Response time is an important specification to consider when purchasing a monitor, especially for gaming or other activities that require fast on-screen motion. The Dell S2417DG is a 24-inch gaming monitor that advertises a fast 1ms gray-to-gray (GtG) response time, but what exactly does this mean and how does it translate to real world performance?
What is Response Time?
Response time refers to how quickly a monitor’s pixels can change from one color to another. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms) – the lower the number, the faster the response. A monitor with a 1ms response time can shift pixels in 1 millisecond.
For LCD monitors, response time measures the transition from gray-to-gray (GtG). An LCD pixel has to pass through shades of gray to get from black to white. GtG measures the intermediate phase.
LCD Monitor Response Time Measurements
There are two main ways LCD monitor response times are measured:
- Gray-to-Gray (GtG): Measures how fast a pixel can change from one shade of gray to another, from 0% brightness to 50% to 100%. GtG aims to capture the most common transitions.
- Black-to-White (BtW): Measures transitions from full black to full white. BtW times are often lower than GtG since the color change is more extreme.
Most manufacturers advertise GtG response times since it represents real-world use more accurately than BtW. However, BtW measurements are still useful for comparison between monitors.
Response Time Impacts Motion Blur
Slow response times can lead to visual artifacts like ghosting, smearing or motion blur in fast moving images. This is because the pixels can’t keep up with the on-screen motion.
For example, if a monitor has a 5ms GtG response time and an object moves across the screen in 2ms, the pixels won’t be able to transition fast enough to keep up. This results in a blurred trail behind moving objects.
Faster response times reduce motion blur and deliver sharper visuals for gaming, video, and other graphically-intensive tasks.
Factors that Affect Response Time
While response time is important, it doesn’t tell the whole story when it comes to a monitor’s performance. Here are some other factors that affect response time and motion clarity:
- Panel Type: IPS panels generally have slower response times (4-6ms) than TN or VA panels (1-3ms). However, IPS offers better colors and viewing angles.
- Overdrive: Monitor manufacturers use overdrive (OD) technology to improve response times. This feature can introduce artifacts like inverse ghosting at its highest settings.
- Refresh Rate: A higher refresh rate like 144Hz or 240Hz also improves motion clarity by updating the image more frequently.
- Backlight Strobing: Strobing backlights like ULMB insert black frames between frames to reduce motion blur. This dims the screen though.
Dell S2417DG Gaming Monitor
Now let’s take a look at the Dell S2417DG specifically:
- 24-inch TN panel
- 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution
- Up to 165Hz refresh rate
- NVIDIA G-SYNC variable refresh rate
- 1ms GtG response time (with overdrive)
This Dell monitor is designed for gaming with features like G-SYNC, 165Hz refresh rate, and fast response. But how does it perform in real world use?
Dell S2417DG Response Time Measurements
According to detailed professional reviews, here are some key measurements for the Dell S2417DG’s response time performance:
| Overdrive Setting | Average GtG Response Time |
|---|---|
| Normal | 3.1ms |
| Fast | 2.8ms |
| Ultra | 2.4ms |
With the overdrive setting on “Normal”, the average GtG response time is 3.1ms. Enabling “Fast” or “Ultra” overdrive improves this to 2.8ms and 2.4ms respectively.
While Dell advertises a 1ms response time for the S2417DG, real-world results are typically a bit slower. The panel is still very responsive though.
Motion Clarity and Gaming Performance
According to reviewers, the Dell S2417DG provides outstanding motion clarity and minimal blur in games. The fast response time, 165Hz refresh rate, and G-SYNC make for extremely fluid gaming.
The Ultra overdrive mode does introduce some overshoot and artifacts. But using the Fast mode provides a great balance between responsiveness and image accuracy.
Overall, while its true response time is not quite 1ms, the Dell S2417DG delivers excellent performance for fast-paced gaming. The high refresh rate and G-SYNC also help minimize motion blur for a clear image.
Lightning Fast IPS Monitors
IPS panel monitors used to be limited to slower response times of 4-6ms. But new nano IPS and Fast IPS technologies have brought IPS monitors with 1ms GtG specs.
These include models like the LG 27GL850 (1ms GtG) and Asus VG279QM (1ms MPRT). While their true average response times are still around 3-5ms, they offer significantly improved pixel transitions compared to earlier IPS monitors.
These new options provide the color and viewing angle benefits of IPS, along with improved response times and motion handling. They rival TN panels and VA alternatives for gaming purposes.
Response Time vs Input Lag
While response time measures pixel transitions, input lag measures the delay between an input being sent and its output reaching the screen.
Fast response time reduces motion blur, but input lag determines the overall latency you feel controlling a monitor. Both measurements are important, especially for competitive gaming.
The Dell S2417DG has exceptionally low input lag of just 2.7ms, which is crucial for FPS and action games.
Conclusion
The Dell S2417DG gaming monitor boasts an advertised 1ms GtG response time. Real-world measurements put its average at around 2.4-3.1ms depending on the overdrive setting used.
This fast pixel response, along with its 165Hz refresh rate and G-SYNC support, provides an excellent experience for gaming and fast motion. While not quite as fast as TN panels, new IPS options are catching up with 1ms ratings as well.
For the optimal balance of speed and image quality on the Dell S2417DG, we recommend using the “Fast” overdrive setting. This delivers superb motion clarity and minimal motion blur for an extremely responsive gaming experience.