LG has launched the UltraGear 25G590B, the first gaming monitor capable of a staggering 1,000Hz refresh rate at full 1080p resolution, with an overclockable mode pushing it to 1,100Hz. This niche offering targets professional esports players who prioritize the absolute lowest latency.
Pushing the Limits of Speed
The core appeal of the 25G590B lies in its extreme refresh rate. While refresh rates above 144Hz were once considered overkill, the competitive gaming landscape has shifted, with many top players finding significant benefits in ultra-high refresh rates for reduced latency and improved response. The 25G590B aims to deliver the ultimate advantage in this regard.
However, beyond its headline-grabbing refresh rate, the monitor's specifications are relatively modest. It features a 25-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 400 nits of brightness, and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio. It also carries a DisplayHDR 400 certification, indicating it can decode an HDR signal but not truly render high dynamic range visuals.
LG rates the monitor at 1ms grey-to-grey response time, which is fast for an IPS panel but not exceptional when compared to OLEDs or even some other LCDs. This metric, however, is notoriously difficult to standardize across the industry and should be viewed as a general guide.
Connectivity options include two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort 2.1 input. Crucially, achieving the full 1,000Hz requires a GPU that supports DisplayPort 2.1. This means AMD Radeon RX 7000 series or newer GPUs, and Nvidia's upcoming RTX 50-series are necessary. Older DisplayPort versions will limit the refresh rate to 850Hz at 1080p.
The 1,000Hz Experience
In practice, achieving 1,000 frames per second in actual gameplay is a significant challenge, even with powerful hardware. Games like Counter-Strike 2, even on high-end systems, typically struggle to reach such frame rates consistently without extreme overclocking. While testing, achieving 500-800 fps in Valorant was more common, falling short of the monitor's maximum potential.
Playing at these extremely high frame rates transforms the gaming experience, making the connection to the game engine feel more direct and reducing any sense of disconnect. The immediacy and responsiveness are noticeable, and reverting to a 360Hz or even 500Hz panel can feel like a step back.
However, the benefits of motion clarity beyond 500Hz on an LCD panel are subject to diminishing returns. While 1,000Hz offers a subtle improvement over 500Hz, the difference may not justify the cost for many.
A High Price for a Niche Feature
The LG 25G590B comes with a price tag of $999 / £899. At this price, the 25-inch 1080p resolution feels dated, particularly when compared to larger, higher-resolution monitors available for similar or slightly higher costs. While the monitor offers a full range of adjustments for ergonomics, its overall value proposition is questionable for general use.
This monitor is unequivocally designed for a very specific audience: professional esports players and enthusiasts who require the absolute cutting edge in low-latency performance and are willing to pay a premium for it. For most gamers, more broadly capable monitors offering better resolution, features, or simply better value for money can be found elsewhere in the market.