The Asus ProArt PA27JCV breaks all norms for 4K monitors by offering impressive specifications at a lower cost. Its MSRP isn’t exactly cheap, but it bridges the gap between the different ProArt models, which are comprised of both high-end and budget models. Let’s take a closer look to know if it’s the right monitor for your editing setup.
Asus ProArt PA27JCV Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 5120 x 2880
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m² (500 cd/m² Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand : Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 1, USB-C x 1, USB 3.2 x 5, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.1” x 21.1” x 8.5”
- Weight: 13 lbs
Design and Features
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV has a simple aesthetic, but it does have some elements that set it apart from the brand’s other models. The monitor has a sleek matte black and silver combination, so its well suited in a studio or an executive’s office. The screen has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern displays.
It’s not a gigantic monitor, so fitting it into most work desks should be no trouble at all. It’s still two feet wide and 8.5 inches deep, so some bigger peripherals might need to move a bit to accommodate it. The monitor only weighs 13 pounds, so it’s portable enough to be moved around as needed.
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV is lighter than its predecessors, but its build quality did not wane. The plastic panels are thick and sturdy, plus there were no cosmetic defects like uneven seams on any of them. The included stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t sag or shake unnecessarily.
One downgrade we see here is the monitor’s use of buttons for the OSD instead of a more convenient joystick. The keys are located at the front on the right of the bottom bezel, so you can see and directly access them. Other high-end models include remotes, but those are mostly unnecessary, and they raise the price too.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Its easy to get a comfortable view with the stock setup, and you can expect it to keep that angle until you adjust it again. The monitor is VESA compatible, but the added purchase is only necessary in select instances.
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV’s connectivity includes modern DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.1, and a USB-C port. You also get five USB 3.2 ports and a 3.5mm jack for accessories, so clean cable management is possible. The monitor covers every input need, allowing users to utilize it seamlessly with modern devices like MacBooks.
You also get a pair of 2-watt speakers, unlike other business monitors in the market. The sound quality leaves a lot to be desired, but that’s always true with most built-ins in the current monitor market. Headsets or desktop speakers will serve you better, but it’s always nice to have a backup set.
Display and Performance
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 5120 x 2880 5K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output and a 500 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1500:1. This model is HDR 500-certified, but it doesn’t come equipped with mini-LEDs for true HDR effects.
5K on a 27-inch screen is not for users with poor eyesight since it’s so sharp and crisp. It can get difficult to read walls of text unless you use scaling. This will require a high-end GPU for games, but thankfully, it was designed for uses other than that.
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV covers more than 100% sRGB and 99% DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.09, so its already accurate out of the box. It’s ready for editing and creative duties right away, even if you switch between its color presets, which are also excellently factory-calibrated.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.47, making it even more suited for professional use. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter that can do multiple gamuts to achieve the same results. It is worth it if you will use this monitor for work or business, but it can be a later purchase since this monitor can be expensive for some.
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV’s backlight reached 549 cd/m2 at 100%, so it can get blindingly bright. Its contrast peaked at 1379:1 at 30% brightness, so it’s basically better at black luminance than its counterparts. However, VA and OLED variants will still be better in that regard, so it’s still incapable of true blacks.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was excellent since there were no backlight leaks on the panel’s edges. There is some variance in the backlight’s spread, but it’s only noticeable during dark or all-black scenes. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better and worse units out there.
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV’s pixel response time is decent since it’s not prone to too much ghosting or smudging. However, it’s not ideal for fast-paced games since it’s also limited to 60Hz. You can get decent mileage out of this monitor for casual play, but there are better options out there if you plan to game on it as well.
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV doesn’t have FreeSync or G-Sync like its ROG counterparts. VRR would come in handy since 5K will be devastating on your framerates, but we’re okay with not having it since it is not designed for gaming. Its input lag sits at 10ms at 60Hz, so it is still decently responsive for most uses.
Thoughts on the Asus ProArt PA27JCV
The Asus ProArt PA27JCV is a fantastic choice for professionals who want a sharp monitor with fantastic image quality. All of its presets are already refined out of the box, so most users won’t need to do anything with it. It is built quite well compared to other prosumer monitors, so you are getting your money’s worth,
There are some limitations, such as the Asus ProArt PA27JCV’s lack of essential features like VRR. However, the biggest disappointment here is the limited HDR feature, which isn’t effective enough to merit use. It’s an excellent buy for business or studio use, but it’s strongly limited to that.
Pros:
- Fantastic Color Accuracy
- Sharp 5K Screen
- Excellent Build Quality
- Plenty of Connectivity
Cons:
- Limited HDR
- Only 60Hz
- No VRR
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’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.
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