G-Sync Triple Monitor Gaming ft. Benq XL2420G + dual GTX 970s

Surround Gaming is more viable than ever now, thanks to excellent G-Sync enabled monitors like the BenQ XL2420G and Nvidia's ultra-power efficient Maxwell GPUs - so of course we had to throw together an awesome setup for Linus to show off.
BenQ XL2420G G-Sync Monitors:
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Episode Credits:
Host: Linus Sebastian
Writer: Anthony Chow
Editor: Kalvin Shum

[@kmw5100]

I love the frame drop and lag effects you threw in when you were talking about them. lovely. :) I will be running one of these monitors with 1 970 and i'm pretty stoked! :)

[@BlackBird26]

i like it when you are explaining problems like tearing or stutter and actually demonstrate them at the same time for people that dont know

[@Music42Ever]

Playing on a single large screen (like a tv) is more immersive than triple displays. No bezels, not squat, no multi-display compatibility issues, etc... all make a single large screen better than three small ones, especially if the large screen is curved. A wall of six is supposed to fix the "squat" feeling of triple monitors, but it just adds more bezels to ruin the immersion. One curved 4k tv is the best option, because it is easier to run than a wall of six, has *no bezels* in your image, compatible with almost any program and game because it is a single screen, and it is the same price or cheaper than a wall of six.

[@MegaAtHome]

I never saw a point in playing with multiple monitors either

[@Mr_x_19922]

i rather play in one monitor xD

[@Mr_x_19922]

***** me neither

[@RisinT96]

But you need a big one, and to sit quite close...

[@Music42Ever]

***** yes, and for it to be curved i think the minimum is 55" This is still cheaper than a wall of 6, and you would get 33% more fps. I sit about 4 feet away from my 55" (sadly not curved) tv and it feels far more immersive than triple monitors. I hate playing a game and only being able to see through a 12" high slit.

[@DragonTamerCos]

Love his controlled frame drips

[@ethan7112]

Keep up the great stuff you guys !!!

[@WarriorsPhoto]

The idea of multiple monitors has always been a blessing. Thank you for giving an honest opinion of G-Sync.

[@Patbach]

I like racing titles and screen tearing is really important there, I wish I had the money for such a setup! Espacially with titles like Project C.A.R.S. around the corner, it'd be insane! The only downside is I still feel like the bezels on those monitors could be smaller, bezel size is very important for surround setups.

[@xX69julesXx]

I just got AOC's Gsync G2460PG monitor it's so good my last one was a 60hz samsung p2370hd i'm running a dual monitor gonfig the difference between those two are crazy so happy !

[@popman125]

Now that I own a PG278Q with G-Sync, games are now even playable at 24fps. There is no input lag at all, except for the usual low fps lag but that's about it. The technology is actually fantastic, definitely have a look into a compatible monitor - mind bending!

[@Turboslang]

Yes to all the Q's

[@nexorabolis]

I have the Asus PB287Q and a single GTX 780 Ti, I find that it plays games pretty well at 4k, and for the AAA titles I just drop the res down to 1440p and do fine. Usually I can just hit the optimize button in Geforce and get a great looking game at great frame rates. No tearing and no lag :(

[@JChalant]

4:57 nice shot

[@zackunderdown9713]

for now im using an asus vg248qe and a gtx 970. since switching to the 144hz screen i have noticed a lot less tearing and stuttering. to the point even where i dont have to turn on v-sync in any game anymore. theres still some tearing but its much less frequent. over the next couple of months i plan to get another 970 for sli and two more of these monitors with g-sync modules (as well as a module for this screen) for a 3D surround setup

[@TheZetaPaladin]

I'd love a G-Sync Monitor, however, I will wait for either a G-Sync/Free-sync 21:9 monitor. Love that aspect ratio! I have a feeling that a G-Sync 21:9 will cost me an arm or a leg so it will probably be a Free-sync one :)

[@Bryce70]

I had 60hz and waited FOREVER last year to get my hands on the Swift after seeing it at CES in Jan. There is absolutely no going back even though everything I play is not even close to 144 frames on my 780 but 80-90 frames gsync is beautiful.One thing though, GSYNC drivers like to randomly crash

[@evelynx4374]

Whether or not I enable VSync on games with framerates that dip below the 60 mark depends on how bad the tearing is. On my old 770, when playing Mordor, I chose the minor screen tearing over the massive loss in frame-rate, whereas in my case, Far Cry 4's screen tearing was unbearable so I had to turn VSync on and deal with the occasional drops. My solution to the dilemma is clear. Quote "On my old 770" The upgrade to the 970 I have now has eliminated all of these problems so keeping VSync on is acceptable.. I have not noticed any apparent response time drops some people report with the setting on.

[@swizeus]

hmm.... why reduplication in 6:03 ? Did you guys shoot this before CES ? Rumored Freesync ??

[@KasperPlougmann]

Waiting for Freesync. Hoping it was a good call with my newly bought 295x2

[@Vylkeer]

Fantastic, terrific technology. I've understood the tearing / stuttering thing but I still have one doubt left. If the game has superior FPS ratio than the Monitor's refresh rate, there's no problem anyway as it's so fast that you can't notice anything. If FPS = Hz it's perfect because the GPU and the monitor are running at the same speed, but this is highly unlikely to happen as games don't run at 144Hz and on PCs game's FPS may vary by the minute. When the game's FPS < Monitor's Hz, is when G-Sync comes in as it lets the GPU and the Monitor communicate and get synced between each other, but what about frame drops? If for example the game goes from an almost constant 60FPS rate to 45FPS in a more graphically-intense section, even if the GPU and the Monitor are synced, won't you notice the lower smoothness overall? The image will surely be cleaner, more detailed and precise, but you could definitely notice the change in fluidity if the games drops from 60 to 45 FPS within a second. I'm assuming this is inevitable and there's nothing you can do about it other than hoping that your GPU stays as locked as possible on a given FPS ratio, without any sudden frame drops.

[@jacobnoori]

haha pretty cool visualization of the vsync issues

[@Abcgum64]

I got the Acer 27" gsync monitor. Flippn love gsync.

[@L0S7N01S3Deus]

Compared movements of hand and camera movement in game, so are Linus playing with acceleration on or it is just a very high sensitivity?

[@dominantgigabitE1]

can you make a tour of that pc office, looks great.

[@ToyDoe]

in your opinion what would be the best purchase monitor for console gaming? i plan on doing the whole pc gaming in the future but thats in the future... probably like a couple years till i can get a nice pc and all that so im going to be console gaming until then... thanks in advance!

[@quake4tt]

NCIX please put a G-sync monitor demo in store, so we can experience it. And put a free sync demo later too, so we can compare :)

[@Paddzr]

I just went with 4k PB287 from Asus, couldn't be happier, in 5 years or whatever time it'll take for this monitor to be outdated it'll be nice to see where freesync took us, I honestly don't see g sync around by then, even tho I like nvidia and never had AMD card, something that doesn't cost 150 extra on top of already expensive display is the clear winner...

[@bradclark5082]

I noticed when you said GTX 780's at 1:00, pictures of GTX 980's appeared :D

[@jiiyuurii]

I am currently using the ROG Swift and I am very happy with it, I would never consider going back to a non-G sync monitor.

[@leoprozczinski]

But TN.

[@TheCoDzillaPlayer]

Leonardo Prozczinski Does TN matter that much if youre sitting right in front of it? Youre not gonna view it from the sides or anything.

[@leoprozczinski]

TheCoDzillaPlayer do you use your PC exclusive for gaming? I don't.

[@jiiyuurii]

Leonardo Prozczinski Doesn't bother me at all, I am sitting directly in front of the monitor and hardly notice any color changes if you're worried about the view angles. I have a separate monitor if I need to use some "color accuracy".

[@TheCoDzillaPlayer]

Leonardo Prozczinski That, surfing the web, some random text documents now and then.

[@Matt561]

I have the g1 version of the cards, this is very relevant to me lol

[@krass76]

that was a way nicer looking set AND it didn't have that stupid "large-room-echo" so audio was fine for a change

[@thegamerboy9555]

Hi Linus I have two options a GeForce gtx1070 or a asus strix 1070 and could I run triple monitors with or without g-sync please try and get back to me as this will be my first build and I don't want to mess it up. Good up the good work

[@MrBelligerent656]

what resolution were you at as well as graphical settings for the games? Ultra or no?

[@zanobo9112]

I just got the BenQ 2420G gsync 144hz moniter and I'm never going back, GSYNC IS JESUS

[@Felly117]

I run 2 x R9270x graphics cards, and 3 cheap IIYAMA E2282HS monitors using eyefinity and see roughly 44 FPS in battlefield 4. Never noticed any screen tearing whatsoever.

[@girl_frotter]

I'm gonna be waiting till free sync.

[@pingfunk]

The facts part - I'm on 5760 resolution, on a single 970 (strix) on 3 different monitors, the middle and right being IPS. Fairly ghetto, but functional, and I still have fun. The funny part - I haven't been seeing alot of tearing in games since using this card, the most intensive game being (alot of) Borderlands 2, though I saw very quick tearing for two segments of this video.

[@marcelplummer395]

is g-sync a necessity for competitive gaming like in cs:go or quake or is it just more of an aesthetic thing

[@enekoprins]

I have 2 Gigabyte 970 in surround. The only thing missing is the G-Sync in my old 60Hz monitors. Perfectly happy using V-Sync actually, but all this G-Sync talk is spoiling it for me...I want G-Sync now!!

[@spycozelot]

Well since i plan to do dual rog swift than yes I'm considering g sync and also yes i am slightly annoyed by the amount of screen tearing i get.

[@cbremer83]

Running surround on three acer 1080 screens pushed by three 980's. Works well most of the time. Can max settings in nearly all games and get 60+fps. Now I just need Gsync screens to finish it off.

[@tylerluna35]

Wow that scared me when i saw the screen tear, I thought it was real not just in the video!

[@Ztaal3]

Yeah wanna see how freesync preform and what it might do to pricing. Also is Nvidia going to support freesync in the future :-P

[@pqfamilyadventures]

I still find it varies by game. Some games need 60 fps minimum to feel right, but I've been playing Shadow of Mordor lately and for some reason 40-45 fps which is what I get when I max everything except for texture resolution on my system feels smoother than tweaking settings to keep me at 60 fps. I find it better to turn my fps counter off a lot of the time and just go with what feels better for the game.

[@RapperRank]

The best experience for triple display was already done by linus and that's a triple projector setup. No bezels large display full hd you would need a big wall though

[@KarlwithaC]

My next monitor will be g-sync most likely. I hate screen tearing but I'm just dealing with it for now because I'm waiting until g-sync comes down in price.

[@bushyboi2k9]

Damn those thick bezels. Sorry but that would drive me crazy!

[@fofamungy123]

Since this monitor is $600, I was considering buying AOC's Gsync monitor. My local Microcenter has it at $450, and I heard they use the same pane. It's 24in and 144hz and 1080p like this one. I currently have a 760 but I plan to pair it with a 970. Would the 970 give me good frames like Battlefield at 1080p?

[@christopherreig4007]

could you use something like the club mst hub and still be able to use g-sync (sorry if its a dumb question?)

[@somepersonontheinternet2938]

We need a company to implement both G-sync and free-sync tech into their monitors, yes this might bump up the price but gives customers freedom to choose there cards.

[@kaicoscia5997]

I'm thinking about both Free-sync and G-sync monitors, I don't know which one to get.

[@Klejdi90]

Where can I get one of these? Wherever I have looked they're out of stock.

[@fightingfalconfan]

No, I don't notice anything of what he talked about since I run on a 32" Toshiba HD tv...I just wish I had a different graphics card that didn't have coil wine...rocking a 550ti.

[@wolfzilla21]

I hate tearing ruins my life Im going to go with g sync because it's such a great solution to this problem

[@Hakeem597]

you're talking about 970s but keep displaying the 980?

[@diaz147891]

As a Gsync monitor owner im pretty sure gsync only works on the primary monitor, so the centre one. Also in the settings you had windowed borderless mode selected, gsync only works in full screen. It makes me wonder if NCIX actually researched gsync before doing this sponsored video.

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

Hi NCIX Anthony!

[@FMMProductions]

Are you able to use G-Sync whilst using Nvidia 3D vision? I've got the the BenQ XL2420T (great monitor at the time - still is but this is basically a newer version) but the problem with gaming in 3D is that it is very GPU intensive so I can imagine G-Sync helping a lot with that. I saw G-Sync in action at Eurogamer Expo last September and it was impressive. They were running Project CARS (which I've been testing for the last few years) in 4k and it looked but more importantly ran really well. I'm running two GTX980s and since getting them tried the same setup as they had at Eurogamer and it is a noticeable difference. G-Sync will be certainly beneficial for, like Linus says, those who do not get a frame rate near or surpassing your monitors refresh rate but it will also be hugely beneficial for those who wanna game in 3D or at 4K.

[@Old_Ladies]

3d vision can not work with g-sync.

[@ricardomoyer3251]

3d vision works with g-sync

[@FMMProductions]

Which one is it? Does or doesn't?

[@Old_Ladies]

Full Metal Monkey It does not. I don't have my 3d glasses anymore (as I found it wasn't worth it) so I can't test it but I can use google... forums.blurbusters.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=232 So sadly it doesn't work.

[@ricardomoyer3251]

No, It doesnt i was trolling, anyhow 3D vision is not worht it

[@PhantomLibertyy]

I got G-Sync several months ago by buying the DIY kit from NVIDIA. Best purchase ever. The only thing about it is (not really about G-Sync) but when games are horribly optimized and hitch when trying to load *coughFarCry4cough* it still makes the game stutter either way but definitely helps minimize it.. Games like Tomb Raider, Just Cause 2 and Max Payne 3 are properly made for PC and G-Sync really shines in those games with near perfect animation quality. I don't think Tomb Raider has even stuttered once since I got the G. All I have to say is.. PCMR

[@tranquil87]

I'm surprised NCIX uses these monitors for their gameplay videos since they are quite expensive and there are a couple other alternatives out there for a G-sync monitor. I don't see you guys needing the BenQ engine at all so I wonder why you chose it. Personally, I bought the monitor because CS:GO is my main game, so the Classic mode really comes in handy. But I also play other games (mostly Blizzard games) in which G-sync is a real gem. I was debating between this monitor and the Swift, and the debate was only about whether or not I could drive games at high enough fps on the Swift without upgrading, and I found out that the answer would be no, and I wanted 100 fps+ for every game. Also, the Swift had a really atrocious launch and the monitors seemed to have so many issues that I was incredibly wary of purchasing one.

[@TheChrisglasgow]

I have a triple 3D monitor setup an i love it 👍👍

[@kchou0907]

Is there a way to switch between using all 3 monitors to display 1 stretched thing and using the 3 monitors separately (extending the monitor)?

[@yusufalibrahim1994]

Do you guys recommend LG's 34 inch monitor for non-competitive gaming? I mostly play games like Farcry 4 and Metal Gear Solid. Also, do you recommend a 980 or a 970 SLI for max settings? I am concerned about tearing and stuttering using this LG monitor...

[@mscattack]

Ultrawide sucks, hardly any game supports this (mostly only competitive games do)

[@pedrochaves7624]

When you said gtx 780 a 980 was shown. Same happened when you said you could run the setup out of a single 970

[@theoneyoudontsee3645]

I am going to see whats on sale for Christmas 2015 here and good 1080p 120fps+ and up still cost more than $200 im cheep but yeah all sounds great by 2020 we will have cheep gpus and monitors that can actually get past our ability to see a pixel out of place if you know what I mean sounds great

[@gregorclemens4814]

I need some help... Is it possible to use monitors with different resolutions in a gaming system? For example a fhd monitor in the middle and two lower end hd screens left and right.

[@hardcorerdomfuck]

what happens when u got stable and higher fps than your refresh rate on a g-sync compatible monitor? still g-sync works or there will be some tearing? example: 200fps on a 144hz

[@perfectox]

does running in triple monitor setup increase the INPUT LAG compared to playing with ONE monitor?

[@Ultrajamz]

Would g sync really help when playing a game that ranges from 20-60fps on a 60Hz monitor? Or would only be good for a 144Hz in that situation?

[@Gattberserk]

I heard SLI has issue with G sync? Have they fixed that?

[@bufu0808]

Wouldn't it be awesome if we could get gsync on a usb and plug it in our old monitors or TVs without buying a new monitor with implemented gsync in it?

[@roboverholt9959]

little change of topic, but bezel's bother me. Not only because it restricts your view, but also because lines are not carried to the next screen properly, the processor never calculates the missing half an inch.. At 6:11 in this video, you'll notice on the center and right screen a purple line, totally not "aligned".. Can you guys pass this on... Maybe have an adjustment option in settings of games or something, i don't know.. But something should be done.. Cheers, and thanx for all the info..

[@thefacelessmenreiki2583]

Will it be possible to use G-sync in a 1440p tri-screen setup ?

[@TekOverclocked]

i might look in to one of this... but i much rather play on a single WIDE 4k screen then 3 screens personal opinion though

[@TheScotth89]

So my 970 doesn't have three display ports but if I put it in SLI with another 970 that has three display ports I should be able to run triple G-sync correct?

[@Trophyon]

I'm using one BenQ XL2420TE and I run it with a EVGA GTX 770 "SC" 4gb via DVI. Would it be better using DP then because of the G-sync?

[@ytmwang]

Is G-sync something you need for all 3 monitors or can you enable it on just one monitor, namely the center monitor? I'm asking this because I have two non-Gsync monitors that I want to set up in a 3x1 Nvidia Surround setup and I plan on buying a central Gsync one to finish the setup. I doubt I'll notice much tearing with my peripheral vision.

[@L46K]

Matthew Wang did you ever find out the answer to this question?

[@Fantastika]

you cant

[@hectorab88]

I know that the last consoles run at 60fps maximum. I just want to know if with this monitor, and using this consoles can I get a ‘’smooth image’’ ? like for example the imagen that you see in expensive TVs at technology stores or the youtube videos at 60fps? (I make this question because I used to have a LG25UM65 60Hz and 14 ms response for playing xbox one, and I could never get the smooth imagen that i want, will it be for the response time?) Thank you.

[@MassEffectReaper]

Will the occulus rift have G-sync??

[@carlhauschke6798]

I have a 256 MB GeForce 9400m. So Definitely no stuttering on any game. BF4 Ultra no Problem at about 0 FPS.

[@mscattack]

Amazed on how you got passed the start-up screen

[@-Valyrian-]

I know Linus was just trying to be funny at the beginning there, but there really will be a lot of kinkiness going on with the Oculus Rift actually...

[@DanielDTUBWeinberger]

benq got that one-up on my current moniter adding g-sync....... luckily it dont matter because i use a r9 280x anyway for my asus moniter.... nvidia can only use g-sync right? right?!

[@Snaplexity]

Iam planing to get this Benq monitor, I have ASUS strix gtx 970 SLI , does it worth it? for gaming I mean

[@geoffofthedead]

I sim race on trips with a single 980. I do get screen tearing. Linus neglected to mention those monitors are over $500 each! For that money I'll take another 980 and save the rest for Oculus.

[@g3nesisprime183]

I get massive screen tearing, ditching the red team, getting 3 1080's or Titan 2's (whatever the hell they are going to be called) and 3 ROG Swifts

[@bossalinedezz]

i just order this monitor:)

[@pelementmaker]

is it possible for me to add another 1080p 60hz screen to my triple setup and keep 5910x1080 144hz or will nvidia lock them to 60hz?

[@5jgibbs8]

LMFAO "Say 'Hi NCIX Anthony'"

[@jonathansteward3333]

Can you connect the monitor by Display Port but run the monitor in classic mode (NOT G-SYNC Mode)?

[@huhwerid3166]

Should I go with dual 970sc or 980 classified, for one monitor.

[@lordstevewilson1331]

I am sticking with my amd cpu and amd gpu. Im gonna wait for freesync. Never had problems with any amd stuff so il stick with it.

[@depravedone]

Not spending close to $600 on a 24" 1080P monitor.

[@DGRWPF]

$600? Is this a joke? LOL. Plus is a TN panel lol

[@RX7821979]

yodabolt I think you made me think twice before buying this monitor

[@Edaus93]

is it that we can use any monitor to open a different app ??

[@James_2194]

I have a 144Hz monitor and I'm able to play all of my games at or very close to 144fps. When I had a 60Hz monitor, I noticed a *lot* of screen tearing, even locked at 60fps without Vsync. Since upgrading I haven't noticed any screen tearing at all, so I'm fine without G-Sync.

[@TijmenBekker]

I was wondering this. So you don't really need GSync?

[@dKJustwon]

Tijmen Bekker GSync and Freesync match the refresh rates of the monitor to your frame rate, giving much smoother gameplay even at lower FPS points, while also getting rid of screen tearing. Typically getting Gsync/Freesync is a lot cheaper than spending money for a dream rig to push 120/144Hz, with 1ms response times. That budget isn't feasible to most people, however.

[@therogueforce]

You may not *notice* them, but they are indeed still there. Further, with g-sync off, the frames are noticeably less smooth, like tiny micro-stuttering is going on. Even if you get 140+ frames in a game, G-sync will increase the smoothness more. As an example explaining where I got this knowledge, G-sync doesn't work in borderless games, but I didn't see any tears so I assumed it still was. After a month of play, I was wondering why g-sync suddenly seemed so much less smooth in battlefield. Once I switched it back to fullscreen, the smoothness I was expecting instantly came back. That's what G-sync does, you absolutely *will* notice a change with g-sync.

[@johannes3385]

144Hz FTW!!!

[@timburkhadt]

G-sync and Freesync are only necessary because gpu's cant accieve 144Hz refresh rates at all titles. If we would have enought power on gpu side we would have the need to use/invent this technique :/ But clearly freesync is the supperior technique, and i would definitely bother to check wether my next gpu and monitor support it when it comes to the question which i want to buy.

[@yumri4]

when he is saying a " 970 " the image is of a GTX 980 so um which one does he mean?

[@deviljim25]

Oooh yeah Benq XL2420G will be my next gaming monitor. I prefer G-sync, I don't trust freesync and Asus Rog Swift is a little expensive for me so Benq you are the one.

[@r3vo830]

Screen tearing is really annoying, however, it's different with every game. Some games have it, some don't. I really hope prices for G-Sync or free-sync monitors will come down quickly.

[@DawsonTyson]

I'm going to wait for free sync. I'm predicting no increase in price compared to monitors not with free sync. But I could be wrong.

I would get a g-sync monitor but my struggle too real. I do experience screen tarring, but it doesn't bother me do much.

[@Seanmmvi]

How is this different than Adaptive V-sync?