Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 G85NB Review

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 (model G85NB) was one of the first monitors to pair a 4K resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate, and it wraps that headline combination in a 32-inch, aggressively curved 1000R panel with Quantum Mini-LED backlighting. measured results rates it a great choice for PC gaming — a genuinely fast, bright, high-contrast display, with a couple of quirks that stop it short of flawless.

This is the monitor's reason to exist. The test confirmed the full 240Hz refresh rate alongside variable refresh rate (VRR) support through FreeSync, which keeps screen tearing at bay, and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth that lets a compatible PC — or a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S — feed 4K games at high frame rates. Input lag measured low across most settings, so the panel feels immediately responsive, and the fast response time keeps motion looking sharp during quick action. For a driven PC gamer chasing both pixel count and speed, few displays deliver as much on paper and in the measurements.

The Neo G8 backs its speed with a strong image. Its quantum-dot panel renders a wider range of colours than a traditional monitor, and the test found colours accurate out of the box, high peak brightness, and a decent Mini-LED local-dimming feature that deepens dark scenes. The standout figure is an excellent contrast ratio — the VA panel's native depth, boosted by the dimming zones, gives HDR content real punch and makes the monitor a strong performer in a bright room where OLED rivals can struggle.

Two flaws keep the score honest. The test flagged noticeable VRR flicker with changing frame rates, which shows up as brightness wobble in dark scenes when a PC cannot hold a stable frame rate — the more demanding the game, the more likely you are to notice it. There is also more inverse ghosting at lower refresh rates, so the response-time advantage is at its best when the panel is running near its 240Hz ceiling rather than at 60 or 120Hz. Neither is a dealbreaker for a powerful rig, but both reward pairing the monitor with hardware that can keep frame rates high and steady.

Within Samsung's own range, the Neo G8 sits above the Neo G7, which offers a similar Mini-LED panel at a lower 165Hz refresh rate for less money — the G8 is the pick only if the extra speed matters to you. Against the wider field, our best gaming monitors guide sets it beside the alternatives, the Samsung Odyssey G8 is the close sibling, and buyers who value perfect blacks over peak brightness should weigh an OLED such as the LG UltraGear 27GR95QE or the ultra-fast Sony INZONE M10S. Whatever the choice, a 4K/240Hz panel needs a serious graphics card behind it — our best gaming PCs guide covers what it takes to drive one.

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 remains a spectacular 4K/240Hz Mini-LED display for PC gamers who want resolution and refresh rate together, with excellent contrast and high brightness that suit a well-lit room. The VRR flicker and low-refresh ghosting are real, and they make a powerful, high-frame-rate PC less of a luxury than a requirement. Feed it properly and there are few more impressive all-round gaming monitors; pair it with modest hardware and its quirks come to the fore.

This review compares documented specifications, measured performance and practical buyer considerations.