Believe it or not, there was once a time when choosing the right monitor came down to the display size you needed. Now, monitors use an assortment of different panels, are available in a wide variety of sizes and aspect ratios, and if you're a gamer, you deeply care about its refresh rate. Combining the best of all those features normally results in a very expensive monitor, which is why most offerings in the market will compromise on certain features.
With a $399.99 price tag, the Samsung CRG5 monitor is an interesting option for gamers, because for some people, it checks off every feature you'd want from a gaming monitor. The 27" variant is a curved monitor with a blistering 240Hz refresh rate, is G-SYNC compatible, has a high 3000:1 contrast ratio, and a 4ms response time. It does however, have a maximum resolution of 1920x1080, in a segment where 2560x1440 is preferred by some. The thing is, you'd need a real powerful computer if you want to take advantage of a 240Hz refresh rate at 2560x1440, which is why most 240Hz monitors have a 1920x1080 display. In a way, it's a compromise—sacrificing a bit of resolution for a higher refresh rate.
Display / Comfort
Equipped with a VA panel, the Samsung CRG5 delivers solid picture quality with great color contrast, especially compared to its TN-equipped counterparts. Its 1500R curvature is designed to deliver a more immersive and comfortable viewing experience, although it's not as noticeable on a display of this size compared to say, the 49" Samsung CRG9 . Out of the box, the Samsung CRG5 offers a variety of preset pictures modes for gaming such as FPS, RTS, and RPG. Naturally, you'll want to use the custom display mode to configure the monitor to your liking, based on your viewing conditions.
SEE ALSO: Best G-SYNC Monitors for Gaming
Like the Samsung CRG9 we reviewed, the CRG5 delivers a vibrant and accurate picture out of the box, with a noticeable difference compared to the Dell S2716DG , which uses a TN panel. While the included stand worked just fine for my viewing height, you may want to consider a wall-mounted solution depending on your desk height. The stand does allow you to adjust the tilt from -2.0° (±2.0°) to approximately 15.0° (±2.0°), but not the height of the monitor. I imagine taller users may end up staring down at this monitor, depending on your setup.
In terms of inputs, the 27" CRG5 offers a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports and a 1.2 Display Port. You can also plug your headphones directly into the monitor.
Performance
In order to put the CRG5's 240Hz refresh rate to the test, I connected it to my custom-built rig equipped with an RTX 2080 Ti . The first test came from Wolfenstein: Youngblood, which had no issues hitting 240 fps. Now, jumping from a 144Hz monitor to a 240Hz display won't be as noticeable as going from 60Hz to 144Hz, which is the more common leap for most gamers. Although the 240Hz display is a smoother experience than what a 144Hz monitor has to offer, it isn't as drastic of a difference. If you're currently using a 60Hz monitor and plan on making the leap to a 240Hz display, you'll definitely notice a major difference.
Depending on the type of games you play, you may not even take advantage of the monitor's 240Hz refresh rate, which is something to consider when you're shopping for any monitor. A game like Final Fantasy XIV for example, will struggle to even reach 144 fps consistently, even on a real powerful computer. No Man's Sky, which I also tested on this monitor, has a 160 fps cap in its settings.
First-person shooters and racing games with an uncapped frame rate will benefit from a 240Hz display, but if you're spending a lot of your time playing games like DOTA Underlords or League of Legends, 240Hz won't offer any huge advantages, although the overall experience is smoother.
SEE ALSO: Best FreeSync Monitors for Gaming
There's also the question of whether you'll truly notice the difference between 144Hz and 240Hz. Competitive gamers will want every advantage they can get and a 240Hz display certainly has its small advantages. Subtle movements in FPS games such as Overwatch are smoother and tracking your target is a bit easier—whether that's worth the price is up to you.
One thing to keep in mind is that monitors are generally not replaced as often as upgrading your computer. Although nothing really is future-proof in the world of tech, investing into a 240Hz display could pay off in years to come.
Just remember, the Samsung CRG5 does use a VA panel despite its high 240Hz refresh rate. That's a huge plus, as most other 240Hz monitors use TN panels, which means they don't offer as vibrant of a picture with its washed-out colors.
Specs:
Conclusion
If you're shopping for a gaming monitor that delivers a crisp and vibrant display with great colors and contrast, the 27" Samsung CRG5 delivers. With its 240Hz refresh rate and G-SYNC compatibility, you'll get the smoothest gaming experience possible. The major question is whether you prefer a higher resolution monitor with a lower refresh rate, since at this price point you can get yourself a 2560x1440 display at 144Hz or even 160Hz with overclocking. But then again, if you're shopping for a 240Hz monitor, you're likely only looking at 1920x1080 options anyways.
Even if you aren't taking full advantage of its 240Hz refresh rate on a daily basis, the 27" Samsung CRG5 earns a Top Choice for 2019 when it comes to 240Hz monitors thanks to its VA panel, which delivers a much better picture than other 240Hz monitors that use a TN panel. If you're in the market for a 1920x1080 gaming monitor, the 27" Samsung CRG5 deserves to be towards the top of your shopping list.
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works here .
With a $399.99 price tag, the Samsung CRG5 monitor is an interesting option for gamers, because for some people, it checks off every feature you'd want from a gaming monitor. The 27" variant is a curved monitor with a blistering 240Hz refresh rate, is G-SYNC compatible, has a high 3000:1 contrast ratio, and a 4ms response time. It does however, have a maximum resolution of 1920x1080, in a segment where 2560x1440 is preferred by some. The thing is, you'd need a real powerful computer if you want to take advantage of a 240Hz refresh rate at 2560x1440, which is why most 240Hz monitors have a 1920x1080 display. In a way, it's a compromise—sacrificing a bit of resolution for a higher refresh rate.
Display / Comfort
Equipped with a VA panel, the Samsung CRG5 delivers solid picture quality with great color contrast, especially compared to its TN-equipped counterparts. Its 1500R curvature is designed to deliver a more immersive and comfortable viewing experience, although it's not as noticeable on a display of this size compared to say, the 49" Samsung CRG9 . Out of the box, the Samsung CRG5 offers a variety of preset pictures modes for gaming such as FPS, RTS, and RPG. Naturally, you'll want to use the custom display mode to configure the monitor to your liking, based on your viewing conditions.
SEE ALSO: Best G-SYNC Monitors for Gaming
Like the Samsung CRG9 we reviewed, the CRG5 delivers a vibrant and accurate picture out of the box, with a noticeable difference compared to the Dell S2716DG , which uses a TN panel. While the included stand worked just fine for my viewing height, you may want to consider a wall-mounted solution depending on your desk height. The stand does allow you to adjust the tilt from -2.0° (±2.0°) to approximately 15.0° (±2.0°), but not the height of the monitor. I imagine taller users may end up staring down at this monitor, depending on your setup.
In terms of inputs, the 27" CRG5 offers a pair of HDMI 2.0 ports and a 1.2 Display Port. You can also plug your headphones directly into the monitor.
Performance
In order to put the CRG5's 240Hz refresh rate to the test, I connected it to my custom-built rig equipped with an RTX 2080 Ti . The first test came from Wolfenstein: Youngblood, which had no issues hitting 240 fps. Now, jumping from a 144Hz monitor to a 240Hz display won't be as noticeable as going from 60Hz to 144Hz, which is the more common leap for most gamers. Although the 240Hz display is a smoother experience than what a 144Hz monitor has to offer, it isn't as drastic of a difference. If you're currently using a 60Hz monitor and plan on making the leap to a 240Hz display, you'll definitely notice a major difference.
Depending on the type of games you play, you may not even take advantage of the monitor's 240Hz refresh rate, which is something to consider when you're shopping for any monitor. A game like Final Fantasy XIV for example, will struggle to even reach 144 fps consistently, even on a real powerful computer. No Man's Sky, which I also tested on this monitor, has a 160 fps cap in its settings.
First-person shooters and racing games with an uncapped frame rate will benefit from a 240Hz display, but if you're spending a lot of your time playing games like DOTA Underlords or League of Legends, 240Hz won't offer any huge advantages, although the overall experience is smoother.
SEE ALSO: Best FreeSync Monitors for Gaming
There's also the question of whether you'll truly notice the difference between 144Hz and 240Hz. Competitive gamers will want every advantage they can get and a 240Hz display certainly has its small advantages. Subtle movements in FPS games such as Overwatch are smoother and tracking your target is a bit easier—whether that's worth the price is up to you.
One thing to keep in mind is that monitors are generally not replaced as often as upgrading your computer. Although nothing really is future-proof in the world of tech, investing into a 240Hz display could pay off in years to come.
Just remember, the Samsung CRG5 does use a VA panel despite its high 240Hz refresh rate. That's a huge plus, as most other 240Hz monitors use TN panels, which means they don't offer as vibrant of a picture with its washed-out colors.
Specs:
| Screen Size | 27" Curved |
| Curvature | 1500R |
| Maximum Resolution | 1920x1080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Peak Brightness | 300 cd/m2 |
| Static Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| Response Time | 4ms (GTG) |
| Color Support | 16.7M |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Wall Mount | 75 x 75 |
| Max Refresh Rate | 240Hz (G-SYNC Compatible) |
| Inputs | 2 x HDMI, 1 x Display Port, 1 x Headphones |
Conclusion
If you're shopping for a gaming monitor that delivers a crisp and vibrant display with great colors and contrast, the 27" Samsung CRG5 delivers. With its 240Hz refresh rate and G-SYNC compatibility, you'll get the smoothest gaming experience possible. The major question is whether you prefer a higher resolution monitor with a lower refresh rate, since at this price point you can get yourself a 2560x1440 display at 144Hz or even 160Hz with overclocking. But then again, if you're shopping for a 240Hz monitor, you're likely only looking at 1920x1080 options anyways.
Even if you aren't taking full advantage of its 240Hz refresh rate on a daily basis, the 27" Samsung CRG5 earns a Top Choice for 2019 when it comes to 240Hz monitors thanks to its VA panel, which delivers a much better picture than other 240Hz monitors that use a TN panel. If you're in the market for a 1920x1080 gaming monitor, the 27" Samsung CRG5 deserves to be towards the top of your shopping list.
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works here .
