The ASRock PG27QFT2A offers tremendous value for gamers who want rich colors and fast response times. All eyes are now on QD-OLEDs, but they cost four times as much as this valuable option. Let’s look closer to whether this should be this year’s value king for the 1440p gaming display segment.
ASRock PG27QFT2A Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 WQHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 24.2” x 21.4” x 10.2”
- Weight: 16.9 lbs
Design and Features
The ASRock PG27QFT2A has a more aggressive design but isn’t as flashy as the other gaming models in its category. The monitor has a matte black finish, so it still looks clean and discrete despite the aggressive shapes and lines. The display has a bezel-free design but still has inner borders like most modern displays.
It’s not a gigantic monitor, but it needs a bit more space than other 27-inch gaming monitors. The special stand needs 10.2 inches of depth, but that’s excusable since it doubles as the Wi-Fi antenna as well. It’s not too heavy at 16.9 pounds, so even some light-duty desks should be able to handle it.
ASRock’s build quality doesn’t disappoint, even if this monitor is considerably cheaper than its more established alternatives. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, so there were no cosmetic defects or signs of weakness. The stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t sag or shake on you.
The ASRock PG27QFT2A has OSD buttons instead of a joystick, but that’s acceptable because of the low price. The OSD isn’t deep anyway, but its still a bit annoying to try and access something simple like the brightness setting. Calibrating isn’t always necessary for games, but a convenient way to do it is desirable.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Pivoting wasn’t included, but that’s okay since this monitor was not meant to be used as a secondary portrait display. You can use VESA mounts, but that means you lose the built-in Wi-Fi antenna.
Its connectivity is simplified, but it still includes DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots. There are no USB ports, but you do get that Wi-Fi connector and a 3.5mm jack. Its lack of USB ports is acceptable since your PC already has them.
It also has a pair of speakers, but they only have 2 watts of power per channel. It’s nice to have built-ins, but the ASRock PG27QFT2As are tinny and incapable of bass. You can use them for basic purposes, but we recommend sticking with headphones for games and movies.
Display and Performance
The ASRock PG27QFT2A sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. It’s HDR 400-certified, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to appreciable HDR performance.
1440p is perfect for games and productivity since it upgrades the details on the screen without sacrificing legibility. It’s an upgrade over 1080p monitors, but not as overbearing as 4K on your graphics card. The category also has become more affordable in recent times, as proven by this model which costs below $200.
The ASRock PG27QFT2A covers more than 100% sRGB and 92% DCI-P3 for comfortable color coverage in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 2.89, which isn’t great by today’s standards. However, it matters less for gaming, so users won’t need to calibrate right away.
Using a colorimeter improved the dE average to 1.56 which isn’t the best, but is already usable for some editing work and content creation. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to get comparable results since merely copying settings will not guarantee the same. Its also worth noting that the monitor doesn’t have an sRGB mode, so you can’t tighten it down if you need to use it for work.
The ASRock PG27QFT2A’s backlight reached 421 cd/m2 at 100% output, so it can get blindingly bright. Its contrast peaked at 1431:1 at 35% brightness, making it comparable with some IPS Black panels in the market. Its HDR performance is still rather limited, but that’s understandable since you need mini-LED or OLED technology to make that truly happen.
Panel uniformity for the test sample wasn’t the best since there was some noticeable deviation towards the sides of the screen. There are some minor backlight leaks as well, but they are mostly noticeable when a dark background is on display. Note that this can vary between every unit made due to tolerances, so there are better ones out there.
The ASRock PG27QFT2A’s pixel response time is excellent and comparable with most Fast-IPS models we have in the market. Some overdrive is needed, but maxing it out is not recommended since it will induce overshoot. The device is great for fast-paced games, although anything below 240Hz is now considered basic for E-Sports-level applications.
The ASRock PG27QFT2A is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter-free gaming. Dual compatibility saves you money in the long run since you don’t need to buy another monitor if a GPU brand switch is in the cards, and VRR is a must-have for you. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 180Hz, so it is just as fast as its competitors when it comes to input lag.
Thoughts on the ASRock PG27QFT2A
The ASRock PG27QFT2A is an excellent choice if you want a budget-oriented gaming monitor that doesn’t compromise too much. It has just the right amount of gaming features and imaging performance, but it also includes a Wi-Fi antenna that you can’t find from other brands. It can improve your Wi-Fi signal because of the way its positioned on the monitor, so it adds more value to the purchase.
It is not perfect, but most of the downsides are minor if you consider how affordable it is. It can’t provide accurate color, but that’s not the true focus of a gaming variant. It is an excellent buy, especially if that Wi-Fi add-on is useful to you.
Pros:
- Extended Gamut Coverage
- Decent Brightness and Contrast
- Built-in Wi-Fi Antenna
Cons:
- Poor Default Accuracy
- Limited HDR
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen has the 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 and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
Leave a Reply