There was a time after I thought-about 144 Hz the place to begin for a critical eSports gaming monitor. Body fee is every thing in at this time’s twitchy titles, and quick response is the important thing to victory. However up to now two years, that benchmark has elevated to 240 Hz. Loads of FHD decision screens run at 240 Hz and don’t price lots. However when you’ve got a good video card, QHD delivers a significantly better stability of pace and readability.
I’ve reviewed some 240 Hz QHD screens already, however after I was rounding up the check numbers on my newest topic, BenQ’s Mobiuz EX270QM, I used to be shocked to search out only some such shows in my database. They’re nonetheless one thing of a rarity, and so they sit on the premium value degree. There’s quite a lot of consideration being centered on the finest 4K gaming screens proper now however in order for you the very best gaming expertise, 240 Hz will beat 144 Hz daily and twice on Sunday. The EX270QM delivers very good video processing, low enter lag, HDR, prolonged colour and Adaptive-Sync. Let’s have a look.
BenQ Mobiuz EX270QM Specs
| Panel Kind / Backlight | IPS / W-LED, edge array |
| Display Dimension / Side Ratio | 27 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Decision & Refresh Price | 2560×1440 @ 240 Hz |
| FreeSync: 48-240 Hz | |
| G-Sync Suitable | |
| Native Shade Depth & Gamut | 10-bit (8-bit+FRC) / DCI-P3 |
| HDR10, DisplayHDR 600 | |
| Response Time (GTG) | 1ms |
| Brightness (mfr) | 400 nits SDR |
| 600 nits HDR | |
| Distinction (mfr) | 1,000:1 |
| Audio system | 2x 2w + 5w subwoofer |
| treVolo Audio | |
| Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| 2x HDMI 2.1 | |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone output |
| USB 3.0 | 1x up, 2x down |
| Energy Consumption | 33.4w, brightness @ 200 nits |
| Panel Dimensions | 24 x 16.6-20.6 x 7.6 inches |
| WxHxD w/base | (610 x 422-523 x 193mm) |
| Panel Thickness | 2.8 inches (71mm) |
| Bezel Width | High/sides: 0.2 inch (6mm) |
| Backside: 0.9 inch (22mm) | |
| Weight | 16.8 kilos (7.6kg) |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
The native distinction for the EX270QM is round 1,000:1 like almost all IPS screens. However BenQ has added an efficient dimming characteristic to the EX270QM that will increase HDR distinction to over 9,000:1. That’s a step up from its earlier panels that solely supplied just a little extra dynamic vary for the most recent HDR video games and video content material. The colour gamut can be bigger than earlier BenQ fashions, masking almost 95% of DCI-P3 in my exams. Accuracy is assured as nicely; I discovered it fairly near the mark proper out of the field.
BenQ features a VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification with the EX270QM, however I couldn’t obtain that output. My pattern topped out at 474 nits which continues to be loads vibrant. And black ranges are very low because of the dimming I discussed earlier. BenQ can be one of many solely corporations to supply HDR emulation for SDR content material courtesy of an HDRi button on the entrance. Nonetheless, the ultimate output is determined by the content material being modified. It’s good to have that alternative and it’s straightforward to modify backwards and forwards to search out your private desire.
The principle focus right here is gaming, the place the EX270QM actually delivers. Amongst 240 Hz screens, that is the quickest one I’ve examined up to now. Enter lag and panel response are extraordinarily low. Overdrive is tremendous clear, and you’ll run the blur discount in live performance with Adaptive-Sync, one thing only a few screens are able to. I ran each FreeSync and G-Sync between 48 and 240 Hz with out difficulty; nevertheless, the EX270QM has not been licensed by Nvidia.
BenQ hasn’t skimped on premium options; you get a pleasant lighting characteristic with softly glowing LED strips within the again. The menu system has many enhancements and modes that give the person tons of flexibility. And there’s even a tiny distant that you just seldom see included with a 27-inch monitor. It’s also possible to interact BenQ’s Brightness Intelligence Plus to let the picture dim or brighten with modifications in room lighting. And the EX270QM is TUV Rheinland licensed with a low blue mild mode and choices for various sorts of colour blindness.
For $750 at this writing, the EX270QM isn’t precisely a cut price, however critical lovers {and professional} players will respect its characteristic set, construct high quality, and efficiency. It’s clearly meant for hardcore play.
Meeting and Equipment
The EX270QM comes nicely protected in blocks of crumbly foam in three important components, base, upright and panel. They assemble with out instruments to type a strong chassis that’s constructed to final. An exterior energy provide gives the AC, and also you get DisplayPort, HDMI and USB cables. A tiny distant additionally tumbled out of the carton, which was an surprising and nice shock.
Product 360
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BenQ’s styling is a pleasant compromise between enterprise and gaming. The EX270QM doesn’t draw consideration to itself however nonetheless has some cues just like the crimson trim on the bottom and the silver again. There are 4 LED strips organized in an X sample on the again that may mild up with varied results and in all colours of the rainbow. The OSD controls the sunshine present.
You hardly ever discover a distant management included with any pc monitor, a lot much less one which’s simply 27 inches, however BenQ doesn’t do issues like everybody else. It’s tremendous handy to click on the distant relatively than manipulate buttons or joysticks, even in a desktop atmosphere. The handset contains menu navigation, HDRi, recreation enhancements, an enter selector, sound modes and a brightness key.
Audio high quality can be one thing BenQ excels at and the EX270QM is not any exception. There are two inner audio system plus a bigger driver that delivers respectable bass via a grill within the again. It’s referred to as treVolo, and it actually is healthier than simply about every other built-in monitor audio system I’ve heard. 5 totally different sound modes ship results like cinema or dwell theater.
The stand is rock strong and features a four-inch (100mm) peak adjustment plus -5/15 levels tilt and 15 levels swivel. There isn’t a portrait mode. Behind the stand’s attachment level is a 100mm VESA mount with included fasteners.
The enter panel contains two HDMI 2.1 ports together with a single DisplayPort 1.4 and USB 3.0, one up and two downstream jacks. A 3.5mm enter helps headphones or powered audio system. A canopy snaps into place when you’ve made your connections, and you’ll thread your wires via a gap within the stand to maintain issues tidy.
OSD Options
Urgent the EX270QM’s joystick or the middle distant button brings up a handy fast menu. It’s programmable, so you’ll be able to have fast entry to often-used options. The total menu is a pair extra clicks away and contains nearly every thing one may need for gaming and picture management.
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The short menu makes switching image modes or adjusting different capabilities straightforward. It modifications with person programming or with eventualities, which is one thing BenQ provides on prime of a big set of image modes. I discover it complicated and after some trial and error, I turned the State of affairs characteristic off from the Enter menu and simply used the default RPG image mode. I’ll get into extra element about that on web page 4.
The short menu, proven within the first picture, could be custom-made for fast entry to issues like brightness, sound quantity and different image or video processing parameters.
There are ten colour modes in whole; RPG is the default. If you wish to calibrate, Customized opens up all picture controls. It’s also possible to set the sRGB colour gamut within the sRGB mode. It’s correct sufficient for color-critical work and permits brightness adjustment.
The Gentle Tuner is a gamma adjustment that tweaks the high and low components of the brightness vary. I spent a lot time attempting to straighten out the EX270QM’s gamma utilizing this and the precise gamma slider. You may see my outcomes on web page 4.
AMA is BenQ’s overdrive, which may be very efficient on setting 1. There isn’t a ghosting and shifting objects are razor-sharp. In case you favor a backlight strobe, activate Blur Discount. It dims the picture by about 50%, however you’ll be able to enhance the brightness slider to compensate. And in contrast to most screens, it doesn’t require you to show off Adaptive-Sync. It’s the most effective implementations I’ve seen as a result of it nearly eliminates the phasing artifact frequent to this characteristic. The EX270QM’s video processing is among the many highest.
TUV Rheinland certification contains crimson and inexperienced filters for colour blindness and a low blue mild mode. Additionally on this menu is the Brightness Intelligence Plus (BI+) which alters the picture brightness and colour temp when room lighting modifications. It makes use of a sensor on the underside entrance bezel to perform this.
You gained’t discover audio modes on too many screens, however BenQ takes sound extra critically than others. The modes do really sound totally different, and the treVolo-tuned audio system ship good quantity and a stunning quantity of bass power.
The LED lighting can show 5 totally different results and alter colour too. It’s present in again, emanating from 4 strips in an X sample. It isn’t too vibrant, so the impact doesn’t distract even in darkness.
BenQ Mobiuz EX270QM Calibration Settings
Calibrating the EX270QM requires a number of compromises. Shade and grayscale are correct sufficient out of the field in RPG mode that you just don’t want to vary something. However gamma is a bit wonky, with highlights which are too darkish. Adjusting the gamma slider doesn’t fully repair the difficulty, however a wonderful image could be achieved with a number of tweaks to the Gentle Tuner. If you wish to get grayscale to close perfection, use the Customized mode and modify the RGB sliders as I did. In both case, you’ll watch SDR content material within the full DCI-P3 gamut until you select the sRGB mode, which precisely renders the smaller colour area. I discovered it simpler to dial issues in with State of affairs turned off. My SDR settings for Customized are beneath. In case you keep in RPG mode, flip the Gentle Tuner all the way down to -2 for higher gamma.
HDR locks out all image controls aside from brightness. You get three further modes, DisplayHDR, Recreation and Cinema. DisplayHDR is your best option there. HDRi is an HDR emulation usable with SDR content material. That one is as much as person desire. And its impact relies on content material. I counsel attempting it out and seeing if it really works for you through the use of the button on the entrance.
| Image Mode | Customized (State of affairs Off) |
| Brightness 200 nits | 30 |
| Brightness 120 nits | 12 |
| Brightness 100 nits | 7 |
| Brightness 80 nits | 3 (min. 70 nits) |
| Distinction | 50 |
| Gamma | 3 |
| Gentle Tuner | -2 |
| Shade Temp Consumer | Purple 100, Inexperienced 98, Blue 98 |
Gaming and Arms-on
I already knew the EX270QM had a number of the finest video processing I’ve seen, so I went straight into a number of rounds of Doom Everlasting’s Horde mode. I liken gaming screens to sports activities automobiles; the very best ones go precisely the place you level them. When movement is that this clean and clear, exact intention is simpler to realize. Couple that with no perceptible enter lag, and you’ve got an esports software. The EX270QM is a monitor certain to be successful with execs and expert gamers. And people with extra informal expertise like me will profit too. I ripped via six maps earlier than I spotted the time. Taking part in in QHD at 220-230fps is the ticket to victory.
The HDR picture had quite a lot of punch and depth with deep shadows and vibrant highlights. Although I couldn’t measure 600 nits, I may see that some tiny areas have been extraordinarily vibrant. There’s loads of dynamic vary right here, for certain. With over 9,000:1 HDR distinction accessible, the EX270QM is a standout.
Shade was additionally above common each in saturation and accuracy. Objects and textures in Name of Obligation WWII have been fully life like, from pores and skin tones to the colour of metallic, grime and grass. There’s quite a lot of colour, but it surely’s by no means overblown.
Video processing is the actual star. Each FreeSync and G-Sync work with out difficulty, and it was good to have the choice of blur discount simply a few clicks away. No want to show off Adaptive-Sync, however I needed to flip up the brightness to compensate for the backlight strobe. It was very efficient and didn’t have the phasing artifact I so generally see. BenQ actually stands above nearly each different firm on this space. Solely a high-end Asus just like the PG279QM comes near the movement high quality I noticed right here.
For workday duties, a 27-inch QHD display is sort of very best. Although 4K will make fonts a bit sharper, there’s nothing to complain about when the pixel density is 109ppi. I needed to drop the sharpness setting from 5 to three to eradicate all seen edge enhancement. In any other case, Home windows apps like Phrase and Excel are very straightforward on the eyes. There’s sufficient distinction to make small textual content straightforward to learn, and there’s no grain from the anti-glare layer.
I used to be very impressed with the EX270QM’s sound high quality. BenQ’s treVolo model ups the ante for built-in monitor audio system with that additional woofer and distinctive readability. There was no audible distortion, even at full quantity. And there was loads of loudness accessible. For shut viewing, the quantity was high-quality at round 30 out of fifty clicks. The sound modes have been noticeably totally different from each other. I most popular the Pop/Stay setting for gaming and Cinema for movies.
Utilizing the distant to navigate the OSD was a pleasure. You hardly ever see remotes included with any monitor, particularly one this small, but it surely’s a pleasant bonus. It simply ups the EX270QM’s worth quotient. It’s a premium buy, however you get lots for the cash.
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