-Sync Monitor Buying Guide: What To Consider

If you're looking to buy a G-Sync monitor, you're in luck! There are plenty of options available, from budget-friendly models to high-end displays that offer stunning visuals and smooth gameplay. Here's an introduction to help you choose the right G-Sync monitor for your needs.

G-Sync is a technology developed by Nvidia to synchronize your monitor's refresh rate with your graphics card, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother gaming experience. G-Sync comes in three flavours: G-Sync Ultimate, G-Sync, and G-Sync Compatible. The first two require a dedicated G-Sync hardware module, ensuring smooth gameplay across the entire refresh rate range. G-Sync Compatible monitors, on the other hand, use the VESA Adaptive Sync standard and don't require a G-Sync module, making them more affordable.

When choosing a G-Sync monitor, consider your budget, preferred screen size, resolution, and refresh rate. Some popular options include:

- Dell Alienware AW3423DW: A 34-inch ultrawide monitor with a QD-OLED panel, offering stunning visuals and a high refresh rate.

- ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM: A 27-inch 1440p monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, excellent colour accuracy, and low input lag.

- LG UltraGear 32GS95UE-B: A versatile 32-inch monitor that can switch between 4K 240Hz and 1080p 480Hz modes, making it ideal for both immersive and competitive gaming.

- Lenovo Legion Y25-30: A budget-friendly 25-inch 1080p monitor with a fast 280Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time.

- Samsung Odyssey OLED G6: A stylish 27-inch 1440p monitor with a 360Hz refresh rate, stunning OLED visuals, and an anti-glare coating.

- BenQ Mobiuz EX3210U: A well-designed 32-inch 4K 144Hz monitor with impressive HDR capabilities and a host of extra features, including built-in speakers and RGB lighting.

Best budget G-Sync monitor

The Asus VG248QG is an ultra-cheap monitor offering a 1080p resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and G-sync compatibility for under $200. It's the predecessor of the Asus VG248QE and offers a smooth gaming experience for a fraction of the price of its competitors.

The 23.8-inch monitor uses a TN panel to keep the price below $200, and while it's not the largest or most capable monitor out there, it's a significant upgrade from a typical 24-inch, 60Hz office monitor.

You get G-Sync compatibility with this option, the least strenuous of the G-Sync standards available. The support of any refresh rate between 1Hz and 165Hz using the DisplayPort connection provides a broad frame rate range and prevents screen tearing. The HDMI port doesn’t support G-Sync, but there’s also native FreeSync if you’ve got an AMD graphics card.

The downside to the Asus VG248QG is that image quality is not the best, and the viewing angles are limited. Its TN panel doesn’t handle contrast ratio well, and you don’t get deep blacks. However, for budget gaming displays, motion clarity is key, not image quality.

Best 1440p G-Sync monitor

If you're looking for a 1440p G-Sync monitor, there are a few options to consider. Here are some recommendations and key features to help you choose the best one for your needs:

Dell Alienware AW3423DW 35

The Dell Alienware AW3423DW is a 34-inch ultrawide monitor with a resolution of 3440x1440. It offers a fast response time, a high refresh rate of 175Hz, and native G-SYNC support. It delivers exceptional picture quality thanks to its QD-OLED panel, producing deep blacks and vibrant colours. It is a great choice for gaming, especially if you enjoy playing FPS or atmospheric games.

ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM 11

If you prefer a smaller 27-inch monitor, the ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM is a good option. It has a 1440p resolution and a high refresh rate of 240Hz, making it ideal for competitive gaming. The IPS panel delivers good colour accuracy, but blacks may appear grey in dark scenes. It also supports NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer to help identify delays in your setup.

ASUS ROG Swift Pro PG248QP 50

For an even higher refresh rate, consider the ASUS ROG Swift Pro PG248QP. It offers a blazing fast 540Hz refresh rate and a 1080p resolution. Its incredibly fast response time ensures sharp motion with minimal blur, making it ideal for competitive esports gaming. While it has excellent picture quality, it is worth noting that it uses an IPS panel, which may not offer the same deep blacks as VA or OLED panels.

Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor (AW2723DF)

The Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor is another excellent option for a 1440p G-Sync monitor. It features a 27-inch screen, a 240Hz refresh rate, and G-Sync compatibility. It has a fast response time, low input lag, and a high peak brightness of 600 nits. While it delivers excellent motion handling and build quality, it may not produce the deepest blacks due to its average native contrast ratio.

When choosing a G-Sync monitor, consider factors such as size, resolution, refresh rate, response time, colour accuracy, and compatibility with your graphics card. Additionally, pay attention to the type of panel used, as it can impact the overall image quality and viewing experience.

Best 4K G-Sync monitor

If you're looking for a 4K G-Sync monitor, there are a few options to consider. Here are some detailed descriptions of some of the best 4K G-Sync monitors available:

ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQR

This monitor offers a crisp 4K resolution and a solid 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. It also features a low 1ms response time to eliminate smearing and motion blur. The monitor supports G-Sync compatibility, which helps keep visuals looking sharp and tear-free. The IPS panel delivers excellent colour performance, and the high 600 nits maximum brightness adds punchy visuals to HDR games. The ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQR typically costs under $1,000, making it a reasonably priced option for a 4K monitor.

Dell Alienware AW3423DW

The Dell Alienware AW3423DW is a 34-inch ultrawide monitor with a crisp 3440 x 1440 resolution. It features a QD-OLED panel, providing incredible contrast and dynamic range. The picture quality is further enhanced by quantum dot technology, which offers granular pixel control. The monitor supports G-Sync Ultimate, ensuring smooth and stutter-free gameplay when paired with Nvidia graphics. The HDMI 2.0 ports are limited to 100Hz with PCs and 60Hz with current-gen consoles, but the DisplayPort can achieve 175Hz. The Dell Alienware AW3423DW delivers an immersive gaming experience with stunning picture quality.

LG 32GS95UE

The LG 32GS95UE is a 32-inch 4K OLED monitor that offers improved brightness over its competitors. It features a matte panel coating, which is usually glossy on OLED displays. This monitor provides an exceptional HDR visual experience, with sizzling highlights and deep blacks. It also has a fast 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time, ensuring low latency and smooth gameplay. The LG 32GS95UE typically costs around $1,400, making it a high-end option.

LG UltraGear 27GR93U

The LG UltraGear 27GR93U is a 27-inch 4K gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate. It delivers stellar picture quality and all-round performance, making it a great choice for both gaming and content editing. The IPS panel provides superb colour accuracy, and the monitor is well-calibrated out of the box. It supports G-Sync compatibility, ensuring smooth gameplay. The LG UltraGear 27GR93U typically costs under $500, making it a more affordable option for a 4K monitor.

Best ultrawide G-Sync monitor

If you're looking for the best ultrawide G-Sync monitor, you're spoilt for choice. Here are some of the top ultrawide G-Sync monitors on the market:

Alienware AW3423DW

The Alienware AW3423DW is a 34.18-inch Quantum Dot-OLED monitor with a 3440x1440 resolution, a 175Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. It's a great choice for gaming, with its ultrawide display providing an immersive experience, and its high refresh rate and response time ensuring smooth gameplay. It's also G-Sync Ultimate compatible, meaning you'll get a tear-free gaming experience.

LG 34GP83A-B

The LG UltraGear QHD 34-Inch Curved Gaming Monitor is another solid option. It has a 144Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and is compatible with both G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. It also features a Nano IPS display, providing excellent colour accuracy.

ASUS ROG Strix 34” Gaming Monitor (XG349C)

This ASUS ROG Strix monitor has a 3440 x 1440 resolution, an 180Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and is G-Sync compatible. It also features Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync and DisplayHDR 400, ensuring smooth and clear visuals.

Corsair Xeneon Flex 45” OLED Monitor

If you're looking for a larger ultrawide monitor, the Corsair Xeneon Flex is a 45-inch OLED monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time. It's G-Sync compatible and features HDR10 for enhanced visuals.

Samsung Odyssey G9

The Samsung Odyssey G9 is a 49-inch curved gaming monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate, a 0.03ms response time, and G-Sync compatibility. It also features a Quantum Dot OLED display, providing vivid colours and deep blacks.

When choosing a G-Sync monitor, it's important to consider the size, resolution, refresh rate, response time, and compatibility with your graphics card. G-Sync monitors provide a smooth, tear-free gaming experience, and are a great choice for FPS and other fast-paced games.

Best G-Sync monitor for esports

If you're looking for a G-Sync monitor for esports, you'll want to prioritise a high refresh rate over resolution. The Asus ROG Swift PG259QN is a great option, offering a speedy 360Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. It also has a G-Sync module, which means G-Sync will work at any refresh rate between 1Hz and 360Hz, giving you super-smooth gaming that takes full advantage of your Nvidia video card's performance.

The monitor has a 24.5-inch, 1080p display, which is on the smaller side, but this makes it easier to see all the action on screen without constantly moving your eyes back and forth. It has excellent build quality and a large, sturdy stand, and there are two USB ports for connecting wired peripherals. The Asus ROG Swift PG259QN is widely available, with retailers including Amazon, Best Buy and Newegg stocking it.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Asus VG248QG is an ergonomic 23.8-inch monitor offering 1080p, 165Hz, and G-Sync compatibility for under $200. It uses a TN panel to keep the price below $200, and while the image quality isn't the best, motion clarity is key for budget gaming displays.

For a larger display, the MSI G274F is an affordable 1080p gaming monitor with a 27-inch screen and a 180Hz refresh rate. It has excellent colour accuracy and outstanding motion clarity, and while it doesn't have a full G-Sync module, it still keeps frames smooth, working with G-Sync at a refresh rate between 60Hz and 180Hz.

If you're after a curved monitor, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 is a great option. It has a 32-inch, 1000R curved VA panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, and it's G-Sync and FreeSync certified. It features Mini-LED lighting with 1,196 dimming zones, giving it a contrast ratio of 25,000:1, which is impressive for a VA panel.

If you're looking for a truly premium option, the Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX is an ultra-premium 4K monitor with G-Sync Ultimate. It will work at any refresh rate between 1Hz and 144Hz, which is essential as most video cards won't sustain a high frame rate at this monitor's 4K resolution. It also has a Mini-LED backlight, setting a new standard for contrast ratio and dark scene performance in an IPS gaming monitor, and it blows away the competition when it comes to HDR.

Frequently asked questions