As gamers prepare for the jump into next-gen, their needs as far as hardware grow. What was once suitable in terms of monitors, for example, has changed. ViewSonic has a new 27-inch monitor model, the XG270QC, that can deliver crisp visuals at a high resolution and frame rate, regardless of if users are on console or PC.
The ViewSonic XG270QC is a 1440p monitor that supports 165Hz refresh rate. While not the 4K resolution that most console games boast, 1440p is the high-res standard for PC gaming. It doesn’t tax gaming rigs too much that performance suffers, and it looks gorgeous on the XG270QC.
Arguably the bigger selling point of the ViewSonic XG270QC monitor is the 165Hz refresh rate. PC gamers have been enjoying the high frame rate experience of 60FPS+ for years now, but next-gen console gamers are reportedly jumping into the pool soon. Some games are even trying to push to 120Hz, which is where a nice gaming monitor comes in.
The combination of 1440p and 165Hz is where the ViewSonic XG7270QC will be the most appealing. High resolution visuals and a high refresh rate are going to be essential when it comes to the next-generation of games, and ViewSonic’s new model offers both at a competitive price.
On top of the resolution and refresh rate, the ViewSonic XG270QC offers a 3ms response time (1ms MRPT) and PureXP technology to reduce motion blur. While resolution and refresh rate are easily communicated via visual presentation, response time is harder to explain but is still very noticeable. In fast-paced games like FPS or fighting games, a low response time is essential and it will be impossible to go back.
Visually, the ViewSonic XG270QC is beautiful. It accurately reproduces a variety of vibrant colors and delivers deep blacks without any major detail falloff. At this point, ViewSonic has been designing monitors for decades now and the company clearly has hit its stride when it comes to visuals. Whether it was old standards like Destiny 2 or more recent games like Death Stranding’s PC port, the XG270QC ensured each one was gorgeous without any major blurring or artifacting.
The design of the ViewSonic XG270QC is sleek with a little flair for the stylish. There is an RGB glow at the bottom of the monitor that allows users to match an overall aesthetic to their gaming space (should they choose) but it’s also not obtrusive enough that it clashes with the visuals on the monitor.
The XG270QC is nearly bezel-less on the sides and top, ensuring that the picture is as immersive as possible. It also works well in situations where users might have a multi-monitor-setup with two of these monitors seamlessly blending from one to the other.
The model of the XG270QC that Game Rant reviewed also included a slight curve (1500R) but the monitor is also available as a completely flat panel. Curved monitors are nice for situations where the user is looking dead on at the monitor and want to feel slightly enveloped by the picture. But it’s mostly personal preference.
ViewSonic’s XG270QC has a pretty substantial stand that is sturdy and secure but does take up a sizeable footprint of desk real estate. That’s by design, though, as the arm on the stand can adjust to meet a ton of different viewing angles. Many monitor stands lock the viewing angle in place and there isn’t a lot of freedom of motion. The ViewSonic XG270QC can swivel and tilt to meet almost any need.
The one nitpick of the ViewSonic XG270QC is that access to the ports on the bottom side of the monitor is within a deeply recessed channel. So swapping HDMI or DisplayPort cables is by no means an easy task. Those who lock in their setup won’t worry too much about how restrictive the access is, but any users who like to regularly swap inputs will find the design limiting.
Under the hood of the ViewSonic XG270QC, the monitor supports AMD’s FreeSync technology so it pairs well with an AMD GPU. FreeSync is a behind-the-scenes feature in monitors that allows it to sync up with a PC’s GPU and ensure the smoothest picture. Neither Microsoft or Sony have confirmed whether the PS5 and Xbox Series X but they both sport AMD GPUs. ViewSonic also has a comparable model that supports Nvidia’s Gsync, but the overall features are slightly better on this option.
The monitor also includes HDR400 support, which is the baseline level for the technology but is enough to give colors a little more pop on the panel. Some enjoy what HDR can offer the picture, but others find it inconsistent across a variety of games. The option is there but it’s certainly not a big selling point for the monitor.
The ViewSonic XG270QC offers a variety of menu and calibration options to meet a variety of gaming needs. There are custom game modes for popular genres like FPS and MOBA, a Blue Light Filter mode, an OverClocking option, a Hertz Limiter, and 6 different response time modes. Users that really want to dial in the settings on the monitor have a lot at their fingertips, but rest assured even just choosing one of the basic game modes is enough to make the visuals pop.
In addition to its bigger selling points, the ViewSonic XG270QC monitor has some cool bells and whistles as well. The monitor includes a mouse anchor for helping lock in the point of motion when FPS gaming and a hook on the side for hanging a headset when not in use. And while most gamers have their favorite gaming headset for PC gaming, the monitor does include a set of speakers that deliver solid audio.
ViewSonic XG270QC Specs:
- 27-inch gaming monitor with native 2560x1440 (QHD) resolution
- 1500R curvature for an immersive experience
- Certified for VESA DisplayHDR 400 for entry point into HDR gaming
- PureXP™ technology to reduce motion blur
- 165Hz refresh rate* and 3ms (1ms MPRT) response time
- AMD FreeSyncTMPremium Pro technology
- Brightness of 550 cd/m2 and wide DCI-P3 90% color coverage
Overall, the ViewSonic XG270QC monitor is a strong option for next-gen gaming. At 1440p resolution and up to 165 Hz refresh rate, the most demanding games on PC or next-gen consoles should shine on the panel. It’s bright and bold with a variety of modes that can support a variety of different games, and the colors are as vibrant as they should be. After spending over a month and testing a variety of games on the monitor, it fast became the go-to for PC and console gaming. The ViewSonic XG270QC monitor comes highly recommend regardless for current PC gamers, those looking to build a new PC, or gamers looking to prepare for the next wave of consoles.
The ViewSonic XG270QC monitor is available for $469.99 right now. Game Rant was provided a review unit for this review.