ViewSonic XG2700-4K 27-inch Ultra HD FreeSync Monitor Review
If you're looking for FreeSync, IPS and Ultra HD in one product, choices are slim. ViewSonic has entered this rarified category with a phenomenal effort in the XG2700-4K. This 27-inch monitor is one of the best displays we've ever tested.
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Conclusion
It looks to us like ViewSonic is hedging its bets with the XG2700-4K. Since the panel is of such high quality, there's no reason why it can't serve multiple purposes. On one hand it's a high-res gaming monitor with FreeSync. Even though it doesn't offer a refresh rate beyond 60Hz, it still puts smooth motion on the screen with reasonably low motion blur and tolerable input lag.
On the other hand, it's a professional monitor with a factory-certified calibration. If you don't require a wide-gamut option it's the most accurate display we've ever tested in the sRGB colorspace. With no adjustments whatsoever it beat most of the expensive pro screens in our database for grayscale and color accuracy. After calibration, it sits firmly on the top of the heap in those same categories. It's only in the gamma test where we found a tiny flaw. And relative to other gaming monitors, that's a non-issue.
So if you're looking for a professional monitor that is decent for gaming, we think the XG2700-4K is pretty hard to beat. But if you're in need of a great gaming screen that also has accurate color, you'll have to consider the limitations forced upon it by Ultra HD resolution.
Even though we'll have sufficiently robust interface standards eventually, there are no monitors that can currently accept Ultra HD over a single cable at refresh rates above 60Hz. Adaptive sync takes care of some of the artifacts associated with that but the XG2700-4K has a lower FreeSync limit of 40Hz. That might be an issue for those with less powerful graphics hardware. If you're gaming prowess requires the absolute lowest possible input lag, you're probably better off looking at a 144Hz product; there are more and more available in the QHD category. And IPS panels are finally becoming a factor in the gaming world.
To the more casual entertainment-seeker however, we think the XG2700-4K represents a pinnacle of color accuracy, quality and video performance. Our gaming experiences were extremely enjoyable once we dialed in the right balance of detail and framerate. FreeSync kept the action tear-free and smooth and we loved the deep contrast and vibrant color delivered by this exceptional display.
In our tests the ViewSonic set several top or near-top records for contrast, grayscale and color accuracy. That these results can be achieved without calibration is impressive; and even more so when you consider the low price tag.
As one of the most accurate monitors we've ever tested, coupled with decent gaming cred, we're giving the ViewSonic XG2700-4K our Tom's Hardware Editors' Choice Award.
MORE: Best Computer MonitorsMORE: Display Calibration 101
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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware, covering Monitors.
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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.
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picture_perfect tearing artifacts, can be very distracting, especially when the action drops below 40fps
Nope, again tearing is when FPS > refresh.
Judder is when FPS < refresh.
The cause and effect are completely different.
Basic stuff fellas. -
chuckydb tearing artifacts, can be very distracting, especially when the action drops below 40fps
And thats why I still have a hard time taking freesync seriously. -
Pailin tearing artifacts, can be very distracting, especially when the action drops below 40fps
Nope, again tearing is when FPS > refresh.
Judder is when FPS < refresh.
The cause and effect are completely different.
Basic stuff fellas.
that was one of the sillier comments I've seen in a while. -
Shankovich If you're getting a FreeSync monitor, you should have built a rig that doesn't dip past 60 for most games...Reply -
AlistairAB LG UD68, 27 inch 4K freesync, with calibrated sRGB mode, $449. Poor LG no one is taking notice, I have it and it is great! No need to spend $650 for the same monitor.Reply -
hardarse7 I don't understand why anyone would buy a 4k monitor less than 40" in size. That is four 20" FHD screens. I just bought a Samsung 50" 4k tv to use as a monitor, which is like four 25" FHD screens. It is absolutely brilliant to have so much screen space with no bezels in the middle.Reply -
makah hardarse7 your eyeballs are going to melt out of your head. like the opening of the ark ceremonyReply -
envy14tpe Why would you use a weak GPU, R9-285, to try to game on 4k? At minimum, a Fury should be used.Reply -
picture_perfect Pailin said:that was one of the sillier comments I've seen in a while.
Well they got it wrong the last 15 reviews, so somebody should say something.
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loki1944 I can't understand the appeal of 27 inch 4K; seems small for that rez. 27 inches is good for 1440p surround, but once I have the gpu grunt for 4K surround I'd be more interested in 30-32 in monitors.Reply