KTC H27P3 27-inch 5K dual-mode gaming monitor review: Incredible pixel density and flexibility

It’s color accurate out of the box.

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KTC H27P3
(Image credit: © Tom's Hardware)

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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 H27P3 supports HDR10 signals with an automatic switch. It works in either 5K or 2K mode over the DisplayPort and USB-C inputs.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

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KTC H27P3
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The H27P3 is certified for DisplayHDR 400, and it exceeds that spec but is a little less bright than its competitors. It still has plenty of punch, though, and the incredible pixel density uplevels perceived sharpness by a significant amount. There is no dynamic contrast available, so the ratio is only slightly better than SDR, 2,116.3:1. That’s better than three of the others here, so this choice by KTC is a typical one for value-priced screens. The top two monitors are more expensive, so a better HDR experience is expected. But the H27P3 holds its own.

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Grayscale, EOTF and Color

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KTC H27P3
(Image credit: Portrait Displays Calman)

I noted a few issues in the HDR color tests. Grayscale tracking is just fair with some green tint noted above 50% brightness. The EOTF tracks darkly below the tone-map transition. This effectively clips some shadow detail. Levels from zero to 20% are the same, which means you’ll only see black in the darkest parts of the image. If your game or video player includes HDR tweaks, you’ll need to enable them to see the full picture. I was able to do this effectively in Doom Eternal.

There is some clipping in the color test as well. Look at the 100% green and red squares. The measured points for 90 and 100% are both crowded into them. That means there will be some color clipping in the most vivid scenes. Inner points are around 20% oversaturated, which gives the image a lot of punch, but some highlight detail is lost. Again, you can compensate using game or player menus as I did. In the BT.2020 test, the H27P3 runs out of color at 90% red, 80% green, and 95% blue.

Test Takeaway: The H27P3 has a few HDR tuning issues that I noted in the color tests. But it is bright and contrasty with deep blacks and sparkling highlights. HDR quality is enhanced by its next-level sharpness. And you can get that detail back if your software offers adjustments like Doom Eternal’s menu does. My main wish was for dynamic contrast, which was absent.

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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.

1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • voyteck
    On paper, it’s an almost perfect all-rounder, except for the barely functional stand and (probably) the lack of a white version.

    By the way, pixel density isn't only about whether you see individual dots or not; text on, say, a Full HD 15-inch laptop is distorted in the same way as on a 27-inch Full HD monitor (and you sit close enough to notice this just as clearly, provided the scaling remains the same.) And the Ultra HD resolution is not enough even on a 27-inch display since you can easily see that the same letter has different widths. Then come two words: font optimization.

    Although now I wonder if I'd like to play at QHD @ 120Hz in the era of DLSS and frame generation. Since there are still no 5K @ 120Hz displays I think I will stay with UHD, even if I would love to have 5K for copy editing.
    Reply