NEC MultiSync 90GX2

Take one look at NEC's microsite for the GX2 and you're left in no doubt that the range is squarely aimed at gamers. Both 4:3 and widescreen versions are offered, the 90GX2 being a member of the 4:3 club.

The OptiClear screen is a stunning sight to behold, emitting a level of brightness that makes others here look positively dull. Rated at 400cd/m2, it has the drawback of being extremely reflective, but for gamers there's nothing to match the MultiSync this month.

The 4ms response time meant there was no blurring during fast motion. In fact, in all the real-world tests, the NEC wiped the floor with the competition. The level of detail in dark scenes is exceptional, as is the sharpness of objects.

Conveniently, a USB hub is built into the stand with four downstream ports. And you get both DVI and VGA cables in the box, which adds value. The stand isn't height adjustable, but it swivels widely and tilts back to 30 degrees.

Proving that great real-world quality doesn't always mean technical prowess, the 90GX2 conversely performed badly in DisplayMate. The gradient ramps had visible banding, while the range was a little compressed at the dark end. It means the NEC isn't perfect for photo editing, but only pros would notice any problems. Finally, viewing angles are poor, with whites turning to yellow if you move 30 or 40 degrees off centre.

But for gaming, these flaws are irrelevant, and the fantastic brightness, sharpness and quick response times will ensure you frag instead of being fragged. At £206, the NEC isn't the best value, so we can't quite recommend it unless your top priority is playing games.

Author: David Bayon