Pros:
- Wide Gamut Coverage
- Excellent Contrast and Backlight
- Better HDR Performance
Cons:
- Mediocre Color Accuracy
- Bulky
- Gamma Needs Tuning
The AOC AG273QX offers a 1440p QHD display with HDR compatibility, an extended refresh rate, and lots of color and contrast. It’s almost identical to the AG273QCX, but it’s missing the C in the model name since it has a flat-screen, unlike the other variant. We’ve already seen almost the exact same specs on the brand’s offerings, but let’s check out if the fresh AOC AG273QX truly offers an upgrade.
AOC AG273QX Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 1440p QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment(VA)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio:3000:1
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes(2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 0 x 1, USB 3.0 x 4, Mini USB x 1, 5mm Headphone jack
- Dimensions: 25.15” x 22.14 x 10.53”
- Weight: 23.81 lbs
Design and Features
The AOC AG273QX recycles the aesthetics of its predecessors, but we think that the look is palatable to most, including those who like minimalist setups. The monitor has a matte black chassis with red AOC logos in the right spots. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but you will still see minimal panel borders when the display is in use.
The front appearance of the AOC AG273QX and its functionality makes it ideal for multi-monitor setups. However, we think the curve of the AG273QCX makes it a better pick since it will look smoother while the immersive factor is more felt. Of course, if you want this monitor’s upgrades over the older model, it still is a fantastic pick.
Build quality is extremely solid on the AOC AG273QX which showed no sign of weakness or cosmetic defects. The monitor is one of the heftiest in its class thanks to its virtually indestructible metal stand that has solid footing on desks. YOu won’t see uneven gaps or seams, while the materials feel premium and robust.
One of the attractive qualities of the AOC AG273QX is it includes valuable extras such as a pop-out headset hanger and the AGON GamePad which doubles as a remote. The latter makes swapping presets and adjusting a few settings easier, but there is also a joystick under the bottom bezel for your convenience. The rear panel of the AOC AG273QX features an RGB lighting ring which adds a glow to your setup so colored illumination themes will be doable.
We love the metal stand of the AOC AG273QX and the value it adds in both durability and aesthetics. The part adds a clean premium look, but its also designed to withstand a few bumps and nudges to keep the device from toppling over. You can also tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height of the screen, so customized viewing angles are always possible.
You can also swap the stand out with a VESA mount, but we don’t think its necessary in this case. Doing so will also add to the total cost of the upgrade, so unless you are putting together a space-saving multi-display setup, buying an armature isn’t needed.
The AOC AG273QX has plenty of connectivity since it doesn’t have the restrictions of the AOC AG273QCG. The I/O panel includes DisplayPort 1,2 and HDMI 2.0 for video inputs, along with a USB hub that has a total of five ports. There is also a pair of 3.5mm jacks for audio input and output, along with a mini-USB port for the AGON GamePad.
There is a pair of 5-watt built-in speakers hidden in the AOC AG273QX’s chassis for the times when your headset gets too hot to wear or if you want to sit back and relax. The drivers sound decent enough for music, video streams, or even movies, but they lack the level of detail a gaming-specific headset or an audiophile pair can deliver.
Display and Performance
The AOC AG273QX sports a 27-inch VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution, an overclocked 165Hz refresh rate, and 1ms MPRT response time. Contrast sits at 3000:1 while the backlight is rated at 400 cd/m2 for decent daily performance. This monitor is advertised as HDR-capable, but it’s limited to VESA’s DIsplayHDR 400 specifications which are usually insufficient.
QHD is the perfect solution if you have your eyes set on a 27-inch monitor if you want the best balance between the level of detail and visibility. Most wouldn’t need scaling at this point, but you also get to enjoy an upgrade in visual detail without the tremendous requirements of 4K. Some users think that the benefits presented by the higher-res diminish in this format, especially since high refresh rates require a lot of power.
The AOC AG273QX is capable of fantastic vibrancy thanks to its sRGB coverage which easily exceeds 100% and around 89% of DCI-P3. Color accuracy, however, is mediocre since the DeltaE average reached as much as DE 3.1. Color temperature is also set above the 6500K point, resulting in colder-looking whites.
The monitor cannot offer a natural look required for professional use, but it shows popping colors which we think suits the product’s purpose. Games like Modern Warfare with lots of green lasers in the night maps look much more convincing. While explosions have that orangey glow which makes them look hellish.
Another strength of the AOC AG273QX is its contrast ratio which maxes out at around 2600:1 in moderate brightness settings. The screen looks black and oily when a dark scene is on display, although the 2.3 gamma can sometimes make these images look dimmer.
The backlight on the AOC AG273QX tops out at only 385 cd/m2 for regular use, but a maximum of 570 cd/m2 was recorded when HDR is active. This model presents a considerably improved performance in HDR thanks to its higher backlight maximum, but of course, it cannot sustain it like that. Compatible games look much more convincing thanks to the minor highlights which would not even be noticeable on a regular display.
The AOC AG273QX’s VA panel is still prone to blurring, so it’s wise to utilize its overdrive feature in the OSD. The Strong setting offered the best balance in cleaning up the artifacts and ghosting which usually happens in contrasting transitions or when you pan the screen too fast. The higher setting did not show noticeable improvements, but some overshoot began to show in select sequences.
The AOC AG273QX is a FreeSync 2 gaming monitor, but it also works with G-Sync so Nvidia users can still enjoy buttery-smooth visuals. However, the monitor isn’t certified yet by Nvidia since its relatively new, but we hope AOC will eventually get it tested by the green team. Input lag sits at 5ms at 165Hz, so there is no need to worry about delays or “de-synced” instances.
Thoughts on the AOC AG273QX
The AOC AG273QX shows excellent promise when it comes to HDR performance that is within limits of VESA’s DisplayHDR 400 standards. The screen’s wide gamut coverage combined with the strong backlight and contrast performance creates stunning visuals and a level of detail you won’t see on SDR variants. The monitor is also responsive and lag-free, but it’s still prone to minimal blurring like most of the VA gaming monitors we’ve tested.
The AOC AG273QX is thoughtfully designed for gamers if you consider its valuable extras which makes it more attractive. Its a recycled look, but we don’t think its washed out or out of fashion for today’s tastes. Overall, this monitor is a fantastic pic if your focus is gaming or entertainment, but those who dabble in editing work should look elsewhere.
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.