AOC CQ27G4ZH Gaming Monitor Review: 300 Hz For Less Than You’d Expect

This is a 27-inch curved VA QHD gaming monitor featuring 300 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR10, and a wide gamut color range.

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AOC CQ27G4ZH
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(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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OLEDs are still the gaming monitor tech of choice when price is no object. They offer incredible contrast and color with perfect motion resolution at speeds over 200 fps. Prices have come down but you’re still looking at $500 plus for a 27-inch QHD model.

If you can give up a little contrast and accept a tiny amount of motion blur, there’s VA technology. This LCD variant boasts 3,000:1 on average and sometimes, you’ll find examples that top 5,000:1 like the AOC CQ27G4ZH. Not only is one of the fastest monitors you can buy for $300, but it also has a great image with superlative color and contrast.

AOC CQ27G4ZH

(Image credit: AOC)

Most fast LCDs today are IPS which has plenty of positives, but contrast is not one of them. The class average is 1,000:1 and a few of the latest panels can manage 1,400:1. Even the earliest VA panels can hit 3,000:1 and the CQ27G4ZH is one of the best I’ve measured at over 5,600:1. Its black levels are superb and thanks to spot-on gamma out of the box, you can see all the shadow detail without resorting to black boosters or other adjustments. It even peaks at 200 nits on its default settings. It’s truly a plug-and-play display.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The 300 Hz refresh rate isn’t a huge jump over the 240 Hz more commonly seen. But the CQ27G4ZH is undeniably quick. The overdrive is precise, and you get the option of backlight strobing with adjustable pulse width. That’s a rare thing at this price. I enjoyed many hours of smooth and responsive gameplay and I’m sure competition level gamers will be impressed by this monitor.

If you have the bread, buy an OLED. But if you’re on a budget, The AOC CQ27G4ZH is a very worthy alternative. It’s fast, colorful, bright and accurate. And did I mention fast. Those seeking speed on a budget should definitely check it out.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.