The BenQ EX2710Q is a premium fast IPS gaming monitor designed for discerning enthusiasts who want the best performance. This model is the 1440p variant of the EX2510s and EX2710s which we loved even if they weren’t the cheapest option in the market. Let’s see if the high price you have to pay for the BenQ EX2710Q is worth it when it comes to gaming and imaging performance.
BenQ EX2710Q Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes(2 x 2 Watts + 5 Watts Woofer)
- Stand: Height -Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.21” x 20.7” x 9.9”
- Weight: 16.3 lbs
Design and Features
The BenQ EX2710Q looks both sophisticated and gamer-centric with its blend of sleek lines and well-coordinated accents and colors. The monitor has a matte black finish that has gray and red accents which distinguishes it as a gaming display without making it too gaudy. The display is bezel-free so you get a nice clean screen to enjoy without distractions.
The monitor’s dimensions are modest even if its stand looks oversized for a 27-inch display. It only needs 9.9 inches of depth, while the V-shaped base leaves plenty of space in the middle for your smaller peripherals. It’s not that heavy at 16.3 pounds, but you’ll notice its heft once you hold it up due to its reinforced frame and thick panels.
Build quality for the BenQ EX2710Q is great thanks to its robust design and premium materials. The plastics feel thick and sturdy so they won’t flex or crack easily with a moderate amount of force. The stand is firm and stable so it won’t wobble or sag on you while you are in the heat of battle.
The package doesn’t include a remote as the EX3415R does despite the higher price for this option. You get a responsive OSD joystick instead, which is okay considering it’s very easy to use compared to buttons. You also get dedicated buttons for its special features such as HDRi so the monitor is beginner-friendly compared to other offerings.
You will also notice a black notch on the bottom bezel where most monitors place their branding or logo. This part conceals the light sensor which dictates how its Brightness Intelligence Plus and HDRi features adjust the screen. It’s nice to have, but it can offset your calibration settings if you manually tweaked the display.
The stand included with the BenQ EX2710Q offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your convenience. It’s easy to get a comfortable angle even if pivot is missing, although that’s okay since this monitor wasn’t designed to be a portrait display on the side. You can go with VESA mounts, but it is unnecessary unless your desk is small or if you have multiple monitors on deck.
This model also has the standard connectivity layout you would see on its 1080p siblings in the Mobiuz lineup. You get DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, along with three USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm analog jack. We’d like to see USB-C with this monitor to enhance its flexibility, especially since it isn’t quite cheap.
One of the BenQ EX2710Q’s special features is its treVolo-tuned built-in speakers which sound better than most. It has dual 2-watt drivers like the usual, but what makes it unique aside from the treVolo treatment is its 5-watt woofer. Most monitors can’t offer improved audio like this so it’s worthy of consideration if you don’t already have desktop speakers.
Display and Performance
The BenQ EX2710Q sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output and a 400 cd/m2 peak while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model supports HDR10 and HDR 400 standards, along with BenQ’s HDRi tuning for its gaming monitors.
A 27-inch 1440p monitor like this is the perfect sweet spot if you want something that’s sharper without sacrificing visibility and legibility. Games look noticeably cleaner and crisper and text or small objects aren’t too difficult to discern even if you don’t use scaling. Your GPU requirements will surely climb, but this resolution isn’t as demanding as 4K so you can reach the maximum refresh rate most of the time.
The BenQ EX2710Q renders 100% sRGB and 95.1% DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. its color accuracy isn’t perfect out of the box with its 2.97 deltaE average, but that’s normal for some wide gamut panels. Most users won’t notice the color errors unless they use a colorimeter or have a better monitor to compare it with.
Calibrating it reduced the deltaE average to 1.12 which is excellent and almost on-par with the results we see on prosumer displays. However, you need a colorimeter to get a similar result instead of copying settings from reviewers and the internet. No two panels are made equal, and colorimeters are impractical if you are only using the monitor for gaming.
The BenQ EX2710Q’s backlight reached 267 cd/m2 in SDR and 399 cd/m2 when it’s HDR mode is active. Its contrast ratio on the other hand only managed to reach 925:1 at 60% brightness, so you can’t expect deep blacks from this model. You can use its HDRi feature to enhance some scenes, but it is inconsistent and very dependent on the lighting of your room.
Panel uniformity for the BenQ EX2710Q review unit is excellent since there were no considerable backlight leaks or clouding issues. There is a slight variance in its spread from the hotspot, but only the colorimeter picked it up. Note that this aspect varies between every unit due to panel qualities and tolerances, so there are better monitors out there.
One of this monitor’s strengths is its pixel response time which is comparable to many of the fast-IPS monitors already on the market. You can use its AMA feature’s number 2 setting to reduce the minor persistence and trails that can still show up. It works great for competitive gaming since you don’t have to worry about distractions in this regard.
The BenQ EX2710Q is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync so you don’t have to worry about losing VRR for demanding games. GPUs are hard to come by nowadays, so it’s important not to be locked with one brand when shopping for one. Input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz so the monitor doesn’t have delays or “de-synced” instances during crucial moments.
Thoughts on the BenQ EX2710Q
The BenQ EX2710Q is a great gaming monitor that offers plenty of features along with a pleasing gaming experience. Its vibrant and fast IPS panel works great in just about any type of game, but it needs some calibration to make it better and suited for professional tasks. We like the overall aesthetic of the monitor which is distinct yet not as gaudy as some of its competitors from other top-tier brands.
The biggest issue we have with this monitor is its price which is simply too high when compared to identical options like the Asus VG27AQL1A. it does have unique capabilities like its HDRi feature, but you’d expect more functional add-ons like USB-C or better factory tuning for it. It’s a good buy in our books, but we’d wait for a sale or discount first to avoid the high premium.
Pros:
- Attractive Design with Plenty of Features
- Better Speakers
- Fast and Vibrant IPS Panel
- FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited Contrast and HDR Performance
- No USB-C
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 junior high. 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.
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