ViewSonic is a well-known player among the best portable monitors, and we’ve reviewed several of its entries. The latest to grace our lab is the VG1457. This is a dual-display monitor that is quite different from the typical competitors in this space. Rather than having the two displays flank a laptop’s built-in screen with a “spine” connecting them, the VG1457 features two panels stacked on top of each other, joined by a 360-degree hinge.

Due to this design, the VG1457 can be used in several types of orientations across multiple screen modes. And with a sub-$350 price tag, it represents a relative bargain for mobile warriors.

Design of the ViewSonic VG1457

The VG1457 features a remarkable design, incorporating two display panels in a relatively light and compact form factor. Since ViewSonic doesn’t have a thick and heavy frame that needs to support two outstretched panels, the VG1457 only weighs 2.6 pounds (about double that of a portable monitor with a single display). And when folded, it has roughly the same footprint as a single-panel portable monitor (albeit thicker).

Each panel measures 14 inches across and features 1200p resolution. In its default landscape orientation, the VG1457’s panels are stacked on top of each other, with two 360-degree hinges connecting them. However, if you prefer, you can stand the panels up so that they are in portrait mode, with the two panels sitting next to each other, book-style.

In either viewing mode, the twin panels are supported by an adjustable kickstand. The kickstand incorporates dual 2-watt speakers and three USB-C ports. The bottom USB-C port is used exclusively to power the monitor, while the other three USB-C ports can handle power and video, including two-way power delivery up to 65 watts. I was able to power the VG1457 using a single USB-C cable connection to an HP OmniBook X laptop.

ViewSonic includes two USB-C cables and a 65-watt USB-C wall adapter in the box. A felt carrying case is also included, which is sufficient for protecting the VG1457 while traveling. It’s not substantial enough to protect the displays from damage if you drop it, but it should prevent more superficial damage to the displays.

ViewSonic VG1457 Specifications

ViewSonic VG1457 Operating Modes and OSD

The 360-degree hinge design allows the VG1457 to be used in various orientations. The most popular will likely be landscape mode, with the panels stacked. Portrait mode has the two panels side by side, which would be beneficial for editing two Word documents simultaneously, for example.

There’s also a “tent” mode, which would allow you to have one display facing you, and the second facing away from you (i.e., for someone sitting on the opposite side of the table from you). The VG1457 can automatically rotate the screens to the correct visual orientation using the Auto Pivot feature.

In addition to these orientations, there are also several operating modes. Mirror Mode will simply duplicate what’s on your laptop’s screen to both of the VG1457’s displays. Extend will allow you to have a separate image across each display (laptop and both VG1457 displays). Full Screen mode will display one source/image across both of the VG1457’s displays. Finally, dual source mode allows each of the VG1457’s panels to take input from a separate source. For example, one panel could use a laptop as a source, while the second panel could use a tablet as a source.

As for the OSD, it’s controlled by four circular buttons on the right side of the kickstand. It took a little while to get used to, as once a button is pressed, you have to pay attention to the position of the on-screen menus and what button they correspond to. I had to do some mental gymnastics to navigate the interface somewhat smoothly.

The Display Settings menu allows you to choose between Mirror, Extend, Full Screen, and Dual Source modes. The only other configurable options are under the Color Adjust Menu, where you can only adjust Contrast and Brightness. When you’re not in the OSD, you can use the buttons to individually control brightness and speaker volume.

Display Performance on the ViewSonic VG1457

The VG1457 uses twin 14-inch 1200p IPS panels with a standard 60 Hz refresh rate. Both panels are covered with an anti-glare finish to reduce distracting reflections.

ViewSonic says that the panels are rated for up to 300 nits maximum brightness, but that wasn't the case with our review unit. Instead, we saw just 201 nits, ranking it in fourth place of five dual-screen portable monitors that we've recently tested. Only the KYY X90D was dimmer at 181.4 nits at full power.

Color performance was also not up to par compared to its peers; we measured just 44.8 percent coverage of DCI-P3 and 63.2 percent of sRGB. Both figures put it at the back of the pack, and by a large margin.

It's one thing to be able to boast (or not boast) about color performance with instrumented tests, but how does the VG1457 look in real-world applications? For my needs, I spend a lot of time in Word, Excel, Microsoft Edge, and Pixelmator Pro. And for those use cases, it was "fine." Colors weren't particularly vibrant, and I wished that the brightness of the VG1457's panels at least matched the brightness of the native 14-inch display on the OmniBook X that I was using as a test system.

Watching movies was also just an "OK" experience, with muted colors and lots of grey undertones when watching dark scenes.

The VG1457 also includes a pair of 2-watt speakers, which sounded OK. They're serviceable for handling your Google Meet or Zoom calls, or listening to some music in the background while you work. However, they are by no means high-quality speakers that will blow your socks off.

Bottom Line

The ViewSonic VG1457 has a lot of positive qualities that I appreciated. Its relatively compact and lightweight frame (for a dual-screen monitor) is a boon for travel. Many dual-screen monitors are “portable” in name only, and would be a chore to carry around; however, I was able to slip the VG1457 into my laptop backpack with ease. I also like that there are three USB-C ports supporting 65-watt power passthrough to your computer or other peripherals.

On the other hand, color performance and brightness were lackluster compared to the competition. You won’t be happy if you’re looking to use the VG1457 for watching videos or photo editing. Still, for more basic productivity tasks or presenting (which is its primary mission anyway), it’s more than adequate.

As prices dropped and choices multiplied, I saw that one of the most common searches on Tom’s Hardware was “budget 4K”. Even though you still need a powerful video card to game at 8.3 megapixels, most users want that high pixel density on their desktops.

The good news is that 4K monitors are no longer $3,500. The ViewSonic VX2730D-4K I’m reviewing here isn’t even $350. It’s $280 and works with many video cards. And it runs at 144 Hz with a dual-mode switch that lets you reach 288 Hz at 1080p resolution. And you get wide-gamut color and HDR on a 27-inch IPS panel with high contrast and high performance. Let’s take a look.

ViewSonic VX2730D-4K Specs

The VX2730D-4K has an impressive feature set wrapped up in an IPS panel that delivers an impressive 1,500:1 contrast ratio. That’s claimed by ViewSonic and verified by me. In fact, I measured over 1,600:1 after calibration, which isn’t necessary because it’s nearly pro-level accurate out of the box. There’s plenty of color coverage too, over 98% of DCI-P3. It also supports HDR10 signals, and there I found a couple of issues that I’ll get into later.

A 144 Hz refresh rate anchors gaming performance at the full 3840x2160 pixels. You can run that signal over DisplayPort or the two HDMI 2.1 inputs. A dual-mode switch changes the resolution to FHD 1920x1080 and 288 Hz. In both cases, you get G-Sync with Nvidia certification and FreeSync Premium. It’ll also do VRR with consoles. There’s a three-level overdrive to smooth out motion blur, and you get MPRT backlight strobing to use when speeds drop below 120fps.

A few unimportant things have been sacrificed on the altar of value. There’s no LED lighting, nor are there USB ports. But you do get internal speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack. A decent stand and cable bundle come in the box as well. The VX2730D-4K is more than prepared to take on your favorite games, be they twitchy shooters or lavish adventures.

Assembly and Accessories

The VX2730D-4K comes in the cardboard version of a plain brown wrapper with nothing but the words “ViewSonic Gaming” to signal the intent of what’s inside. Crumbly foam disgorges the three main bits, panel, upright, and base, which assemble without tools. Cables are DisplayPort and IEC for the internal power supply.

Product 360

The VX2730D-4K’s styling is minimalist industrial with nothing in front but the screen and its effective anti-glare coating, a ViewSonic logo, and a thin flush bezel. The IPS variant is proclaimed as “Super Clear,” which refers to its higher-than-average contrast. More on that later.

The stand is solid and stable and includes a 4.7-inch height range, 90-degree portrait mode and 5/20 degrees tilt. There is no mechanical swivel, but the metal plate base slides easily on the desktop if you want to turn the panel to either side. The package has decent heft and is very solid in operation. Build quality is well above the norm for a budget display.

In the back, there is purposeful grillwork that provides cooling airflow to the hardworking internals. A larger ViewSonic logo lets others know where your monitor comes from. And there’s a tiny OSD joystick reachable from the front bottom right that controls all functions. The side view shows a relatively slim panel with a component bulge. There’s a small cable hook on the back of the stand.

There are three video inputs in total, one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1. All support 4K at 144 Hz and FHD at 288 Hz with Adaptive-Sync and HDR. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack should you wish to forgo the internal speakers, which play politely in the upper mid frequency band.

OSD Features

The VX2730D-4K’s OSD is operated by a joystick, which I found to be a bit different than others. You’d expect that pressing it would bring up the menu, but instead, it’s the dual-mode switch so the screen goes blank for a few seconds, then changes resolutions and refresh rates. There’s no provision to change this, but the dual-mode switch is super quick and convenient.

There are nine picture modes aimed at different game types and uses. Standard is the default and best choice. It’s within a whisker of perfect; the VX2730D-4K does not require calibration. But tweaks are available in the Color Adjust menu where you can change the color temp, adjust saturation and hue and panel luminance. HDR is simply Auto or Off, there are no adjustments there. The sRGB choice in the color temp menu does not change the gamut size, so there is in effect, no sRGB picture mode. You get full color all the time, covering just over 98% of DCI-P3.

You can switch resolution/refresh modes in the OSD using the Dual-Mode field if you’d rather. Like any dual-refresh monitor, you must set up the refresh rates in the Nvidia Control Panel once initially before you can toggle back and forth.

There are three overdrive levels, of which Ultra Fast is the smoothest. I saw no artifacts on any setting. It is reasonably effective, but 144 Hz still has some blur. In the Setup menu, you can turn off Adaptive-Sync in favor of MPRT, which is a backlight strobe. At 144 Hz, the phasing artifact is severe enough that I couldn’t use it. It’s better at 288 Hz where you can only see it slightly. Adaptive-Sync, along with a video card that can maintain max frame rates is the best option. The VX2730D-4K includes PIP and PBP, which is called Multi-Picture. It allows the viewing of two video sources at once.

ViewSonic VX2730D-4K Calibration Settings

The VX2730D-4K measured extremely well out of the box in its Standard picture mode. Grayscale, gamma and gamut tracking were without visual flaws. I found a tiny improvement with a couple of changes to the RGB sliders in the color temp menu. I noted that though there is a choice labeled sRGB, it is not a color space selector. You will see the full native gamut in all scenarios, covering just over 98% of DCI-P3. My recommended SDR settings are below. In HDR mode, there are no options and I noted some issues, which you can read about on page five.

Gaming and Hands-on

The VX2730D-4K’s gameplay experience was excellent in every important way. It is a seriously quick monitor with extremely low input lag on par with many premium screens. Movement and aiming are very precise. Motion blur is well below the level of distraction, even at a relatively pedestrian 144fps when playing in 4K mode. Detail is tack-sharp thanks to that 163ppi pixel density. The panel’s high contrast and saturated color made fine textures pop in both the foreground and the background.

The dual-mode switch worked perfectly once I had set up both resolutions in the Nvidia Control Panel. I found I could switch when paused in Doom Eternal without exiting to the desktop. Playing in FHD/288 Hz mode showed even less motion blur. There is measurably less input lag, but I could not perceive the difference of just 3.1ms. Ultimately, I preferred the sharper detail of 4K even though the frame rate was lower. The overdrive is good enough to keep moving objects sharp, so I could aim precisely at a distance. Lobbing grenades across the icy arena was child’s play as they almost always fell on target.

The only flaw I found was in the VX2730D-4K’s HDR presentation. There is a blue cast to the image, and it is less bright than SDR. You’ll see this confirmed in the tests on page five. The color saturation is there but I ultimately preferred playing in SDR mode because it had more impact.

I’ve noted in the past that dual-mode monitors create a compromise where you get high frame rates but with a sacrifice in resolution. FHD was once a gold standard, but when compared to 27-inch QHD or UHD, it looks soft. There’s no getting around acquired perceptions and after reviewing almost 500 monitors in the past 13 years, I have a few. That said, 27 inches is tolerable for FHD. I can see its appeal to competition gamers who prize response and frame rates above all. The VX2730D-4K is a worthy gaming display for players of all skill levels.

For everyday use, the VX2730D-4K’s high pixel density and accurate color is a real boon. It’s ready to rock out of the box, no calibration needed. I tweaked it to a little higher standard but that’s more to satisfy ego than anything else. It’s colorful and bright and extremely sharp. It has about 60% more contrast than the average IPS panel and that’s a clearly visible difference. The image is cleaner and more textural, almost on the level of a good VA screen. The only thing I missed was an sRGB mode. There’s an sRGB label in the color temp menu, but it doesn’t change the gamut size. You get full DCI-P3 color for all content.

Takeaway: The VX2730D-4K is an extremely capable monitor with just a couple of flaws. HDR doesn’t look any better than SDR thanks to lower brightness and incorrect grayscale tracking. But SDR content is rendered with nearly perfect color accuracy and excellent contrast thanks to low black levels. Gaming is addictive thanks to extremely low input lag and a smooth overdrive. Flaws aside, the VX2730D-4K is a 4K display for $280. That’s about all you actually need to know.

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To compare the VX2730D-4K’s performance, I’ve included Alienware’s AW2725QF, Acer’s XB273K, Titan Army’s P2712V, Gigabyte’s GS27U, and Asus’ XG27UCS. The Asus and Alienware monitors are dual-refresh, while the others make do with a single refresh rate.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

I’ve only collected data on six LCDs using the Nvidia LDAT test kit, so there are different displays shown in the panel response test chart. Of note is the KTC H27P3, which is a dual-mode, 5K@60 Hz/2K@120 Hz screen. There is almost no difference in response there, but the VX2730D-4K differs by 1.1ms between 288 and 144 Hz. 288 is also where you can actually use the backlight strobe if you want. I tried it at 144 Hz/4K, and it had too much phasing to be viable. The VX2730D-4K at 288 Hz also matched Acer’s excellent G-Sync Pulsar-equipped XB273U F5 at 2.4ms. At 144 Hz, the ViewSonic is good but not great. You can see some blur, even with the overdrive maxed out.

The VX2730D-4K’s dual-mode switch is the path to super quick input lag. It’s the quickest LCD I’ve tested in a while, with just 14.2ms of total delay when averaged over 25 mouse clicks. It’s also quick at 144 Hz, where it beats the 320 Hz Titan Army P2712V. This is excellent performance.

Test Takeaway: The VX2730D-4K shows some motion blur at 144 Hz, but no more than any competitor. It is much smoother at 288 Hz and FHD resolution. The overdrive works well on its quickest setting with no ghosting artifacts visible. The MPRT backlight strobe can only be used effectively in the 288 Hz/FHD mode. It has too much phasing at 144 Hz. Overall, the VX2730D-4K’s video processing is excellent, especially given its low selling price.

Viewing Angles

The VX2730D-4K has off-axis image quality that’s typical of the newest IPS panels. You can see a red tint in both the 45-degree horizontal and vertical planes. In the side view, light output and gamma remain constant. From overhead, brightness goes down by around 30% with a significant gamma reduction resulting in a washed-out image.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

The VX2730D-4K’s 6.29% score in my uniformity test is better than I’d expect for a budget display. Remember that we’re talking about 4K at 144 Hz for $280 here. There are no visible hotspots, nor is there bleed or glow.

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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

The VX2730D-4K is firmly in the “not super bright but bright enough” category. For indoor use, 300 nits is plenty, and you’ll be more comfortable at 180-200 nits peak. What’s more important is the black level, which is almost 50% below the next screen from Titan Army. The resulting contrast of almost 1,600:1 is a standout among IPS panels. This feat is achieved without any clipping.

After Calibration to 200 nits

Contrast gets a tad higher after calibration, where it tops 1,600:1, well ahead of the P2712V. This is a difference you can see in a side-by-side comparison of actual content. Though a VA or OLED screen will look even better, the VX2730D-4K easily outpaces its direct competitors.

In the ANSI test, the VX2730D-4K stays consistent, even adding 3.7 points to the total. It’s rare for any monitor to be this consistent in my contrast tests. On planet IPS, it doesn’t get much better.

Test Takeaway: The VX2730D-4K has lower-than-average black levels for an IPS monitor, resulting in a contrast ratio of over 1,600:1. That delivers a greater perception of color saturation, depth, and sharpness. Coupled with its 163ppi pixel density, it delivers a supremely clear, detailed image. It isn’t super bright, but for any indoor environment, it has more than enough light output.

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The VX2730D-4K comes set to its Standard picture mode, which is accurate enough to be enjoyed without calibration. It’s close enough to spec that there are no visible errors for color, grayscale, or gamma.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

If you look very closely at a grayscale step pattern, you might see a hint of red tint at the 90% brightness step. But more than likely, you won’t see anything wrong. And you certainly won’t see any problems in actual content. Gamma is also nearly perfect with close tracking to the 2.2 spec over the entire luminance range.

By calibrating the RGB sliders, which only required one click changes to red and green, I got all grayscale errors below 1dE. That’s pro-level accuracy. Gamma was mostly unchanged but the 70-90% region got a tad darker. This was not a factor in actual content. I noted a slight increase in overall contrast, too so it’s worth making the adjustments.

Though the VX2730D-4K includes an sRGB option in the color temp menu, it does not change the gamut volume, so there is no actual sRGB mode.

Comparisons

The VX2730D-4K’s out-of-box grayscale error of 2.14dE is impressive but not unprecedented. The Asus and Titan Army screens measure a bit better. But the top three monitors are without visible errors, so it’s a wash. After calibration, all the screens look the same, with no visible grayscale issues.

In the gamma test, the VX2730D-4K’s slight rise at 70-90% makes its value range a tad less tight than the rest. The 1.82% deviation represents an actual value of 2.24. There are no visible gamma issues with any of the monitors. They all exhibit excellent performance.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

Though you won’t see any color errors in content, the VX2730D-4K has slight hue anomalies in the secondary colors, magenta, cyan, and yellow when put under the colorimeter. Red is also a tad oversaturated throughout. Calibration fixes those bits neatly and takes the average error to an impressive 0.99dE. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Comparisons

All the monitors have impressively accurate color gamuts, but the VX2730D-4K is the best at 0.99dE. It’s rare for any monitor, even a professional screen, to get under 1dE for a 31-point average test. This is exceptional performance. In the volume test, the ViewSonic nearly covers the full DCI-P3 gamut, coming up a tad short only in the green primary. My only complaint is that there is no sRGB mode. You’ll have to perform color-critical tasks in P3, which is more than accurate enough. sRGB is useful for photography and web graphics so it would make a good addition for a future firmware update.

Test Takeaway: The VX2730D-4K has better than average out-of-box color with no need for calibration in its Standard picture mode. It covers almost 100% of DCI-P3, 98.38%, coming up a tad short in the green primary. It calibrates to a very high standard that only some pro monitors can match. The only thing missing is an sRGB mode. There is no provision for gamut selection here.

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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The VX2730D-4K supports HDR10 signals with an automatic switch if HDR is set to Auto in the OSD. I noted some issues which I’ll detail below.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

The VX2730D-4K has an edge LED backlight with no dimming available for HDR so I expected that it would match output levels between SDR and HDR. I could only get to 207 nits with no provision for improvement. I checked full field and window patterns and got the same result. Black levels are about the same as they are in SDR with the backlight maxed, so contrast drops to 1,080.6:1. This gives HDR content the same appearance as SDR with no additional depth or impact.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color

HDR grayscale tracking is decidedly blue, and I didn’t need the meter to tell me there was an error. I could see it in step patterns and full fields. This further flattens the image to where it has less impact than its SDR counterpart. The EOTF runs a bit dark, below the reference line, but stays consistent enough to keep all detail visible.

In the gamut test, you can see the effect of the skewed grayscale tracking. All colors are pulled off their hue and saturation targets. HDR is colorful thanks to the VX2730D-4K’s large gamut, but it is not impactful due to the errors I noted. In the BT.2020, color runs out at 90% red, 75% green and 95% blue.

Test Takeaway: The VX2730D-4K’s HDR presentation is lackluster at best. Brightness is reduced by around 30% from maximum and contrast goes down as well. Grayscale errors result in a flat image with no more impact than its SDR counterpart. While the HDR mode is usable, it doesn’t provide any advantages over SDR.

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4K monitors have long been in the realm of the exotic, but they’ve come very far from their $3,500 roots. That you can buy a 27-inch UHD screen with 144 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and extended color for $280 is a clear indication of progress to the positive.

The ViewSonic VX2730D-4K delivers tremendous performance and quality for the price. Not only is it 4K at 144 Hz, but it is also Full HD at 288 Hz. Gaming is super quick and smooth thanks to excellent video processing and a convenient resolution switch, and I was even able to toggle it without leaving the game, which is a first in my experience. The overdrive removes nearly all motion blur, and gameplay is precise and satisfying at either resolution. There’s MPRT backlight strobing for smoothness at lower frame rates, but I found it was only usable in the FHD/288 Hz mode.

My only complaint here is with the VX2730D-4K’s HDR presentation. It is less bright than SDR by around 30% and its bluish grayscale is visible in content. Though the monitor supports HDR10 signals, it doesn’t give them much love. I found that after some time, I preferred playing everything in SDR mode.

Minor issue aside, the ViewSonic VX2730D-4K is a 4K gaming monitor for $280. That forgives a lot and at this point in time, it has no serious competition. If you’re looking for a budget monitor that’s speedy, responsive and colorful, you should definitely check it out.

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ViewSonic has always delivered good value, and its latest entry is the VX2738-2K OLED. This 27-inch QHD 2560x1440-pixel panel boasts Quantum Dot color, 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and HDR for just $450 as I write this. Let’s take a look.

ViewSonic VX2738-2K OLED Specs

The VX2738-2K uses an OLED panel fronted by a Quantum Dot layer to deliver almost 109% DCI-P3 coverage, according to my measurements. That’s about average for the QD-OLEDs I’ve tested, and it is visibly more colorful than OLEDs or LCDs without the tech. Brightness is claimed to be 200 nits, which I verified with a full-field pattern, and I measured over 300 nits from a 25% window with variable brightness engaged. HDR reaches peaks over 400 nits, earning the VX2738-2K VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification.

Gaming performance is given equal attention with a 240 Hz refresh rate and Adaptive-Sync. The VX2738-2K is certified by both AMD and Nvidia for tear-free operation. Being an OLED, it has super quick response as well. Motion resolution is perfect at speeds above 180 fps. And you can achieve that without spending a fortune on a high-end graphics card.

Despite its attractive price, the VX2738-2K isn’t a barebones monitor. You get four video inputs, two HDMI 2.1 and two DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC), along with a headphone jack and internal speakers. The only things left out are USB ports and LED lighting. But you do get a nice, solid stand and a premium DP cable. I also found an aiming point that turns on with a down-click of the OSD joystick. And there are plenty of OLED care options to keep the panel safe, along with variable brightness for SDR and HDR content.

ViewSonic is offering a solid display with a stunning picture and excellent gaming performance for $450. It wasn’t long ago that a 240 Hz QHD LCD cost that much. The era of affordable OLEDs may indeed be upon us.

Assembly and Accessories

ViewSonic doesn’t ship the VX2738-2K in look-at-me packaging, opting instead for a plain brown wrapper that just says, “ViewSonic Gaming.” The contents are encased in crumbly foam with the base, upright, and panel going together without tools. Build quality is high, and you get a three-year warranty too. The accessory bundle includes an external power supply and a DisplayPort cable.

Product 360

The VX2738-2K features angular styling with simple shapes and slightly rounded corners. The front is all screen with a narrow flush bezel that ranges in width from eight to 23 millimeters. A badge graces the lower left corner, indicating Nvidia G-Sync certification. It also meets FreeSync Premium standards. Other bits include a small ViewSonic logo and a tiny power status LED.

In the back are more triangles and a central box containing the internals. A joystick operates the OSD along with a separate power toggle button. The stand snaps into place over a 100mm VESA mount. If you want to use an arm, ViewSonic provides four large fasteners that you can tighten by hand if you like.

The stand has full ergonomics with 5/20 degrees tilt, 45 degrees swivel, and a 90-degree portrait mode. The OSD can be rotated manually as well. The height range is 5.1 inches (130mm). Movements are smooth and firm, better than what you’ll find with most budget screens. The package with stand weighs 12 pounds and sits on a thick metal plate base.

Underneath are four video inputs, two HDMI 2.1 and two DisplayPort 1.4 that support Display Stream Compression (DSC), which keeps frame rates at their maximum potential. There are a pair of two-watt internal speakers, and you get a 3.5mm headphone jack.

OSD Features

The VX2738-2K’s OSD is very business-like with six sub-menu headers across the top. It’s reasonably intuitive and has plenty of picture modes and image options to tailor things to your liking.

The fun starts with seven picture modes. The Game mode includes four additional presets, one of which includes a black stabilization slider. This can be increased to brighten shadow areas for better visibility. While it makes the picture less dramatic, it helps you find hidden enemies more easily. Standard is the default mode, and it includes everything needed for a precise calibration. And that’s a good thing because the VX2738-2K isn’t quite on spec out of the box, more on that later.

There are five fixed color temps and a user color with RGB sliders. Don’t be fooled by the one labeled sRGB. It does not change the color gamut from the native space, which covers almost 109% of DCI-P3. You’ll see the VX2738-2K’s full color for all content, be it SDR or HDR. You also get three gamma presets. HDR has no options, but you can turn off the effect if you like. Leaving it on Auto means the VX2738-2K switches without user intervention.

Manual Image Adjust is where you’ll find OLED care options like pixel orbiting, screen refresh and static detection. The one labeled OLED APL is a variable brightness setting. Turning it on raises the peak white level for small areas of the screen.

The Setup menu includes an Adaptive-Sync toggle, OSD appearance options, and power settings. The second screen includes PIP and PBP for viewing two sources at once.

ViewSonic VX2738-2K OLED Calibration Settings

In the VX2738-2K’s Standard mode, I observed a slight purple tint in grayscale patterns and very dark gamma, which gave the image a murky appearance. Fixing the RGB sliders took care of the color, but gamma could only be corrected by turning the OLED APL option on. That means you’ll see variable brightness all the time. While this isn’t my favorite approach, ViewSonic’s VB isn’t super aggressive so there is no obvious image pumping or rapid changes in brightness. It is the way to the best image, so I recommend using it. It’s locked on by default for HDR content. Below are my recommended SDR settings. HDR has no provision for adjustment; just set the HDR option to Auto for an automatic switch.

Gaming and Hands-on

There is no activity that cannot be enhanced by an OLED monitor and the VX2738-2K proved that to me yet again. The broad contrast and saturated color offered by this technology cannot be completely duplicated by LCD, and that includes Mini LED panels.

The VX2738-2K isn’t the brightest OLED I’ve reviewed, but it is more than bright enough to be satisfying. I found that the variable brightness option was required for the best picture. Usually, I use constant brightness for work tasks and variable for entertainment. With OLED APL turned off, the picture was dull in comparison to other OLEDs. This turned out to be due to dark gamma, which you can learn more about on page four. Turning it on addressed my concerns. And it wasn’t aggressive in operation, there were no artifacts like pumping or changes in brightness that lagged behind the moving image. I left it engaged for all content. And it’s locked to on for HDR.

HDR looked spectacular as all OLEDs do. Color was rich and vibrant thanks to the Quantum Dot layer. It’s awesome to get this tech in a $450 monitor. Accuracy was excellent once I had calibrated. A few tweaks to the RGB slider took color, grayscale and gamma to reference-level. That showed in all areas, gaming, video and productivity.

Video processing was exemplary and with frame rates staying at or near the 240 Hz maximum, moving objects were rendered with perfect clarity and full detail. There was no smearing or blur of any kind. The VX2738-2K was extremely responsive to my inputs as well. You’ll see how good it is on the next page as it’s one of the fastest 240 Hz screens I’ve tested to date. To get visibly better performance, you’ll need to go to at least 360 Hz. And only the most skilled gamers would be able to tell a difference. My abilities are not at that level. I would happily frag all day and twice on Sunday. The VX2738-2K has that addictive quality.

For daily use, the VX2738-2K serves extremely well. 27 inches is ideal for QHD resolution; it’s a reasonably pixel-dense 109ppi but not so much that frame rates suffer. My GeForce RTX 4090 was more than stout enough to keep speeds at 240fps with games set to their highest detail levels. And the dot structure is invisible from more than two feet away. You can sit close when working in Photoshop or Premiere Pro. Or relax and sit back when watching videos on YouTube.

My only complaint is a small one. I was glad to see the inclusion of internal speakers but the VX2738-2K’s are quite tinny. At 50% volume, they were reasonably loud but somewhat distorted in the highest frequencies, which made them harsh. They’re fine for system sounds but for music or game audio, they don’t offer much impact or detail. I suggest plugging in your favorite headphones to the provided 3.5mm jack. Speaking of plugs, I noted the inclusion of four video inputs instead of the usual three with an extra DisplayPort in the mix, nice.

Takeaway: The VX2738-2K is an extremely versatile monitor with excellent gaming performance and enough brightness, color saturation and clarity to suit it for photo editing, web browsing or any computing task. It delivers fast and smooth video processing along with accurate and vivid color once calibrated. The internal speakers aren’t the greatest but plug in a pair of headphones and you’ll be fine. Above all, it’s a superlative value at just $450 and that’s the best part.

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27-inch QHD OLEDs come in a wide variety of refresh rates, up to 540 Hz in fact. I tried to find screens closer in speed to the VX2738-2K and came up with Alienware’s AW2726DM and AW2725D, Gigabyte’s MO27Q28G, Asus’ XG27AQWMG, and AOC’s Q27G4ZD.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

I didn’t have enough 27-inch QHD OLEDs to compare the VX2738-2K’s panel response, so I have a different group there. You can see that refresh rate doesn’t always go in lockstep with response time. The quickest screen is a 240 Hz Acer at 0.12ms, and the ViewSonic isn’t far behind at 0.20ms. Even at the slowest 0.24ms, you won’t be able to see any differences at speeds above 180fps. The Acer would have a slight edge between 150 and 180 fps. But these are tiny issues that are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye.

In the lag test, the VX2738-2K proved to be one of the faster screens available, with a total lag time of just 15.7ms averaged over 25 mouse clicks using Nvidia’s LDAT tester and utility. 240 Hz is in no way a limitation when compared to the 280 Hz screens in the group, which are a tad slower. Again, this is a minute difference that anyone outside the Jedi Order will be unable to distinguish.

Test Takeaway: The VX2738-2K is very quick with low input lag and smooth motion resolution. At frame rates above 180fps, moving objects render with the same clarity as stationary ones. It is quicker than at least two monitors with higher refresh rates. It’s safe to say that if you want to beat the VX2738-2K, you’ll need to go at least 360 Hz or faster.

Viewing Angles

Many Quantum Dot monitors show a slight red tint in the 45-degree side photo, but not the VX2738-2K. It looks the same as the head-on image with consistent color, brightness and gamma. The top view has slightly reduced gamma and luminance. This is excellent performance.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

When I first measured the VX2738-2K’s screen uniformity, it was an unimpressive 13.55%, which is much higher than average for an OLED. Some monitors need an initial pixel refresh cycle to look their best, so I ran the procedure and saw a significant improvement to 2.55%. I have encountered this issue before with Samsung monitors, so ViewSonic is not alone. And once I had done it, the uniformity value did not change. Once set up, the VX2738-2K delivers excellent performance.

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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

ViewSonic rates the VX2738-2K at 200 nits. This tracks when measuring a full field pattern with OLED APL (variable brightness) turned off. To see its full potential, I turned it on and measured a 25% window for 381 nits. This also improves gamma, which in turn improves image quality by quite a bit. I’ll show more detailed tests on the next page. Black levels and contrast cannot be measured.

After Calibration to 200 nits

Calibration makes no difference to the contrast result. I set 200 nits based on a full field pattern so that meant brightness was turned up all the way. This maximizes the VX2738-2K’s image quality and fidelity. Black levels, static contrast and ANSI contrast cannot be measured.

Test Takeaway: The VX2738-2K delivers contrast performance that’s equal to any OLED monitor. With infinite black levels, the picture has a depth and quality that no LCD can match. To get the best result, I recommend leaving OLED APL (variable brightness) on all the time. It’s not aggressive in operation, so it is appropriate for productivity and color-critical tasks.

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For the grayscale, gamma and color tests, I used the VX2738-2K’s Standard picture mode, which is the default. It offers color temp presets, RGB sliders and gamma presets.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

You can see in the first chart what I meant earlier by skewed gamma. Grayscale tracking isn’t too far off, with just a bit of purple tint seen in steps above 50% brightness. But gamma is dark enough to make the picture look flat and undefined. I normally leave variable brightness off for all tests and calibration, but in this case, its use is necessary.

Turning it on and tweaking the RGB sliders makes the VX2738-2K a whole lot better. All grayscale errors are below 1dE, and gamma is visibly and measurably perfect. This is an improvement that is easy to see in an A/B comparison. With the proper settings, the VX2738-2K is capable of reference-level performance.

Comparisons

With a starting value of 5.01dE, the VX2738-2K needs some attention to look its best. In this group, only the AOC and Asus displays can be enjoyed without calibration. Once adjusted, all screens have perfect grayscale tracking. There would be no visible difference between them. In the gamma test, the VX2738-2K excels with a tiny 0.08 range of values and a perfect average of 2.2, 0% deviation. This is excellent performance.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

You can see how the VX2738-2K’s inaccurate gamma affects color in the first gamut chart. Every color is almost 20% oversaturated, with red looking a bit pink and cyan being too blue in tone. These are clearly visible errors.

With OLED APL turned on and the grayscale calibration in place, color is far better than before, with just some slight oversaturation in red and magenta that is well within visually tolerable limits.

Comparisons

The VX2738-2K’s gamut result goes from 4.49dE to 1.44dE with calibration, which is an obvious improvement. You’ll need to turn OLED APL on and tweak the RGB sliders to achieve this. If you don’t have the means, put in my settings from page one and you’ll be very close to the above result.

With a gamut volume of 108.86% of DCI-P3, the VX2738-2K is average among Quantum Dot OLEDs. The extra three-ish percent shown by the Alienware displays would be hard to spot in a side-by-side comparison. But it’s easy to tell the ViewSonic from a monitor without a QD layer. The sRGB volume is huge at 161.41%. This is because the VX2738-2K has no sRGB mode. There is an sRGB option in the color temp menu, but it doesn’t change the gamut size, and there is no other color space selection in the OSD. You can use it for a DCI-P3 reference only.

Test Takeaway: The VX2738-2K is very color accurate once calibrated. Out of the box, it has a slight purple tint and dark gamma. You must turn on the OLED APL option to fix gamma and adjust the RGB sliders for neutral grayscale tracking. Color covers almost 109% of DCI-P3, which is about average for Quantum Dot displays. And users needing the smaller sRGB gamut for color-critical work won’t find it here.

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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The VX2738-2K switches to HDR mode automatically if the HDR option is set to Auto in the OSD. There are no adjustments or additional picture modes available.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

The VX2738-2K delivers its brightest possible picture in HDR mode with 419 nits measured from a 25% window pattern. Variable brightness is in operation and cannot be turned off. It easily qualifies for VESA DisplayHDR 400 like much of its competition. Asus and Gigabyte drive their panels a bit harder to get 580 and 653 nits peak, respectively. The VX2738-2K has decent impact with deep blacks and infinite contrast, but is not exceptionally bright.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color

The VX2738-2K’s HDR color is fixed with no provision for adjustment. Grayscale tracking is excellent in the darker parts of the image where there are no visible errors. At levels above 50%, it gets a bit warm in tone. These errors do not significantly diminish image quality. It would be nice to have the RGB sliders available, though. The EOTF runs a bit dark from zero to 40%, then stays close to the reference and a 65% tone-map transition point, which is correct given the measured black and white thresholds.

In the color tests, the VX2738-2K tracks hue points well with only slight variation in magenta. The chart is generally oversaturated like nearly all HDR monitors but with points that progress in a linear fashion. This approach keeps fine detail sharp and clear in all parts of the image. DCI-P3 is fully covered as it should be. BT.2020 runs the VX2738-2K out of color at 90% red, 80% green and 95% blue.

Test Takeaway: The VX2738-2K delivers an HDR image of average brightness with infinite black levels and contrast like any OLED display. With 419 nits peak, it has a satisfying impact and makes an obvious difference between SDR and HDR. Color is nicely saturated and accurate enough to be pleasing. No one will complain about the VX2738-2K’s HDR quality, it is very high. I noted slight grayscale errors that could not be corrected, but this did not affect the image in any significant way.

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There was a time when I couldn’t be sure desktop OLED monitors would ever exist. The tech only came in exotic TVs that cost $6,000 for a 55-inch panel. Today, they’re almost as common as bison were in the Wild West. And with the quantity of choice comes cost savings. Prices only trickled down for a time, but now we’re seeing some real values hitting the market. The ViewSonic VX2738-2K is a high-performance gaming OLED with Quantum Dot technology for $450. That’s almost all you need to know for a purchase decision.

Despite its low price, the VX2738-2K doesn’t skimp on image quality or performance. Though I noted some gamma anomalies out of the box, it just took the right settings and a quick calibration to bring it to reference-level. I achieved visually perfect color, grayscale and gamma with little effort. And with the extra color afforded by Quantum Dots, it delivered a great SDR and HDR image. The only miss there is the lack of an sRGB mode. Most users won’t care since they’ll prefer more color even if it isn’t strictly correct. But photographers needing that gamut choice won’t find it here.

Gamers definitely won’t complain about the VX2738-2K’s smooth motion response and low input lag. It’s one of the quickest 240 Hz monitors I’ve tested and it keeps up with its higher refresh rate competition. You’ll need to buy 360 Hz or more to beat it and that victory will be a slim one. Competition gamers looking to add a value-priced monitor to their toolkit should have a look.

The ViewSonic VX2783-2K OLED breaks price barriers by offering a high-performance gaming OLED display for $450. In perspective, that’s about what you’d have spent on an equivalent LCD a few years ago. That’s progress for sure. If you have been waiting for OLED prices to drop, now might be the time to pull the trigger. Definitely check it out.

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2024 seems like the first year that OLED monitors for PC gamers and enthusiasts are becoming truly mainstream. Viewsonic’s XG272-2K-OLED gaming monitor tickles many sweet spots for those looking to graduate from the 1080p LCD era. Here, you have a 26.5-inch diagonal flat OLED panel boasting 2560 x 1440 pixels (AKA 1440p, 2K, or QHD).

The OLED panel will undoubtedly deliver that gorgeous deep black and contrasty imagery that the panels are well known for. We also see that the Viewsonic XG272-2K-OLED covers 100% of the sRGB and 98.5% of the DCI-P3 color space for rich visuals. The typical brightness of 190 nits seems low, but the panel can ramp up to 450 nits in HDR mode (it is HDR10 certified).

Gamers are also keen to ensure their monitors can ramp up to fast refresh rates and are highly responsive. The Viewsonic seems to do well on both counts, with up to 240Hz refresh supported and response times as low as 0.02ms. To make the most of the refresh rates available to owners of this monitor, it works with both AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible standards.

Enhancing its new monitor offering, Viewsonic delivers far more than the basics here with a good selection of ports, built-in stereo speakers, an ergonomic stand with OSD remote, and RGB frills. For the specifics, check out the key specs table below:

While DisplaySpecifications says that the Viewsonic XG272-2K-OLED has now launched in the US we can’t find any retailer stocking it as yet. Also, we don’t have MSRP or street pricing indications. Even on Viewsonic’s US store, it has a big red button saying “contact sales,” while other listed monitors can be added to the shopping cart.

Don't forget to check out our best gaming monitors feature if you are on the lookout for an upgrade.

The gaming experience hinges mainly on panel speed and response, so spending money on a fast refresh rate is wise before considering screen size or resolution. AOC has just the ticket with its C27G2Z. This 27-inch VA monitor has a curved screen with a 3,000:1 contrast ratio along with 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and wide-gamut color. And it sells for $200 at this writing.

AOC C27G2Z Specs

While high pixel density adds to the sharpness and clarity of an image, you won’t be disappointed in a 27-inch FHD panel. It sports 82ppi, just enough to produce a picture without visible pixel gaps when viewed at a three-foot distance. The C27G2Z also has a 1500R curvature which is a nice value-add. The subtle curve adds a slight immersive effect without any noticeable distortion.

240 Hz and Adaptive-Sync are the specs of greatest interest. High frame rates are the surest ticket to smooth motion resolution and fast response. Now that 360 and 500 Hz monitors are available, 240 Hz should be considered a starting point for competitive gaming. The C27G2Z achieves this rate without overclocking. It also supports FreeSync and G-Sync from 48 to 240 Hz. It hasn’t been certified by Nvidia, but I can confirm that it runs G-Sync just fine.

Image quality is enhanced by a VA panel that met its claimed 3,000:1 contrast ratio in my tests. The C27G2Z does not process HDR10 signals, but it does include three HDR emulation modes that tweak gamma to produce a little more punch to the image. Either way, the deep blacks and saturated color promised by VA technology are fully present here.

The feature set is pared down, as expected at this price point. There are no integrated speakers or USB ports. And there is no LED lighting. You get an aiming point and a frame counter in the OSD, fairly accurate color, and good results from calibration. The performance needed for both gaming and image fidelity is there. The C27G2Z seems like a decent value, so let’s take a look.

Assembly and Accessories

The C27G2Z arrives packed in crumbly foam in its three components: base, upright and panel. They assemble without tools into a reasonably solid and lightweight package. The power supply is internal, so you get an IEC cord along with HDMI and DisplayPort cables.

Product 360

The C27G2Z has a bit of red trim, reminiscent of AOC’s Agon line, to offset the black panel and silver base. There isn’t any LED lighting, but the trim is bright and creates a good effect. The monitor’s design intent is clearly game-focused.

The stand features good ergonomics with 5/23 degrees tilt, 30 degrees swivel and a 130mm height adjustment. You can just get the screen to a center eyepoint in the vertical position. This is my preference for all monitors, especially curved models. Setting the panel this way gives you the full potential of the curve’s immersive effect.

The input panel has two HDMI 2.0 ports and a DisplayPort 1.2. All will run at FHD resolution at 240 Hz, but you’ll need to use DisplayPort for G-Sync. FreeSync works through all three inputs. If you’d like to use headphones or powered speakers, a 3.5mm audio jack is provided. There are no built-in speakers, nor are there any USB ports.

If you look closely at the tiny white power LED at the lower right, you’ll see molded-in symbols for the five control keys. One toggles power, and I accidentally turned the monitor off a few times when reaching for the key that activates the OSD. The first three buttons provide quick access to input selection, game mode and the aiming point.

OSD Features

The C27G2Z’s fourth control key opens the ribbon-like OSD on the bottom of the screen. It is the same menu I’ve seen from AOC for the past decade, and it is relatively intuitive though a little clunky to navigate with buttons. I would rather have a joystick.

The Luminance menu includes seven picture modes that correspond to different activities. Standard is the default and best mode as it gives users access to all other picture and gaming options. Also here are three gamma presets, dynamic contrast and the HDR emulation modes. There are three options that look similar but add different levels of edge enhancement. Their approximation of HDR is just OK, but since the C27G2Z already has excellent contrast, I didn’t find that they improved the image, only made it look different. There is no actual HDR support here.

In Color Setup, you’ll find four color temp presets plus a user mode with RGB sliders. The C27G2Z doesn’t need calibration, but a small improvement is possible with a few tweaks. This is a wide-gamut display so if you want sRGB, it’s one of the color temp options and is quite accurate.

Picture Boost is something unique to AOC monitors. It lets you create a bright section on the screen that can be sized and moved about. Within it, you can adjust brightness and contrast to set it off from the surrounding area. It’s a great way to highlight something like a graphic or part of a gaming environment.

The OSD can be moved around the screen if you don’t like its default position at the bottom center. This menu also has the DP version toggle and volume control.

In Game Setting, there are six additional picture modes for different game types. My advice, leave that off to avoid confusion. If you start combining Eco and Game modes, it’s easy to become lost in the options. Also here is a three-level overdrive which I found too coarse in operation. I couldn’t find a setting free of either black or white ghosting artifacts. This menu also has the Adaptive-Sync toggle and a frame rate counter. If you turn off Adaptive-Sync, a motion blur reduction slider becomes visible. This is a backlight strobe with 20 brightness levels. Darker settings reduce blur further, but past level 10, the phasing artifact common to this feature becomes too distracting. I recommend leaving this off and sticking with Adaptive-Sync. 

AOC C27G2Z Calibration Settings

The C27G2Z delivers decent accuracy out of the box. It benefits from calibration, but it’s not strictly necessary. The grayscale errors are barely visible in content and gamma tracks very well. The color gamut is wide, covering over 88% of DCI-P3. If you want the smaller sRGB space, that option is available in the color temp menu. For my tests, I calibrated the user color temp using the RGB sliders. Gamma was fine on its default setting of 1. If you want a lighter look, choose 2; darker, choose 3. You can also experiment with the three HDR emulation modes; the C27G2Z doesn’t support HDR10 processing. Below are the settings I used for all content.

Gaming and Hands-on

I’ll get the question of resolution answered first. 27 inches is the largest FHD monitor I would care to use, but the C27G2Z’s 82ppi is enough to get the job done for both work and play. Unless you plan to sit less than two feet away from the screen, you won’t see the pixel structure, even in finely detailed images. Clarity is aided here by the panel’s prodigious contrast which is around 3,200:1.

I spent time using the C27G2Z before and after calibration and found the small adjustments required are worth doing. Yes, the picture looks fine out of the box. But the calibrated image is a little better.

The only issue I noted with productivity is that at 100% font scaling, you’ll have to scroll a bit more to see websites or to edit long documents. But this is a minor point that only someone accustomed to large high-res screens will experience. There is enough resolution here for whatever one wishes to do.

When taken in the context of a budget gaming monitor, the C27G2Z excels. It’s snappy and responsive with the reasonably smooth motion one would expect from a 240 Hz panel. Input lag was imperceptible to me and my average skills. A more talented player might benefit from a 360 Hz display or a 240 Hz QHD model. But with the FHD resolution in use here, frame rates are easy to maintain. You won’t need a premium video card to hit 240fps.

Picture quality is top-notch thanks to the C27G2Z’s excellent contrast and wide-gamut color. Accuracy is apparent with or without calibration, as everything looked natural and correct. Shadow detail is rich with deep blacks, and I saw bright highlights that added to the sense of dimension. Doom Eternal was well-detailed with good clarity. The overdrive artifacts I observed in test patterns were less evident during actual gameplay. I recommend avoiding the HDR emulation modes. They add a distracting level of edge enhancement that only reduces clarity.

Overall, the C27G2Z is a solid value among gaming monitors and affords a bit more speed and performance than a 165 Hz display of the same resolution. Since it is priced below 27-inch QHD monitors, it will certainly fill the bill for gamers seeking value.

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To compare the C27G2Z’s performance, I’ve selected monitors ranging in speed from 165 to 360 Hz. We have Dell’s S2422HG, ViewSonic’s XG2431, the HyperX Armada from HP, NZXT’s Canvas 27F and Alienware’s AW2523HF. 

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

As you can see, 240 Hz monitors are not created equal. The C27G2Z lags a bit in panel response with a 6ms result. This means motion is a tad less smooth than the others. It is visibly better than the 165 Hz Dell though. When testing the overdrive options, I noted that no setting was free of artifacts. I could either choose black or white trails behind moving objects. The MBR option is a little better but then you have to give up Adaptive-Sync.

Overall lag is only 1ms quicker than the Dell. The takeaway here is that the C27G2Z only performs slightly better than a typical 165 Hz monitor. So, it is qualified for competitive gaming but there are faster screens available. Of the 240 Hz monitors in the group, the AOC costs the least.

Viewing Angles

The C27G2Z’s off-axis image quality is just fair. An IPS screen would fare better though these photos show typical VA performance at this price point. At 45 degrees to the side, the image loses around 30% brightness and takes on a red tint. Gamma stays consistent, so you’ll still see full detail. The monitor is almost completely dark from the top. For this reason, you’ll want to be precise in how you place it relative to your eyepoint. A perfectly vertical position is best. 

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

Even value screens show good uniformity when measuring the latest models. The C27G2Z acquits itself well, with no visible bleed or glow in my sample. The meter shows slight elevations down the center of the screen, but I could not see this with the naked eye in either test patterns or content. There are no panel quality issues here.

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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

The C27G2Z is bright enough for any indoor environment or intended use. Only the most sunlit room will need a peak level of over 350 nits. I noted a slightly higher level when using the HDR emulation of 373 nits. That is a tiny, almost imperceptible difference.

With super low black levels, the C27G2Z cracks the 3,000:1 contrast barrier with a 3,205.6:1 score. In this group, only the Dell boasts better and only by an infinitesimal amount. You can see that the IPS screens are strong performers relative to that technology but don’t even come close to VA in contrast. This is a difference that can easily be seen in actual content.

After Calibration to 200 nits

Calibration has little effect on the C27G2Z’s contrast, which is good. I had to lower the contrast slider three clicks to correct the 100% grayscale step, which bodes well. It is well ahead of even the very best premium IPS monitors in this test.

Again, the IPS panels here do well in the ANSI test, but the Dell and AOC are far superior. Contrast is king and unless you put an OLED on your desktop, VA is the best way to achieve maximum image depth with true black levels and saturated color.

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I tested the C27G2Z in its default Standard picture mode, which provides access to all image controls. Other modes lockout different options.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

The C27G2Z shows only slight grayscale errors in the 70 to 100% brightness range. The chart indicates a purple tint, but it is tough to spot in both test patterns and actual content. The C27G2Z does not need to be calibrated. Gamma tracking is spot on with values that measure a tad light but look great in practice.

Calibration tightens up grayscale tracking to professional levels with all errors under 1dE. Gamma measures a tad lighter than before. The overall look is slightly better, so the adjustment is worth doing if you have the means or would like to try my settings from page one.

Choosing the sRGB mode from the color temp options renders that gamut but creates a light gamma value at 10% brightness. This translates to fully detailed shadow areas but a bit lighter in tone than before. This minor issue is offset by the C27G2Z’s extremely accurate sRGB color gamut.

Comparisons

The C27G2Z’s default grayscale error of 3.01dE is completely acceptable for any gaming monitor, and certainly for one at this price point. It finishes mid-pack behind three more-expensive screens. After calibration, it takes the crown in a group of very accurate displays. Once adjusted, there are no visible errors from any of them.

Gamma tracking is very tight with a small 0.11 range of values, good enough for second-best, and a 2.73% deviation from 2.2. The actual gamma average is 2.14. If you choose the gamma 3 preset, it gets darker, with an average of 2.31. You can get away with this when the panel has high contrast, like the C27G2Z. Some users will prefer this, so I suggest trying all three gamma settings to find your preference.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

The C27G2Z’s color gamut accuracy eliminates any real need for calibration. With an out-of-box average of 2.16dE, color is visually flawless. Like most wide-gamut screens, green is a tad under-saturated, but all other colors are fully covered. This is impressive performance for a $200 monitor.

Calibration tightens up the cyan and yellow secondaries a bit, but visually, there is no difference. Overall, calibration has a greater impact on grayscale tracking than color. We’re talking about minute changes here. The C27G2Z looks great whether you tweak it or not.

If you need an accurate sRGB gamut for photo grading, the C27G2Z delivers with a tiny 1.47dE average error. That’s pro monitor territory. This makes it fully qualified for color-critical applications.

Comparisons

The C27G2Z finishes fifth in the color comparison, meaning this is one impressive group of monitors. None of them have visible color errors. Again, the AOC costs less than all the rest except the Dell, which is around $170 but has a smaller screen.

When you consider color volume, the C27G2Z comes out on top with just a tad more coverage than the S2422HG. Can you see the difference between 88.76% and 88.49%? Unlikely. But it’s easy to see the top two screen’s advantages over the rest. These VA screens are defeating all comers here, and they cost the least. The C27G2Z is a tad undersaturated in green but fully covers the rest of the DCI-P3 gamut.

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If one prioritizes their needs for a gaming monitor, a lot of performance can be found for relatively little money. The gaming experience is most affected by speed and response so a high refresh rate and Adaptive-Sync are a must. Even players of average skill will benefit when a game runs consistently at 240fps.

To achieve this without putting an expensive video card in your PC, FHD resolution is the smart choice. Up to 27 inches, there is enough pixel density to render a detailed image. A refresh rate of at least 240 Hz ensures smooth motion resolution and low input lag.

By using a VA panel, AOC’s C27G2Z achieves solid picture quality thanks to high contrast and saturated color. Among budget screens, it boasts one of the largest color gamuts I’ve measured. With over 3,200:1 contrast, it delivers deep blacks and bright highlights. And its 240 Hz refresh rate maintains clarity when gaming action heats up. The overdrive has room for improvement because it doesn’t have an ideal artifact-free setting. But that is a minor point when the asking price is $200. The value-adds are a 27-inch panel with a 1500R curvature. Add a flexible stand and solid build quality and you won’t miss the USB ports or internal speakers as much. Though there is no HDR support, the emulation modes exist for those who like to experiment.

If you’re on a budget but want something bigger than a 22 or 24-inch screen, AOC’s C27G2Z is a great choice. It prioritizes speed over other factors and delivers a solid gaming experience for the price. Value-conscious users should keep this monitor on their shortlist.

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ViewSonic already impressed me with the XG321UG 32-inch flat screen, and now, I have a curved example of its Mini LED Elite line, the XG341C-2K. This 34-inch VA panel with WQHD (3440x1440) resolution and 1500R curvature promises peaks of 1,400 nits in HDR mode along with 200 Hz operation, Adaptive-Sync and a wide color gamut. Let’s take a look. 

ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K Specs

It’s easy to surmise that high brightness ranks as Mini LED’s chief advantage, but the more important aspect is its greater number of dimming zones. A traditional 21:9 aspect FALD display might have 384 zones, but the XG341C-2K has 1,152. When it comes to high contrast and HDR, the more addressable zones, the better. Self-emitting panels like OLED can dim every pixel, creating millions of zones, but Mini LED is the next best thing. And don’t think it’s a distant second. In my experience so far, the gap in image quality is small. The XG341C-2K also ups the ante with a VA panel, starting with 3,000:1 native contrast before applying dynamic dimming.

In addition to high brightness, the color gamut is extensive. In my tests, I measured only a hair under 100% coverage of DCI-P3. That puts the XG341C-2K in a small group of more colorful monitors than most wide-gamut screens, which cover around 90%. The only thing missing on that front is an sRGB mode. Though most users won’t have an issue, you’ll be using the full gamut for all content, SDR and HDR alike.

The XG341C-2K also delivers gaming performance with a 200 Hz overclock mode, significantly improving from the native rate of 165 Hz. You also get Adaptive-Sync and blur reduction, which ViewSonic calls Pure XP. It’s a backlight strobe with multiple settings, so you can find the right balance between smoothness and brightness. A five-level overdrive also works with AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync to reduce blur. The monitor carries FreeSync Premium Pro certification and I verified G-Sync operation in my tests. The XG341C-2K has not been certified by Nvidia.

Contrast is the XG341C-2K’s forte, and with dimming disengaged, it hit nearly 4,000:1 in testing. With dimming turned on, the dynamic range is infinite for both SDR and HDR content. The dimming has five levels of aggressiveness to find just the right setting for your environment. This feature really ups every image's depth and pop, whether moving or static, SDR or HDR.

The XG341C-2K is a premium product, but it isn’t quite as expensive as its predecessors. The closest example is Acer’s Predator X35 which sells for over $2,000. The ViewSonic comes in at around $1,500. Interestingly, that’s the same price as Samsung’s Neo G8, which offers similar brightness and contrast with 240 Hz operation. The choice will come down to resolution and size. The ViewSonic’s ultra-wide screen is hard to ignore.

Assembly and Accessories

The Elite XG341C-2K ships in a large clamshell carton with lots of protective material inside. Unfortunately, it’s the crumbly stuff, so keep a vacuum handy when unpacking. The upright and large base are solid metal and mated with a captive bolt. The panel then snaps in place. If you’d rather use a monitor arm, there’s a 100mm VESA mount with fasteners included. The power supply is internal, so you’ll find an IEC power cord in the box. You also get USB-A/B, USB-C, DisplayPort and HDMI cables.

Product 360

The XG341C-2K sports a slim flush bezel of 8mm around the top and sides. At the bottom is a wider trim strip with Elite silk-screened in the center. On the right is a tiny power LED that glows blue when the power is on and orange in standby mode. ViewSonic is printed on the base in small letters, and there are no other graphics or physical features to distract from the gameplay experience.

You’ll find a single joystick control that covers all monitor functions in the back. It works a little differently than others I’ve used. Pressing it toggles the power, but once on, pressing it again turns it off rather than displaying the OSD (you click up or down to access the OSD). Once in the menu, don’t press the joystick since it will power off. I made that mistake a few times before adapting to these peculiarities. Also in the back is the Elite RGB lighting feature with its four diffused strips that glow in all colors of the spectrum with four different effects available.

The stand is beautifully styled and finished in a matte black powder coat. The base and upright are slender but rock solid. The base is quite deep, with the panel set well forward. On a typical desk, you’ll find yourself about two feet from the screen if you push the base all the way back. The panel sits high enough that I could make it perfectly vertical and center my eyepoint. That is my preferred way to play on a curved monitor because it keeps more of the image focused at any given time.

In the last photo above, you can see the XG341C-2K’s curve of 1500R. This is a good balance between immersion and image distortion. You can expect a normal computer monitor experience when working on spreadsheets or writing tasks. And it’s fine for photo editing and web browsing too.

The input panel is fully stocked with two HDMI 2.1, a DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C, which can support peripherals or emulate DisplayPort. Additionally, there are three downstream USB-A and a single upstream USB-B port. A 3.5mm headphone jack supports audio from either DisplayPort or HDMI streams and there are two internal speakers that play with reasonable volume before sounding distorted.

OSD Features

The XG341C-2K’s OSD has a business-like appearance that is free of graphics. An almost retro-styled font delivers all the information necessary for use. To open it, click the joystick up or down. Don’t press it, or the power will turn off. Ask me how I know.

There are six sub-menus that are well organized, though a lot of convenience features have been grouped into the setup menu at the end.

We start with Game Modes, of which there are 10. I only needed the default, Custom 1, to run my tests and use the XG341C-2K for both work and entertainment. What you won’t find is an sRGB mode. All picture modes use the full native gamut, which covers nearly 100% of DCI-P3. That’s colorful to be sure, but not entirely accurate for SDR content. Custom 1 makes all other picture controls available.

The Display menu has gaming options like a FreeSync (Adaptive-Sync) toggle, HDR modes, local dimming, Pure XP (blur reduction) overclocking to 200 Hz, overdrive, and color controls. There are a few caveats to note here. If you want to run at 200 Hz, you can’t have Adaptive-Sync or Pure XP. To use these, 165 Hz is the limit. And Pure XP works instead of Adaptive-Sync. In practice, the XG341C-2K is a 165 Hz monitor, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. 200 Hz doesn’t provide a huge bump in speed, but I’ll cover that in the response and lag tests. Further details on video processing options can be found in the Gaming & Hands-on section below.

You can choose from four color temp presets or adjust the RGB values for picture tweaks. Six gamma options range from 1.8 (light) to 2.8 (dark). Color saturation is also adjustable, and you can raise the black level if shadow detail is obscured. Image Adjust is where the brightness and contrast controls are, and there’s a sharpness option that should be reduced, as the default setting creates noticeable edge enhancement.

Three HDR modes engage automatically when an HDR10 signal is present. DisplayHDR is the best choice, providing a superb image with deep blacks and bright punchy highlights. HDR is clearly the XG341C-2K’s forte.

The next menu, ViewMode, alters the picture further depending on the Game Mode selected. I recommend leaving that one alone because if you start tweaking it, there are hundreds of possible combinations, most of them poor. Custom 1 and Standard are the best options.

The Setup Menu has four screens of options like aiming points (three shapes in three colors), RGB lighting, USB power, and OSD settings. The joystick can have its left and right clicks set to several functions for quick access. Here, you’ll find a PIP and PBP option that lets you view two video sources simultaneously. On the last screen, the Memory Recall option resets the XG341C-2K to its factory defaults.

ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K Calibration Settings

The XG341C-2K showed me a cool grayscale and dark gamma during initial testing, indicating that it needs calibration for the best image. This is easily accomplished by tweaking the RGB values and changing the gamma preset to 2.0. The color gamut is not adjustable, so you’ll always see around 100% of DCI-P3 (over 140% of sRGB), even in SDR mode. There is no sRGB setting. In HDR mode, there are no picture options save the three preset picture modes that look very similar. I recommend the default, DisplayHDR. The only other nitpick is that you’ll need to switch the local dimming on and off manually. You’ll want it for HDR but not always for SDR as it makes the picture very bright. My recommended SDR settings are below.

Gaming and Hands-on

With its 1500R curvature, the XG341C-2K is well suited for work and productivity. There is no visible image distortion, even when sitting closer than three feet away. And the 109ppi pixel density is perfect for detail and fine lines. I never saw any jaggies or pixelation in graphics or when rendering small fonts. In practice, a 34-inch 21:9 monitor is nearly the size of two 27-inch 16:9 screens, and you don’t have a line down the middle.

Though the color gamut is larger than SDR’s sRGB standard, the extra saturation isn’t a problem unless you need accuracy for photo work. The picture has a nice glow with deep blacks and plenty of depth for typical tasks. The text is easy to read against white backgrounds, and if you turn on the local dimming in SDR mode, the picture becomes very bright. It might be too much for long work sessions, but your experience may vary from mine.

Switching back and forth between HDR and SDR revealed a few quirks. The XG341C-2K goes to HDR without an issue. But returning to SDR, the monitor remained stuck in HDR mode, which distorted the color palette significantly. I had to manually turn off HDR, meaning the next time I wanted to view HDR content, I had to re-engage it in the OSD. So, in its current form, it does not switch back and forth automatically.

The same is true of the local dimming. If you want to use it for SDR, you’re good. It will remain engaged for SDR and HDR all the time. But if you’d rather switch it off for SDR, you must turn it on after switching to HDR mode and back off when returning to SDR.

Another thing I noticed is that turning on Adaptive-Sync grays out the brightness control, which is unusual. The set white level is higher than 200 nits, settling in around 275. If you work in a dark room, the XG341C-2K will be quite bright with Adaptive-Sync engaged.

Those experiments took me to gaming, where I tried a few different video processing options. My experience has shown that below 200fps, you need Adaptive-Sync. That isn’t a problem since the XG341C-2K runs it up to 165 Hz. However, at 200 Hz, Adaptive-Sync is off the table. In practice, if you can keep frame rates close to 200, it isn’t essential. But you’ll need a fast video card to run 200fps at 3440x1440. I was able to do this with a GeForce RTX 3090. I chose to forego Adaptive-Sync since motion is a bit smoother at 200 Hz vs 165 Hz. In either case, the overdrive did a decent job keeping artifacts at bay. Though I saw some black ghosting in test patterns, it didn’t come up during gameplay.

If you’re tempted to try Pure XP, you’ll find that its phasing artifact is prominent enough to be a distraction. In fairness, very few monitors have a good backlight strobe. Nearly all show extra lines behind moving objects. I didn’t use it after my initial trial.

Playing Doom Eternal, I looked for accuracy in aiming and response when clicking the mouse. I got ample quantities of both. I had no trouble working through familiar maps quickly and dispatching enemies in large numbers. The XG341C-2K is a very accurate monitor for moving and shooting. It also presented a superb HDR image with rich, bold color and super-low black levels. The Mini LED and its 1152 dimming zones help this monitor impressively impersonate an OLED panel. HDR contrast here is among the best I’ve seen.

I also observed better-than-average audio. The internal speakers are distortion-free up to a reasonably loud volume and clearly present ambient sound and dialog. Though I prefer headphones for the best experience, these would do well in a pinch.

Despite a few extra steps in switching between HDR and SDR, the XG341C-2K proved to be an excellent gaming tool that will suit gamers of all skill levels up to competing professionals. Here are my recommended settings for SDR and HDR gaming.

• FreeSync Premium Pro – on for 165 Hz, off for 200 Hz (dependent on video card speed)
• Local Dimming – off for SDR, level 2 for HDR
• HDR mode – DisplayHDR
• Overdrive – Fast (setting 3 of 5)

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I’ve lined the XG341C-2K up against similar screens, 34-inch ultra-wide 165 Hz refresh rate monitors with WQHD resolution. The Acer X35 Mini LED, AOC CU34G3S, MSI MPG343CQR and ASRock PG34WQ are VA panels, while the Alienware AW3423DWF is an OLED.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

I tested the XG341C-2K at 165 and 200 Hz. Remember that overclocking means you can’t run Adaptive-Sync or the backlight strobe; however, you get overdrive in all cases.

The Acer is a costly monitor, but it’s worth including here for its excellent performance. It doesn’t have the limitations of the XG341C-2K; you can run it at 200 Hz with Adaptive-Sync for a $1,000 premium.

The difference between 165 and 200 Hz is clearly small, too small to give up Adaptive-Sync. In both tests, the XG341C-2K came out on top for total input lag, which is good. This a very responsive monitor, and overdrive quality is about average for the category. On its Fast setting, it showed slight black ghosting, but in practice, gaming was smooth and free of tearing or stutter. Motion resolution clarity was also average for the category.

Viewing Angles

The XG341C-2K has better off-axis image quality than most of the VA panels I’ve reviewed. It isn’t entirely up to the best IPS panels in this test, but it comes close. You’ll see a 20% light reduction and a slight green shift at 45 degrees to the sides. Gamma remains constant, so no detail is obscured in highlight or shadow areas. The vertical plane shows a washed-out picture with a shift to red and green.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

My XG341C-2K review sample showed uniformity befitting a premium monitor with just a 3.83% variation in brightness from the center, which is well below the visible threshold. No glow or bleed could be seen. The image is free of grain or variation, and all patterns I checked were perfectly toned from edge to edge.

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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

The XG341C-2K boasts a very bright 656 nits peak at its default settings, which is too bright for any indoor setting. Fatigue will set in quickly at this level. The downside is that the minimum level is 72 nits which is a little hot for a darkened room. It also means each click of the brightness control changes the level by 4-6 nits, making it harder to find a precise setting.

With local dimming turned off, the black level is respectable and results in a native contrast ratio of 3,742.1:1, above average for a VA panel. If you engage the dimming, the black level can’t be measured, and contrast is infinite.

After Calibration to 200 nits

With peak white set to 200 nits, the XG341C-2K displays the deepest blacks of the VA panels in the group. A native contrast ratio of over 4,000:1 means you can see a very high-quality image without resorting to local dimming. If you engage it, the black level can’t be measured. And you’ll definitely want it on for HDR content.

ANSI contrast is much the same at almost 3,900:1. This is one of the better VA monitors I’ve tested. Even without a dimming feature, it would look better than most of its competition. With dimming on, ANSI contrast is infinite. The XG341C-2K is well-engineered and built with excellent quality control. Only the Alienware OLED monitor can claim picture quality this good.

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The XG341C-2K doesn’t ship with a factory-certified calibration. In its default mode, I found it needed some tweaking to achieve the best possible image.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

This is the XG341C-2K’s Custom 1 gaming mode and Standard view mode, the default settings. Grayscale tracks visibly blue and gamma is quite dark. This gives the image a murky appearance and negates much of the monitor’s contrast advantage.

After adjusting the RGB values and changing the gamma preset from 2.2 to 2.0, the measurements and image quality are greatly improved. This is what’s expected from a premium monitor sporting the latest Mini LED technology. Aside from a slight dip at 90% brightness, this is perfect grayscale and gamma tracking.

Comparisons

The XG341C-2K is firmly in the “needs-calibration” category. While you can turn up the brightness or engage local dimming to make the picture less murky, the blue grayscale still makes it look flat. Once adjusted, it looks much better.

The gamma presets are off by one click, as the default 2.2 option yields 2.4. This is too dark, and it robs the XG341C-2K of some of its contrast advantage. Luckily, changing the setting to 2.0 solves the issue neatly. With a 0.14 range of values and just 1.36% deviation, it ranks among the best in the gamma test.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

The default color gamut run shows hue errors consistent with the blue grayscale I noted earlier. Red and cyan are off hue. Red and magenta are also a bit over-saturated though most users won’t mind the extra punch of color that affords.

Calibration mostly takes care of the hue errors, but red is still a bit off. Again, this won’t bother most users as it makes the picture extremely vivid. It isn’t entirely accurate, but it will pump up the look of all content, SDR and HDR. My only complaint is that there’s no sRGB mode. You have to use the full gamut for all content.

Comparisons

Calibration brings the XG341C-2K’s color gamut error from 4.35dE to 2.38dE, a visible gain in quality. Though reds are a bit over-saturated, the picture is not unnaturally vivid. When compared to other extended color monitors, it delivers just a little bit more vibrance.

That is explained by its near 100% coverage of DCI-P3. Most currently available wide-gamut monitors have less color volume than the XG341C-2K. The over-saturated red primary means you’ll need a software profile for color-critical work, but this monitor can be used as a professional tool. An sRGB mode would be welcome, but that omission can also be solved with software.

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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The XG341C-2K, like other Mini LED monitors, can display very bright highlights in HDR mode. When an HDR10 signal is applied, it switches automatically and opens up three HDR-specific picture presets. I found them very similar in look and measurement, so I did my tests in the default DisplayHDR mode.

HDR Brightness and Contrast 

The XG341C-2K is certified DisplayHDR 1400, and it manages that feat when measuring a 25% window pattern. This shows that it has more than enough power to deliver super-bright highlights in HDR mode. Most LCD panels with traditional LED backlights struggle to provide this much light from any onscreen object bigger than a few pixels. To achieve this, I had to engage local dimming. Any level from 1 to 5 will engage the full dynamic range. That means when a 0% black pattern is displayed, the backlight is turned off, rendering contrast infinite. Even displaying a small white object like an info bug won’t turn on the LEDs in the surrounding zones. ViewSonic has implemented its Mini LED technology extremely well here.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color 

The XG341C-2K’s HDR grayscale tracking runs a bit warm in brightness steps above 55%. This is a more excusable error than blue or green because red is less visible in practice. All three HDR modes exhibit the same behavior. The EOTF runs slightly dark but not enough so that detail is obscured. The tone-map transition point is 75% which means more of the content meta-data can be used to determine luminance levels. This always bodes well for picture quality, which is excellent.

The XG341C-2K shows some over-saturation in HDR mode in the red, magenta and blue areas of the gamut. This warms up the image in a good way. Though not completely accurate, the picture is pleasing and natural, with vivid color and depth. With such low black levels, well-mastered content looks three-dimensional. You can see in the Rec.2020 chart that the XG341C-2K covers a good portion of that large gamut, coming up short only in green and cyan.

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There is no doubt that Mini LED is fast becoming the go-to tech for high-contrast monitors. Though OLED will always have the advantage with its self-emissive pixel structure, LCD, in the minds of most users, is the more practical screen type. Add in wide color gamuts and high brightness, and the fact that a good Mini LED screen isn’t vastly different from an OLED in quality, and you have something truly compelling.

Following in the footsteps of the stunning XG321UG Ultra HD monitor, the XG341C-2K brings the goods to the curved ultra-wide category. Gamers like curved screens, and this is one of the best. The picture is stunning in both SDR and HDR modes. With 1,400 nits available, highlights always pop and black levels are deep thanks to 1,152 dimming zones and well-implemented local dimming.

Large color gamuts are a must in the premium gaming monitor genre and the XG341C-2K delivers there too. It covers nearly 100% of DCI-P3, putting it in an elite group. Appropriate then that ViewSonic calls it “Elite.” Though I noted a few initial inaccuracies and a missing sRGB mode, color is rich and vibrant, and I doubt anyone will complain about the picture.

The XG341C-2K is a gamer’s tool as well. With low input lag and smooth operation, I found it very accurate for moving and shooting. Its generous width and 1500R curve deliver immersive play with a picture that wraps around the user’s eyepoint. The only flaws here are the inability to run Adaptive-Sync at 200 Hz and the lack of brightness control when Adaptive-Sync is turned on. These are unusual quirks but not deal-breakers. I enjoyed every minute of gaming on this monitor.

Premium ultra-wide screens like the XG341C-2K are still expensive, but progress is being made. At $1,500, it costs the same as a Samsung Neo G8 and undercuts the Acer X35. And it offers almost as much contrast as the Alienware AW3423DWF with higher brightness than that OLED monitor. Operational quirks aside, this is an excellent gaming monitor with a stunning picture. Users seeking a high-performance 21:9 screen should definitely check it out.

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Today, we have LCDs that can do a passable imitation of a plasma or OLED panel. We know them as Full-Array Local Dimming (FALD) panels, and they come in two varieties: LED and Mini LED. That second one has become more significant of late. Though a premium technology, Mini LED has expanded the number of dimming zones possible. More zones mean better control over more and smaller pieces of the image.

Best of all, the newest 27-inch 4K panel from Cooler Master, the Tempest GP27U, comes out of the gate for around $800. It features 576 dimming zones, a Quantum Dot film for wide gamut color, 160 Hz refresh rate, Adaptive-Sync and HDR 1000. Let’s take a look at this highly qualified candidate for our best 4K gaming monitors list. 

Cooler Master Tempest GP27U Specs

The GP27U delivers a lot of value at the $800 price point. Mini LED usually delivers high brightness, which is here with a VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification and an actual peak of over 1,200 nits (which I verified in testing). I also discovered infinite black levels in HDR mode thanks to a backlight that switches off completely, when necessary (more on that later). A Quantum Dot film produces a huge color gamut. I measured over 113% coverage of DCI-P3 and an excellent attempt at Rec.2020 with over 81% of that color space. You also get presets for sRGB, Adobe RGB and DCI-P3.

Among 4K screens, 144 Hz is the usual maximum speed but the GP27U manages a reliable 160 Hz refresh rate. The only caveat is that you must turn off Adaptive-Sync to go above 144 Hz. But Cooler Master provides a superb overdrive option with multiple presets and a 100-step variable setting, which is quite rare. It lets you dial in the perfect balance between clear motion and ghosting.

Additional conveniences include aiming points and timers along with nicely diffused LED lighting in the back. A USB-C port can accept video and serve as the anchor for a KVM feature that’s managed from the OSD. A solid stand and rugged build quality round out a premium package that at this writing, undercuts the competition by a few bucks.

Assembly and Accessories

The GP27U comes out of its carton in three pieces with a solid metal base, sturdy upright and a panel that snaps in place. The packaging is flexible foam, not the crumbly stuff I loathe. Thank you, Cooler Master. Assembly is easy since no tools are necessary, and it’s a sturdy piece. Along with a large external power supply, you get HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C and USB-A/B.

Product 360

The GP27U has a thin flush bezel around the image with just 8mm of frame around the top and sides. The bottom trim is 17mm with a tiny power LED on the right and an equally tiny Cooler Master logo in the center. Powering on reveals the rounded hexagon that lets you know the maker, followed by a bright and colorful image that’s razor sharp and free of any grain associated with the anti-glare layer. Don’t be fooled by the photo above; it isn’t shiny. The finish is matte, like nearly every other computer monitor. The first thing you’ll notice is the breathtaking color. You’ll see why that is when you read the test results on page four.

The stand is a single round pole with a large metal base, also in a hexagonal shape. It’s nearly 11 inches deep, so there’s no danger of the GP27U falling over. Ergonomics include 110mm height, -5/20 degrees tilt and 15 degrees swivel. You also get a 90-degree portrait mode. Movements are firm and free of play, befitting a premium display. Unsnap the stand to reveal a 100mm VESA mount for which you’ll have to provide your own fasteners.

Reach around the back right, and you’ll find the GP27U’s sole control, a tiny joystick. It covers all monitor functions and navigates the OSD. Also in the back is an LED ring around the stand’s pivot point, along with two additional strips flanking it. The only control of the light show is to turn it on or off. It smoothly changes color through the entire spectrum and casts a nice glow on the wall behind the monitor. Several chiseled accents round out Cooler Master’s subtle and effective styling cues.

The input panel includes two HDMI 2.1 ports plus a DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC). The USB-C input accepts video too, mimicking the DP functions. An upstream and two downstream USBs handle the KVM feature, which can be set up in the OSD. You also get a 3.5mm audio jack with two three-watt internal speakers. They are typical monitor speakers with a small but clear sound concentrated in the upper midrange frequencies.

OSD Features

The GP27U’s OSD is styled for gaming with info bubbles at the top showing resolution and the status of Adaptive-Sync, HDR, and overdrive. On the right is a refresh rate indicator ticked off in fps units. There are plenty of options for tweakers organized into six sub-menus.

After the input selector, the GP27U’s Picture menu is where you’ll find luminance, black stabilization (shadow detail enhancement), and the nine picture modes. You might think Standard is the default, but it’s User 1, which has all the calibration options needed for a very accurate picture.

Moving to Color Adjust, there are four color temp options plus a precise user mode with RGB sliders. Five gamma presets range from 1.8 to 2.6, and you can adjust hue and saturation for all six colors. Color Domain refers to signal format, RGB or YPbPr. Auto is the correct setting there. Color Space lets the user choose Adobe RGB, sRGB, DCI-P3 or Rec.2020. If you want to keep picture controls accessible, choose Auto. The Blue Light Filter warms the image to help reduce eye fatigue.

Gaming Setup contains one of the best overdrive menus you’ll find anywhere outside of a Dough Spectrum monitor. In addition to the four presets, the User option has a 100-step control. You can get a perfect level of blur reduction without ghosting. I also had good luck with Dynamic and Advanced. The GP27U’s video processing is top shelf. Gaming Plus offers a timer, aiming points, and an fps indicator.

You can set HDR to Auto in the Advanced menu so that it will switch between formats without user intervention. Local Dimming enhances contrast for SDR but also makes the picture extremely bright though you can compensate by turning down the brightness slider. It’s a must for HDR if you want the best possible quality. I measured zero black levels because any setting of Local Dimming, even Low, turns off the backlight when a black pattern is displayed. This menu also has the KVM setup, where you can bind video inputs and USB ports to accommodate multiple systems connected to a single GP27U.

Cooler Master Tempest GP27U Calibration Settings

In the GP27U’s User 1 mode, I found a slightly cool grayscale and gamma that rode just a tad under the reference line (too light). A few adjustments to the RGB sliders took care of the first issue, but gamma is still a little light. Higher presets make the picture too dark, so I suggest leaving it on 2.2. I had to turn down contrast two clicks to solve a clipping issue at 100% brightness. Though set to Auto, the color gamut uses its full volume for all content, SDR and HDR. This is great for HDR, but SDR images are extremely vivid. Most users will prefer this look, and the GP27U is certainly very colorful. But if you want sRGB or DCI-P3, you can go to the Color Space sub-menu and pick your preferred gamut. My instrument-derived settings are below.

HDR signals reveal three additional picture modes. User is the default, letting you adjust brightness and contrast if you find the 1,200-nit peaks too bright. It’s very color-accurate, so no further adjustments are required. I recommend setting Local Dimming to Low in HDR mode for the best luminance tracking.

Gaming and Hands-on 

The GP27U is a gorgeous monitor right out of the gate. With a larger color gamut than nearly everything I’ve seen of late, it is awash in vivid hues. The picture is razor-sharp with superb contrast. Working in SDR mode with productivity apps, it looks fine with the local dimming turned off and better set to Low. I didn’t see any downsides like clipped detail. If you’re accustomed to an sRGB monitor, the extra color will look a little overblown at first. However, since there is no loss of detail or dynamic range, it’s OK to use the full gamut (113% of DCI-P3) for everything. I reached for the sRGB mode a few times when working in Photoshop, but the extra color is nice for general use.

A 27-inch 4K monitor has tremendous pixel density, 163ppi, more than just about any other screen outside a high-end laptop. That difference can be seen, even when compared to a 32-inch 4K monitor. I am a fan of large panels, but the fine detail and sharpness of the GP27U are as addictive as its price is attractive.

I ran my response and lag tests at 160 Hz, but I saw a few frame tears when viewing the G-Sync pendulum test, so I dialed the GP27U down to 144 Hz to engage Adaptive-Sync. It worked with both FreeSync and G-Sync platforms equally well. Setting up the overdrive was easy, with many fixed and variable options. For most content, Advanced kept the blur at bay with no ghosting. I also tried the User mode set to 67 out of 100. This gave me a subtle improvement. This is one of the few monitors with a user-tweakable overdrive, and I recommend taking advantage if you buy a GP27U.

Gaming was a treat, especially in HDR mode, where the contrast and color were simply stunning. Blacks were very deep with just the right feel for night scenes, while detail was rich in highlight and shadow areas. The HDR User mode was ideal with the brightness slider maxed at 100, allowing the occasional 1,200-nit highlight to slip through but it was never harsh. Local Dimming worked best on Low; higher settings made the picture uncomfortably bright, and some detail at the extremes of the scale was lost.

The GP27U’s immense color gamut was on full display in Doom Eternal. The red primary shone through the most with bloody hues that were almost too realistic. Maps with greenery and vegetation had a natural and three-dimensional look with warm earth tones and vivid textures. Motion processing was beyond reproach, and I saw no blur or tearing. I played at 144 Hz and managed to peg the fps meter a few times. Though I still gravitate to 240 Hz QHD screens with their screaming frame rates, the sharp detail made possible by such high pixel density is compelling. A monitor like this is a great reason to put a large chunk of your build budget into speedy video cards. High frame rates and high resolution are expensive but once you’ve experienced them together, it’s hard to go back. 

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Most 4K panels max out at 144 Hz, but the GP27U and the standout of the comparison group, Samsung’s G8, go higher. The remaining panels are Dough’s Spectrum D03 Glossy, ViewSonic’s XG321UG, Philips’ 279M1RV and Corsair’s 32UHD144. The Cooler Master, ViewSonic and Samsung are Mini LED panels, while the rest employ edge backlights.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

The GP27U is officially the quickest 4K monitor I’ve yet tested, beating even the stellar Samsung G8 by 2ms. Though the Samsung monitor’s 240 Hz refresh rate gives it a faster draw time, the Cooler Master has extremely low input lag, making up the difference. My gaming skills are insufficient to see a difference while playing, and the Samsung looks smoother when running over 200fps. But professional-level gamers may gain an advantage from the GP27U’s lower lag. It’s quick, and if you can push the pixels faster than 120fps, it’s an excellent experience. Note that I tested the GP27U at 160 Hz, so I couldn’t use Adaptive-Sync. Even at 160fps, I could see a few frame tears. The monitor provides the most balanced performance when running at 144 Hz.

Viewing Angles

The GP27U’s viewing angles are comparable to any premium IPS panel found today. Light output is unchanged at 45 degrees to the sides, and there is a slight color shift to green. Shadow detail remains clear. The vertical plane shows a blue tint, but detail is less washed out than most panels.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

My GP27U sample aced the uniformity test with a super-low 2.44% deviation from the center zone. I thought that might be a record, but scanning my test database of 326 monitors revealed that honor belongs to the Asus PA32UCG. Any score under 10% realistically means no visible hotspots, bleed or glow. And I’ve measured a good number of screens under 5%. But this is impressive nonetheless, especially considering the Asus’ price of over $3,000.

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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

In the GP27U’s User 1 mode, I measured a peak white level of 451.8933 nits, more than enough for any work or play environment. The backlight can be adjusted over 100 steps, but 200 nits was setting 24, which means the minimum is a bit high at 64 nits. That’s a reasonable level for darkroom use. My only actual complaint is that below 200 nits, each click of the slider drops brightness by 3-5 nits. That’s a bit coarse for my taste. I would prefer to see finer control.

Black levels are IPS average, so the contrast is also average at 920.3:1. Local Dimming is available for SDR signals, increasing dynamic range significantly. Even on the Low setting, I couldn’t measure black, so contrast can be theoretically infinite.

After Calibration to 200 nits

Calibration improves contrast slightly to 991.1:1, moving the GP27U up to fourth place. Again, this is average IPS performance. The Samsung is well ahead of the pack because its local dimming is always engaged and cannot be disabled.

The GP27U maintains its contrast ratio in the ANSI test, which speaks to its engineering and construction. The grid polarizer is precisely fitted, maintaining high intra-image contrast and a sharp image.

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The GP27U defaults to its User 1 mode, so I used that preset for all measurements and calibrations. Though the signals here are SDR, it uses its full gamut, which is much larger than sRGB. I consider the GP27U a Rec.2020 monitor, and I’ll explain why below.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

The GP27U’s grayscale tracking is a bit cool by default. I recommend calibration though some users will be satisfied with errors this small. Gamma is a tad light, but this is also a small error.

Calibration results in professional-level grayscale tracking, but gamma is still a little light. It isn’t a big problem, but it could be better, given the excellent results I observed in every other metric. The results above were recorded without local dimming engaged. Turning it on Low enhances contrast and depth significantly.

If you choose sRGB or any other gamut preset from the Color Space menu, the grayscale is cool and cannot be adjusted. Gamma is light here as well. While these additional modes deliver decent gamut accuracy, their grayscale and gamma tracking have room for improvement.

 Comparisons

The GP27U’s 4.55dE default grayscale score isn’t bad but compared to the competition, it could be better. Since the error is concentrated in cooler tones, it isn’t too obvious. Calibration puts Cooler Master on top though so it’s well worth making the adjustments.

The gamma comparison is similar. Though the GP27U is in last place, its gamma errors are minor. It’s just that the other monitors are more precise. Once local dimming is engaged, it’s a moot point because the picture will have much deeper blacks and brighter highlights.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

Nearly all wide gamut monitors follow the DCI-P3 standard. But a few try to cover Rec.2020, and that’s what the GP27U is doing. You can identify this by the green hues. Cooler Master is splitting the difference between DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 by moving the green primary further away from yellow. It’s subtle on the chart, but there is a positive impact on the image.

Calibration only makes a tiny difference to color accuracy; it was excellent already. If you think some points are under-saturated, I’ve used Rec.2020 as the reference, not DCI-P3.

The sRGB preset is good but not great. The white point is too blue, which pulls cyan and magenta off hue. Red is also under-saturated. This is very good performance, but given how good the GP27U is at rendering its native gamut, I’m reasonable in wishing for better.

Comparisons

The GP27U is up against the strong competition when a 2.61dE color score comes in last place. None of the monitors have any visible color errors. However, the Cooler Master has more color volume than most. Surprisingly, it isn’t the top finisher in that test, but visually, it’ll be hard to see a difference between the top three. I recommend a software profile for any color-critical work, even when using the GP27U’s additional color space presets.

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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

HDR is where the GP27U truly shines. Though I still gravitate to OLED for ultimate contrast, Mini LED screens like this are very compelling. With over 1,200 nits peak and a 576-zone backlight, Cooler Master has a worthy flagship here.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

I didn’t have to measure window patterns to see over 1,200 nits. The GP27U can render a full-field white pattern at its maximum brightness. It hurt my eyes to look at it for more than a moment. This is great for HDR content because highlights really pop out. The picture is not harsh in practice. Black levels are unmeasurable because the GP27U turns off its backlight in any zone showing a zero-percent signal. That means its HDR contrast cannot be measured. It and the G8 are the only LCD panels I’ve encountered with this behavior. The ViewSonic is close behind with over 72,000:1 contrast. That the last-place screen has nearly 11,000:1 speaks volumes for this genre. You won’t find a bad HDR image in the bunch.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color

The GP27U defaults to its User HDR mode, and that is the one I recommend. Switch Local Dimming to Low for the best luminance tracking and contrast. Higher settings clip both highlight and shadow detail. The other two HDR modes also clip detail and should be avoided. Grayscale tracking is visually perfect, as is the EOTF, which transitions perfectly at 65% brightness. Color tracking is slightly over-saturated for both DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 rendered content. Hue points are all in line with their targets. The GP27U is a benchmark for HDR accuracy and performance.

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Mini LED monitors still represent the premium end of the price scale, but as they grow in numbers, costs inevitably fall. The Cooler Master Tempest GP27U is the first example I’ve seen for less than $1,000. And the good part is that no corners were cut. It outdistances the competition in speed and color volume. 

While the fastest 4K gaming monitor is currently Samsung’s 240 Hz G8, the GP27U creates its own tier at 160 Hz. The only bummer is that you can’t use Adaptive-Sync over 144 Hz. Users will have to assess their preferences for frame rates versus the occasional frame tear. But with some of the best video processing I’ve seen, it’s hard to complain. Not only are there multiple fixed overdrive settings, but a variable option also delivers motion that’s almost entirely blur-free with no ghosting.

For me, color and contrast are the stars. With effective local dimming for both SDR and HDR, the GP27U is capable of zero black levels and infinite contrast. In practice, an OLED will still have the edge but not by much. With over 113% coverage of DCI-P3 and a passable attempt at Rec.2020, the GP27U is one of the most colorful monitors available in any genre, at any price.

Since this is the first Mini LED screen to come in under $1,000, a few flaws could be excused. The Cooler Master GP27U is a superlative and addictive gaming monitor that compliments any high-end PC or console with a stunning picture and smooth gameplay. If you are seeking high frame rates and high resolution in the same monitor, definitely check it out.

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We saw some excellent portable monitors at the CES 2023, which will be arriving soon in the North American market. Asus and Viewsonic showed off a number of lightweight screens with OLED or IPS panels, high resolutions and even high refresh rates. 

Asus Portable Monitors for 2023

For mobile gamers, Asus unwrapped its ZenScreen MB17AHG, boasting a 17.3-inch Full HD IPS panel and a fast 144Hz refresh rate. Asus even squeezed in AMD FreeSync Premium support to keep frame rates buttery smooth. Connectivity options include USB-C (DisplayPort Alt-Mode) and HDMI, ensuring you can connect to just about any modern computer on the market.

The ZenScreen MB16QHG is slightly smaller in stature, with a 2560 x 1600 (16:10) IPS display and a 120Hz refresh rate. However, suppose you’re not that much of a gamer and mainly want a portable monitor for productivity. In that case, you might feel so bad about trading an inch in diagonal size and the 144Hz refresh rate for the higher resolution display of the ZenScreen MB16QHG.

While most portable monitors top out at around 17 inches, Asus’ ZenScreen MB249C is the exception. It measures 23.8 inches across, putting it within spitting distance of 27-inch gaming monitors. Despite its size, Asus claims that the monitor is just 17.7mm thick and weighs just 6.17 pounds (or about as much as the best gaming notebooks). 

Given its size, the ZenScreen MB249C has an integrated handle for easy transporting, which also doubles as a kickstand for placing it on a desk. Asus includes a C-clamp system in the box for attaching the monitor to the edge of your desk, while arm and partition hook mounting options are also available. The monitor also features 60-watt USB-C Power Delivery for connecting to (and powering) a laptop with a single cable. 

Viewsonic Portable Monitor for 2023

ViewSonic also expanded its portable monitor portfolio at CES with the VX16 and the ColorPro VP16. The VX16 is the more exciting of the two, as it boasts a 15.6-inch 4K OLED panel with a 60Hz refresh rate. 

It may not appease hardcore gamers, but this monitor should be great for photo editing, watching videos, and handling your day-to-day workload thanks to its 400-nits panel and 100 percent sRGB and DCI-P3 coverage. In addition, the sub-two-pound VX16 features a sturdy, adjustable stand along with USB-C and HDMI connectivity.

But that has changed in the past two years. I’ve reviewed a few promising displays that carry all the features necessary to mate with a PC or console gaming system. Granted, a 48-inch panel is still pretty big for a desk, but I saw a lot to like in Alienware’s AW3423DW, a 34-inch curved ultra-wide. However, I still hoped for a traditional flat panel offering.

I can now report that the unicorn has been discovered and documented. Asus is one of the first companies to introduce an OLED screen packaged as a traditional computer monitor. The ProArt PA32DC is a 32-inch 16:9 flat panel with Ultra HD resolution, HDR and a wide color gamut. It’s a premium professional display that’s coming out of the gate at $3,500, so let’s see if it's worthy of inclusion among the best computer monitors.

Asus ProArt PA32DC Specs

Not to be confused with the Quantum OLED screen I reviewed in the Alienware AW3423DW, the PA32DC has an RGB OLED panel. It exceeds 100% coverage of DCI-P3, 111% was the test result I recorded, and it qualifies for DisplayHDR 400, making it one of the brighter OLEDs available in the computer genre. It tops out at around 260 nits in SDR mode, but my HDR tests coaxed over 528 nits from a 25% window pattern. It’s brighter than other OLED gaming monitors I’ve reviewed, like the Aorus FO48U and Alienware’s AW5520QF. But if you want maximum light output, MiniLED is still the king of that castle, with some models topping 1,400 nits.

Where OLED dominates is black levels, as they are unmeasurable. The ability of an OLED to selectively turn off pixels on a frame-by-frame basis allows it to have infinite contrast. I use the term infinite theoretically. The scientific reality is that an OLED’s black levels cannot be measured by any instruments currently in use. While MiniLED has made great strides in this area, the maximum number of dimming zones they deliver today is 1,152. An Ultra HD OLED has 8,294,400. The visual difference is huge. Putting the best MiniLED next to even an inexpensive OLED shows the latter to be superior in image depth and color saturation.

The Asus ProArt PA32DC is a professional display all the way. It doesn’t have Adaptive-Sync or refresh rates over 60 Hz, so it won’t be a top choice for gamers. What it does have is accurate color that can be reliably maintained over time. It includes color modes for every standard in use today and has a built-in meter for auto-calibration that motors down from the top bezel and interfaces with Asus’ ProArt Calibration software. You can use the same software with the meter of your choice and the PA32DC supports auto-calibration with Calman and Light Illusion. If you prefer a manual calibration, that option is there as well.

All color and dynamic range standards are supported from Rec.709 and sRGB to Adobe RGB, DCI-P3 and Rec.2020. HDR comes in HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma and Dolby Vision formats. You can even specify the luminance curve for HDR10 as Optimized, Clip or Basic. SDR content can be viewed in an HDR emulation mode as well. And video production aids include on-screen rulers and framing aids for movie and TV formats.

Assembly and Accessories for Asus ProArt PA32DC

The PA32DC ships in a TV-style box that lifts vertically to expose the contents well-packed with flexible foam. The panel can be set up immediately using two little feet that rotate outward. This approach puts the screen right on the desktop; it’s better used this way with a riser. A weighty and solid stand is also included that bolts onto the panel. You also get a rigid light hood that bolts into threaded fittings on the top and sides of the bezel. It has a little cutout for the light meter on top.

Assembly is a little fiddly if you use the stand and/or the hood. I found that all the threaded holes were filled with tiny rubber dust plugs that required needle-nose pliers to remove. Asus includes a Phillips-head screwdriver and plenty of fasteners. I’d have preferred to see a snap-on fitting for the stand.

The cable bundle comprises multiple power cords, HDMI and DisplayPort cables, and USB-C/A and C/C connectors. The only thing missing was a remote control. While this isn’t necessary, it is convenient with larger monitors like this.

Product 360: Asus ProArt PA32DC

The PA32DC’s styling is all about function. There is no attempt at a thin bezel or any cosmetic enhancement. And rightly so; it’s a professional screen that will see duty in a post-production bay and on-site for filming. A large metal handle on the back makes it very easy to move about whether you use the stand or the feet, as I did.

The stand is a 10-pound beast with all metal construction and firm movements. You get -5/23 degrees tilt, 30 degrees swivel to either side and a 130mm height adjustment. The panel can be rotated 90 degrees to portrait mode as well. If you use your own mounting system, there are 100mm VESA lugs in the back.

The front has an array of control keys in the lower right and a joystick for navigation. Two of the keys are programmable for various functions, and the rest offer direct access to things like picture mode and input selection.

The calibration meter lives in a little protrusion at the top and rotates forward to measure the top center of the screen when activated. You’ll need Asus’ ProArt Calibration software and a USB connection to make this work.

All connections are arrayed on the sides of the component bulge in back, video inputs on the right and USB on the left. For video, you get a single DisplayPort 1.4 and three HDMI 2.0b. I was surprised not to see at least one HDMI 2.1 input, but since the PA32DC doesn’t support Adaptive-Sync and tops out at 60 Hz, it’s not necessary. You can also run video through the USB-C input on the opposite side and connect four peripherals via the USB 3.2 outputs. There’s a headphone jack included as well. There are two built-in speakers, which I found played very quietly. Even at full volume, I could barely hear them. They are fit for Windows system sounds but not much else.

OSD Features of Asus ProArt PA32DC

The PA32DC’s OSD is extensive as one would expect from a monitor this capable. Two clicks of the joystick summons it, and it’s divided into nine sections. Pressing any key brings up a quick menu that makes more commonly used functions available. I’ll get into the details below.

There are 14 ProArt Presets that include every major color standard for both SDR and HDR. Each is pre-calibrated and supported by the included data sheet unique to each sample. My test results verified Asus’ data in every case. The PA32DC ships in its Standard mode which has decent grayscale tracking but below average color and gamma accuracy. You’ll want to select one of the other presets to suit your task.

Though some parts are grayed out in different modes in the Palette menu, all the necessary options for manual calibration are there. The sRGB mode is fixed and has no options. The User modes let you adjust RGB gains but not gamma, color temp or gamut. Luckily, the PA32DC can be auto-calibrated in any of the picture modes using the ProArt software or Calman’s auto-cal feature.

You can display the output of two sources at once using the PIP and PBP modes. Each can use a different color mode which makes it handy for comparing content formats.

QuickFit is set up for video production with title and action areas and on-screen rulers ticked in centimeters. You can also mark the center of the screen and create a custom-sized square or rectangle. This is great for on-site production when a director needs help composing a shot.

The HDR Preview does a passable job of simulating HDR with SDR material. It’s here for quick comparisons during post-production. You can also specify the bandwidth for the USB-C port. The Uniform Brightness option disables any brightness throttling when the average picture level changes. This delivers more real-world contrast at the expense of power consumption.

Finally, you can program two of the control keys to your preference. You can go right to a User mode or adjust brightness, volume or a number of other options.

Calibration Settings for Asus ProArt PA32DC

There are many ways to calibrate the PA32DC. Using Asus’ ProArt software allows you to employ the built-in meter or one of your own. Or you can use Calman or Light Illusion for an auto-cal that creates an internal lookup table. In my case, I performed a manual calibration in the User mode. This is a bit limited because you can’t specify gamma, color temp or gamut. It uses 2.2, D65 and DCI-P3 as its reference. However, I could achieve excellent results with the RGB gain controls. 

The preset modes allow changes to gamma and color temp as well as color saturation, hue and two-point white balance. HDR modes also have RGB calibration plus three different EOTF options. In short, there’s never a situation where you can’t achieve perfect color. Below are the settings I used for SDR and HDR. They were dialed in with instruments using manual controls.

Gaming and Hands-on with Asus ProArt PA32DC

For those asking, “Can I game on the PA32DC?”, the answer is yes, if you don’t set your expectations too high. The image is certainly stunning. Contrast and color saturation are better than even the best MiniLED panel. But the 60 Hz refresh rate and lack of Adaptive-Sync will distract you if you're used to a modern gaming screen. Even though there is some visible motion blur in the test patterns I viewed, it wasn’t an issue when playing. A 120 Hz or 144 Hz model is a better tool if you want to game on an OLED monitor. But the PA32DC isn’t meant for that.

What it delivers incredibly well is accurate color in every conceivable signal format for both SDR and HDR. It has preset modes for Rec.709, sRGB, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3 (the cinema version AKA DCI 1.2) and Rec.2020. The native gamut covers just over 111% of DCI-P3, so it comes up slightly short of the full 2020 color space. And if you want a true Rec.2020 monitor that’s this precise, add another digit to the PA32DC’s price tag.

I performed a manual calibration in one of the User modes for testing purposes. This delivered results as good as any of the presets. User restricts you to DCI-P3 color, 2.2 gamma and a D65 white point which can be adjusted to a high level of accuracy. To calibrate the other color modes, you’ll have to use auto-cal with either Asus’ ProArt software, Calman or Light Illusion.

I spent a lot of time using the PA32DC as a day-to-day monitor, which was a pleasure. The picture is so deep and saturated that color jumps off the screen. Though some LCDs have the same color volume, an OLED’s extremely high contrast makes all colors look more vivid. That strength extends to rendering fine detail like text or high-res photos. Realism is on another level.

Though I am not involved in video production, I tried out the QuickFit feature and found it handy for creating borders around the screen's perimeter or displaying rulers on the top and left edges. I can see how this would be useful for composing a shot.

To check out HDR content, I started with an Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Once the player is running, I had to choose the appropriate HDR mode manually. This is so you can choose from three different PQ options for the correct luminance curve.

HDR10, when displayed in PQ Optimized mode, is simply stunning. Any concerns about peak brightness can be allayed right now. There is more than enough light available from the PA32DC. Color is super saturated without being overblown, thanks to perfect luminance tracking. I had tweaked grayscale tracking before watching HDR video but switching back to the default settings made little difference. All the color and signal modes are accurate out of the box.

The Asus ProArt PA32DC is a workhorse monitor, but I would be more than happy to use it as a day-to-day tool for writing, photo editing and other everyday computing tasks.

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The PA32DC isn’t about gaming, but the response and lag tests are relevant for any monitor. The comparison group includes all the OLEDs I’ve reviewed, plus two MiniLED models. They are ViewSonic’s XG321UG and Asus’ PA32UCX which is also a pro screen. The OLEDs are Aorus’ FO48U, along with the Alienware AW5520QF and AW3423DW.

Pixel Response & Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

It’s important to note that while most OLEDs claim a 0.1ms response time, this is a single-pixel value, not a full-screen draw, which I test. Filling the entire screen with a white field takes the same amount of time for OLEDs and LCDs. The 60 Hz PA32DC comes in at the expected 16ms. And motion blur is visually the same as a 60 Hz LCD. To combat this, an OLED can use black-frame insertion, but the PA32DC doesn’t offer this. If you want to game on an OLED, you’ll want a higher refresh rate like the AW3423DW or FO48U have. The PA32DC’s input lag is on par with enterprise screens at 76ms.

Viewing Angles

OLED panels have excellent off-axis image quality because the light coming from them is not polarized like an LCD. You can see there is no reduction in brightness in either plane. A slight green shift appears in the brighter steps, which is a function of the screen coating. There is also no loss of detail as the gamma does not change.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

Clearly, OLED does not have an issue with screen uniformity. The PA32DC is superb as one would expect from a professional monitor. It doesn’t even come close to any visible problems. Color and luminance are perfectly rendered from edge to edge at all brightness levels.

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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

The PA32DC is rated for 250 nits in SDR mode, and my sample crested at 264. While this is below the level of an average LCD panel, it is more than enough light for a monitor used in professional environments. A post-production room will likely be dark or very dimly lit. And the video villages used in on-site filming locations are typically sheltered. There is plenty of light here.

You’ll see very high brightness levels for the MiniLED panels in both SDR and HDR modes. This is their greatest strength. They are far brighter than any OLED, but ultimately, it’s the contrast that counts. They are the better choice if your environment requires an exceptionally bright panel.

As with every OLED I’ve tested, black levels are unmeasurable by my, or any available instruments. When I say the pixels are turned off, I do not exaggerate. They’re completely off. So, contrast is theoretically infinite. I cannot overstate the visual improvement this makes over an LCD panel. Even a MiniLED display can’t produce a picture this deep and saturated. Dynamic range is king and the PA32DC is the top member of that monarchy.

After Calibration to 200 nits

The PA32DC’s contrast and black levels are unchanged after calibration of the User mode. Black levels are still too low to measure. The checkerboard pattern I use to measure intra-image contrast also has unmeasurable blacks.

It should be noted that the two MiniLED panels were tested without their local dimming feature turned on. When employed, it increases static contrast to around 6,000:1. It does not affect the ANSI test.

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The PA32DC has a color mode for every occasion from sRGB to Rec.2020. It can also do either DCI-P3 or Rec.2020 for HDR10 content. All are accurate enough out of the box not to require further calibration.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

The only mode that doesn’t impress is Standard, which is the out-of-box preset. Grayscale isn’t too bad, with a slight green tint, but gamma is far off the mark. This makes the picture very flat, but fear not because the other picture modes are pretty much spot-on. I’ve included charts for everything one would use with SDR content.

The second chart shows the results of a manual calibration in User. Unfortunately, you can’t change the gamma there, but it tracks right on 2.2 with a visually perfect white point.

The DCI-P3 mode is based on the commercial cinema standard DCI 1.2 with a 2.6 gamma and a 6300K white point. This is used to compensate for the xenon bulbs used in high-output digital projectors.

For photographers, sRGB is provided, but it is a fixed mode with no brightness control. Alternatively, you can use Rec.709 and change it from its default BT.1886 gamma to 2.2. You also get Adobe RGB which is helpful to photographers.

Comparisons

The PA32DC’s Standard is a throwaway setting because no user will keep the monitor set on its defaults. So, out of the box, it doesn’t compare well. After a manual calibration in User mode, it is on par with the others. You can expect similar or slightly better results when using the auto-cal features with Asus ProArt software or Calman.

Gamma is spot-on with the 2.2 reference in the User mode I calibrated. It has a near-perfect range of values of just 0.10 and is only 1.36% off the 2.2 reference with an actual value of 2.17.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

I’m showing the same modes in my gamut charts. The default measurement looks good from a saturation perspective. The issues with gamma I noted earlier affect the color luminance values, which are very high. This is why the error level is 16.44dE. With manual calibration in the User mode, that drops to just 1.87dE. Both Standard and User are tied to the consumer DCI-P3 reference with a 6500K white point and 2.2 gamma.

The other color modes have no visual errors. Even Rec.2020 comes close to perfect at 2.09dE. All others are below 2dE, which is excellent performance.

Comparisons

With the plethora of calibration options available in the PA32DC, you can expect results in any color mode to be visually perfect. My manual calibration produced an excellent average value of 1.87dE, on par with other professional screens. You can see from the charts in the previous section that the preset modes all deliver similar performance. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Asus claims 99% DCI-P3 coverage for the PA32DC, but I measured over 111%. This is the largest gamut volume I’ve recorded for any OLED panel, professional or consumer. The Quantum OLED technology in the AW3423DW is theoretically capable of more, but in this case, it’s slightly behind the Asus. MiniLED acquits itself well with ViewSonic’s 118.58% coverage. It’s a foregone conclusion that any of the top four panels will deliver rich and vivid color.

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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The PA32DC has HDR modes for every signal format in use today. HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) and Dolby Vision with EOTF and color choices for each where appropriate. The correct mode must be selected manually from the available options.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

OLEDs are not known for high brightness but the PA32DC exceeds its DisplayHDR 400 certification with over 528 nits peak. If you want to set the limit at 250 nits, that option is available in the OSD. Obviously, if you want greater light output, MiniLED is the answer, with the top two displays near or over 1,500 nits.

All the OLEDs deliver unmeasurable black levels, but MiniLED works well here with its large number of dimming zones. If one had never seen an OLED, the PA32UCX and XG321UG would be the pinnacle of image depth and contrast. With numbers like these, the PA32DC looks stunning with HDR content.

Grayscale, EOTF & Color

The PA32DC is color accurate by default in all its HDR modes. I went with PQ Optimized though the visual and measured difference between it and Clipped or Basic is barely perceivable. The white point had a few minor green errors at first, but I removed them with a few tweaks of the RGB Gain controls. My values are provided back on page one.

DCI-P3 color coverage is good, with just a slight under-saturation in red and hue errors in magenta. In Rec.2020 mode, the gamut most often used in HDR content, color is perfectly on hue and a tad over-saturated until the monitor runs out of color at around 85%. The second CIE chart is relevant to more content since that is the typical mastering standard. This is excellent performance.

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I will always maintain that the most important aspect of any computer monitor is contrast. The greater the difference between peak white and minimum black, the better the image. LCD is hampered in this area because it is a light valve design. In other words, it selectively lets light out at varying levels to create an image, meaning that the light is always on.

If a display is self-emissive like plasma or OLED, it is then possible to turn off any pixel to create black. All light is removed; therefore, black is truly black. Plasma is now part of history, but that’s OK because OLED has surpassed it. Today’s OLED panels provide the best image you’ll see from a video display.

Now that OLEDs are becoming available in smaller sizes, monitors like the Asus ProArt PA32DC are possible. As a cutting-edge screen, it’s definitely expensive. But given its capabilities as a reference quality professional tool, it compares favorably to similar products. You can easily pay more for something from Sony’s pro series like the BVM E251, a 24.5-inch FHD OLED that costs almost $11,000. Suddenly, $3,500 seems like a bargain.

Though it has little to offer hardcore gamers, the PA32DC will certainly be attractive to creatives. It is an ideal display for video production, graphics, photo editing or even just workday tasks. With a huge color gamut, superb HDR, accurate color and flexible calibration options, it suits any task. And I shouldn’t conclude without a mention of its rugged and premium build quality. Whether you use the built-in feet or its substantial stand, the PA32DC will serve its purpose for the long term.

The Asus ProArt PA32DC is one of those products that reinforces the motto, “You never regret buying the best.” If you’re in need of a top-shelf professional screen that’s relatively inexpensive, definitely check it out.

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Many choices are available among the best gaming monitors, but they are often expensive. $650 for a 25-inch FHD panel can be hard to wrap one’s mind around. Fortunately, Alienware has an alternative. The Alienware AW2523HF delivers all the performance of the premium screens, including a 360 Hz IPS panel, AMD FreeSync, and Nvidia G-Sync for just $450, which sounds like an incredible bargain in this day and age and could probably be even more of a bargain with a Dell and Alienware coupon.

Alienware AW2523HF Specs

The other 360 Hz monitor in Alienware’s stable is the AW2521H, reviewed here nearly two years ago. It costs $650 at this writing for one principal reason, the inclusion of Nvidia’s Latency Analyzer. The AW2523HF I’m looking at here doesn’t have that feature. But here’s something surprising; it supports both flavors of Adaptive-Sync. While that is pretty common in gaming monitors of all prices, the AW2521H supports only G-Sync. My testing also found that the less expensive screen had no dimming feature to increase HDR contrast. But in every way that matters to a gamer, the two monitors are the same.

The Alienware AW2523HF has an IPS panel running at FHD resolution covering the sRGB color gamut. Since there has yet to be a 360 Hz display with DCI-P3 coverage, that isn’t significant. I measured over 108% sRGB volume, so there is plenty of color here. The panel also has slightly above average contrast with ratios nearing 1,200:1, not bad for IPS in general. Though the HDR image won’t impress, HDR10 signals are supported with three different HDR modes and a VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification.

Gamers buy a 360 Hz monitor because of its video processing, which is akin to the performance one gets from an exotic sports car. At 300 frames per second or more, motion blur is simply non-existent, and Adaptive-Sync is barely needed. The smoothness and response are on another level compared to 240 Hz screens. 144 Hz? Yeah, I remember when the first such monitors appeared, and reviewers like me said the same thing about them. Today though, 360 Hz is the pinnacle.

The AW2523HF is certified for FreeSync operation but is not yet on Nvidia’s list. I suspect it soon will be since its slower cousins are certified G-Sync compatible. My sample proved flawless in all the G-Sync tests I performed.

There are plenty of features useful to gamers, like a headphone hook, USB ports, viewing enhancements, an aiming point, timers, and a large selection of picture modes. And color proved accurate in my tests, so picture quality will not be a concern.

Assembly and Accessories for Alienware AW2523HF

My AW2523HF sample arrived in a large clamshell-type box with Dell’s usual packing made from molded pulp. Everything is recyclable and there is none of that annoying crumbly foam. The base, upright and panel assemble quickly with no tools needed. Bundled cables are of higher-than-average quality and include USB, DisplayPort and an unusual Mini DisplayPort cable which will work with some gaming laptops. The power supply is internal, so you also get an IEC cord.

Product 360: Alienware AW2523HF

The AW2523HF has a super-thin bezel that’s just 6mm wide around the top and sides and 14mm wide at the bottom. It’s just enough to accommodate the Alienware name written in thin white letters. Underneath is a joystick controlling all monitor functions except power which is handled by a lighted button at the right.

The upright is a large, curvaceous piece that bolts firmly to a stable base. Lozenge shapes abound at the attachment points and in the large cable hole, which could almost be called a tunnel; it’s that deep. Ergonomics include -5/21 degrees tilt, 40 degrees swivel, a 4.3-inch height adjustment and a portrait mode.

The back features the Alienware head graphic and a large “25” set off in polished black. The lozenge shape around the attachment point hides a 100mm VESA mount and is textured like a grill. For heat dissipation, there is a row of holes along the top edge of the panel to keep things cool.

Underneath, there’s plenty of connectivity with one upstream and four downstream USB 3.2 ports. Two USB ports are on the bezel, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is very convenient. In the usual spots are the remaining USBs, two HDMI 2.0, one DisplayPort 1.4 and a 3.5mm audio output. There are no internal speakers.

OSD Features

The AW2523HF’s OSD is similar to the one found in most Dell and Alienware gaming screens, with a few extra features added. As I mentioned earlier, you won’t find the Nvidia Latency Analyzer, but everything else needed for performance and convenience is there.

Pressing the joystick brings up a quick menu on the bottom and status info across the top of the screen. Scrolling left or right lets you change brightness & contrast, color mode, dark stabilizer and access the AlienVision feature. More on that in a moment.

There are 12 color modes in total, some game-type specific and some suited for reading or other work tasks. Three Game modes let you customize color and video processing options separately. A Custom mode has a two-point white balance plus hue and saturation sliders. I discovered that there is a gamma control in the Console Mode sub-menu, which is not usually found on Dell gaming monitors. It can be turned on and adjusted without affecting other image parameters.

Game Enhance includes timers and a frame rate indicator. There’s no aiming point here, but there is one in the AlienVision menu. It’s huge at almost four inches across. Clichés about hitting the side of a barn are now struggling to get through…

A three-level overdrive barely makes a difference at any of its settings. With such high frame rates, motion blur is a non-issue. The Console Mode offers gamma presets and RGB sliders for white balance. AlienVision offers the aforementioned crosshair plus the ability to alter the appearance of a large rectangle at the center of the screen. You can have a night vision look, a sharpened appearance, or a bizarre chromatic effect whose use I cannot fathom. Try them out and see if you like them.

HDR is supported by three modes: Desktop (the most accurate), Movie, and Game. The latter two add visible edge enhancement, so I do not recommend them. If you turn off Smart HDR, the AW2523HF will not switch modes when an HDR10 signal is applied. The user can program the five shortcut keys for a variety of functions. Plus, you can toggle through the AlienVision options without going into the OSD if you want.

Calibration Settings for Alienware AW2523HF

The AW2523HF needs very little in the way of adjustment. In fact, you can enjoy it just fine in either Standard mode (the default) or Custom Color. Both options offer a visually neutral grayscale, error-free sRGB color and near-perfect gamma. 

For my purposes, I tweaked the RGB Gains (you get Offsets, too) for a reference-level result. My settings are below. There are no image options for HDR content other than the three additional picture modes, but HDR is close to the mark.

Gaming and Hands-on with Alienware AW2523HF

This is always my favorite part of any 360 Hz monitor review. Testing is certainly impressive when I sit down to analyze the response and lag videos. And BlurBusters patterns take on a next-level look with absolutely no motion blur in evidence in the moving UFO and photo tests. 360 Hz is definitely better than 240 Hz. And though you’re paying a lot for a little more performance, you won’t care once you’ve experienced it yourself.

As an everyday monitor, the Alienware AW2523HF is perfectly suited. 25 inches is a little smaller than I’m used to but for most desktops and workspaces, it’s plenty of screen. The portrait mode can be used to good effect for word processing or music scores. Two of these monitors would be great for Photoshop or video editing. I look forward to the day when a 360 Hz panel comes with a wide color gamut. But the extra bit of sRGB volume here makes a positive impact in color saturation. The extra contrast helps too. Though not in VA territory, the AW2523HF looks better than most other IPS panels with greater dimension and deeper blacks.

If only one thing can be said about a 360 Hz gaming monitor, it’s that it is hard to stop playing. Motion is so smooth and so perfect as to be addictive. There is truly no other kind of monitor that provides an experience like this. I turned on the AW2523HF’s frame indicator to monitor rates and saw around 300 fps when playing Doom Eternal. There seemed to be no performance penalty for HDR though admittedly, it was hard to look at the numbers all the time.

My gaming skills are decidedly average, but I felt like a king when mowing through monsters and zombies. Every mouse movement is met with instant response. And I noted that stopping my turn to shoot was super precise. I almost never overshot the mark. Circle strafe movements are much easier when the panning image stays in focus. You can control your position much more finely than even a 240 Hz monitor allows.

Comparing HDR and SDR showed some visible difference. Contrast was about the same, but the HDR version of Doom Eternal was generally darker. Some shadowy areas lacked detail so crawling through caves was a little sketchy at times. Color seemed a bit more saturated though. Making the HDR/SDR choice will depend on the game content. If you want to be sure to see the most detail in every situation, SDR is the way to go.

The AlienVision is an interesting feature. The giant aiming point did not help me in any way. Though you can’t miss it, its large size was a distraction in fast-paced battles. The other settings where you can alter the look of a window at the screen center didn’t make their benefits obvious to me. Perhaps in a sniper game, one might use the Clear setting, which sharpens the picture in the rectangle, to line up a shot. But a zoom mode might be a more useful option.

As a gaming monitor, the AW2523HF excels at what it's designed to do, deliver screamingly fast frame rates, smooth motion and imperceptible input lag. It’s an addictive display that will have you fragging your time away.

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To compare the AW2523HF’s performance, I’ve rounded up all the 360 Hz monitors in my database and put in a lone 240 Hz screen as a reality check, ViewSonic’s XG2431. The others are AOC’s AG254FG, Alienware’s AW2521H, MSI’s NXG253R and the Acer Predator X25. All are IPS/FHD panels.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

These charts show why we’re here; this is as fast as a gaming monitor gets today. A 3ms panel draw means zero motion blur. Overdrive is not really necessary, but the AW2523HF has it and uses it for a very subtle improvement. Motion resolution is visually perfect; moving images are as clear as static ones.

Input lag is also nearly non-existent. The MSI wins the contest at 17ms total lag, but the AW2523HF matches its $200 more expensive stablemate with an equally impressive 19ms. This is otherworldly performance that must be seen and experienced to be fully appreciated.

Viewing Angles

The AW2523HF offers viewing angles similar to other premium IPS panels. The image cools off a bit at 45 degrees to the side but doesn’t get any dimmer. The top view is poor, like most, with a green tint and washed-out picture.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

The AW2523HF’s screen uniformity is what I expect from any premium display. There are no visible variations in a black field pattern, nor are there any issues viewing other colors and brightness levels. The image maintains smooth tones throughout.

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To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

One might have an issue with the AW2523HF’s lower brightness, but few users will see a difference between 460 and 413 nits. If you max the brightness slider, it will give you a searingly bright image. There is plenty of headroom here, and HDR brightness is slightly higher.

The AW2523HF has the lowest black levels of the group and the second-highest contrast ratio at 1,212:1. This is above average for the IPS category, which is a very impressive performance. It adds image depth and dimension that can be seen in a side-by-side comparison. The top three screens will look better than the bottom three.

After Calibration to 200 nits

After calibration, the AW2523HF and the AOC increase their advantage over the others keeping by contrast around 1,200:1. It doesn’t get much better than that until you go VA or OLED, and you won’t find 360 Hz linked with either screen type.

The AW2523HF finally wins the ANSI test with 1,154.1:1 intra-image contrast. There is no fault here since you get the speed and some of the best IPS contrast available.

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The AW2523HF has the same picture modes and calibration options as most other Dell and Alienware displays. I tested the Standard and Custom picture modes and found that calibration wasn’t essential but made a slight improvement when performed.

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

The initial grayscale run shows a bit of coolness in the brightest steps, but that doesn’t translate to the actual content. It is visually without error. Gamma tracks perfectly against the 2.2 reference. If you want a darker or lighter look, the AW2523HF has a Console mode that offers presets, something I hadn’t seen before in other Dell gaming monitors.

With a two-click reduction to the blue gain control, grayscale is now perfect, and gamma is visually the same. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Comparisons

The AW2523HF’s 2.34dE default score puts it firmly in the calibration-not-needed category. The monitor can be enjoyed right out of the box with no fiddling. Of course, calibration does produce an improvement in the measurements to a very low 0.59dE, not enough for first place here, but since all the monitors are under 1dE, they are visually identical.

The AW2523HF has a slight gamma tracking advantage over the others with an extremely tight 0.06 range of values and a 0.9% deviation from the 2.2 reference. The actual average was 2.18, which is excellent performance.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

The AW2523HF has just as much to offer in the gamut accuracy tests. Though I would have loved to see a wide gamut option, no other 360 Hz monitor has one, so that consideration is moot. Out of the box, there is slight under-saturation in red and a hue error in magenta. But with an average of 2.24, these issues are invisible in actual content.

Calibration tightens up the chart nicely with more vivid reds, and the magenta hue error is nearly fixed. A visual improvement here manifests as a slightly warmer and more vivid image. The adjustment is definitely worth making. Just reduce the blue gain to 98%, and you’ll likely replicate my results.

Comparisons

Color accuracy won’t be a deciding factor in purchasing any of these monitors. They all exhibit superb behavior with visually perfect color that is bright and vibrant. In the volume chart, you can see that none of the screens really approach DCI-P3 coverage, but five of them exceed 100% of sRGB. If you want a wide gamut, you won’t get 360 Hz.

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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The AW2523HF includes HDR support, as do all the 360 Hz screens here. Without a wide gamut, though, the effect is more subtle. Honestly, HDR isn’t the reason to buy a fast gaming monitor, but as you’ll soon see, the AW2523HF is missing something that the others have.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

The first chart shows nothing special. All the 360 Hz screens have roughly the same peak brightness, with the ViewSonic delivering about 112 more nits. But the black level chart shows something that raises an eyebrow. Indeed, the AW2523HF is the only one with no dynamic contrast. 

There’s no field or zone dimming feature, which means that SDR and HDR contrast are the same. This defeats the purpose of HDR support. But since one would buy this monitor for its performance, the solution is simple. Don’t play games in HDR. You’ll save some processing load which will deliver higher frame rates. And I’d probably extend that advice to all these screens. 360 Hz is about speed. The panels offer enough contrast to make games look amazing.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color

I tested all three HDR modes and found that color-wise, they were nearly identical. I recommend Desktop because it is the only one without edge enhancement. Game and Movie attempt to sharpen the image, but the net result is less motion resolution, which is not the reason one buys a 360 Hz monitor. Grayscale tracking is slightly blue, but the errors aren’t visible in content. The EOTF starts too light, so shadow areas are gray rather than black. The line then tracks the reference up to a 65% tone-map transition, also to spec.

Though the AW2523HF is an sRGB monitor, it does a respectable job with wide-gamut content. For material mastered in DCI-P3, it follows the saturation targets until the display runs out of color at around 80% for red and green. Blue is slightly over-saturated. It shows the same behavior with Rec.2020 content running out of red at around 70% and green at 60%. So, it’s making its best effort to show you the more saturated color, which is as it should be.

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Now that I’ve reviewed several 360 Hz monitors from all major brands, it is clear that for their intended purpose, performance is very similar. From a video processing perspective, picking one over the others will be hard. They are all free of motion blur, frame tearing or hesitation. Input lag is uniformly low, and they all provide an addictive gaming experience.

If picture quality is the deciding factor, that’s tough, except for one metric, HDR contrast. The Alienware AW2523HF does not have a dimming feature, so it won’t have more contrast in HDR mode. The other 360 Hz displays I’ve tested all increase their dynamic range for HDR games and video. The AW2523HF has roughly the same color volume but a little more contrast than most SDR displays. And it’s quite accurate too. No calibration is needed, but performing one will make a small improvement.

The consideration then comes down to price. There, the AW2523HF is a standout at $450. The others are $650 and up, except for one - the MSI NXG253R, which does include the Nvidia Latency Analyzer and a nearly 8,000:1 HDR contrast ratio. At this writing, it can be found for around $410. But it and the AW2523HF are the only two 360 Hz screens I could find for a price beginning with the number 4.

Of course, once you’ve tried any 360 Hz monitor, you’ll want it regardless of cost. The genre provides a truly unique gaming experience that can’t be replicated by other means. Yes, you will need a stout PC with a powerful graphics card to drive the fun. But you’ll be rewarded with something that goes way beyond any console. The AW2523HF delivers on that experience.

So, if you’re already a fan of Alienware components, and they are extremely well-engineered and well-made kit; you will definitely want to check out the AW2523HF. It delivers the same next-level gaming as its more expensive competition.

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Corsair has been around for nearly 30 years, but it's only recent delved into the display market. I’ve already reviewed the Xeneon 32QHD165 and found it fulfilled its promise as a premium gaming monitor, so I went into this review with high expectations.

The Xeneon 32UHD144, as the name indicates shockingly clearly, is a 32-inch 4K monitor that runs at 144 Hz. The Fast IPS Quantum Dot panel sports Adaptive-Sync, HDR600 and a wide color gamut. It also accepts a line of addons like webcams and peripheral controllers that integrate into the stand to create a hardware ecosystem. Let’s take deep dive into its features and tested performance to see if the Xeneon 32UHD144 is a worthy addition to our best 4K gaming monitors list. 

 Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144  Specs

Corsair hasn’t cut any corners with the 32UHD144. It's high-end in every respect. The Fast IPS Quantum Dot panel has a huge color gamut that qualifies as a Rec.2020 display. It covers over 83% of that gamut, which means it exceeds DCI-P3 by a healthy margin. I measured just shy of 117%. This is one colorful monitor.

Accuracy is provided in equal amountse. There are preset modes for Adobe RGB, DCI-P3 and sRGB, all of which aced my color gamut tests. I recorded numbers that rival the best and most expensive professional screens. There’s also plenty of flexibility, as you can calibrate each mode with its own custom color temp settings. That’s something I rarely see in any display.

Picture quality is further enhanced with an edge backlight with 16 dimming zones. You can use the dynamic contrast feature for both SDR and HDR content and see contrast ratios over 10,000:1. The 32UHD144 is also DisplayHDR 600 certified, which I confirmed in my tests.

Of course, gaming performance is important as well. To that end, Corsair provides a dynamic overdrive that varies its operation based on frame rate for more effective blur reduction. You get Adaptive-Sync with both FreeSync and G-Sync operation confirmed in my tests. The 32UHD144 has not been certified by Nvidia. A backlight strobe feature is also included that can be used instead of Adaptive-Sync.

Corsair has kept the same hardware ecosystem I saw in my review of the 32QHD165. The stand has a threaded fitting called Multi Mount that can accept peripherals like webcams or lights using parts from Elgato. Controllers like Stream Deck and iCue Nexus can be used to quickly change settings without visiting the OSD. It also features the latest video interfaces like DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.1 and USB-C. 

Assembly and Accessories

The Xeneon 32UHD144 comes in a generous box with plenty of crumbly foam to protect its contents. You’ll have to reach for a Phillips-head screwdriver to attach the panel to the upright. It then mates to the substantial metal base with a captive fastener. The cable management clips are already in place and slide up and down to keep the wiring tidy. The cable bundle includes a large external power supply plus USB-C-to-C and A-to-C, HDMI and DisplayPort. 

Product 360

You’ll be hard pressed to tell the difference between a 32QHD165 and a 32UHD144 when there is no image on the screen. The two monitors are physically identical, both panel and stand. The bezel is a thin, flush-mounted affair with a narrow 9mm frame around the top and sides and 20mm on the bottom. A small Corsair logo, the familiar sail graphic, and the name Corsair on the base are the only visible branding.

The 32UHD144’s stand is one of the best I’ve seen. The base is solid aluminum with a gray satin finish. The upright is mostly metal and rock solid. The entire chassis is monolithic in both look and feel with firm adjustments. You get 110mm of height along with 5/20 degrees tilt and 30 degrees swivel. There is no portrait mode. The panel has a 100mm VESA mount in back if you prefer to use your own hardware. Corsair will sell you the monitor without a stand for a $100 discount.

Peripheral options are something unique to the Xeneon line of Corsair displays. At the top of the stand is a threaded fitting that accepts arms from Elgato, which are sold on Corsair’s website. You can attach anything with a standard tripod thread like webcams, lights or microphones. You can also hook up a Stream Deck or iCue Nexus and create macro buttons to change monitor settings on the fly.

In the back, you’ll find a set of cable clips on the upright that slide up and down to help manage the wiring. Here too, you can see the power button and joystick, which controls all monitor functions. There is no LED lighting, nor are there integrated speakers.

The input panel has all the latest interfaces. Video can feed through a DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1, or a USB-C connection. A second USB-C upstream port is provided for peripherals, for which there are also two downstream Type-A ports. A 3.5mm headphone jack is provided as well.

OSD Features

The 32UHD144’s OSD is all business with a text-based system divided into six sub-menus. The only graphic is Corsair’s sail logo at the top. It’s summoned with a press of the joystick.

The first menu, Picture, has everything needed for image control and calibration. Standard mode is the default and out of the gate, it’s very accurate. It uses the 32UHD144’s full color gamut, which covers over 116% of DCI-P3. There are eight total modes which include gamut-specific settings for DCI-P3, Adobe RGB and sRGB. They are also extremely accurate.

The Color Temp menu has three presets plus a Custom mode specific to each picture mode. The 32UHD144 is a rare monitor with separate memories for each picture mode. That means you can create a custom calibration for each mode. I’ll explain this in more detail later, but it’s something that even some professional screens don’t offer. You also get three gamma options ranging from 2.0 to 2.4.

The overdrive has three speeds plus a dynamic option which is very effective. It varies the amount of overshoot based on frame rate. I found it cleaned up blur nicely without any ghosting. The fixed settings do create ghosting, so I avoided them. You also get MPRT which is a backlight strobe option. It operates instead of Adaptive-Sync and cuts brightness by around 30%.

The 32UHD144’s backlight is an edge array with 16 dimming zones. You can turn on the dimming for both SDR and HDR content and up the static contrast ratio to around 10,000:1.

Gaming enhancements include a frame rate counter and a set of aiming points that come in red or green with cross, dot or angle shapes.

My only nitpick with the OSD is that to turn on MPRT, you have to go into System Setting and turn off Adaptive-Sync first. This seems like a needless extra step when the AS toggle could have been added to the picture menu. The final Info screen shows resolution, refresh, HDR and Adaptive-Sync status along with the active input and the firmware version. 

Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144 Calibration Settings

There are a number of ways to optimize the 32UHD144’s picture for maximum accuracy. Out of the box, color is very close to the Rec.2020 spec, but grayscale runs slightly warm in tone. Gamma is super tight no matter what options you choose. If you switch to one of the specific gamut modes, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3 or sRGB, you get very high accuracy. The best part is the custom color temp sliders can be set independently for each mode. I’ve done this for you, and my settings are in the table below.

HDR signals lock out all picture controls, but that mode is super precise with excellent grayscale and EOTF tracking. You can see those test results on page five.

Gaming and Hands-on

The Xeneon 32UHD144 is a supremely useful display that serves equally well for work or play. As a productivity tool, it has all the attributes to help power through documents or do research, or do both simultaneously. Or you can keep a news crawl going in a corner while you watch a video. Big monitors like this can be used in a multitude of ways, and the flat panel means no image distortion. 32-inches in the 16:9 aspect is large but not overwhelming. Anything larger like a 43-inch, or wider like a 38-inch 21:9 screen and you’ll have to make some decisions about desktop space.

The picture is razor sharp like any premium 4K screen, but the color stands out. There are a few other 32-inch 4K monitors that have similarly large color gamuts, which I’ll cover in the test comparisons but suffice to say that the 32UHD144 is very colorful. You won’t find a larger gamut in this price range or in the very expensive area occupied by FALD and Mini LED panels.

I saw no benefit to running HDR for Windows productivity apps. Things like Word or Excel don’t look any different. If you want to edit HDR graphics though, it’s an easy switch in Control Panel. Though this is an HDR600 panel and thus very bright, it isn’t too harsh to show pictures in Photoshop or a graphics viewer. HDR streams from Netflix and Paramount+ shine with bright highlights, deep blacks and vibrant color. If you want to watch TV on the 32UHD144, it is more than up to the task.

There is no weakness in gaming performance here. Adaptive-Sync worked perfectly on my FreeSync and G-Sync testbeds with HDR and dynamic overdrive. This feature is one of the things worth buying the 32UHD144 for, and it is not available on many other screens. However, I didn’t see any benefit to the backlight strobe. I had to turn off Adaptive Sync, which at 100-120fps isn’t ideal, and it caused some ringing around moving objects. There were no artifacts when playing with G-Sync and dynamic overdrive, with speeds in Doom Eternal hovering around 120fps.

The 32UHD144’s low input lag definitely made a difference in my personal play experience. I play the same set of games for each review to make fair comparisons between displays and in this case, I had greater success in Doom Eternal’s Horde mode. I also had an easier time dispatching enemies in Call of Duty WWI and Tomb Raider. This is a very addicting display. I expect console gamers will be equally enamored since it’s ready for the 120 Hz VRR with HDR coming from the latest Xbox and PlayStation systems.

The rendered HDR image is stunning. I tweaked Doom’s internal picture controls and was rewarded with a foreboding and hellish landscape that burst with texture. The difference between artificial and natural surfaces was clear. This is an area where 4K is distinctly better than QHD, as long as you don’t move the mouse too quickly. Once the action speeds up, QHD at 165 Hz will look as good or better. However, knowing this did not reduce my enjoyment of the 32UHD144. It is a very capable and amazing-looking gaming screen. 

The comparison group for the Xeneon 32UHD144 is all 32-inch 4K IPS screens running at 144 Hz. We have Philips’ 329M1RV, Dell’s G3223Q, MSI’s MPG321UR-QDX, BenQ’s EX3210U and the Mini LED ViewSonic XG321UG. That last one costs around twice as much as the others. It’s here to provide a frame of reference for what you get when you buy a top-of-the-line 4K monitor. 

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

144 Hz means a 7ms screen draw time in all cases but the MSI. That one has a tiny advantage with slightly less motion blur at full speed. The 32UHD144 is in line with the others for sheer speed. It is the only one with variable overdrive, which helps up motion resolution a bit over a monitor with fixed overdrive.

It is also one of the quickest overall 4K screens I’ve measured. 30ms isn’t too far behind the capabilities of a QHD/165 Hz monitor. Though the 165 Hz screen will have smoother motion, control response and feel will be similar. The 32UHD144 is a very worthy gaming monitor that will satisfy a player’s wish for high pixel density and low input lag.

Viewing Angles

The 32UHD144 has an off-axis image typical of IPS monitors. At 45 degrees to the side, you’ll see a 30% light reduction and a shift to reddish green. The detail in shadow areas will be a little harder to make out. You can see that the 0 and 10% steps look the same in the photos. The top view is washed out with a blue tint and a 40% reduction in brightness. 

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

The 32UHD144 does well in the uniformity test with no visible glow or bleed. The light meter detected a little extra light in the lower left corner, but this wasn’t enough to be seen with the naked eye. This is clearly a quality panel built to a high standard.

To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

The 32UHD144 has no trouble exceeding its brightness spec of 400 nits in SDR mode. There is plenty of light here for any environment, including outdoors. The downside of this is a relatively narrow output range. I couldn’t get the backlight down to 50 nits for dark room gameplay. The minimum is 81 nits which is a little fatiguing if you plan to play for hours in the dark. Native contrast is an IPS average 1,050.3:1. This increases to around 10,000:1 when using the local dimming option in SDR mode.

After Calibration to 200 nits

After calibrating the Standard picture mode, contrast drops slightly to 963:1. There is no visible reduction in picture quality. There is so much color that you almost don’t notice the black levels. The image is richly saturated and detailed.

ANSI contrast is around the same level at 935.5:1. The 32UHD144 is a well-engineered and carefully built monitor with premium components and quality control. 

The 32UHD144 can be optimized in many ways using the preset color gamut modes. Standard uses the full native color space, which is close to Rec.2020. Alternately, you can select Adobe RGB, DCI-P3 or sRGB and calibrate them individually. 

Grayscale and Gamma Tracking

Our grayscale and gamma tests use Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays. We describe our grayscale and gamma tests in detail here.

Grayscale tracking is very consistent across all picture modes. Out of the box, the 32UHD144 runs a little warm in tone, but the errors are slight and only visible above 60% brightness. Gamma tracking is about as close to perfect as a monitor can get.

Calibrating the custom color temp removes all visible errors and takes the 32UHD144 to a reference level of accuracy. Gamma gets slightly lighter on the chart, but this change cannot be seen with the naked eye. I was able to achieve the same results in every gamut mode, so I’ve only included a single before and after chart here.

Comparisons

With a default grayscale error of 3.23dE, the 32UHD144 can be enjoyed without calibration. But since there is such upward potential, it makes sense to tweak a bit. I got the average error below 1dE in all gamut modes using independent RGB settings. You’ll find them in the table back on page one. The post-calibration errors for the other modes are DCI-P3 – 0.63dE, Adobe RGB – 0.58dE and sRGB – 1.06dE.

Gamma tracking is among the best in class. The range of values is super tight at only 0.06 from lowest to highest. The average value is 2.16 for a 1.82% deviation, which is also excellent. This holds true in all gamut modes.

Color Gamut Accuracy

Our color gamut and volume testing use Portrait Displays’ Calman software. For details on our color gamut testing and volume calculations, click here.

I’ve included charts showing all the 32UHD144’s gamut modes. The default measurements for Standard mode, which are set against the Rec.2020 standard, show some hue errors in red and magenta and slight under-saturation overall. Note that this is under-saturation in the Rec.2020 realm, DCI-P3 would show a general over-saturation.

If you pick a specific gamut mode, the 32UHD144 hits the marks right on the nose. You can see that every point is on target for DCI-P3, Adobe RGB and sRGB. It doesn’t get better than this.

Comparisons

I’ve charted the error for Standard mode, which uses the 32UHD144’s full native gamut. The other color modes have even lower values. Adobe RGB is 1.70dE, DCI-P3 is 1.32dE and sRGB is 1.33dE. That result exceeds many professional monitors that cost substantially more.

The 32UHD144’s near-117% coverage of DCI-P3 should be no surprise, given that it covers 83.36% of Rec.2020. That makes it one of the most colorful monitors I’ve tested. You can get similar coverage from the BenQ, MSI and ViewSonic screens with comparable levels of accuracy.

Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.

The 32UHD144 is a very capable HDR monitor with a zone dimming edge backlight. It has 16 dimming zones, which enhance contrast significantly. An HDR10 signal switches modes automatically. 

HDR Brightness and Contrast

The 32UHD144 is rated for 600 nits in HDR mode, and my sample beat that handily with nearly 700 nits of total output measured using a full-field white pattern. That’s seriously bright. In practice, you’ll only see this level in small highlight areas. Thanks to the effective zone dimming feature, black levels are relatively low, and contrast is above average at 10,875.2:1. The Mini LED ViewSonic achieves high values thanks to its incredibly bright backlight and super low black levels. But that level of performance will cost you about double the price of the Corsair and the other screens.

Grayscale, EOTF and Color

I was surprised to see a lack of image control in HDR mode. There is only a single picture mode and no means of changing color. But obviously, that isn’t a problem given the results shown above. The 32UHD144 is one of the most color-accurate HDR monitors I’ve tested. Grayscale tracking is visually perfect. The only flaw is some lightness at the lowest level. This is likely due to the speed in which the zone dimming backlight reacts to changes in picture levels. In practice, the HDR image is very deep with true blacks and very bright highlights.

In the color test, the 32UHD144 is clearly using the Rec.2020 reference for all content, even when mastered to DCI-P3. You can see in the DCI chart how green tracks toward the Rec.2020 points, which means it’s a tad bluer. This will be hard to spot in actual content, but a firmware update might be in order to ensure that color tracks correctly for the content’s reference gamut. Saturation points are linear in progression with slight over-saturation overall, not a bad thing.

In the HDR monitor category, there are three distinct tiers of image quality. Budget screens make do with no dynamic contrast and therefore have images that look much the same whether they’re SDR or HDR. At the high end where prices can top $2,000, we have full-array local dimming backlights, some with Mini LEDs, and potentially over 1,000 dimming zones. They look stunning but their prices are high.

In the middle, for $800-1,000, are monitors like the Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144. They deliver plenty of brightness and zone dimming edge backlights to get HDR contrast over 10,000:1. That’s a significant difference from the IPS typical 1,000:1. And those monitors have color gamuts just as large, if not larger, than their more expensive cousins. They are in the sweet spot of the price/performance ratio.

The 32UHD144 checks all the boxes for a premium 4K screen. Its video processing is excellent thanks to dynamic overdrive, something very few gaming monitors offer. The image is stunning thanks to that Quantum Dot film and the resulting huge color gamut. With nearly 117% coverage of DCI-P3, it qualifies as a Rec.2020 panel. Again, only a few other screens have this much color.

Corsair also heads the class in color accuracy. With preset picture modes for Adobe RGB, DCI-P3 and sRGB that are all spot-on, you can use it for the same color-critical work normally taken on by a much more expensive professional display. The 32UHD144 is a reference-level monitor.

While the price at this writing is $999 ($899 without the stand), it doesn’t cost much more than other comparable products. And its color accuracy, build quality and ability to anchor a hardware ecosystem make it stand out. The Corsair Xeneon 32UHD144 is a monitor anyone looking to go 4K should strongly consider.