https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/alienware-25-gaming-monitor-aw2521hfl/apd/210-awdy/monitors-monitor-accessories

This is in your budget and it's 240hz, I'd heavily recommend getting this over any 144hz so you don't end up wasting money if you decide you want to upgrade down the line. I'm using an older version of this monitor and it's worked great for the past 3(?) years.

i don't mean to assume your situation or anything, but in my experience if you're gonna save up for a mid-tier monitor (or any peripherals) you might as well just save the extra dosh and get something insanely good, something you won't have to replace hopefully for many years to come. i've made the mistake of getting "decent" equipment and then realizing 1 year later that i could have done so much better for just 100-200 bucks more.

again i know not everyone can afford to just drop a trillion dollars on crazy gaming equipment, but if you really want a monitor that will last, i say save up and splurge out on a BenQ ZOWIE XL2546K (copy and pasted, not an ad i swear) or other such similar monitor. read up on blurbusters and make an informed decision about a purchase that could stick with you for years

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0845QFDVM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

god tier up to 280hz for the price. i echo durzo, save up a little bit more because youll be using this monitor for years hopefully. perfect time to upgrade to 240/280hz because honestly thats where the real benefits of extra hz really start to die off

Monitor upgrade

Personally I moved from an xl2411z to an AW2518HF (notably not an IPS panel) and hate the AW. Everything is much worse on it except the refresh rate (which isn't very noticeable to me) and there's an ugly screen door effect over everything. I really miss the backlight strobe feature too.

Get a good 144hz display over a cheap 240 any day

I have the exact same model and don't have any of those problems, I've always used TN panels tho so maybe you're just used to how IPS panels look.

Got this one recently for like 200 euro(234ish $), and it's been pretty great. I've heard that alot of monitors these days have 2 different quality panels, and it's abit of a lottery to which one you'll get so all you can do is pray really.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/C27G2ZU-BK-AOC-Gaming-Monitor/dp/B08897N6HJ

As someone with a 240 hz monitor I'll say it's not really worth the extra money I'd just stick with a god tier 144 hz.

the dell/AW monitors are good value, but still hella budget. IMO 144hz w/ Ultra low motion blur > 240hz w/o it. (different tech from Gsync).

VG279QM is where its gonna be at for the whole package if you dont really have preference on monitor size.

while we at it, anyone know of any new 1440p 24in w/ 144hz~? All the existing panels afaik are old af or rare.

If all you're doing is competitive gaming ViewSonic Elite XG270 is a great choice at 27" 240gz 1080p.

If you play single player games sometimes and want 1440p, personally I use and easily recommend ASUS TUF gaming VG27AQ. For me 165hz@1440p is a nice sweet spot of refresh rate and clairity. Also really love ELMB Sync which is a form of strobed g-sync.

Edit: just noticed your budget, which both of these are out of (although the ASUS might be able to be found that cheap on sale from time to time).

I got a Lenovo G24-10 for £98 (is 150 now). Phenomenal purchase, and am very happy with it. Is fairly small (23.6") and is 1080p at 144hz.

Not super relevant to the thread but I thought I'd post.

I recently upgraded from an ancient benq XL2411T (1080p) to an LG 27GN800-B which is 144hz 1440p. Holy shit the difference in overall quality, in gaming and out, is insane. The colours alone are a huge upgrade going from an ancient TN panel to a new IPS one, never miund actually having G-sync and easily accessable black equaliser. For anyone on the fence about the upgrade, I'd say it's 100% worth, with the caveat that you need ot be able to get the frames at the higher res. (Also the stand on the particular model I got is kinda shit)

It's around $350 on amazon US atm and just under €/£300 in europe. Shill post over.

seconded, I bit the bullet on the XL2546K and couldn't be happier with it. the DyAc+ feature is smoother and has less blur than a standard 240hz and I'd highly recommend giving it a try--buy it through Amazon and if you don't think it's worth it you can always do an easy return.

Thanks for the help everyone. after some consideration I’m going with the XL2546K. Money always comes back, right?