BenQ Zowie has launched a cutting-edge gaming monitor designed to become the premier choice for professional and emerging esports athletes. Equipped with a 400Hz TN 1080p LCD panel, this monitor appears poised to deliver blisteringly fast image rendering, thanks to the company’s proprietary DyAc 2 backlight strobing technology, which reportedly yields “best-in-class motion readability,” according to BenQ.
While gamers seeking top-tier displays prioritize factors like sharpness, distinction, viewing angles, and total screen size, the 24.5-inch BenQ Zowie XL2566X+ stands out for its tournament-grade speed and consistency, leveraging LCD technology to eliminate concerns over burn-in, brightness variation, and other distractions that may plague OLED screens.
The XL2566X+ builds upon the excellent XL2566K, with many enhancements that have the potential to create a substantial difference. The refresh rate of the XL2566K begins at 360Hz, whereas its newer display counterpart operates at 400Hz. BenQ highlights the use of a “novel quick TN panel technology” boasting “faster conductivity” for a swifter liquid crystal reaction, without elaborating on specific reductions to minimum or average response times.
With the integration of DyAc 2, the display screen now employs a cutting-edge backlight strobing blur reduction technology to enhance visual clarity. Although BenQ doesn’t provide explicit details on DyAc 2’s improvements over its predecessors, the company highlights the use of dual backlights with precise management to achieve enhanced motion blur reduction and ghosting minimization. Additionally, the twin backlights enable a softer light output, facilitating eye adaptation.
While it’s challenging to definitively quantify the extent to which DyAc 2 outperforms its predecessors, we can confidently assert that this technology excels in enhancing image clarity during fast-paced motion. In my comprehensive assessment of the BenQ Zowie XL2566K, I was impressed by its unparalleled movement readability, which set a new standard for me in a gaming monitor. You can distinctly perceive minute alterations to your crosshairs or other players’ actions in a manner that is significantly more challenging without some form of backlight strobing or blackbody insertion on displays.
The monitor’s stand features a notable physical enhancement: industrial-grade height adjustment, facilitated by a bearing system that enables smooth alterations, in addition to the familiar markings and carry handle of previous models.
The display also inherits the privacy/distraction features from some previous BenQ Zowie gaming monitors, a trait that, while appreciated by gamers, might not provide significant benefits for casual home users and therefore may be perceived as an added cost without substantial value. While facet screens are a pleasant touch for tournaments, one can’t help but wonder if they’re more of a value-added feature that justifies the increased price tag.
BenQ has yet to announce a fixed price point; however, it’s worth noting that pre-orders are already available as of August 15, 2024, for those eager to get in on the action early. Notwithstanding the XL2566K’s steep price tag of $600, it is reasonable to assume that his upcoming model will likely cost around the same or only slightly more.
While some may hesitate about investing in a high-end TN LCD panel at a time when 360Hz OLED displays are available, several drawbacks to OLED technology make it less suitable for professional gaming applications. The inherent brightness variability in OLEDs, necessitated by pixel shifting to prevent burn-in, is a jarring inconsistency that undermines the exceptional gaming performance now expected.
While players may spend hours engrossed in a single game, this prolonged exposure also increases the likelihood of burn-in, as Heads-Up Display (HUD) elements can become permanently etched onto the screen. While OLED excels in diverse, low-usage applications, its limitations make it less than ideal for situations like this.
For enthusiasts seeking gaming displays that balance gaming performance with other factors, consider our MSI MPG 271CRX review, which assesses this 240Hz, 1440p OLED monitor, alongside our Dell D2524H review, evaluating this 360Hz, 1080p IPS panel. Each option presents a unique set of benefits that align with its respective price point.
