BenQ Zowie XL2540 Review

Benq XL2540 Intro

Looking for a 240Hz gaming monitor for the smoothest and most responsive gaming experience? The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 is an excellent model with plenty of extra features you might find useful. Equipped with lots of bells and whistles, MBR, FreeSync, 240Hz, and a 1ms response time, the BenQ Zowie XL2540 is ideal for competitive gaming. The original content remains the same for elements not discussed here. A thorough look at the variations between V2 and V1 is what this review will focus on.

Image Quality Performance

The BenQ XL2540 offers a satisfactory image quality with its 1080p resolution, providing crisp details and ample screen space. More importantly, it allows your GPU and CPU to handle higher frame rates easily, as 1080p is less demanding on hardware. Calibration is necessary for optimal picture quality, even though the panel covers a decent amount of sRGB color space (~95%). While TN (Twisted Nematic) panels like this one have the fastest pixel response time speed, they rank lower in color quality compared to other technologies like IPS and VA. The viewing angles are 160°/170°, meaning the picture's color, contrast, and brightness may shift when viewed from an angle, but this isn’t a major concern if you’re sitting directly in front of the screen. As with most 240Hz 1080p gaming monitors, the BenQ XL2540 features a TN panel with a 400-nit peak brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 8-bit color depth, and a swift 1ms response time.

Performance Optimization

The Blur Reduction feature and its intensity settings range from a minimum of 100Hz to a maximum of 240Hz can be found in the service menu. To access this service menu, first turn off the BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 monitor, then hold down the fourth monitor hotkey from the left while pressing the power button to turn the display back on. This will allow the fourth hotkey to open the service menu instead of the regular OSD. To return to the OSD, just turn the monitor off and on again. In addition, enabling backlight strobing can help eliminate motion blur and ghosting in fast-paced gameplay. While gaming at 240Hz does provide a smoother experience than 144Hz, the difference isn’t as significant as the jump from 60Hz to 144Hz. To achieve optimal response time, adjust the overdrive (AMA – Advanced Motion Acceleration) setting in the OSD menu to ‘High.’ Moreover, the response time speed is quite impressive, featuring a 1ms GtG pixel response time that minimizes ghosting or trailing with fast-moving objects. Overall, the BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 delivers excellent input lag performance, clocking in at just below 4ms.

Display Features

The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 comes equipped with the S. Switch external device, allowing you to easily navigate the OSD settings and adjust picture presets remotely. You can switch between two FPS modes, RTS, Movie, Standard, and three customizable profiles. Moving on, you’ll also find features like Black eQualizer, which enhances visibility in dark areas of games, and the Color Vibrancy feature that adjusts color saturation with a range of 0-20. Moreover, FreeSync technology works seamlessly with compatible GeForce cards and is certified as G-SYNC Compatible by NVIDIA. However, note that FreeSync cannot be used simultaneously with motion blur reduction technology. This tech eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, all while maintaining virtually no input lag penalty, as it dynamically adjusts the monitor's refresh rate when linked to a compatible graphics card. Lastly, the monitor supports AMD FreeSync with a refresh rate range of 48-240Hz and LFC support, making it a solid choice for gamers looking for smooth performance.

Connectivity & Design Features

Starting with connectivity, the BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 offers a variety of options including DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, Dual-Link DVI-D, a headphone jack, a microphone jack, and a dual-USB 3.0 hub. To enjoy 240Hz and FreeSync, make sure to connect via either HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort. The monitor features a matte anti-glare coating and a shading hood to minimize distractions while gaming, although the bezels are somewhat thick at 14mm. The design of the frame is intended to reduce reflections. Moreover, it boasts a fully ergonomic structure with height adjustments of up to 140mm, a tilt range of -5° to 18°, swivel capability of +/- 45°, a 90° pivot, and a 100 x 100mm VESA mount.

Monitor Comparison & Pricing

The ViewSonic XG2431 is our top recommendation. It features an IPS panel that matches the speed of the BenQ ZOWIE XL2540 while providing enhanced colors, broader viewing angles, and improved backlight strobing performance. The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540, however, comes with a hefty price tag of around $400, making it quite pricey for a 1080p TN display.

Conclusion

For an enjoyable and immersive competitive gameplay, you might find more cost-efficient options available. The BenQ ZOWIE XL2540, a remarkable 240Hz gaming monitor, boasts a fully ergonomic design, shading hood, and rich connectivity options. It also features plenty of gaming enhancements, including MBR and FreeSync up to 240Hz, and is G-SYNC Compatible. Additionally, it offers a quick response time and low input lag, ensuring you stay ahead in the game.