Samsung's $400 CRG5 brings 240Hz, G-Sync compatibility to 27-inch curved monitor

At E3, Samsung debuted its first G-Sync-Compatible display.

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice

I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.

Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories

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Lori Grunin

June 10, 2019 9:00 a.m. PT

samsung-curved-gaming-monitor-crg527-2 — I have never regretted forgetting to photograph a monitor more.
Samsung

Samsung's CRG5 isn't the first 240Hz 1080p monitor, the first G-Sync-compatible model or the first 27-inch curved, but it might be the first with all of those, with a VA panel instead of TN to boot. The $400 monitor debuted at this year's E3 gaming show and is slated to ship in July. (Directly converted, its price is about £315 and AU$575.)

As a reminder, G-Sync Compatible means that a display has Nvidia-approved adaptive-refresh quality -- think of it as a top-tier of AMD FreeSync 2 monitors -- but since it doesn't require extra G-Sync hardware in the monitor, it can be much cheaper. Samsung has long been a major FreeSync partner for AMD.

The high 240Hz refresh rate delivers smoother gameplay -- it really did when I tried it -- plus a broader latitude for synchronizing with your frame rates and thus avoid artifacts like tearing. That too, looked good.

More from E3

TN (twisted nematic) LCD panels still have the fastest response times, which is why they still dominate in esports; this model's 4ms gray-to-gray VA (vertical alignment) panel is more in line with noncompetitive gaming performance, but VA does deliver better color and viewing angles than TN.

Other specs include: