27" 1440p monitor recommendations?

[tabascosauz]

Looking for some recommendations from people who have good experiences with their 27" 1440p monitors.
My GW2765HT is accurate and consistent but getting kinda long in the tooth, also kinda lacking on brightness, probably better as secondary monitor. Good sRGB performance is a must, but kinda interested in Adobe RGB, ngl.

Requirements:

• 27"
• 2560x1440
• 120Hz+ refresh rate, tbh won't be hitting 120fps in all games, but the next step down is 75Hz
• IPS (no VA please)
• Good sRGB color performance out of the box
• 75x75 or 100x100 VESA holes
• Not curved
• Not ultrawide
• $650 CAD or less

Needs to be something I can get here in Canada. Preferably from Memory Express, Amazon.ca or Dell.ca, but I can't always be picky.

Current contenders are in the poll. I'll go back and add any good suggestions I've missed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[80-watt Hamster]

My vote for the Dell isn't in entirely good faith, since I have the prior version. But its biggest flaw (saturation gradient due to vertical viewing angle) should be fixed with the new panel. Dunno about its second biggest flaw, though: the awful control panel buttons. I'm also biased because I like Dell monitors overall, the Ultrasharp line in particular.

 

[AltCapwn]

Can't help you choosing a monitor as my knowledge is pretty limited in terms of panel quality, etc... Tho I'm very satisfied with my Acer, and there's the exact same model as mine but not 21:9. Might check it out. Priced at 350$, tho it's 75hz 5ms and I'm not sure about the color performance. My guess is that it's not professional grade.

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/acer-27-1440p-wqhd-75hz-5ms-gtg-ips-led-monitor-cb272u-smiiprx-black/14763272

I purchased all my stuff on bestbuy.ca, they got some very nice deals.

 

[tabascosauz]

My vote for the Dell isn't in entirely good faith, since I have the prior version. But its biggest flaw (saturation gradient due to vertical viewing angle) should be fixed with the new panel. Dunno about its second biggest flaw, though: the awful control panel buttons. I'm also biased because I like Dell monitors overall, the Ultrasharp line in particular.

I am also a big Dell fan, but am a little hesitant after my experience last (last?) year with the U2719D. I got a panel with bad uniformity down the middle, then I sent it back and they gave me a panel with bad uniformity down the right side. So both went back.

But I do love Dell's online returns and 3-year "premium" replacement (Ultrasharp and monitors like the S2721DGF). I still have a U2515H in storage across the pond - they really do have the best stock stands, I would use them if I didn't have 2 VESA arms.

S2721DGF is a little out of my budget if it's not on a big sale though, and even at $600 it's towards the top end of my budget.

Can't help you choosing a monitor as my knowledge is pretty limited in terms of panel quality, etc... Tho I'm very satisfied with my Acer, and there's the exact same model as mine but not 21:9. Might check it out. Priced at 350$, tho it's 75hz 5ms and not I'm not sure about the color performance. I guess it's not professional grade.

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/acer-27-1440p-wqhd-75hz-5ms-gtg-ips-led-monitor-cb272u-smiiprx-black/14763272

I purchased all my stuff on bestbuy.ca, they got some very nice deals.

Personally I think that if it's 75ms nowadays it's gotta have *outstanding* guaranteed out-of-box sRGB performance, or good sRGB and good Adobe RGB performance for me to consider it worth the money. Thanks for the suggestion though, I'll look at it.

Before the Dell adventure, I got a sale price 27UL550-W from Best Buy (literally up the road) and returned it one the next morning for poor brightness all down both edges of the screen, so maybe I am cursed I definitely will consider Best Buy for the convenience of being next to them and easy returns.

After the U2719D and 27UL550 ordeal I really wondered if thin-bezel monitors are just doomed to have poor uniformity. My 5-year-old BenQ GW2765HT has damn near flawless uniformity, and has great sRGB performance to top it off. Same with my 6-year-old U2515H.

 

[Batou1986]

I have the S2721DGF its a good monitor once calibrated otherwise its a bit yellow like every TN panel, definitely dont pay more $350 USD/$450 CAD for it.
Adobe RGB is worthless unless you are shooting in ARGB and printing in ARGB as nothing else supports ARGB properly

 

[tabascosauz]

I have the S2721DGF its a good monitor once calibrated otherwise its a bit yellow like every TN panel, definitely dont pay more $350 USD/$450 CAD for it.
Adobe RGB is worthless unless you are shooting in ARGB and printing in ARGB as nothing else supports ARGB properly

I think we might be thinking of different monitors. The S2721DGF is IPS. The S2716DG and S2719DGF are TN.

 

[vbq7qK68eyYAH4iR]

I bought a Dell S2721DGF in November 2020. It has been a good monitor. I had concerns about some backlight bleed, as i saw people on Dell's website complain about the issue, but mine was perfect. My only remark on the monitor, and i don't know if this applies to all HDR monitors, but the panel and front bezels can get warm. This might be becuase it's running far brighter than i'd normally manually set a monitor, so i haven't noticed it on previous screens. I certainly don't have that issue on my ancient U2713HM.

I would certainly buy the S2721DGF again.

 

[evernessince]

The LG monitor has better colors and black uniformity. The Dell has slightly better g2g. Both have abnormally poor contrast ratios.

I can't find any info on the iput lag of the Dell but the LG monitor has very low input lag, one of the lowest of any 27" monitor in fact

LG 27GL850 review - TFTCentral

27" 1440p high refresh rate IPS gaming display from LG. With a DCI-P3 gamut, 1ms G2G response time spec and 144Hz refresh rate

www.tftcentral.co.uk

It's pretty disappointing for either TBH. I've had the Acer xb270hu for years and it's still as good as any of these 27" gaming monitors coming out: https://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/acer_xb270hu.htm#viewing

You have to pay upward of $700 to get a 240 Hz 1440p monitor and even then first gen models have their compromises.

 

[Batou1986]

I think we might be thinking of different monitors. The S2721DGF is IPS. The S2716DG and S2719DGF are TN.

woops your right i got the numbers mixed up

 

[tabascosauz]

The LG monitor has better colors and black uniformity. The Dell has slightly better g2g. Both have abnormally poor contrast ratios.

I can't find any info on the iput lag of the Dell but the LG monitor has very low input lag, one of the lowest of any 27" monitor in fact

LG 27GL850 review - TFTCentral

27" 1440p high refresh rate IPS gaming display from LG. With a DCI-P3 gamut, 1ms G2G response time spec and 144Hz refresh rate

www.tftcentral.co.uk

It's pretty disappointing for either TBH. I've had the Acer xb270hu for years and it's still as good as any of these 27" gaming monitors coming out: https://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/acer_xb270hu.htm#viewing

You have to pay upward of $700 to get a 240 Hz 1440p monitor and even then first gen models have their compromises.

Placed an order for a S2721DGF. After another coupon it's right on with the current exchange rate for the $464 USD price right now. Eh, I've seen better and I've seen worse in terms of Dell deals.

In the end it ended the way it started as a tossup between the S2721DGF and M27Q. The M27Q does have a lot going for it (including the price), but I can only get it from Canada Computers - no easy returns unless defective. Reading the recent user anecdotal reviews (a stark contrast compared to the glowing reviewers' takes), I just wasn't willing to take the chance on the newcomer (Gigabyte) with the retailer that has a mediocre reputation for returns (CC, technically I haven't had any issues with returning defective RAM and boards, but that's must easier for me to confidently present as being defective). If Amazon or Memory Express had the M27Q I would've given it a shot.

I did read about the contrast ratio but I don't care too much about that. I'll have the GW2765HT to the side so we'll see if the lack of sRGB clamp is a deal-breaker that can't be solved via ICC or turning down the contrast/brightness.

 

[Night]

LG 27GL850 all the way, it was the one I was going to get but it ran out of stock. There's also a cheaper variant with classic IPS panel, though I do like how NanoCell works on my TV. https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27gl83a-b-gaming-monitor

Edit: Never mind, as you already made an order.

 

[evernessince]

Placed an order for a S2721DGF. After another coupon it's right on with the current exchange rate for the $464 USD price right now. Eh, I've seen better and I've seen worse in terms of Dell deals.

In the end it ended the way it started as a tossup between the S2721DGF and M27Q. The M27Q does have a lot going for it (including the price), but I can only get it from Canada Computers - no easy returns unless defective. Reading the recent user anecdotal reviews (a stark contrast compared to the glowing reviewers' takes), I just wasn't willing to take the chance on the newcomer (Gigabyte) with the retailer that has a mediocre reputation for returns (CC, technically I haven't had any issues with returning defective RAM and boards, but that's must easier for me to confidently present as being defective). If Amazon or Memory Express had the M27Q I would've given it a shot.

I did read about the contrast ratio but I don't care too much about that. I'll have the GW2765HT to the side so we'll see if the lack of sRGB clamp is a deal-breaker that can't be solved via ICC or turning down the contrast/brightness.

I personally wouldn't risk Gigabyte either. Their QC is very hit or miss.

I don't know why Dell doesn't advertise it but many of it's S model gaming monitors come with a premium panel guarantee. If you have any dead pixels, you can RMA for a new one. Last time I did (this was years back) they paid shipping both ways.

 

[tabascosauz]

LG 27GL850 all the way, it was the one I was going to get but it ran out of stock. There's also a cheaper variant with classic IPS panel, though I do like how NanoCell works on my TV. https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27gl83a-b-gaming-monitor

Edit: Never mind, as you already made an order.

HWUB is saying that the S2721DGF uses the exact same panel as the 27GL850, so they perform similarly all the way down to the poor contrast ratio (lol). I did look at the 27GL83, but after my experience with the 27UL550-W I don't have the best impressions of LG's budget monitors.

So in terms of visual performance, with the exception of a single vote for the MSI quantum dot so far, all 7 votes have been for the same monitor

There is one big difference though - the S2721DGF has an internal power supply like most if not all Dells. In true LG fashion the 27GL850 and 27GL83 have the dinky little barrel connector and external brick that I HATE

I personally wouldn't risk Gigabyte either. Their QC is very hit or miss.

I don't know why Dell doesn't advertise it but many of it's S model gaming monitors come with a premium panel guarantee. If you have any dead pixels, you can RMA for a new one. Last time I did (this was years back) they paid shipping both ways.

Yep, I saw that on the product page, helped give me the final little push. That's the same policy that made my first U2719D return a breeze as well, didn't pay a cent in shipping for both monitors. I probably wouldn't buy my 2012 XPS 8500 or 2018 XPS 13 again, but when it comes to monitors I'm much more a believer in paying the Dell tax for the exchange policy and the 30 day return window.

 

[evernessince]

Yep, I saw that on the product page, helped give me the final little push. That's the same policy that made my first U2719D return a breeze as well, didn't pay a cent in shipping for both monitors. I probably wouldn't buy my 2012 XPS 8500 or 2018 XPS 13 again, but when it comes to monitors I'm much more a believer in paying the Dell tax for the exchange policy and the 30 day return window.

It's funny, I used to have that monitor as well. Had to RMA it like 3 times due to cross hatching issues. That said it was extremely easy. Can't say I'd ever accept a monitor that came new with a dead pixel. They should sell dead pixel units at a discount, not force them on customers.

 

[80-watt Hamster]

There is one big difference though - the S2721DGF has an internal power supply like most if not all Dells. In true LG fashion the 27GL850 and 27GL83 have the dinky little barrel connector and external brick that I HATE.

Oh good, so it's not just me. Power bricks for monitors can die in a fire.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Mate of mine got the Dell, he's very happy with it, but apparently it's a bit fiddly to set up. That or he didn't know what he was doing...
Got an "old" Dell U2515H that my SO uses when she works from home and it hasn't missed a beat since I got it.
The connectivity that Dell offers on their slightly more premium screens is unbeatable.

Oh good, so it's not just me. Power bricks for monitors can die in a fire.

They might, considering more than one power brick has caught fire over the years...
Hating the one sitting on my floor right now...

 

[Night]

Yeah actually regarding the bricks... I had to return a Samsung monitor because of it, the power supply was making a high pitched noise, so it was unbearable at night, couldn't sleep because of it.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Yeah actually regarding the bricks... I had to return a Samsung monitor because of it, the power supply was making a high pitched noise, so it was unbearable at night, couldn't sleep because of it.

Coil whine, doesn't have anything to do with the power supply being a brick or built in.

 

[Night]

Coil whine, doesn't have anything to do with the power supply being a brick or built in.

Don't know, of 5 monitors I used that had built in power supply, I never had that issue.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Don't know, of 5 monitors I used that had built in power supply, I never had that issue.

It's a component or design issue. It can happen in all power conversion circuits.

 

[kapone32]

I have the Gigabyte 32QC and can tell you it is is great monitor. It's my first VA and i am definitely impressed. The contrast ratio is real and this monitor is a joy to use in the dark.

 

[Vendor]

i like lg, my brother has a nice 1080p IPS monitor by them but if it's that cheap for the dell monitor in sale and you desperately want to save some money then get that instead

 

[tabascosauz]

I have the Gigabyte 32QC and can tell you it is is great monitor. It's my first VA and i am definitely impressed. The contrast ratio is real and this monitor is a joy to use in the dark.

I did say no to VA in the OP lol I did take a look at the G27QC (my friend recently bought the IPS G27Q (M27Q without KVM, essentially), unfortunately the G27Q has 0 availability now), but not too much a fan of VA compared to IPS. I have a GW2265 as my secondary monitor right now, and while it is quick and responsive the colours just aren't nearly as good as the IPS panels I have. It's got good contrast ratio and black depth, but the IPS GW2765HT next to it is equally good so if I really need the contrast for some odd reason, I'll probably just drag the window onto the big BenQ.

I don't usually use my monitors in "the dark" per se, I have a frosted lamp with a smart bulb behind my monitor to alleviate eyestrain a bit and 2700K table lamps off to the side as well. A lot of things are on dark theme right now, but very few aside from Windows apps are on an actually black background. The 27UL550 that I had for about a day had poor contrast ratio as well, but I really didn't mind (perhaps maybe even liked) the rather washed out blacks. Besides, I don't shoot photos in the darkness and then crank the contrast up 500%

 

[GerKNG]

LG 27GL850​

no doubt the best monitor i've ever had!

 

[jboydgolfer]

ive got 2 of the Dell Gaming 27" monitors with Gsync. they suffer a engineering flaw, where a vertical line appears occasionally due to refresh rate de-sync, but its easily fixed by changing the resolution , then clicking 'do not apply' , even restarting the display driver with Cntrl+Shift+WinKey+B fixes it.

i paid less than $600 for two of them on sale , if you can get them cheap theyre good, im pretty sure the dell you listed is the same model, but i wouldnt pay over $300 for one.