lcd panel refresh rate brands

The best high refresh rate monitors deliver crisp and smooth visuals during your gaming sessions. That doesn"t just mean a more enjoyable experience; it also means you"ll have a winning advantage as a fast display is able to deliver more images per second to keep up with your fast movements, making them great for competitive gaming.

60Hz and 120Hz monitors are hardly obsolete and will more than suffice for most of your viewing needs. However, some situations do call for a higher refresh rate. The best monitors that offer refresh rates 144Hz and faster are the cream of the crop, especially where gamers are concerned. If your PC’s graphics card is putting out higher frame rates, for example, or if a smoother, screen tearing-free gaming experience is much more important than higher resolution gameplay, then a higher refresh rate monitor is a better solution.

We"ve tested many gaming monitors in the last few years, so we know which ones are worth your money. To help you, we found all the best high refresh rate monitors available right now, considering size, budget, and different needs. From 165Hz panels that will serve you well when playing the latest fast-paced PC games to those monitors with a whopping 360Hz refresh rate that will help you rise to the top of the leaderboards, here are our top picks.

High refresh rate monitors may typically cost more, but that doesn’t mean that there aren"t excellent affordable options available. Out of those, the Gigabyte Aorus CV27Q may be the best, offering that fast refresh rate in a QHD package for less than you"d expect. You can count on its reliable 165 Hz refresh rate and adaptive sync to deliver a smooth gaming experience.

Just in case that isn’t enough to convince you, Gigabyte also throws in 1500R curvature, 3000:1 contrast ratio, VESA-certified DisplayHDR 400 should, and 1ms response time. That’s a lot of impressive features for gaming immersion that you won’t find in some of the more premium panels. The color support is limited to 90% DCI-P3 and the input ports don’t include a USB-C, but at that price, we’re not complaining. Especially if you need something fast yet affordable for gaming.

The AOC CU34G2X is similar to the Samsung Odyssey G7 in that you get a refresh rate of 144Hz, 1ms response time, and a 1440p resolution. Unlike the Samsung panel, however, this one is much lower in price point, which makes it a fantastic budget option for those who need something cheap.

The Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165 comes at a premium, but you’re also paying for more than just its fast refresh rate. A 1440p resolution, DisplayHDR 400, 100% Adobe RGB and 98% DCI-P3 color gamuts, and all the ports you could ask for including one USB-C port — they all make this an impressive display and not just for gamers.

We found that its core image quality bright, vibrant and punchy, while also being natural looking and nicely calibrated right out of the box. Thanks to its fast refresh rate, there’s also almost no visible overshoot or inverse ghosting and very minimal blurring.

While it may need some calibrating out of the box, the Samsung Odyssey G7 is quite the panel. An incredibly fast 240Hz refresh rate paired with a 1440p resolution will make you forget all about those 4K options as this is the sweet spot for a lot of gaming. Even if you don"t notice the difference, but still you"ll have the peace of mind knowing that if you"re hitting up to 240fps in games, your monitor is keeping up.

But, none of that matters if the performance isn’t there. Luckily, the Alienware AW2721D is fast, thanks to that 240Hz refresh rate, delivering sharp, clean, and smooth picture quality. That"s certainly an advantage during fast and hectic gameplay when crisp visuals are crucial to winning.

The Asus TUF VG259QM might be the a speedy little monitor you want if you"re looking for display that can deliver exceptionally smooth performance. Not only does it boast an incredibly fast 280Hz refresh rate, but it also allows you to use G-Sync at the same time as the Asus’ own ELMB or Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync. What you"re getting, therefore, is picture quality that’s incredibly crisp and smooth no matter how fast you’re pushing it.

The MSI Oculux NXG253R is yet another affordable monitor if you"re looking for something that"s incredibly fast. Its 360Hz refresh rate at this price point, however, is especially uncommon, but it does mean don’t have to break the bank to gain access to these blazing fast speeds.

The ASUS ROG Swift PG259QNR might be light on features, but it comes with everything necessary to make the most of its lightning fast performance. That 360Hz refresh rate is already impressive. But, the inclusion of ULMB or Ultra Low Motion Blur, Nvidia G-Sync, and Nvidia’s Reflex Latency Analyzer allows you to fine-tune that speed.

The Alienware AW3423DW is a fantastic option if you"re looking to merge fast refresh rates with OLED technology, which has only recently come to computer and gaming monitors. This display delivers an almost impeccable gaming performance, thanks to its smooth motion processing, 175Hz refresh rate, and quick response time, which makes it a great proposition for gamers who love fast-paced games or do competitive gaming.

Its speed isn"t its marquee feature, however. Its color reproduction is, thanks to its cinema-grade color coverage of 99.3% DCI-P3, Delta E color accuracy of less than 2 out of the box, and infinite contrast ratio. An OLED panel, you"re getting deep blacks and vivid colors, which when combined with its sharp and smooth visuals, deliver a stunning image.

You are paying quite a sum for all of that. However, if you can afford it, rest assured you"re getting your money"s worth.How to choose the best high refresh rate monitor for youThere are a couple of caveats to know before you invest in a high refresh rate monitor, however. First, these panels tend to be pricey – or at least, more expensive than their 60Hz and 120Hz counterparts – for the simple reason that they’re more expensive to make. Second, you’ll be sacrificing high resolution to get that high refresh rate.

While there are now 4K displays with 144Hz refresh rate, there are only a few of them out there as it’s fairly new. And, if you want one with an even higher refresh rate, you’re stuck with 1080p and 1440p options. At least, for now. So, if you have a tight budget or if having a 4K screen is a priority, this might not be the best option for you.Round up of today"s best deals

Based in South Korea, Samsung has become one of the world"s leading electronic brands. Like many companies in this list, their monitors mainly focus on gaming. Their models are unique since they don"t primarily use IPS panels, as many have VA panels with a high contrast ratio and curved screen. Although VA panels look great in dark rooms, the main downside is that they have narrow viewing angles, which isn"t ideal for sharing your screen with others. They"ve even started including Mini LED backlighting on some models, which further improves the picture quality, peak brightness, and dark room performance. It helps that Samsung already produces TVs with this Mini LED technology, so they"ve become an industry leader for monitors with it.

Like with their TV lineup, Samsung offers the best features and performance with their high-end models like the Samsung LS32BG852NNXGO, and lower-end models tend to sacrifice features and performance for a lower cost. For example, the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 S32BG75 is a step down from the Neo G8 and costs less, but it has a lower 165Hz refresh rate compared to 240Hz on the Neo G8. It means that Samsung"s best options are their high-end ones, as their budget displays, like the Samsung Odyssey G3 S24AG30, have limited performance.

Displays with a 360 Hz refresh rate and a 2.8 ms frame time are the best gaming monitors with high refresh rates you can get today. But that will soon change. Two leading makers of LCD panels are developing display panels that feature a 480 Hz refresh rate and a 2.1 ms frame time (as well as lower overall latency). These panels will be ready sometimes in 2022, so actual displays will arrive in 2023.

Both AU Optronics and LG Display are working on LCD panels with a 480 Hz refresh rate, according to two reports by TFTCentral (1, 2). LG Display is reportedly working on multiple 480 Hz panels with the first one being a 24.5-inch with a 1080p(1920x1080) resolution. The unit is projected to be ready for mass production sometime in Q4 2022, so if everything goes well, the commercial displays based on the panel will be available in the first half of 2023. AU Optronics is also developing a 1080p panel with a 480 Hz refresh rate and aims to start mass production in 2022, but there are no further details.

Not a lot of information is available about AUO"s and LG Display"s 480 Hz panels now, which is not particularly surprising given that they are so far out. Today"s ultra-high-performance 360Hz displays use a TNpanel, though the brand new 390 Hz LCDs use AUO"s AHVA (IPS-like) panels.

To handle a panel with an extremely wide variable refresh rate range — think about 30Hz ~ 480Hz — a very high-performance display controller logic will be needed. This set of chips (or one highly integrated chip) will have to include a very high-performance image processing unit, an appropriate overdrive processor, a very fast TCON (timing controller), and a general-purpose processor that will manage operation of the said units.

For example, modern 360HzG-Syncdisplays use logic specifically designed by Nvidia. In fact, the logic behind high-end displays is just as important as the panel and the backlighting, which is why development of expensive monitors takes so long.

These 480 Hz panels are designed for monitors aimed at professional gamers who want maximum performance to maximize their potential in various eSports competitions. The market of such displays is rather small, yet lucrative. Furthermore, such high-end displays serve the same purpose as other halo products — they promote the manufacturer"s brand.

The best high refresh rate monitors are as important a piece of a competitive gaming setup as a great graphics card, mouse, or keyboard. If you want to see the smooth look of a game running at a high refresh rate like 144Hz or 240Hz, a high refresh rate monitor will deliver that experience, and you probably won"t be able to go back to anything lower.

What refresh rate should you be looking for in a potential upgrade? You can feel the difference between even 60Hz and 75Hz monitors, though you start to notice the benefits in-game around 120Hz. We consider the standard for gaming monitors is 144Hz, though 165Hz is common enough with overclocked panels. Beyond that, you have 240Hz and 360Hz, targeting competitive gamers, such as twitch shooter players. These usually come alongside lower resolutions and higher price tags, so you want to be sure you"ll need that snappy response before investing in a 240/360Hz gaming monitor. Don"t even get us started on 480Hz gaming monitors(opens in new tab)that are supposedly coming pretty soon.

Refresh rate is just one element of modern gaming monitors, though, and what else you desire is up to you. Should you go for an IPS or VA panel, for instance. And what about panel, size, shape, and resolution? Is the 16:9 aspect ratio still the most versatile and compatible, or is ultrawide the way? Do curved panels add anything? And what about resolution? 4K? Or does 1440p strike a better balance? Is 1080p obsolete?

We"ve tested each of these high refresh rate gaming monitors in this list to see whether their claims stand up and make sure no compromise has been made to post those sky-high refresh rate claims.

Refresh rate, resolution, black levels, panel size: pick two. That"s been the PC monitor buyer"s dilemma for several years now, since we collectively realised that yes, playing at a higher refresh rate does actually make you better at Counter-Strike. MSI"s latest panel, bearing the catchy moniker Oculux NXG253R, aims to at least address the most common tradeoff in modern gaming panels: refresh rate for colour quality.

Whereas the majority of high refresh rate panels are VA or TN screens with limited viewing angle and shallow colours, MSI"s latest is built around an IPS panel, with all the inky blacks and rich colours that technology brings with it. Traditionally IPS has been slower to the party since it"s costlier to manufacture high refresh rate panels, but evidently enough of us are sold on 120Hz and beyond.360Hz does look and feel smoother than 120Hz.

At enthusiast level, there"s still just a sense of pure enjoyment in watching Overwatch or Quake Champions zip along. Anecdotally, I found D.Va"s out-of-suit pistol combat that bit easier with frames and refresh rate way up at 300 (the game"s capped there) since my targets were always where my screen told me they were. In similarly frenetic Quake Champions matches, I pulled off Ranger"s tricky teleport kill with a bit more ease, too.

But something to bear in mind: you still need the GPU to get your frame rate up there in the hundreds in order to feel the benefit of that 360Hz refresh.

This being an IPS panel with typically darker blacks, it definitely looks more vivid in-game than even a good TN screen, and the colours hold up at any viewing angle. You"ve got a few preset brightness and color balance modes to cycle between on the OSD, arranged by genre. FPS is super-bright and saturated, racing is a bit more subdued by contrast. Out of the box, the default colour and brightness settings are easy on the eye and really sell the IPS benefit.

The Oculux NXG253R"s mandate is sound, then, but there are still compromises made in this pricey 1080p monitor in order to optimise esports performance. The most obvious are the screen size and resolution, 24.5-inch and 1080p respectively. You could certainly argue that nobody"s getting 360 fps at 4K in… well, anything outside of CS:GO or MOBAs, and quite rightly so. But spending this much on a monitor that won"t even give you 1440p feels like a serious tradeoff, and that resolution dictates a smaller panel size. Nobody wants to see the individual pixels at 1080p on a 32-inch screen.

The Alienware 34 QD-OLED curved gaming monitor completely took us by surprise. It made us believers in Samsung"s new QD-OLED panels, which we are hoping means the OLED PC monitor revolution has begun.

This monitor isn’t perfect. But it is dramatically better than any LCD-based monitor by several gaming-critical metrics. And it’s a genuine thrill to use. Of course, that’s getting ahead of ourselves. First, we need to cover off the basics.

What makes the AW3423DW far superior to your typical LCD panel on a PC gaming monitor is the near-percent color saturation and screen brightness capable of hitting a peak brightness of 1000 nits. It"s done all this while providing a ridiculously fast 175Hz refresh rate and a response time of .1ms. It might just be the best 3440 x 1440p gaming monitor we"ve ever used, and, boy, do we look at a lot of ultrawide.

Common to all OLED tech are two critical advantages over any LCD panel, namely contrast and response. Put simply, every pixel in an OLED panel is its own light source, which can be turned completely off, essentially delivering ‘true’ black levels and more or less infinite contrast. There’s no need for any of that complicated, problematic local dimming to stop the light from leaking through an LCD panel. OLED is the real HDR deal.

Not only is it OLED, it’s also Samsung’s hot new QD-LED tech, which combines the ideal RGB subpixel structure with quantum dot technology to produce both excellent color saturation and an even brighter panel. Net result? Alienware is claiming both an impressive 99.3 percent coverage of the demanding DCI-P3 color space and fully 1,000 nits brightness, albeit that brightness level can only be achieved on a small portion of the panel, not across the entire screen.

Unlike LCD monitors with claimed HDR capability, this OLED screen needs to be in HDR mode to do its thing. And that applies to SDR content, too. Alienware has provided two HDR modes, HDR 400 True Black and HDR Peak 1000. The latter enables that maximum 1,000 nit performance in small areas of the panel but actually looks less vibrant and punchy most of the time.

Why, exactly, does the AOC Agon AG273QXP run at 170Hz refresh? Is it a cynical marketing move designed to give AOC’s latest gaming panel a superficial edge over the usual 165Hz suspects? Is there some specific technical reason for the extra 5Hz?

It’s a pity to be distracted by such trivia because the AOC Agon AG273QXP has loads going for it. That 170Hz panel is a 1440p IPS item, making it a goldilocks model for modern gaming. Not too many pixels. Not too few. But just the right balance between visual detail and frame rate.

Yup, this thing ticks a lot of boxes on paper. And so it proves in practice. It’s undoubtedly as punchy a panel as the 400cd/m2 spec implies. Is it suitable for a 1ms response? Unlikely, in absolute terms. But set the overdrive to medium, and it’s a speedy monitor with minimal blur and no ghosting.

Cyberpunk 2077 looks glorious, that’s for sure. The Agon sports a pretty decent HDR implementation, too. At least it does for an HDR 400 panel that lacks local dimming. Like any other HDR 400 screen, it’s not a true HDR experience. But this is still a great high refresh rate monitor.

1080p not your bag? Better jog on as the Acer Predator XB253QGX won’t be for you. It isn’t really for most of us, either, given 1440p is a better all-around compromise for most gamers from a purely visual point. But if ultra-low latency and frames rates high enough to give you a nosebleed sounds like your thing, this 1080p 25-incher should be on your shortlist.

It’s very similar to the Alienware 25 but clocks in at a mere 240Hz to the Alienware’s outrageous 360Hz. In truth, only the most demanding esports addicts will be able to tell the difference. But if you are that sensitive to latency, the Acer’s 1080p resolution actually makes sense. After all, the fewer the pixels, the higher your frame rate.

As it happens, this Acer is slightly more vibrant than the ostensibly identical Lenovo Legion Y25-25, even if it isn’t as punchy as the much pricier Alienware. As with many screens of this type, you can fine-tune pixel response through an overdrive setting. Predictably, the most aggressive setting introduces some ghosting. But set to medium, this is a very quick IPS monitor. That said, even with a claimed MPRT response time of just 0.5ms, this is not an entirely blur-free monitor. That’s LCD technology for you.

Of course, it’s in pure visual punch where a 1080p panel like this stumbles. There’s significantly less detail on offer than a 1440p monitor, much less a 4K screen. This would not be our weapon of choice for soaking up the sheer spectacle of Cyberpunk 2077, that’s for sure.

There’s an elephant in this high refresh rate monitor round-up. And it’s the inevitable question of diminishing returns. When, exactly, do they kick in? 165Hz? 240Hz? How about 360Hz? Oh yes, this updated Alienware 25 is good for the full 360. In purely experiential and subjective terms, it’s not easy to separate it from otherwise similar 1080p IPS monitors that hum along at a comparatively pedestrian 240Hz refresh. They all feel swift.

Of course, esports aficionados with ninjascopic reflexes will appreciate the difference. And there’s certainly no penalty to pay, given this IPS panel. It’s not like you’re forced to suffer a dingy TN panel to have all those Hz. As for pixel response, it’s about as good as IPS monitors get, though once again hard to really separate from the cheaper 240Hz brigade.

But it’s actually Alienware’s other qualities that set it apart. For starters, this is the brightest and punchiest of the 25-inch bunch. The integrated Nvidia G-Sync chip also makes for a noticeably smoother low-frame-rate experience than a mere G-Sync ‘Compatible’ or FreeSync display. Ironic, given the 360Hz refresh is the main attraction.

That works out at over a billion per second at 144Hz, which just so happens to be the refresh rate of the Acer Predator XB273K, Acer’s more affordable 4K gaming panel. Compared to the pricier Acer Predator X27, it lacks local dimming, delivers lower peak brightness, and is merely G-Sync ‘Compatible’. So, there’s no Nvidia G-Sync module onboard.

Of course, affordability is relative, and the XB273K is still a pretty pricey panel. Indeed, with 120Hz 4K OLED TVs available for not all that much more than this 27-inch monitor, the value proposition isn’t exactly compelling.

None of which is to say this screen lacks appeal. No, siree. Once you’ve seen Cyberpunk 2077 running in full IPS-plus-4K glory, you won’t want to go back to 1440p, let alone crummy old 1080p. The problem is the philosophical incompatibility between maximizing image quality and frame rates at the same time. You can’t really have both. Not even with, say, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080(opens in new tab).

In other words, while this monitor is capable of 144Hz, you’re not going to get near those kinds of frame rates in the prettiest games. And if you’re not bothered about prettiness, you probably don’t need 4K if you follow. It’s a very nice screen, this Acer Predator XB273K, and better value than its Acer Predator X27 sibling, but it still doesn’t make much sense for this kind of money.

VA panel technology used to spell certain doom when it came to pixel response. More recently, Samsung, among others, has proven that VA really can deliver. If not quite an IPS-matching response, then certainly good enough performance for all but the most demanding esports gamers.

Unfortunately, the Viewsonic VX2718-2KPC-MHD is a VA screen slightly out of the old school, despite delivering a 165Hz refresh. Crank this 27-inch, 1440p curved monitor over for the first time, and it doesn’t bode well. In fact, the VX2718-2KPC-MHD is a bit of a blurry mess. It does improve with a little time and temperature. But even fully warmed up, it’s simply not as quick as the latest IPS panels. Or, for that matter, the implied performance of the 1ms MPRT response specification.

Incidentally, the VX2718-2KPC-MHD ‘1ms’ mode does little to improve response, but it does crush brightness and vibrancy pretty effectively. While we’re beating on Viewsonic’s latest, we note it lacks a refresh rate counter. It’s a small detail, but it’s also a handy feature to ensure that you’re running at the right refresh rate and confirm that adaptive sync is enabled.

This isn’t to imply this screen has nothing to offer. The 1440p native resolution on a 27-inch panel is a sweet combo for balancing frame rates with in-game detail, while the VA panel tech delivers plenty of contrast. Of course, as 1440p 165Hz monitors go, it’s competitively priced, but the mediocre response and lack of punch might feel a bit too budget for most.

That’s not to say the Lenovo Legion Y25-25 is an outright dud. Not with a 25-inch IPS panel that fires at fully 240Hz. Sure, it’s only 1080p. But then so is the competition and the point here is maximum fluidity, minimum latency. Giving up the visual detail and precision of 1440p or 4K goes with the territory, in other words.

The Lenovo also has pretty sweet build quality with a lush alloy stand, full adjustability including height, tilt, rotate and swivel, plus styling that little bit slicker and more grown-up than your average, rather adolescent, gaming peripheral. The integrated, rather than external, power supply likewise soothes our collective OCD, and G-Sync compatibility is welcome if expected in this class of screen.

To all that, you can add excellent pixel response with the overdrive set to medium (max it out and some ghouls and ghosts turn up uninvited), predictably minimal latency, plus buttery smooth rendering, as you’d expect for a 240Hz panel.

So what, exactly, is the problem? Basic image quality, that’s what. The Lenovo Legion Y25-25 is just a little bit dingier, a little duller than the competition. It’s unclear if it uses a different panel from the Acer and Alienware. But for sure, its colors are less vibrant, and games look less immersive. In isolation, and given the esports remit, that argument doesn’t matter. This certainly isn’t a terrible-looking screen, but when you can have all of Lenovo’s upsides, plus better basic image quality, elsewhere it is a bit of a non-starter of a monitor.

High refresh rate gaming monitor FAQWhat"s the best PC monitor panel type for gaming?If in doubt, go IPS. There are now VA screens with good response speed, like the fabulous MSI MPG ARTYMIS 343CQR. But IPS more consistently delivers the goods and is now sufficiently fast in terms of refresh rate that you absolutely needn"t settle for TN anymore.What refresh rate do you really need for PC gaming?If you"re asking the question, 144Hz is probably plenty. Esports fiends who will really appreciate higher refresh rates already know who they are and what they want. And that answer is likely getting on for 240Hz these days.What"s the best resolution for a gaming monitor?With the latest unobtainable graphics cards, 4K gaming at high triple-digit refresh rates is a stretch in the most demanding games. So, 1440p (at either 16:9 or 21:9 aspect ratio) is probably the better compromise. 1080p is only of interest to those who demand the very highest frame rates for competitive shooters.Should I buy a curved gaming monitor?For our money, curved panels make the most sense in larger formats and with super-wide 21:9 or wider panels. A curved panel on, say, a smaller 27-inch 16:9 panel isn"t necessarily a bad thing. But, nor does it really add much to the experience.Does HDR matter for PC gaming monitors?The problem with HDR in this context is that few LCD monitors offer a true HDR experience. What"s more, monitors with HDR-boosting local dimming remain painfully pricey and for what is really only marginal benefit. That said, HDR certification usually ensures high brightness, and HDR 600 and beyond requires wide color support.G-Sync or FreeSync: which adaptive screen tech is best?We think screens with Nvidia"s G-Sync module built-in have the edge when it comes to smooth performance at lower frame rates. At higher frame rates, mere G-Sync compatibility is fine, and AMD"s FreeSync is likewise much of a muchness.Round up of today"s best deals

We get a lot of questions about high refresh rate panels of varying sizes and technologies and it’s a topic gamers are of course very interested in. We thought it might be useful to provide a round-up of some of the news we’ve brought you over the last few months in relation to panel roadmaps, and announced displays to help get this information all in one place. This will hopefully give you an idea of what is currently available in each technology now, as well as what is planned for the future and when to expect other options to arrive. As ever, keep in mind the increasing demands on PC’s and graphics cards with the increases in refresh rates, not to mention the push for higher resolutions at the same time. Also we’d like to make the distinction up-front between panel manufacturers and monitor manufacturers here. Where we are talking about panel roadmaps and production, keep in mind that there is usually a lag of a couple of months after the panel goes in to mass production before we see any news of displays which will feature the new panel. There’s normally then a 3 – 4 month delay before that screen is released and widely available, so keep that in mind when we talk about dates in this article.

So why high refresh rate? The refresh rate of an LCD display is directly linked to two key areas. Firstly frame rate support. The higher the refresh rate, the higher the number of frames per second it can display, if you’ve got a graphics card and system capable enough to generate them. So if you’ve got a top end gaming system and can generate 120 frames per second (fps) you’d see the benefit of that on a 120Hz capable display, whereas a 60Hz display would only offer support for up to 60fps. Secondly because of the way LCD’s operate, the way the human eye perceives motion blur is directly impacted by the refresh rate as well. The higher the refresh rate, the less motion blur you will see, although past a certain point you start to reach the point of diminishing returns. There’s certainly big improvements when you move from 60Hz to 120Hz, and a smaller but not insignificant jump if you then jump to something like 240Hz. Beyond that, you’d probably see smaller and smaller improvements, and for additional blur reduction you’re probably going to want to consider a specific strobing blur reduction backlight system. The principles and operation of those are covered in our other article on Motion Blur Reduction Backlights.

At the time of writing this article originally in September 2016 there was only one true high refresh rate option available in this technology, that being a 27” 2560 x 1440 resolution panel provide by AU Optronics (their IPS-type AHVA technology). It is used in a range of popular monitors such as the Acer Predator XB270HU (reviewed), the updated XB271HU and the equivalent models from Asus like theirAsus ROG Swift PG279Q (reviewed). Many other models are available featuring various similar versions of panel and it is tried and tested.

This is a flat format panel which is available in standard (panel part M270DAN02.3) and borderless (part M270DAN02.6) varieties and offers a native 144Hz refresh rate. Where the panel is combined with a hardware G-sync module, manufacturers were also able to overclock the refresh rate a little to 165Hz on some of the displays. Blur reduction backlights were combined with this panel since the refresh rate support is high enough to make that a viable option for the first time from IPS screens. Some later screens such as theAsus TUF VG27AQ (reviewed) featured a slightly different panel (M270Q008 V002) and was the first display that allows simultaneous use of the strobing blur reduction backlight and the variable refresh rate (G-sync/FreeSync).

AU Optronicsare currently producing these 2560 x 1440 resolution 27″ IPS-type panels with a slightly boosted refresh rate up to a native 165Hz (not needing an overclock) along with wide colour gamut support. This also goes hand in hand with some advancements in response times they are developing to help speed up pixel transitions. There are a few versions of this 165Hz panel planned.

The M270DAN06.6 is borderless and has a DCI-P3 gamut (compared with the original 144Hz panels which were sRGB only) and is in production now since June 2019.

The M270DAN06.7 is listed as a normal panel (i.e. not borderless) and has an Adobe RGB gamut and support for HDR600. This version should now be in production since October 2019.

The M270DAN08.2 is a borderless option with 165Hz refresh rate and Adobe RGB gamut, but without HDR 600 listed. This was due to go in to mass production in March 2020.

AU Optronics are also developing a 27″ 240Hz refresh rate panel (M270DAN08.0) with 1440p resolution, which should be in production now since January 2020. This too will feature a wide colour gamut but no HDR 600 support.

In the 27″ space is the LM270WQA panel was their first, with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and 144Hz native refresh rate and with a DCI-P3 colour gamut. It’s was originally expected to go in to production around December 2018 but then slipped back to Q2 2019, but is now in mass production thankfully. LG.Display are also promoting improvements in their IPS response times in their latest roadmaps, trying to improve on the 5ms G2G spec, pushing down down to 1ms G2G thanks to higher levels of overdrive. In practice we know that 1ms is unrealistic, but there are no doubt great improvements in pixel response times from these latest LG.Display panels.

The LG 27GL850 (reviewed) was the first display to feature this new panel. You may or may not remember that originally this screen was planned to feature a hardware G-sync module and therefore support a 165Hz overclock, but that was later dropped in favour of an adaptive-sync support and therefore limited to the native 144Hz. We have seen other displays released using this same 27″ LG.Display panel, including the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG (reviewed) which does feature a Native G-sync hardware module and therefore an overclocked 165Hz refresh rate.

We have in more recent times seen Innolux start to invest in high refresh rate IPS-type panels as well it seems with their AAS panel technology. There is a 27″ flat panel produced by them and in production since Dec 2018 (M270KCJ-K7B) which offers a 2560 x 1440 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. We have seen the Acer Nitro XV272U and VG271U released as well as new models from lesser known manufacturers like the Gigabyte Aorus AD27QD (reviewed).

Innolux are planning to develop this panel slightly further from March 2020 with a slightly increased 165Hz refresh rate and an improved response time spec (M270KCJ-K7B Cx). It looks likely that this panel will be featured in the updated version of the Gigabyte Aorus AD27QD which is the Gigabyte Aorus FI27Q.

AU Optronicsare also developing larger 32″ sized panels with 2560 x 1440 resolution and high refresh rate. Both of these larger panels offer wide colour gamut with 99% Adobe RGB listed, and look like they will feature HDR 600 support.

31.5″ size (LM315WQ1) panel which was expected to go in to production in December 2018, but then slipped to mid 2019. It does not appear on the latest roadmap we have from Dec 2019 so may have been pushed back or scrapped.

31.5″ size (M315KCA-E7B) borderless panel with 165Hz refresh rate. Potentially in two flavours, one normal SDR and one with HDR 600 support and both with wide colour gamut. Mass production Q3 2020

Perhaps counter-intuitively, it was 1440p resolution IPS panels that were first released with high refresh rates. The lower resolution 1080p models came a bit later.

There is already a panel option available from LG.Display(LM270WF8) which is 27″ in size and has a 1080p resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. We’ve seen some displays announced in recent times which look to be using this panel like the LG 27GL650F. The Philips 272M8 and AOC AGON AG27G2 also look to be other models announced in some regions using this panel.

AU Optronicsare also now producing 24.5″, 25″ and 27″ sized panels with this lower 1920 x 1080 resolution (Full HD), presumably aimed at lower end systems where the full 1440p resolution might be a challenge. These include 144Hz and 240Hz options

24.5″ 240Hz version (M250HAN01.3) should now be in mass production since Q3 2019 as well. We will cover 240Hz IPS panels in more detail a little later.

Another 24.5″ 144Hz panel (M250HAN02.0) which should be in production now since Nov 2019. It’s unclear if this will really offer anything different to the earlier version though.

27″ 144Hz panel (M270HAN02.2) has been in production since early 2019. A slightly updated version with improved response time spec (M270HAN03.2) has also been in production now since Oct 2019. Both have standard sRGB gamut.

Apart from those 27” AU Optronics panels with 144Hz talked about above, there were no IPS-type panels available at the time of originally writing this article in September 2016 which natively support high refresh rates. In the larger display space, display manufacturers had some solid success in overclocking a curved 34” 3440 x 1440 resolution panel which has been around for quite some years, produced by LG.Display. This IPS panel is actually natively 60Hz, but when it is combined with a G-sync module it has been possible to overclock that refresh rate up to 100Hz successfully. Monitors like the Acer Predator X34 and Asus ROG Swift PG348Q (both reviewed) were two very popular options based on this panel, and overclocked with a lot of success 3440 x 1440 @ 100Hz. They offered high refresh rate support and response times suitable to keep up the demands of the frame rate.

LG.Display were later than AUO to develop high refresh rate IPS-type panels, but their focus was largely on ultrawide models at the beginning. As a side note, all the way back in late 2015 LG.Display did actually have a 27” module (panel part LM270WF8) in their road-map which would have been their first venture in to high refresh rate IPS tech. That was a planned 1920 x 1080 @ 144Hz module, but as far as we know it was dropped and never emerged. Thankfully LG.Display are now investing in other high refresh rate IPS options, including many in the ultrawide space:

34” curved ultra-wide with 2560 x 1080 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate– production in August 2016 (panel part LM340WW2). This represented LG.Display’s first available native high refresh IPS panel. We have tested the LG 34UC79G (reviewed) which features this panel with FreeSync support. A G-sync module version was also produced since Jan 2017. Although not listed in the most recent roadmaps we’ve seen, LG.Display appear to have a slightly updated version of this panel in production during H1 2019 with the same 2560 x 1080 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, but an increased brightness spec of 300 cd/m2 compared with the earlier 250 cd/m2 specs. That is used in the LG 34GL750 which was released late in 2019.

34” curved ultra-wide with 3440 x 1440 resolution and 100Hz refresh rate– there is also already a 3440 x 1440 resolution @ 100Hz IPS (LM340UW4) panel available and used in some popular displays like the Dell Alienware AW3418DW (reviewed) for instance, where it is also paired with a G-sync module to offer an overclocked 120Hz refresh rate. There is also the Asus ROG Swift PG349Q which uses the new 100Hz native refresh rate panel and thanks to a G-sync module also allows a 120Hz overclock. Note that the PG349Q replaced the PG348Q which was a 60Hz panel overclocked to 100Hz. Other screens with FreeSync support are also available including the Acer Predator XR342CKP for example.

34” curved ultra-wide with 3440 x 1440 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate– The 100Hz UW4 panel mentioned above has now been superseded by a higher refresh rate options, with 144Hz. There was originally a couple of new versions of the older LM340UW3 panel (which is already available as a 60Hz option) planned around late 2017 with 144Hz, but it looks like those have been scrapped and replaced by the LM340UW5 instead. This UW5 panel has been used in a couple of screens already including the LG 34GK950F and 34GK950G that we have reviewed in full. Where it has been combined with a G-sync module, so far this has required a down-clock to a maximum 120Hz because of the limitations with the G-sync v1 module. The FreeSync version of the screen can use the full 144Hz refresh rate without issue as long as you have a suitable graphics card and DisplayPort 1.4 output. Dell have also released their Dell Alienware AW3420DW which uses this same panel but again is down-clocked slightly to 120Hz because it is a Native G-sync screen.

37.5″ curved ultra-wide development– LG.Display are also investing in even larger ultra-wide screens in the curved 37.5″ space. We’ve seen the first of these appear in monitor form in September 2016 in the form of the LG 38UC99 (reviewed). These new panels offer a 24:10 aspect ratio and 3840 x 1600 resolution. The panel already in production and used in that LG screen is a maximum 75Hz refresh rate. We wouldn’t call this a “high refresh rate” but we mention it for reference.

LG.Display are now also producing a 144Hz version with the same 3840 x 1600 resolution. Originally touted for a Q4 2017 production, this slipped and was then sent to mass production late in 2019. This is the LM375QW2 panel and it has already been featured in the LG 38GL950G (reviewed) which was the first screen to make use of this new panel and also offers an overclock up to 175Hz thanks to the use of a G-sync v2 module as well.

This same panel will also be featured in several forthcoming models including the Acer Predator X38 which features a Native G-sync module as well, and offers the same 175Hz overclock. That model is expected to be released around April 2020.

A few of adaptive-sync displays have also been announced based on an updated version of this panel which still offers the same 3840 x 1600 resolution and 144Hz native refresh rate, but which also includes HDR 600 support. These models are the LG 37GN950 (160Hz overclock, likely H2 2020), the more business-oriented LG 38WN95C (144Hz native, also likely H2 2020) and also the MSI Optix MEG381CQR (144Hz native, Q3/Q4 2020).

49″ ultrawide with 5120 x 1440 and 144Hz– LG.Display are already producing a 32:9 aspect ratio 49″ ultrawide panel with a 60Hz refresh rate and high 5120 x 1440 resolution. They also plan to produce a 144Hz refresh rate version although production was originally not expected until Q4 2019 and this panel does not appear on the latest roadmaps we have from Dec 2019 so it may well have slipped or been pushed back. No news of any screens featuring this panel yet.

AU Optronics don’t have any ultra-wide high refresh rate IPS-type panels in their current roadmaps, instead choosing to focus on VA-type panels in that space. So it seems that they are sticking to the typical 16:9 aspect ratio market, and leaving the 34”+ ultra-wide space to LG.Display for now. Samsung have so far not planned any high refresh rate PLS panels, which is their IPS-type technology. They seem to be more focused on their VA panels at the moment as well.

We have now seen a variety of 240Hz IPS panels produced, with a range of monitors already released or announced. Some even offer overclocking features to extend 240Hz to even higher refresh rates – at the moment the maximum launched is 280Hz!

These 2400Hz IPS panels are initially available from AU Optronics and only with 1080p resolutions and in sizes of 24.5″ (M250HAN01.3) and 27″ (M270HAN03.0). The smaller version has been in production since July 2019, and the larger version slightly before since May 2019. AUO have had to work to improve response times even further to be able to cope with the high frame rate demands of 240Hz. The Acer Nitro XV273 X (reviewed) was the first screen released in 27″ and featuring the new 240Hz panel. We have also seen other models released including the Dell Alienware AW2720HF, Acer Nitro VG272X and ViewSonic Elite XG270. There is also the Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM (reviewed) which allowed for an overclocked 280Hz refresh rate from this panel, and also supported Asus’ ELMB-sync for simultaneous blur reduction and variable refresh rates. Those models are adaptive-sync and so support FreeSync and G-sync. There are also some Native G-sync module screens like the Acer Predator XB273 X.

The smaller 24.5″ equivalent panel from AUO has also been used in various models announced including the Acer Nitro XV253QX,Dell Alienware AW2521HF, Acer VG252QX and MSI Optix MAG251RX for instance all with 240Hz. Asus are also releasing their 24.5″ TUF Gaming VG259QM which allows for a 280Hz overclock (like the 27″ model does) and includes simultaneous blur reduction and VRR support through their ELMB-sync technology.

LG.Display are also developing a 27″ IPS panel (LM270WF9) with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. This will be combined with their new, lower 1ms G2G response time spec. Production has commenced since Q4 2019. A smaller 24.5″ IPS panel with 1080p and 240Hz is also planned but not until Q3 2020 at the moment. LG (the display manufacturer) announced the forthcoming release of their 27″ LG 27GN750 which features a 1080p IPS panel and 240Hz and is expected to be released in H1 2020 which is expected to use their new panel.

There are also plans to offer 240Hz IPS panels with a higher 2560 x 1440 Quad HD resolution. From AU Optronics there are 27″ (M270DAN08.0) and 32″ (M320DAN02.0) sized versions which were scheduled to go in to mass production in Jan 2020 and Feb 2020 respectively, which sound very interesting. Both have wide colour gamut as well. At the end of May 2020 some information appeared about the Acer Nitro XV272U X which looks to be the first model to feature the new 27″ 240Hz @ 1440p panel.

LG.Display also plan to develop a 27″ size 1440p IPS panel with 240Hz, with their offering including wide gamut support and also HDR 600. This isn’t expected to go in to production until Q4 2020 though.

From Innolux there are also plans to produce a 27″ 240Hz panel (M270KVA-E9B) with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 90% DCI-P3 gamut and HDR 600 support. Mass production is planned for Q3 2020 at the moment.

There have been a couple of 360Hz refresh rate screens announced over the last 6 months, primarily being showcased as prototypes at CES 2020 in January. From recent information it appears that these will be IPS technology and almost certainly from AU Optronics, although official specs and details remain limited. We do know that they are 24.5″ in size and will be limited to a 1920 x 1080 resolution though. There are two 360Hz models currently announced, the Asus ROG Swift 360Hz, and the Dell Alienware AW2521H. More information on these when we get it.

In the “4K” Ultra HD resolution space, AU Optronics have produced a flat 3840 x 2160 IPS-type module (M270QAN02) with 144Hz refresh rate which was showcased at Computex all the way back in June 2016 in the form of an Asus monitor prototype. There will be two flavours of this panel, a “normal” panel and then one that supports high end HDR.

The arguably more exciting M270QAN02.2 offers an Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, but also has full HDR support and a full-array local dimming (FALD) 384-zone backlight. The Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ (reviewed) was the first model announced featuring this new panel, offering a really impressive feature set even beyond the 3840 x 2160 resolution @ 144Hz which is exciting enough. See the linked review for more information but the other specs are focused on delivering high end HDR and support for NVIDIA G-sync variable refresh rates. Acer have already released a competing model, their Predator X27. AOC did have plans to release one in 2019 with their AGON AG273UG but this might have been scrapped as it never appeared. There is also the Acer ConteptD CP7271K P which is a more uniquely designed alternative coming soon.

Given that the Asus and Acer models only appeared around July/August 2018, that’s over 2 years since the prototype was shown off at Computex! It’s apparently been a massive challenge to get the FALD backlight working properly with the variable refresh rate G-sync module, and at suitable performance for fast gaming content.

A borderless version of the same 4K @ 144HZ with 384-zone FALD panel is expected to go in to production in Q3 2018 as well which could signal the next development phase for those high end HDR gaming screens. Although there are also developments with Mini LED backlights which are discussed below which offer more dimming zones, and may be the logical update to those screens already available.

If you don’t want or need the HDR FALD support, the normal version of this AUO 4K @ 144Hz panel is the M270QAN02.3 with specs in line with typical panels. Without the HDR FALD backlight, it significantly brings the retail cost of the monitors down. There’s been a lot of complaints about the very high retail price of the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ and Acer Predator X27 monitors mentioned above, but that is largely due to the FALD HDR backlight production. If you just want an Ultra HD 144Hz IPS gaming panel without the added HDR capability, this alternative panel option might present some good, lower cost choices. We have reviewed the first screen that uses this panel which is the Acer Nitro XV273K (reviewed). This features AMD FreeSync support as well, while an NVIDIA G-Sync alternative is available in the form of the Acer Predator XB273K. There has also been the uniquely designed Acer ConceptD CP3271K P as well as the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ and Nixeus NX-EDG274K for instance announced which are the same 27″ size and features the 4K resolution at 144Hz, but without a FALD HDR backlight.

LG.Displayare also now planning on getting involved with the 4K @ 144Hz market, with a 27″ panel (LM270WR8) of their own now planned with 3840 x 2160 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. This will give an alternative option to the AU Optronics panel currently used in several 4K @ 144Hz screens which will be interesting. This is listed with HDR600 support suggesting that some kind of edge-lit local dimming will be offered, but not a FALD like the AU Optronics offerings. Production is was originally planned for Q4 2019 but this more recently slipped to Q3 2020! So LG.Display will be very late to the party here! There is the LG 27GN950 already announced which is expected to be released in H2 2020 that will use this panel.

Innolux are also developing a 28″ sized (so slightly bigger) IPS-type panel with 3840 x 2160 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. It doesn’t offer any local dimming or HDR, but has a >90% DCI-P3 gamut. The panel (M280DCA-E7B) is planned for mass production now in Q4 2020.

AU Optronics are also planning a 32″ equivalent of these Ultra HD @ 144Hz panel (part number TBC). Originally it looked like there would again be an HDR version with a 384-zone FALD, and a “normal” version without. From the latest information we have it looks like perhaps the FALD version has been dropped, in favour of a Mini LED backlit option instead which is discussed below.

The normal non-HDR version still appears in plans. Panel production was originally expected around Q3 2018 but more recent information suggests this slipped back first to Q1 2019, then disappeared from roadmaps, only to re-appear with an expected production now of Q2 2020. Presumably because of the delays and challenges with the 27″ versions. It will not be until late 2020 before any monitors featuring those panels we expect right now.

AU Optronics also have plans to develop further HDR-capable panels with a new “mini LED” technology that will offer improvements in HDR local dimming capability over current Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) backlights. Mini LED offers much smaller chip sizes than normal LED and so can allow AUO to offer far more local dimming zones than even the current/planned FALD backlights that we’ve seen so far. Those FALD backlights have been limited to around 384 dimming zones on already announced 27″ and 32″ sized panels discussed above, certainly offering improvements in dimming capability compared with say, edge-lit panels.

The new mini LED backlight systems will support more zones with the first gaming option with high refresh expected to be a 27″ upgrade to the FALD version used for the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ and co. The updated Mini LED version increased the zones from 384 to 576, and Asus have already announced their updated Asus ROG Swift PG27UQX display. Acer are also expected to have an updated version of their Predator X27 around the same time, although no official information has been released yet. The new Mini LED panel was originally planned for production around October 2019 but this has slipped now to Q2 2020, so don’t expect release of the new screens until H2 2020 at best.

There is a also planned 32″ panel from AUO with Mini LED which will offer an Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution, 600 cd/m2 brightness (1000 cd/m2 peak), 99% Adobe RGB gamut and 120/144Hz refresh rate. We have seen a couple of screens announced so far based on this panel including the professional-oriented Asus ProArt PA32UCG and gaming Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX and Acer Predator X32. This 32″ panel isn’t scheduled to go in to production until Q2 2020 so again don’t expect to see these displays until H2 2020.

Related to Mini LED backlights, Innolux are also working on some exciting 31.5″ sized panel options with ‘4K’ 3840 x 2160 resolution and 144Hz refresh rates. There are three different panel options planned with varying backlight options.

The simplest is the “normal” SDR capable panel (M315DCA-K7B) with a regular backlight (i.e. no local dimming) but with 144Hz refresh rate, 90% DCI-P3 gamut. A prototype is planned for Q3 2019 but this is not expected to go in to mass production until June 2020 at the moment (3 quarters after prototype).

Finally there is a “Megazone” backlit version (panel part M315DCM-E70) with over 1 million dimming zones! This is VESA HDR 1000 compliant and with a >90% DCI-P3 gamut. Mass production is now expected for Q2 2020.

No news of any displays using any of these three new 31.5″ Innolux IPS panels yet. More information on these panels from Innolux in our latest news piece.

There is also a 43″ sized panel which is being used in the Korean branded Wasabi Mango UHD430 display. We are not sure who the panel manufacturer is for this screen but it is an IPS-type panel and offers a 3840 x 2160 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. This screen lacks any variable refresh rate technology but comes at a very low price.

A few smaller 23.8″ sized screens have also started to appear recently, with a 144Hz refresh rate IPS technology panel and 1080p resolution. TheAcer Nitro VG240Y P and Philips 242M8 for instance have appeared in some regions. We believe this will be based on a panel from lesser-known manufacturer Panda who have a matching panel which went in to production in Q1 2019 (panel part LC238LF1F).

At the time of originally writing this article, there had only been a couple of high refresh rate VA panels released and used in mainstream monitors. Back in 2013 we saw a flat 23.5” panel emerge from Sharp, who aren’t really a big manufacturer of LCD panels for desktop monitors. Their 120Hz capable 1920 x 1080 VA panel was used in the very popular Eizo Foris FG2421 (reviewed). This was the first real venture in to high refresh rate VA panels and showed what was possible from that technology when response times and refresh rate were handled well.

A couple of years later on in late 2015 we saw AU Optronics release a curved 35” ultra-wide AMVA panel (M350DVR01.0) with 2560 x 1080 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, which was used in various monitors including the BenQ XR3501 and Acer Predator Z35 (reviewed) for instance. That relatively low resolution allowed the refresh rate of 144Hz to be supported over DisplayPort 1.2 video interfaces as a full 3440 x 1440 wouldn’t be possible at that time. In some cases, like with the Acer Predator Z35, the panel was combined with a Native G-sync module and this allows overclocking of the refresh rate up to 200Hz. Although from our tests, the pixel response times were not really adequate to keep up with the frame rate and 120Hz is about the sensible limit for that panel. Response times are certainly the main challenge when trying to achieve high refresh rates on VA panels, particularly where often there are slow transitions from black > grey shades.

AU Optronics have a native 200Hz version of this curved 35” panel (M350DVR01.2) with 2560 x 1080 resolution that went in to production in June 2016 (M350DVR01.2) and was adopted first in the AOC AGON AG352QCX for instance.

In the higher resolution ultra-wide space AU Optronics have AMVA panels in production with 3440 x 1440 resolution and high native refresh rates. There is the curved 35” M350QVR01.0 panel which went in to production in Sept 2016 which offers a native 100Hz refresh rate, allowing AMVA panels to rival the alternative IPS panels of the same resolution and refresh rate at that time. The first screens to be announced based on these 100Hz VA panels at 3440 x 1440 were the HP Omen X35 and AOC AGON AG352UCG (reviewed). Some later models like the AOC AGON AG352UCG6 for instance used the same 3440 x 1440 @ 100Hz panels but combined it with a G-sync module to offer a small overclock to 120Hz.

Both these 100Hz native panels were standard gamut (sRGB) and the 100Hz refresh rate was possible still using the widespread DisplayPort 1.2 video interface. Both these 100Hz native 35″ panels have gone end of life for production now since Oct 2019.

AU Optronics have also developed a 3440 x 1440 VA panel in 35″ size which has a slightly higher native 120Hz refresh rate and a move to wide colour gamut. There are available in normal and borderless versions (M350QVR01.3 and M350QVR01.5) which went in to development in September 2019 (delayed considerably from original plans dating all the way back to January 2018). It’s unclear when mass production will start at this stage.

AUO have also developed another 35″ panel (M350QVR01.7) which supports an even higher 200Hz at 3440 x 1440 and is made possible by DisplayPort 1.4 connections. This went in to mass production in Q3 2018 (delayed a long time from original plans of Q3 2017) and we reviewed the first monitor to appear with this new panel – the Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ. It’s a very high end and expensive panel option since it also features a 512-zone FALD backlight for HDR.

There’s the Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ (reviewed) and Acer Predator X35 already available in most regions using this panel. There is also an AOC equivalent which has only recently been launched in Q1 2020 – the AOC AGON AG353UCG.

There is a 23.6″ sized curved VA panel produced in more recent times by AUO with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. This went in to development in Oct 2019 and should go in to mass production during Q1 2020. This is the smallest AUO VA panel with high refresh rate they produce.

There was at one time plans to produce a 27″ 2560 x 1440 resolution @ 144Hz curved VA panel but this seems to have been dropped and no longer appears on roadmaps. There is instead a 240Hz version listed now which started development in Nov 2019 and should hopefully go in to mass production around May 2020.

There is also a lower resolution 1920 x 1080 curved version (M270HVR01.0) with 165Hz refresh rate support which went in to production around July 2017 and is still produced

An updated 200Hz version of this 1080p panel (the M270HVR01.2) was originally expected to go in to production in Q4 2018 but this slipped to May 2019 but should now be in production.

There are also plans to produce a native 240Hz version with 1080p resolution (panel part TBC) which isn’t expected to go in to development until late May 2020. Mass production date is not yet known.

The first (M300DVR01.0) has a 2560 x 1080 resolution and a 200Hz refresh rate. That’s already in mass production. The Acer Predator Z301C meets these same specs but according to the Acer spec page that model is 144Hz natively, and 200Hz with an overclock. That may be more down to the G-sync module than the panel though and looks probable that it is using this particular AUO panel.

They also used to have a curved 30” ultrawide panel with 3440 x 1440 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate which went in to production during Q3 2016 although this no longer appears on roadmaps so has probably been scrapped now.

Curved panels with 2560 x 1440 resolution and 165Hz refresh rate (M315DVR01.0 and M315DVR01.3 and M315DVR01.9). These started to go in to production since around April 2017

There is also a flat version of this 31.5″ panel available (M315DVR01.?) with same 2560 x 1440 resolution which went in to production some time during early 2018 and has already been adopted in models including the LG 32GK850G (reviewed) for instance. This is a 144Hz flat format panel, but thanks to the presence of a G-sync module has also been overclocked to 165Hz on that LG screen.

An updated 31.5″ curved panel (part number TBC) with the same 2560 x 1440 resolution but an increased 240Hz refresh rate is also planned although development won’t start until around April 2020 from the latest info we have, delayed from original Sept 2019 plans. It’s unclear when this will go in to mass production at the moment.

Of other interest are a couple of 43.4″ sized panels based on VA technology from AUO. This is a fairly new panel sector for AUO as sizes for gaming displays start to grow and grow. Two panels of this size are planned both with an Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution and a flat format instead of curved.

The first is the M430QVN02.2 which has HDR 1000 certification and 144Hz refresh rate. That should be in mass production now as of H1 2019. The second is the M430QVN02.0 which has a slightly lower HDR 600 spec and 120Hz refresh rate, and should also be in production now as of May 2019. It looks likely that the first of these to appear will be the HDR 600 / 120Hz version which has been used in the Asus ROG Strix XG438Q (reviewed). The HDR 1000 / 144Hz version of the panel has been incorporated in to the Acer Predator CG437K P which is also now available.

Asus also look like they will release a second model at a later date, using the HDR 1000 / 144Hz panel this time – the Asus ROG Strix XG43UQand also the Asus ROG Swift PG43UQ. This is the World’s first screen to use Display Stream Compression (DSC). This will allow higher refresh rates like 144Hz along with 4K resolutions, without needing to sacrifice colour depth or chroma levels, as today’s equivalent monitors require. The Acer Predator CG437K P mentioned above with 4K @ 144Hz will require some kind of colour compression to reach the maximum 144Hz incidentally as it does not use DSC.

A very large 65″ VA panel in a flat format is also produced and looks very interesting from a spec point of view. This panel was expected to go in to production in Q4 2018 as well and will have a 3840 x 2160 Ultra HD resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. Models from Asus, Acer and HP were announced all the way back in January 2018 and are expected to be available in the first half of 2019 now. These models feature a 384-zone FALD HDR backlight as well. The HP Omen X Emperium 65 was the first to be available, around February 2019.

AU Optronics are also working on an updated version of these 65″ VA panels with 3840 x 2160 resolution and 144Hz, but this time with a 1000+ zone Mini LED backlight. No word on development dates or any screens featuring this new panel option yet.

We have not had any panel roadmap updates for Samsung for quite some time now, so there are almost certainly other panels in production that are not listed in this article unfortunately.

Samsung are also investing in the high refresh rate VA market with their equivalent technology, now commonly referred to by them as SVA. They have a curved 23.6” VA panel with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate in production since July 2016 (LSM236HP02). The Samsung C24FG70 gaming display was the first to make use of this new panel which was released in October 2016.

There is also a curved 27” version with the same 1920 x 1080 @ 144Hz (LTM270HP02) which went in to production in May 2016. The Samsung C27FG70 and Acer Predator Z271 (the latter we have reviewed) are examples of screens which use this Samsung 27” VA panel with 1920 x 1080 @ 144Hz. This has more recently been updated to a 165Hz version (LSM270HP09) which went in to production in Q4 2018. The Coolermaster GM27-CF (reviewed) is a