Mecer K3G3R 31.5" QHD (2560x1440) 144Hz Freesync Curved Gaming Monitor - REVIEW-

[copacetic]

Not a great video, but my one gripe is this:

Terrible quality, sorry - But what I am referring to is the colour change in the text as I scroll.

Other than that, the other issue I am having is some flickering using sync, but I can't really see what the common denominator is (suspicions are older games / running sync in a borderless window).

Generally though, very happy with the monitor (2K + 144Hz is really quite something compared to my previous 1080p 75Hz).

 

[melvill]

Not a great video, but my one gripe is this:

Terrible quality, sorry - But what I am referring to is the colour change in the text as I scroll

Is it for all text or just specific colours? Also what's your pc specs?

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[copacetic]

Is it for all text or just specific colours? Also what's your pc specs?

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

As far as I am able to tell - It's when there is light text on a dark background. Black text on white exhibits a bit of ghosting, but not really much. Potato quality videos (sorry), but some other examples:

UFO Test
See how the label on the ground changes color? It looks worse in the video, but in-game, it's disconcerting how dark the colour get when in motion. That said, in gaming terms, there are very few scenarios (I think Path of Exile is the only one actually), where this is an issue (since there are purposefully high-contrast labels on what becomes a moving background when your character walks).

It's also particularly noticeable, as I have a Dell IPS I can immediately A/B with, so it really highlights the issues. That being said - I think, for the money, it's a great deal, but there are going to be limitations at this price (or, perhaps there's something I can do on my end to alleviate these issues, which would, of course be amazing - but I've tried and fiddled with everything I can think of).

PC is standard issue (Win 10, 4790K, Aorus 1070...)

 

[melvill]

I think you might have a faulty unit as I tried scrolling thru a bunch of different text and didn't notice any issue with the colours. Happy to make a video and show u later

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[PancakesZA]

As far as I am able to tell - It's when there is light text on a dark background. Black text on white exhibits a bit of ghosting, but not really much. Potato quality videos (sorry), but some other examples:

UFO Test
See how the label on the ground changes color? It looks worse in the video, but in-game, it's disconcerting how dark the colour get when in motion. That said, in gaming terms, there are very few scenarios (I think Path of Exile is the only one actually), where this is an issue (since there are purposefully high-contrast labels on what becomes a moving background when your character walks).

It's also particularly noticeable, as I have a Dell IPS I can immediately A/B with, so it really highlights the issues. That being said - I think, for the money, it's a great deal, but there are going to be limitations at this price (or, perhaps there's something I can do on my end to alleviate these issues, which would, of course be amazing - but I've tried and fiddled with everything I can think of).

PC is standard issue (Win 10, 4790K, Aorus 1070...)

Mine definitely doesn't have this problem.
So possible may have a faulty unit.

 

[copacetic]

I think you might have a faulty unit as I tried scrolling thru a bunch of different text and didn't notice any issue with the colours. Happy to make a video and show u later

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Please do - I'd assumed it was a quirk of VA panels as I've never used them, but if I've got a faulty unit, I would be delighted to sort this issue out. Here's a good example:

Link.

Areas to note: Image on left (dark pulsing on edges), Text of OP (fairly good), compared to text of post 2 (middling), compared to text of footer of post 2 (very noticeable issues). When scrolled through on my IPS, it's absolutely perfect, no issues.

I'll try capture a video as I experience it.

edit

 

[copacetic]

Mine definitely doesn't have this problem.
So possible may have a faulty unit.

Thanks - I wonder if it's a hardware fault then, or perhaps I've managed to set something up incorrectly.

Brightness - 90
Contrast - 50
DCR - Off
Gamma - 2.4
Picture Mode - Standard
Colour Temp - Warm
Low Blue Light - 25
Response Time - Middle
Noise Reduction - Middle
Dynamic Luminous Control - Off (Anyone know what this is?)
FreeSync - On

Anything stand out there? I've obviously also fiddled with various permutations.

 

[copacetic]

I've also picked up something else odd, as follows:

There's an obvious difference when waving a window/app around a desktop at 60 / 144 Hz, as we know. Now, I've just recently installed an app (Corsair's iCUE), which flickered profoundly with Gysnc set up on this monitor (flickering stops with sync turned off in the Nvidia control panel). What I have subsequently noticed is that the iCUE app, when dragged around the screen, appears to be behaving as it would if you were doing so on a 60 Hz screen.

I've also picked up flickering in some games (seems to be when in non-full screen mode, older games or not actual game engine output, a recent instance being the pre-game story scene (Kholat).

So there's something going on, but I can't pin down what, or why. Open to any ideas.

 

[melvill]

Definitely sounds like a faulty unit. Also running icue and Asus aura with no problems. Gaming looks great

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

 

[Miz3r]

Maybe the DP or HDMI cable?
I know i had similar on old qnix monitor but that was dvi, and seated it propperly and corrected itself

WIll test mine when it arrives next week

 

[copacetic]

I'm using the DP cable that came with the monitor. For sure after the feedback I've gotten here, I will contact the supplier. But in the interim, I am keen to do what I can to make sure it's not an issue I can alleviate myself. Very odd.

 

[Souperman]

Not a great video, but my one gripe is this:

Terrible quality, sorry - But what I am referring to is the colour change in the text as I scroll.

Other than that, the other issue I am having is some flickering using sync, but I can't really see what the common denominator is (suspicions are older games / running sync in a borderless window).

Generally though, very happy with the monitor (2K + 144Hz is really quite something compared to my previous 1080p 75Hz).

Mine also does this on the link you provided.

I've also picked up something else odd, as follows:

There's an obvious difference when waving a window/app around a desktop at 60 / 144 Hz, as we know. Now, I've just recently installed an app (Corsair's iCUE), which flickered profoundly with Gysnc set up on this monitor (flickering stops with sync turned off in the Nvidia control panel). What I have subsequently noticed is that the iCUE app, when dragged around the screen, appears to be behaving as it would if you were doing so on a 60 Hz screen.

I've also picked up flickering in some games (seems to be when in non-full screen mode, older games or not actual game engine output, a recent instance being the pre-game story scene (Kholat).

So there's something going on, but I can't pin down what, or why. Open to any ideas.

Mine doesn' to this at all and I'm also running the iCue app and Asus Aura app and dragging it doesn't do anything related to 60hz.

 

[copacetic]

The flickering (it's a bit hard to see on the video):

Bizarrely, it only flickers when it's the active window - If you click on another window, the flickering stops.

edit

I've just noticed, it's not just the iCUE app that's flickering; it's the whole screen (not noticeable on a dark background, but very obvious on a white background).

 

[copacetic]

Mine also does this on the link you provided.

Hmm - The question then is, do we have faulty units / have something incorrectly set up, or have other people not had a use case where they've noticed this behaviour?

Mine doesn' to this at all and I'm also running the iCue app and Asus Aura app and dragging it doesn't do anything related to 60hz.

Well, I'm just getting more and more confused.

 

[leonb]

Going to be ordering one of these this week.

Then need to find a home for my lg 34"

Specs look good and review on point. So will be nice to go back to a bigger res

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk

If jou put uou LG up for sale let me know...i maybe interested

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

The flickering (it's a bit hard to see on the video):

Bizarrely, it only flickers when it's the active window - If you click on another window, the flickering stops.

edit

I've just noticed, it's not just the iCUE app that's flickering; it's the whole screen (not noticeable on a dark background, but very obvious on a white background).

Try it at different brightness levels.

Some monitors glitch out at different brightness settings. I haven't had that with my Viotek but I had it with the TN LG I had. From what I gather it's not so much a fault as it is a limited backlight that is incapable of performing all the steps and creates fake steps through software trickery, these steps are however unstable resulting in flickering and other glitches. So for instance the monitor I had could do 70, but not 71 and 72 and was fine again at 73.

100% may not be ideal but all monitors should be flawless at that setting. If that works then return to your original setting and move up or down a step in brightness and test again. If it's not fine at 100% then it's probably a fault yes.

Also are you sure it's running at 144Hz?

And try turning the blue-light filter off (make it look like ass anyways (on all monitors)).

 

[copacetic]

Try it at different brightness levels.

Some monitors glitch out at different brightness settings. I haven't had that with my Viotek but I had it with the TN LG I had. From what I gather it's not so much a fault as it is a limited backlight that is incapable of performing all the steps and creates fake steps through software trickery, these steps are however unstable resulting in flickering and other glitches. So for instance the monitor I had could do 70, but not 71 and 72 and was fine again at 73.

100% may not be ideal but all monitors should be flawless at that setting. If that works then return to your original setting and move up or down a step in brightness and test again. If it's not fine at 100% then it's probably a fault yes.

Also are you sure it's running at 144Hz?

And try turning the blue-light filter off (make it look like ass anyways (on all monitors)).

Thank you for the suggestions. Definitely 144 (although I am unable to tell, when the flickering hits, if it's dropping down. The frame rate tanks though, and something weird happens, as per picture #2):

#1

#2

Blue-light filter off (I actually kind of like it on, to be honest), and brightness between 100 > 0 makes no difference, aside from how obvious the flickering is (it's obviously easier to see the brighter it is).

With respect to the behaviour exhibited with iCUE (and I have a suspicion what's happening here is related to the other flickering I am observing, which I will mention below), I wish I had a way of showing it, as it's startlingly obvious to experience, but hard to capture in words or with video. I've maxed the brightness in the following clip. When I click on Steam, flickering vanishes, and when I click on iCUE it returns. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, dragging iCUE around gives a 60Hz 'feel' and immediately dragging Steam gives that buttery-smooth high-refresh rate feeling. At around the 20 second point in 1080p, you should be able to see the flickering, it's very obvious sitting in front of it.

I've now started noticing flickering in menus of games, non-rendered cut-scenes, etc (and in rare cases, in-game, although iirc this has only happened in borderless windowed mode, which is an edge case). It's intermittent though, I cannot detect any specific reason why it does it. I am, however, presuming that whatever is happening with iCUE is happening wherever else the flickering appears.

I know I'm repeating myself, but just to be clear, this only happens with adaptive sync on.

 

[Miz3r]

If jou put uou LG up for sale let me know...i maybe interested

I hAv Alre4dy SolD it BrosKie
TH4nks ThouhG

 

[QilliQ]

Only real issue that I'm having with mine is clear text, can't seem to get it sorted

 

[Dolfie]

Which version of Windows are you running? I've noticed Windows 10 has real issues with font and Clear type which seems to be something they introduced during one of the Creators update feature sets that really grinds my gears. I made the conscious decision of switching over to Windows 10 LTSC edition and my font issues have disappeared. I have keratoconus in one eye so I'm really sensitive to blurry or inconsistent font types.. perhaps it's worth trying if you have access to Microsoft's partner licensing as there's no other legitimate way of obtaining it.

For those not in the know, the LTSC edition or Long Term Service Branch version of Windows does not have the disgusting bloatware you normally find in the Home|Pro versions of WIndows 10 and removes the Windows Store, Cortana, Tiles etc. I recommend loading this + O&O ShutUp10 and calling it a day, best decision I've made in a long time!

If this is not an option I suggest fiddling with the Smooth Edges option as seen below as it might have the desired effect in your case.
(This could require logging out or restarting before the changes will take effect)

Last thing to take into account is the Colour profile currently in use.. I don't have this monitor however there's been numerous instances where toggling between Movie|Game|RTS modes on other monitors (in the monitor OSD itself) has corrected font issues, for me at least.

Hope any of this helps

 

[BaTouSai ZA]

I want to place my order but the issues some of you are experiencing is making the decision very hard


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PandaAttack1]

Only real issue that I'm having with mine is clear text, can't seem to get it sorted

Hehehe, a screenshot will be smooth af for us dude. The screenshot is how it's rendered, not displayed on he monitor. you need to take a picture with your phone...

 

[CRE4MPIE]

Did you make any color changes or mostly only the Noise & Response settings + freesync ?

Only the changes mentioned above yeah - I am running Freesync again , no issues so far.

 

[CRE4MPIE]

Not a great video, but my one gripe is this:

Terrible quality, sorry - But what I am referring to is the colour change in the text as I scroll.

Other than that, the other issue I am having is some flickering using sync, but I can't really see what the common denominator is (suspicions are older games / running sync in a borderless window).

Generally though, very happy with the monitor (2K + 144Hz is really quite something compared to my previous 1080p 75Hz).

Try using the settings instructions I posted above - my ghosting is pretty much unnoticeable now. Although this is the standard VA panel things.

 

[QilliQ]

Hehehe, a screenshot will be smooth af for us dude. The screenshot is how it's rendered, not displayed on he monitor. you need to take a picture with your phone...

12 hour shift... Lack of sleep, that thought didn't even come up

Sent from my VKY-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[copacetic]

Try using the settings instructions I posted above - my ghosting is pretty much unnoticeable now. Although this is the standard VA panel things.

I had / have, thanks - It's one of the reasons I am wondering if I have a defective (or particularly sub-par) unit. You said you were not currently using gsync, right? As I am also quite interested in possibly figuring out what's going on there. Anyone else have this monitor, and have no issues with gsync running?

Thanks for all the input, everyone, and to those that are concerned about buying one, I will keep updated of my progress one way or the other.

 

[Paul]

I want to place my order but the issues some of you are experiencing is making the decision very hard


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

feel the same lol

 

[Rambo89]

Surely if yours is having the issues described then you can return for a replacement ?

 

[superrob]

Out of interests sake, I have one of these Mecers as well currently pretty happy but and I say but, I can get an LG 34 inch yet it'll be the 144hz with the 1080p display, would it be worthwhile getting that one or sticking to the 1440p.

Also just to throw this out there with G sync it feels like there is a higher then usual input latency, another interesting thing I have tested perhaps mine is a great sample but I can OC the display to 166hz without hesitation, did it just to test but running it at 156hz as I don't want to stress it out too much

 

[PandaAttack1]

Out of interests sake, I have one of these Mecers as well currently pretty happy but and I say but, I can get an LG 34 inch yet it'll be the 144hz with the 1080p display, would it be worthwhile getting that one or sticking to the 1440p.

Also just to throw this out there with G sync it feels like there is a higher then usual input latency, another interesting thing I have tested perhaps mine is a great sample but I can OC the display to 166hz without hesitation, did it just to test but running it at 156hz as I don't want to stress it out too much

What you would gain with the LG:

• IPS panel technology (by far the best for colour reproduction.)
• 34" of screen goodness. Very immersive gaming experience and movies display with no black bars.

What you would lose:
- 1440p resolution.

If the resolution and screen real estate is important to you, then stick with the 1440p. If pixel density is not a major factor for you, gooi mielies on the ultrawide. Your games will higher frames as well, so if res not important, win win win.