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Our tests have found no measurable difference in response time between 27-inch QHD monitors running between 165 and 180 Hz. 6ms is very quick, quick enough to negate nearly all motion blur. To see a better moving image, you’ll need to go for 240 Hz or higher. In the input lag test, the MAG274QRF-QD is the winner even though it runs at 165 Hz. The XB273U is slightly behind its stablemate, the XV272U, but only the most skilled players will be able to detect the 4ms difference. For most gamers, the XB273U is plenty fast. We never observed any hesitation when playing the most intense battle sequences.
The XB273U has some of the best off-axis image quality we’ve seen in an IPS monitor. To the sides, there was no visible color shift and brightness reduced by less than 10%. The vertical view shows a reddish-green hue and a 30% light reduction. Though you’re not that likely to share a 27-inch monitor, the XB273U is a great candidate if you must.
Screen Uniformity
To learn how we measure screen uniformity,click here.
Our XB273U sample showed slight hotspots in the corners of the screen. They were just visible in a black field pattern but disappeared at higher brightness levels. We could not see a problem when gaming. Dark areas of real-world content showed good shadow detail and smooth tonality. There were no visible issues with color uniformity.
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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.
