Samsung CFG70 Review - 144 Hz, solid blacks, and crazy intense Quantum Dot VA colors
NEW Samsung CFG73 Update: Click Here
NOTE (This was a long article in German before releasing this page in English):
1. Since the article was very long, I cut it and just put all Photos in different slideshows under each topic.
2. Measurements are in German. However, the headings of the columns should be easy to assign.
Updates
1. Some units of this monitor have flickering issues (reported from other users, at the time where I've reviewed the Samsung CFG70 I don't have had an AMD graphics card to test Freesync)
2. Mentioned in the German review: Text Inversion Issues (as same as on the Samsung CHG70) which causes some text sharpness
Introduction
The Samsung CFG70, the first test on LimsCave.com. Its Samsung newest curved gaming monitor in 23.5" Inch (also available in 27" Inch), with a 6-Bit + FRC panel, and a contrast ratio of 3000:1. The Samsung CFG's special features are the Quantum Dot technology, with which, colors become a huge boost in color intensity. This means that the Samsung CFG70 has a color space of 125% factory calibrated. The CFG70 is equipped with AMD's Freesync technology, which ensures that tearing and stutters are eliminated. You should keep in mind that the monitor "only" supports a Freesync range of 70-144 Hz. Moreover, the Samsung has a FULL HD (1920 x 1080) resolution with 144 Hz and an MPRT (Motion Picture Response Time) of 1 Ms. On top the Samsung CFG70 also has a strobing (equal to ULMB) feature.
Sounds like a perfect monitor? In theory, yes. The Samsung, unfortunately, has some bigger issues, with which the most of the people probably can't deal with. Purple artifacts can destroy this monitor completely, while in my experience these artifacts can vary within each individual unit. My first CFG70 (manufactured September 2016) had only a tiny bit of purple artifacts so that I don't mention them in my first review. My second unit (manufactured in October 2016) was the 27" Inch version and here purple artifacts went into orange artifacts. These orange artifacts were much better and much less visible but still present. My third model (manufactured November 2016) had pretty crazy obvious purple artifacts, and now I understand why the CFG70 has so many bad ratings. In Germany, Samsung wrote me an email where they told me that they offer a firmware upgrade within their customer support. For a "fix" you have to send the monitor to a Samsung partner.
You may ask if Samsung has fixed this issue within their new model Samsung CFG73 with a new food stand design? Well, I cannot tell for now, at least not for 100%, but first reporting from different users says that the CFG73 also have purple artifact issues.
IMPORTANT(!) Updates and new information about the Asus PG278QR can be found at the bottom of the article or in the table of contents (if available). A forum thread on this monitor does not exist(!)
Specifications
| Panel Type | Quantum Dot VA |
| Backlight | Edge LED |
| Display size and aspect ratio | 24" inch and 27" inch / 16:9 |
| Maximum Resolution | 1920x1080 (Full HD) |
| Pixel density | 91.8 ppi (Pixels per inch) |
| Refresh rate | 144 Hz |
| Native color depth and color space | 8-bit / sRGB |
| Response time ( | 1 Ms MPRT + Backlight Strobing feature |
| Brightness | 350cd/m2 |
| Integrated speakers | No |
| Video inputs | 2x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x HDMI 1.4 |
| Audio | 3.5mm Audio out |
| USB Hub | No |
| Power consumption | 24" Inch 36W / 55W max., 27" Inch 38W / 58W max. |
| 23.5" Panel dimensions WxHxD with foot stand | 545 x 529.9 x 386.4mm |
| 23.5" Panel dimensions WxHxD without foot stand | 545 x 325.1 x 70.4mm |
| 27" Panel dimensions WxHxD with foot stand | 621.2 x 550.6 x 386.4mm |
| 27" Panel dimensions WxHxD without foot stand | 621.2 x 366.9 x 91.7mm |
| Frame width | 10-13mm |
| Weight | 23.5" 5.2Kg / 27" 6.2Kg |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
| Ergonomics | Tilt, Height, Pivot, Swivel |
| Adaptive Sync | Freesync |
| Freesync Range | 70-144Hz via DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Contrast (Native) | 3000:1 |
| Vesa | Yes 100mm |
| Curved | 1800R |
Alternatives
Alternative 144 Full HD (1920x1080) VA monitors to the Samsung CFG70:
(All other alternatives are listed in the Gaming-Monitor-List. Future releases can be found here)
Find the Samsung CFG70 here: Buy 23.5" or 27" on Amazon
G-Sync
Acer Predator Z271 Buy on Amazon
Acer Predator Z271T Buy on Amazon
Lenovo Y27g Buy on Amazon
Y27G Razer Edition Buy on Amazon
Freesync
Samsung CFG73 (newer version) in 23.5" Buy on Amazon or 27" Buy on Amazon
Asus XG27VQ Buy on Amazon
Aoc AG272FCX Buy on Amazon
MSI Optix G27C Buy on Amazon
Lenovo Y27f Buy on Amazon
Medion X57425 Buy on Amazon
- 32" Inch
Medion X58426 Buy on Amazon
BenQ EX3200R Buy on Amazon
Viewsonic XG3202-C Buy on Amazon
YouTube Video Review
Delivery
Footstand
Connections
Navigation & OSD
Arena Lighting
Greyscale Test
Black Level (normal and long shutter speed)
Viewing Angles
The Curve
Response Time
Brightening "strip" on the right
Review Update 1.1 (CFG70 in 27" Inch)
Purple Artifact "FIX"
Like mentioned, on my 27" Inch unit purple artifacts were "gone". Instead there were orange artifacts. In my experience purple artifacts vary in each individual unit. So its a "lottery" unfortunately. you may ask Samsung in your country if they offer a fix for your monitor.
YouTube Video Review Update
Brightening "strip" now also on the left
The 27" inch model had the same problem which I've had on my 24" Inch model. But now on both sides.
Banding
Measurement data
Contrast, Brightness, and Black Point:
Presets and Measurements:
Results on default settings:
Measured color temperature:
Measured gamma:
Measurements with optimal settings
Optimal settings (on my unit)
Results:
Deviation:
Backlight Strobing
Optimale Settings for Backlight Strobing (on my unit):
Homogeneity (brightness distribution)
Homogeneity (color purity)
Comparison Charts
Pro & Contra
Pro:
- Backlight Strobing (Note that you cannot change brightness while this feature is activated so you have to live with around 220 cd/m2)
- Quantum Dot panel with a color space of 125% sRGB for very intense colors, especially reds
- Very good illumination (No clouding and Backlight Bleed)
UPDATE: My first unit was perfect, while my second unit had huge banding issues, my third unit was good
- VA with a good response time
- Very good black level
- 144 Hz
- Good stable Contrast
- 3 own profiles with 3 macro buttons
- Factory calibrated
- Good viewing angles at brighter image content
Neutral:
- Curved with a radius of 1800R (consider, curve is not that much noticeable and makes the illumination and black uniformity worse in general)
- Semi-matte panel coating (I like it)
- No build in speakers
- Full HD Resolution
- Arena Lighting
Contra:
- Reported Freesync issues from a lot of users (flickering issues) When I had the CFG70 I don't have had an AMD graphics card
- Brightening strip on the right
UPDATE: My 27" inch model had this issues on the left + right, my third model again only on the right
- VA Glow (Viewing angles in dark image content)
- Foot Stand takes a LOT of space
- No USB hub
- Purple artifact issues
- Text Inversion (Text sharpness issue)
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The last Monitor Reviews
3 comments
Thanks for the Info, forget to measue on contrast 100 ~~ But you have to consider that your gradients will suffer above contrast 75
(I can't go for the CFG73 as only the CFG70 is currently sold in my country)
The CFG series is flicker free as long as you do not use backlight strobing of course. I am to 99% sure that the 27 Inch version also is flicker free
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