Gaming Monitor Roundup 2014

Eizo Foris FG2421 Review

Manufacturer: Eizo
UK price: £399.95 (inc VAT)

Specifications

• Screen size 23.5in
  
• Resolution 1,920 x 1,080
  
• Refresh rate 120Hz
  
• TFT-panel type VA
  
• 3D support No
  
• Overdrive No
  
• Inputs DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort
  
• Audio HDMI audio out, 3.5mm audio in
  
• Extras USB hub
  
• Dimensions (mm) 565 x 203 x 395 (458) (W x D x H)
  
• Portrait mode No
  
• Weight 6.15kg
  
• Mount None

Eizo is better known for its super expensive displays aimed at professionals working in industries such as the medical sector, CAD/CAM and graphics editing, but it has some products for the gamers among us, too. The height-adjustable Foris FG2421 is anything but cheap, but it is a superlative gaming screen that you should definitely consider – if you can afford it.

Unlike other 120/144 Hz models in this test, the FG2421 comes with an A-MVA panel, rather than a TN one. Vertical alignment panels are traditionally known more for their great contrast than great response times, but Eizo took advantage of recent improvements of the technology, added its own driving electronics and the result is one very fine gaming monitor indeed. One claim to fame is a refresh rate of not 120 but 240Hz, but that is a bit of an overstatement.


Eizo’s technology inserts a black frame in between every other frame shown, while displaying 120 visible frames. Meanwhile the backlight blinks on and off in sync with every frame. The goal of this elaborate setup is to more closely emulate the workings of good old-fashioned CRT displays and we must admit that Eizo’s got closer than any other contender in this test.

It doesn’t hurt that the VA panel displays vibrant, accurate colours with a fantastic contrast and great brightness. Mind you, our test results are for the out of the box 240Hz game setting – in the regular and 120Hz modes, the screen is even more accurate and a lot brighter. The gamma value in game mode is way off base and too low, but mostly fine in regular mode – apparently Eizo chose the low value intentionally in order to extract more detail in midtones, something we’re not altogether keen on, but which can be helpful in games.


The FG2421’s response times may not be the lowest out there, but they are more than low enough and more importantly, there is no visible overshoot, next to no motion blur, and every image is crisp and clear.

In short, the FG2421 is a great gaming screen and definitely our favourite, though it does come at a high price.