GPU: Nvidia GTX 1080 (Gigabyte GForce G1 Gaming), attached via DisplayPort. Stock clocks and fan.
First impression: solid packaging kept this monitor in perfect shape for shipping. Out of the box, the first thing I noticed was how solid the stand was, and the light weight of the monitor. Stand took 10 seconds to set up, and another 5 seconds to *click* the monitor on, which was very intuitive.
After plugging in power and display port, the monitor automatically chose the correct input and displayed Windows. Immediately noticed the crisp colors, sharp edges, and shockingly good contrast for an IPS panel. The colors, to my eye, look very accurate and I haven't changed them at all. I immediately went into the monitor settings and changed into Adaptive Sync mode (hardware vertical sync) which caused the monitor to turn black for a few seconds, then display my screen again. EASY. I also noticed that the monitor was refreshing at 144Hz in the information page for the OSD. This rate is only supported over DisplayPort, HDMI can't handle it.
The first game I fired up was Risk of Rain 2, which my GPU had a hard time keeping at 60 frames with VSync on. With Adaptive Sync, I get a solid 120+ FPS and buttery smooth action. Adaptive Sync really is one of the best features of modern day monitors.
I also tested this with Escape from Tarkov and Hell Let Loose and had the same buttery smooth picture. For FPS games, the contrast really stands out as a key feature for peering into dark rooms, or complexly shadowed environments like forests.
Pros:
* Almost certainly the best monitor at this price for the feature set (2K, 144Hz, Async)
* Amazing feature set for the price, and no goofy RGB, "gamer" stuff, icons, lights or anything like that
* Minimal setup and easy menus
* Excellent contrast
* Excellent response rate allows buttery smooth image without noticeable blur
* Automatic input detection
Cons:
* Menu buttons are on the back of the monitor, so it's hard to feel which button your fingers are placed on
* Ergonomics concerns if you're anal about monitor positioning, or need it to be vertical (you will need to buy a VESA stand)
* Minor light bleed in the corners, to be expected with an IPS panel. It's impossible to find a panel without it.
| Standing screen display size | 27 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | QHD (2560x1440) |
| Max Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1440 Pixels |
