Why do 26% of Counter Strike pros use this monitor?

No surprise: The Zowie XL2566K still uses a 24.5" 1080p TN panel. But Zowie bumped up the refresh rate to 360 Hz and made significant changes to AMA and DyAc.
Zowie XL2566K (affiliate link):
🛒 geni.us/Yt6q
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Color accuracy measurements:
/ zowie-xl2566k-81458328
ICC profile download:
bit.ly/XL2566K-ICC
Valorant profile (SettingsToShare):
bit.ly/XL2566K-Valorant
Support me on Patreon:
/ techlessyt
Discord:
/ discord
Instagram:
/ iamtechless
Index:
00:00 - Git Gud
01:07 - Washed Out Colors
02:27 - Response Times & Ghosting
05:06 - Backlight Strobing (aka DyAc)
07:16 - Display Lag
07:34 - Adaptive Sync
08:20 - Recommended Settings (Valorant)
08:53 - Recommended Settings (Accuracy)
09:05 - Design & Ergonomics
09:44 - Conclusion

[@DarkMubar]

I haven't commented on your videos lately but I have to say, I am still so impressed with quality and professionalism in your videos. You continue to deliver stellar reviews and guides with great clarity and detail. I am proud to see your growth and you have gotten more confident in your delivery and presentation compared to last year, while maintaining a sleek aesthetic in your presentation that is subtly, uniquely yours. Also have to commend your transparency (like the KTC video) and your ability to respond to feedback. Keep up the great work. I hope to see this growth continue and your Patreon getting more support too. You really do deserve it 👍🏽

[@techlessYT]

Much appreciated! Great to see that you're still sticking around 🙂

[@Baasta98]

totally this dude is massively underrated, straightforward clear and on point, by far the best monitor reviewer.

[@niklas6467]

You have a capital (i) in the middle of a sentence. How can you press caps lock on and off while typing, how is it possible? What is happening

[@KaledYouTube]

I'm glad I found this channel.

[@wantedzera8058]

so to play competitively do you recommend turning adaptive sync on or off? I was in doubt because I don't speak English so fluently

[@Raglarak]

Hey man you do really good monitor reviews, would be nice to see at least one 360Hz IPS monitor in your channel.

[@noam3d]

Settings with the best color accuracy are the best for daily/office use?

[@aaa0_-69]

What do you think about the lenovo g24-20???? Should I buy it for occasional gaming?

[@siphonVLRT]

im so excited to watch this video i got my dinner ready and all

[@goldkat94]

The KTC M27T20 got his firmware update and some new settings. Would you maybe test it again and compare the overdrive settings? VA + FALD under 500$ is the most interesting HDR monitor on the market for me.

[@coptordank4160]

Great video as always. Can you share the keyboard make ? 😊

[@techlessYT]

Thanks! It's the Zoom65 from this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoXTiWhpi9lkmKs

[@tristenkilloran5221]

can you make a video on the viewsonic xg2431 and best setting for it there's like nothing on it

[@Kadir67_471]

Super Video 👍 Kannst du vielleicht ein Video zum Xiaomie Mi 2k Monitor machen, wäre super 🤙

[@juandiegogiraldo6473]

Hi techless could you check the new gigabyte g24f2 and make a comparison with the original gigabyte g24f ? Thanks!

[@casper3677]

Hi thanks for the work you do, really really enjoy what you do. Could you possibly do a CS2 game settings profile for this monitor, like you showed valorant and the title says wht 26% of cs player use this.

[@DawnK204]

Can you pls Review the gb2790qsu-b1? I think it's in the Moment ones of the best monitors in this priceclass

[@mertyarmel5937]

can you say recommended settings for csgo ?

[@lx6381]

wie immer gutes Video, aber krass mit was für einer low Sensivity du spielst :DD kurbelmaschine e: ich wart noch n paar Jahre, bis OLED Monitore ausgereift sind, dann upgrade ich.

[@AphexxTim]

honestly, look at the top and bottom of screen crosstalk on those UFOs. that is a very confusing image to look at. that, in addition to that confusing image, dyac causes increased eye strain (whether or not you notice it). i think these are very underestimated drawbacks of using dyac. also, dyac is SO much clearer when there is no screen tear. but when using dyac, there is no way to reduce screen tear at 360hz without adding input lag. you will add at least 2-3 ms if you use scanline sync, or like maybe 4ms if you use vsync. you can use fps limiter, but then you get this very distracting rolling tearline. you can use fps limiter + vsync, but then you get stuttering (skipped frames). finally, dyac itself adds input lag just by nature - it doesnt strobe the screen until the very last possible moment before switching to the next frame. it does that to give a longer time for the picture to respond, so that it is clearer with less ghosting. so, all that in mind, I find that the LG OLED is a better experience for competitive Valorant (ascendant). the 1440p, amazing contrast, zero ghosting, and low input lag gsync make for an overall extremely clear image that makes it very easy for me to click on heads. ive had xl2411k, vg259qm, odyssey g7 240hz, xv252qf, xl2566k, now i have OLED 240hz - my favorite and also easiest to click heads

[@AquilaeYT]

FINALLY someone with an HONEST opinion! I have the same opinion as yours pratically, I bought, returned and resold so many monitors that it disgusts me, really, I was extremely demanding (but my passion was lost when I saw that 90% of monitors stink sh*t) I recently had this XL2566K (about 6! yes!) I had 3, and a friend had 3, we had a lot of them because of coil whine problems (by the way everyone says that they don't hear it, they're just deaf) because on my 6 XL2566K it did. Anyway, that wasn't the only problem, it's the most "you kidding me" monitor I've ever had. Because : - TN, in 2023, just, even in competitive games, it's just unbearable, only 13-year-olds who play Valorant on a low-budget PC will say that's not a problem. - For medium/long distance fights this monitor just blinds you, ok in close combat during a fight with a lot of movement/strafe (Apex Legends) it's "correct" but it's so inconsistent. - The crosstalk rate is terrible and it's the most hypocritical point I've ever seen, in fact, on the blur busters UFO test it show literally no ghosting and pratically zero crosstalk with good DyAc parametersbut the UFO TEST needs an overhaul, because it doesn't take into account game textures , the delays, the jerks of the engine and the loss of FPS, physical and undeniable things of a multiplayer fps game, basic it's just to roughly evaluate the rate of ghosting and overshoot but not performance of the monitor itself. - The horrible and audible coil whine in a neutral room without headphones - Overall poor brightness and visibility. It's not impossible to win Ranked games or impossible to win fights but man it's the worst thing I've had to buy for the price, it wouldn't have had the coil whine in real life, that would be fine (because there is worse than this zowie) But it's the most hypocritical monitor, everyone will tell you it's perfect for Apex / Overwatch etc because zero ghosting and the DyAc excellent etc etc But in reality it's not smooth at all, even with the RTSS scanline with very well optimized settings the input lag is very high (I felt it) and without DyAc it was just meh. I've never done carnage with it, maybe against bad people but when I was against strong people I felt at a disadvantage because I couldn't see much and I never felt focused on this monitor and I had a lot of headaches very often because of strobing (very overpriced thing in general) In the end I stayed with my Acer XV272UX 1440p 240hz IPS Quantum Dots and I managed to surpass myself, where with the BenQ I couldn't reach Apex, so yes lmao it's overpriced, super expensive and bad. Next for me is OLED like you said, let's stop believing its influencers with their ufo tests that don't take reality but just paper performance and believe what we test ourselves. The oled as you said has less latency and will not have color clipping as soon as there is red, will not have latency with sh*tty strobing and have the best natural ghosting performance. The Asus 1440p 360hz with ULMB2 is also too good but this Zowie are the most overated things.

[@REgamesplayer]

@@AquilaeYT Coil whine is usually a result of dirty power. Issue which comes form PSU. A lot of what you say is very subjective. Why I should trust a random guy on the internet who "couldn't see much and felt at disadvantage" on one of the best performing monitors on the market? That is purely *you* problem. You pass subjective opinion which might be just outrage, inability for you to adapt to new, specialized monitor as some sort of secret knowledge. Like all the media is lying and here you telling the truth.

[@orion9k]

Omen X 25 at 6:00 looks the most clear to me, with no ghosting and sharp edges.

[@Omer-jb2io]

Hey, can you review the Dell G2422HS please?

[@claudio5563]

Hello , and your Settings for Tarkov?

[@mr.pangetako]

0:34 I prefer TN over IPS for competitive gaming. But this part looks bad. It looks like it's below 60fps or is it the camera fault?

[@techlessYT]

Yeah, the video playing on the monitor is just 25 fps.

[@waltuh6984]

just make an oled with bfi please

[@sbrader97]

I think the reason why not seen it yet is it would be way too dim you would have to play in a cinema room fully blacked out or no windows even then the enemies would be harder to see with such low brightness

[@xlinnaeus]

@@sbrader97 i'd do that for motion clarity

[@sbrader97]

@xlinnaeus it would be clear but i think in games with dark corners even with maxed out black equaliser it would be harder to see enemies even in a pitch black room so once oled monitors get bright enough then they may add it

[@XvelociraptorX]

And 2k bare minimum 😅

[@shanksisnoteventhatstrongbruh]

exactly, why the hell did LG & Samsung make OLED panels without BFI? absolutely worthless IMO

[@sanuthweerasinghe7825]

you should definitely check out the lg 27GP850. it is a relatively inexpensive 1440p monitor.

[@silverwerewolf975]

Best of his price

[@siphonVLRT]

Can you review the Samsung Odyssey G3 or G4?

[@iNZANiTi.]

HI !! SOO.... GS dont ad imput lag ? or delay

[@raul-km6mq]

yo can u review the viewsonic xg2431?

[@thomasebbs8506]

What settings shall I use for call of duty?

[@marcior.2153]

i just got the asus vg279qm ips 280hz 100% free of ips glow and i love it.

[@TheOneGhost12]

When you say Dyac adds display lag, do you mean response time lag or input lag???

[@yues7910]

I'm pretty sure it's input lag

[@raphaelnyamai7180]

please talk about ULMB2 if you haven't already

[@zDennii]

I have the same Monitor but have a weird feeling on Dyac that it doesnt do anything to the picture. I just tried to play with the Strobe Utility for a better Dyac Experience but cant get it right. And found out when you just make the slider by Premium Dyac on max Brightness the Display get much much brighter than it should be. Maybe you have some tips , I tried many Games but it feels like 360Hz but not that Dyac works.

[@8Ro0omi8]

Try UFO test to make sure

[@zDennii]

@@8Ro0omi8 I tried only a change of maybe 5%-10%

[@likafoss]

How does this compare to the ViewSonic XG2431?

[@thewaffle003]

I found I preferred this when comparing directly. But unless you're looking for the absolute top in motion clarity barring OLED, the XG2431 wins hands down. I kept the Zowie, dropped the Viewsonic.

[@TheKillerZmile]

is dyac have input lag

[@truefan1367]

Diminishing returns is the key word you used here. Too expensive for a 1080p TN panel when most of the games don't even run 360+ fps even if you have the best possible hardware. This is simply targeted towards hardcore fps games such as cs, valorant, overwatch and the likes. Apex legends even has a 300 fps cap. 240hz 1440p OLED is a much better buy.

[@trilecebey]

you could put 240hz on settings for apex other gamesl ike cs valo put 360 simple

[@phr3ui559]

why OLED?

[@AyCasti]

So this monitor is not recommended for fotnite, Call of duty or Gran Turismo?

[@uikhi]

Do you recommend 240hz fullhd monitors? AOC 24G2ZU it's good?

[@cleenred8520]

If you are really into competitive gaming it would be a valid choice but not necessarily that monitor (look at it's monitor per price guide on the channel). I personally chose the MSI G273 QF as it is relatively inexpensive and you get a 1440p display with nice colours and a relatively high refresh rate 165Hz. (I personally see no difference between 165Hz and 240Hz)

[@nadantagaming2276]

I'm happy with my 25G3ZM. Look it up here on youtube.

[@FlammeHaze]

isnt the PG27AQN with ULMB 2 actually the best in performence and clarity ?

[@Augenhose]

I returned my PG27AQN because I was totally upset about ULMB2 and the insanely high price of the monitor. Let me specify why ULMB2 is definitly worse than DyAc+. ULMB2 does NOT remove motion blur equally, the only real area of excellence is the upper third of the screen where ULMB2 does beat DyAc+, however in the lower 2-thirds there is more blur in fast moving objects. The advantage of DyAc+ is that it removes motion blur equally across the entire screen, whereas ULMB2 needs re-working because in the current state it just does well in the top part of the display but it is actually the center part of the screen that requires the clearest image for fast paced shooters.

[@gorbihabla5682]

@@Augenhosei agree with your thoughts.i do have both monitors, i will buy this monitor over the pg27aqn. i mainly play fps games.

[@saricubra2867]

Any CRT destroys any LCD and OLED without gimmicks. The technology simply is better for motion.

[@FlammeHaze]

@@saricubra2867 face palm

[@saricubra2867]

@@FlammeHaze I'm tired of this LCD and OLED Hz wars and extra stuff that ruins the image for the sake of "motion clarity" . I can't believable that this PC gamer youtuber from the video talks "motion clarity" and it looks like he never used or watched a CRT monitor in his life. I used to game CSGO a lot at 1440x1050 at 75Hz on a 19 inch CRT monitor, i always ended up first place for a deathmatch. I also combined the CRT with FSR for Counter Strike 2 and ended up first place.

[@crestofhonor2349]

Technically CRTs are still king of motion clarity but TN and OLED are closer than ever while still not matching it thanks to sample and hold

[@DaddyM7MD]

i too would like a 1400dollar CRT

[@saricubra2867]

No, OLEDs and LCDs are trash. Take Sonic Mania at 60Hz on a CRT vs OLED and LCDs, night&day difference.

[@SilverJoystix]

I just returned this monitor. The TN panel simply didn't cut it for me. I tried coming down from a 4K 144hz IPS and I lasted one weekend with the XL2566K :) It is basically only useful for E-Sports. And that is somewhat subjective. It was my first time trying DyAc and I did find it helped me with traction and identifying enemies. However, I couldn't find a color balance that I felt comfortable keeping. You were also spot on with saying that this is not for web usage or standard productivity needs. While its not the worst thing in the world, for $600 I wasn't ready for all the compromises. Oddly enough, going back to my 4K 144hz made me really miss having the XL2566K specifically for MW2. Even though it looks significantly better in 4K, my overall game performance is ass again and my frame rates are all over the place. I might come back and pick up the XL2566K as a secondary panel.

[@joelconolly5574]

Why not get something like a 2K 240Hz monitor? Should be the best of both world.

[@neppe4047]

you can also try playing 1080p without scaling (so centered with black "bars" around) and sit closer to the monitor.

[@SilverJoystix]

@@joelconolly5574 It’s not quite that easy. While I did settle for one of these options, I do still miss the Xl from time to time. But, you are right in that this was the closest thing to having everything I wanted

[@joelconolly5574]

@@SilverJoystix yeah that's true. 4K is great visually for things other than gaming. I know having fast pace and high resolution is unachievable yet since technology isn't ther yet but hopefully it will. Maybe get the XL fot fast pace shooting.

[@nandysullivan3005]

Yeah need 2 monitor for this setup better than ever 1 ips and 1 fast tn

[@megvzx6590]

Bruh colors on this arw actually decent not sure why you would shit on them but cause its a tn. Just check rtings review guys..

[@jz-xd1xu]

Can I just found a 100x100 monitor arm and mount it?

[@trilecebey]

yes

[@zohzie]

sadly ther accurate colour profile looked like ass for me, but oh qwell. for anyone else, i found rthese work well for games like ow and apex. digital vibrance: 70% Mode: Standard Black EQ: 10 Colour Vibrance: 9-12 depending on the game Blue Light: 2 Gamma: 1 Temp: 99 96 100 DyAc+: Premium Brightness: 100 Contrast: 50 Sharpness: 10 AMA: Custom - 17

[@AkselMagnus]

Endgame this decade would be 26.5’ 1440p 240hz OLED panel with Glossy film. Thin bezels all around. They can make em, but their holding back the market. HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4 & DP 1.4 connectivities. Somebody just make it, thanks

[@cleenred8520]

That would cost more than my entire pc but I agree 😂

[@minty_x]

25 or 24 inch would be amazing, imagine the sharpness

[@AkselMagnus]

@@minty_x would be neat to see a 24.5’ 1440p OLED. Extreme pixel density

[@sandelemental6502]

Colors are passable imo. Definitely would not consider them to be washed out.

[@luissuarez8961]

i mean he can noticed becouse he already tested oled monitors

[@daves3108]

Considering there are like 4 monitors in total pros use 26% isn't amazing

[@saricubra2867]

I end up first place with a CRT monitor on Counter Strike deathmatches. OLED,LCD andmotion clarity aren't compatible in the same sentence. They are bad displays for gaming, trash motion.

[@euochapolin3934]

Dyac cause input lag?

[@vookie91]

I heard quite the opposite

[@orion9k]

"Why do 26% of Counter Strike pros use this monitor?" Because BenQ is heavenly sponsering the community?

[@compumonkeys]

I got this wonderful Zowie Monitor second hand for $750(cad) and it's very good for the Xbox series X at 120hz with dyac I tested. Also at 240hz is surprisingly within the refresh window. I read on some forms, people put ama above 20 for a quicker response for other refresh rates, i use 22 ama even for 360hz :D

[@BlueBillionPoundBottleJobs]

Congrats on not understanding what overshoot means :D

[@compumonkeys]

@@BlueBillionPoundBottleJobs bruh I don't care about clarity, I only care about the refresh window passing. I know that the zowie does overshoot, but I don't give a dang because I used to game on a u2413 monitor before for 60hz and this xl2466 can reach it's refresh window with higher ama while having ok amounts of overshoots.

[@mnazas2299]

u dumb arent u

[@NewfieOwl]

what would you say the best 1440p 240hz monitor budget would be 1k

[@lukespatola1184]

samsung g7 is 500sih

[@illumi1749]

why do you use counter strike in your title but then put all the examples on valorant with the recommendation settings being valorant aswell smh

[@lavenderlolxd]

Because v*lorant players aren't human.

[@ronald0122]

This or the alienware 2523hf

[@Unbekannt42424]

i just have a XL2411K 144Hz, and i will send it back, i had it 1,5 year and nothing too bad to say, but than last week after i woke up, the monitor just had the half side completely green and sometimes its away but always they are artifacts till then, thats why i never ever buy a Zowie again, even if i had bad luck thats my panel got dead, I mean I've always treated the monitor well, and also to say, i understood, idont need esport monitor cause i dont even can get or wanna get into esport, but at the beginning i thought i need the best, but now ithink its much better to have ips panel, i think just enough, i bought the LG 27GR75Q-B.AEU ithink this is just better, cause i had LG and it always was a good monitor for 2years but my first LG had only 60hz so i bought the Zowie. And also ffor me in my opinion i dont know if it only felt like this, but it felt like having dyac on, makes some delay between mouse movement

[@SnowlLeopard]

I had the XL2546K for a week, it arrived with a dead pixel. However all this hype with Dyac+ I genuinely couldn’t see a difference on or off when gaming. Maybe just for pro esports gamers only - but I was disappointed and wouldn’t be buying another one

[@MakeSh00t]

but why pros using all cheap monitors and with no dyac + to ? Simple question Can u game 8 hours with dyac ? or any kind of MBR? nope. Your eyes..Game Settings DyAc Off Black eQualizer 20 Color Vibrance 9 Low Blue Light 0 Picture Picture Mode Gamer 2 Brightness

[@mytommy]

World’s Best Monitor - Zowie XL2566K Review*

[@AquilaeYT]

The issue : - Cost more 600 euro - The Strobing cause several crosstalk if you don't have 300+ frame constantly ( and we can see on your test ) which is inusable ( so why talk about that ? ) - Other than competitive gaming this monitor are horrible - Only 1080p, clearly not the best monitor for seeing something on some games ( COD/Apex Legends etc ) - Coil whine issue in 360hz mode ( but most of the people are not sensitive, i'm and weirdly my wife and my best friend too. ) I think this monitor is a little bit overrated and the tons of overshoot is so laughable.

[@aditrex]

most overrated and overpriced products comes from zowie so true

[@lx6381]

agree with it being overpriced. only influenced kids would buy this because their favorite pro player uses this.

[@aditrex]

@@AquilaeYT u dont need 360 lmfao apex engine limit is 300 anyway 240 for semi competitive is more then enough i would argue even 144hz is enough for most tryhards

[@aditrex]

@@AquilaeYT if u say so i dont understand then i dont but just to bring u down to reality check every wanna be pro player is on 1080p screen so think well before u say words that u belive so i also have 1440p 270hz screen but also have 1080p 240hz screen if u want to go tryhard mode

[@Dew4lk]

TN panel in 2023 is so meh

[@am_ma]

Poor colors and contrast.

[@TheWMq8]

I could tolerate the colors, but the contrast was horrrrrible. Couldn’t stand a month using that monitor. Back to my old 240hz from zowie also

[@BlueBillionPoundBottleJobs]

Yeah contract on IPS with the beautiful back light bleed is so much better

[@Kaiser187]

Chill with the bezels. We don't like em chunky Zowie.

[@johnsonjunior547]

the real reason is that pros are sheep that don't know what theyre talking about. They all just follow along the group. Its not a bad monitor to use by any means but you can get just as good HZ, input lag (even better in some cases), and with a better more accurate panel. Also, your input lag measurements are completely wrong.

[@Ludak021]

There is a stat called latency. Every pixel has it. It's not the number stated by manufacturer, that one is always a lie, it's a number you can measure by yourself between black and white states of a pixel IF you have a proper camera (not a single mobile phone has this) or some professional display calibration tools. all that aside, BenQ always made cheap monitors out of parts no one wants. We can clearly see that in action with the reviewed monitor. It's the bottom of the barrel product for the kids to play on until they can afford something better. On the other hand, BenQ will have a very hard time convincing anyone that TN is faster than OLED. This maybe works for them when they compare their TN against IPS since IPS has a long standing history of being "input lag" ridden etc but as OLED has arrived, IPS can only go cheaper to make way for the superior technology and BenQ is pretty much done in the TN segment. TN is already laughable technology when you put it next to any current fast IPS display.

[@BlueBillionPoundBottleJobs]

Wow you're really dumb, that's cool! You realise the "response time" stat that reviewers talk about is literally what you just said. Lmao, absolute clown Also there is literally 0 opinion that IPS is "input lag ridden". It just has previously had far inferior response times to TN. The gap is still there but nowhere near as big Good effort attempting to sound smart champ. Take a look into the dunning kruger effect.

[@Austrium1483]

What a waste of money

[@od1sseas663]

Trash monitor