- Overall
The BenQ GW2765HT is another excellent middle-class QHD monitor offering from the makers of some of the best gaming monitors we have seen. The 27-inch class has become crowded in recent times, and if even if it gets difficult to discern the best, another option to consider induces healthy competition which benefits the buyer. A good all-rounder takes up a chunk of display sales, and even if the company did brand the BenQ GW2765HT as an entertainment and office work option, it still is worth it to look if it has the gaming chops its XL siblings are known for.
BenQ GW2765HT Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time:4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes 2 x 1Watts
- Stand: Height – Yes (5 Inches)
- Stand: Tilt – Yes (-5°/+20°)
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, DVI x 1, VGA x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 25.24″ x 21.85″ x 9.61″
- Weight: 15.21 lbs
Display and Features
The BenQ GW2765HT blends glossy bezels into its matte black cabinet which looks subdued but still to our liking. One thing we hate on glossy bezels is that they regularly catch fingerprints and dust, plus cleaning or wiping them could introduce hairline scratches. The bezels on each side are reasonably sized, so they do not present a huge distraction against the spacious view real estate. All the control buttons are included at a corner on the back, accessible via the right-hand side. It may take some getting used to, but each one is tactile enough and satisfying to press.
Another point we like with the BenQ GW2765HT other than its simplistic design is the consideration the designers gave to versatility. Unlike other mid-range offerings with stiff statures, this model comes with a height adjustment of five inches, plus tilt and swivel angles so you can get a perfect view. If you don’t find the included mechanism to your liking, you can always detach it and use a VESA mount with a 100 x1 00 bolt pattern.
Also, the BenQ GW2765HT comes with a port each for DislayPort, HDMI 1.4, DVI, and VGA. Frankly, even if there is only one for each, that is all you are ever going to need if you want to use this product as a central display for your work and entertainment host devices. If it were missing something, we would have liked to see USB receptacles on the I/O which would increase its value and usefulness, even if in truth, you won’t miss them.
Another downside is the included speakers which only come with 1Watt of power each. They sound tinny and weak, but you can’t expect more from a mid-range product. The good news is all of these inclusions are neatly tucked into a sleek cabinet which also includes an internal power supply which did not increase the bulge behind it. The bulk of the BenQ GW2765HT’s depth is due to its circular base, but we can’t complain about that since the screen is stable on any desk and the build quality is superb.
Display and Performance
The BenQ GW2765HT sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and 4ms response time. By this period, QHD isn’t as impressive as it used to be, but if you are coming from an FHD model, the improvement is still substantial. Images are pleasingly clean and crisp thanks to the extra pixels. The semi-gloss coating on the screen helps to enhance some colors, although different users might prefer a matte or a full-gloss treatment depending on what they are used to.
The BenQ BenQ GW2765HT has a quoted 100% sRGB gamut coverage rating, and our image tests and Overwatch session did well to bring this spec out. Although we noticed a bit of warmth and oversaturation in the yellows to reds, it shouldn’t be enough to disturb the typical usages of this product. Color temps measure around 6000K which is acceptable, and Delta E score of 2.5. Contrast is, however, excellent since it reaches 1020:1.
You can quickly correct these deviances by adjusting gamma to option 3 and finding a comfortable backlight level of around 25% to 40%. With minor tinkering, you can quickly reach a Delta E rating of 2.0 which should look better on the warmer screen on this model. After finding the BenQ GW2765HT’s sweet spot, colors instantly improved and blacks become oily while grayscale performance becomes defined. Take note that we all see and process images differently, so tweaking as necessary is still recommended.
The BenQ GW2765HT has a brightness rating of 350cd/m2, but its maximum setting reveals an actual 390cd/m2 which is too bright if you consider eye safety. Even if this monitor is flicker free, opting to use this much backlighting will strain your eyes. But sadly, this screen drops the ball in panel uniformity since there is a noticeable difference on the top corners going to the bottom. Even if the flaws are hard to spot in typical scenarios, you might notice it in darker scenes of movies and games.
As stated earlier, the BenQ GW2765HT isn’t a gaming monitor, so you can’t enjoy the benefits of features like FreeSync or G-Sync along with hyper-fast refresh rates. The measured 18ms input lag could prove to be problematic for an extra sensitive competitive gamer, although it still is under the 20ms threshold we prefer for all gaming applications. Frankly, the difference should be unnoticeable for most, but if you are coming from a gamer-grade display, that is a different story.
We noticed a few interlacing artifacts in our Overwatch test during fast-paced sequences, and thankfully, there is a way to improve this problem somehow. Adjusting the AMA or Advanced Motion Accelerator to High (middle) setting improves the blurring issues without introducing overshoot. Setting AMA too high further removes trails, but it will sometimes cause noticeable overshoot, so you are better off with the previous option mentioned.
Thoughts
The BenQ GW2765HT’s mid-range all-rounder classification proved to be accurate since it does well overall, but it does not exceed expectations in some specified departments like gaming or photo/video editing. But it’s a good thing that this model’s price is also within reasonable range, and in our opinion, the $320 or so BenQ is currently asking suits the product’s consistency in acceptable results.
If you want a decent monitor for your primary home or office needs for work, browsing, media enjoyment and then a little gaming afterward, the BenQ GW2765HT is a fitting choice. The overall design and the capabilities suited for the masses shouldn’t disappoint unless you are looking for a specified display for the two most important segments of display usage.
xonpt says
Hi, can you explain to me the difference between this one (the GW2765HT) and the BenQ PD2700Q?
They seem like the exact same model but the PD2700Q is more expensive and is labeled as “better suited for graphic work”..
But I cant figure out why, cause their features are exactly the same…
Paolo Reva says
Hi, xonpt! The BenQ PD2700Q is factory calibrated which ideally gives it better accuracy right out of the box. It’ also Technicolor certified and carries CAD/CAM features in its OSD. Cheers!
Jason says
I am using a 19inch TN Panel monitor and looking for a big upgrade. This is one of the cheapest and cool monitor available in my place. Is it worth going for it now..As it is kinda old monitor.
Paolo Reva says
Hey, Jason! We agree, the BenQ GW2765HT is a great budget monitor!
Jason says
Thank you, many e-stores say the model has been discontinued. It is worth going for a discontinued monitor?
Paolo Reva says
Of course, Jason. As long as your retailer will honor the warranty terms of your chosen product, you have nothing to worry about. Monitors rarely break with regular or even extreme usage, so unless you get a defective product which should manifest any issues or defects within the specified warranty period, you are good to go.
Jason says
Thank you so much for the help and guidance.
Paolo Reva says
Glad we could help, Jason! Good luck!
neptuniafan says
That is something you don’t see often, Benq manufacturing an IPS panel instead of the usual TN or VA panels. I thought that if Benq were to sell IPS, they would go for the AHVA panel from AUO Optronics.
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Neptuniafan, this model is actually using an AHVA panel from AU Optronics. AHVA is more or less just another name for IPS which AUO keyed in to avoid copyright infringement with LG who owns the IPS name. But they are one and the same in both technology and capability.