[PCM2]

You might find this thread helpful.

[Mosh.96]

Hello, this monitor is one of the cheapest options for a 2k 180hz monitors in my country, but I can barely find anything about it online, can anyone recommend it?
this is the link from AOC website https://nz.aoc.com/product/Q27G4.

[PCM2]

I’ve moved your post over here as it’s a suitable place.

That model is not available outside of the Asia-Pacific region so it isn’t one I have experience with and I don’t have any user feedback to share on it.

[jbennett360]

I might be back in the market for something after all.

Noticed a few dead pixels start to pop up on my current AD27QD, fairly prominent too.

No idea where to start looking!

[PCM2]

Our video review of the MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 is now live, as covered in this post. There’s also a comparison with the ViewSonic VX2728J-2K which I continue to recommend if you’re on a stricter budget and the MSI is a stretch.

[Zaewyn]

Hey man, what’s the difference between the Omni and the Non-Omni version of the VX2728J-2K?

[PCM2]

There isn’t a difference, it’s the same model. The VX2728J-2K is a member of the ‘OMNI’ series, but it isn’t always marketed that way.

[losttarn]

359$ Viewsonic VX2728J-2K
438$ Asus XG27ACS
399$ Gigabyte M27Q
499$ MSI MAG274QRF-QD ED2

Are the more expensive monitors worth stretching budget for? I am asking on behalf of a friend, who plays Battlefield alot and also loves DOOM (and many other FPS). Works with AutoCAD for a living.

Also for anyone wondering about the AOC Q27G3XMN/BK, the current entry level HDR monitor, feel free to ask me any questions about it. I have tested HDR with both games and movies and it’s quite pleasing. For a game called Returnal I saw some flickering (like behaviour) for this sphere, which was incredibly bright (high nits?). It was not so noticeable that it bothered me. I am sensitive to alias shimmering and fizz. Another thing I am pleased with it, compared to LG GP850-B, is that there is little to no issue like IPS glow. With the LG I had horrible IPS glow almost as if it had a blue tint over it. I also had a VA panel previously from Samsung that had something similar to that, but it wasn’t as bad as the LG. I did a test of black wallpaper in dim light now with the AOC at max brightness and I saw little to no backlight issue, it was almost as if the monitor was turned off (cursor visible only, auto hide start menu).

A question on behalf of myself, if the Q27G3XMN/BK did not have HDR how would it compare to the list of monitors above? In particular the MSI and Viewsonic, which are two you recommend.

[PCM2]

With those prices it’s difficult to recommend stretching beyond the ViewSonic, unless your friend really likes very vibrant and highly saturated colours for gaming OR specifically works in a wide colour gamut (or wishes to). This thread gives a good comparison of the MSI MAG274QRF QD E2 and ViewSonic VX2728J-2K.

I’d highly recommend watching the video reviews of the MSI and AOC if you haven’t already to truly appreciate their strengths and weaknesses and how they differ, because it includes a lot of subjective information which is far more valuable than anything I could share here. But basically the AOC is the less responsive option with weaker colour consistency (i.e. saturation weakness and gamma changes peripherally compared to centrally) and less vibrant colour output than the MSI at least. But superior contrast and far superior HDR capability. It’s a pretty straightforward trade-off.

[Zaewyn]

Thanks a lot. Between the ASUS TUF VG27AQ1A and VX2728J-2K, which one do you recommend?

[PCM2]

My recommendation for the ViewSonic is clear in this thread and the relevant recommendations page.

[losttarn]

I did watch the AOC review, maybe not as in depth as I should, but enough to glean that it was a good VA monitor with respectable responsiveness and colours. Just wondered if maybe the new MSI IPS was so good that the subjective choice of VA vs IPS fell apart and the IPS was better choice. I know I would prefer a top notch IPS panel with no IPS glow, great build quality, zero flickering over a VA that is moderately good for a VA but has amazing HDR (that IPS did not have). But I guess a VA display has to be good if its going to provide decent HDR. I don’t know if the LG 27GP850-B I had was simply a bad unit but the overall impression I got with IPS glow was that it was quite obnoxious. With AOC Q27G3XMN/BK tests I barely see anything of backlight bleed or VA glow (was pitch black with black wallpaper). I am guessing that speaks true to what you have said about flat monitors having better uniformity as opposed to curve ones? The only negative I would consider significant with the monitor is the flickering that occurs. It’s not bad but on second thought I may decide to change monitor to the MSI MAG274QRF QD E2, assuming it has no such flickering at all. I noticed the MSI has been certified for a standard called TUV RHEINLAND FLICKER-free, sounds like it’s more stricter standard than the standards that AOC has been certified for.

I made some uploads of the monitor at UHD 24fps. I dont know how well you lot can see the flicker with the compression, and also how intense flicker is can vary depending on what is being shown. Not all clips display flicker, it was to show that it’s not as bad as it may sound. The fifth clip with bright white is quite noticeable, if you wonder where to look.
https://imgur.com/a/6fgiBK9

[PCM2]

The MAG 274QRF QD E2 is truly flicker-free whereas the Q27G3XMN/BK uses high frequency low amplitude oscillation. This can be detected on camera but will not cause any visual discomfort in most individuals, including those sensitive to regular PWM. Those very sensitive to flicker may still prefer a true flicker-free experience, however.

[losttarn]

I’m getting the MSI, it’s on sale and I think I can resell the AOC for same price I paid for it (maybe more). I thought I was ok with the flicker but changed my mind on it. It will be exciting to experience the colours of an IPS that is worth putting on recommendation page. More responsiveness and better viewing angle will also be nice.

[PCM2]

It’ll certainly be a very different experience, hopefully one you enjoy.

[losttarn]

I have had IPS before, so I know what to expect, it’s just exciting to try out another and one that both HU and you recommend. But most important is really removal of the flicker. Would you say it’s worth getting a colormetre? There are two used sales for Spider3Express for 14£ and a Elite 4 at 64£.

[PCM2]

Generally – no. If you specifically require the strongest level of colour accuracy then they might might sense. But those colorimeters would be very limited with a QD LED backlight (as used on the MSI) – the sensor doesn’t have appropriate sensitivity for those. You’d need a Spyder5 or newer if going the Datacolor route to get decent gamut mapping and colour channel correction. But if you had a specific issue with the monitor, for example found its gamma iffy for some shades, even older colorimeters like that could help straighten things out.

[losttarn]

In that case I will just stick to your optimized settings. I was watching a video of the monitor, am I crazy or is that flicker?

[PCM2]

That’s because the frame rate of the video awkwardly mismatches the refresh rate of the monitor (and 180fps content being shown) and it doesn’t compensate for that in any way.

[savingstimes]

Looking into the MSI 274QPF (non-QD) currently.

Seems to use the same the same BOE ME270QHB-NF0 IPS-ADS as the MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 reviewed here, as well as the ViewSonic OMNI VX2728J-2K. (Although it’s interesting those two reviews had such a large difference in contrast despite being the same panel).

Not sure if it shares the same panel as the MSI 274QPF-QD.

Also shares the same panel as the MSI 242QPF.

The only review I could find – https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1V34y1G7CA/

1147:1 contrast. I cross checked with some of their other reviews and it seems their measurements are inline with other tests in those.
Gamma tracking is way off?
Not sure how to read EOTF. Haven’t seen this used in western review sites.
135% sRGB, 96% DCI-P3, 93.4% Adobe RGB

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