The Pixio PXC327A or PXC327 Advanced is a sub-$300 gaming monitor with a large immersive screen that looks great for entertainment. It’s facing tough competitors like the Gigabyte G32QC, which has seen excellent sales volume since its arrival. Let’s see if this cheaper option can punch above its price point and become the new 32-inch QHD value king.
Pixio PXC3277A Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 3500:1
- Brightness: 320 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot– No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB 2.0 x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 27.99″ x 20.67″ x 9.88″
- Weight: 13.01 lbs
Design and Features
The Pixio PXC327A looks more mature than the company’s offerings, although its stand and the back panel don’t look ordinary. It has a matte black finish that won’t clash with all kinds of setups and is easy to maintain. It has a bezel-free design but still has inner borders like any modern monitor.
It’s huge for a desktop display, so you might want to measure your desk space first before pulling the trigger. It is 28 inches wide and almost ten inches deep, so it can offset some towering or deep peripherals like bookshelf speakers. But on the other hand, it only weighs 13.01 pounds, so it’s fairly easy to move around.
The PX327A’s build quality is a bit better than its predecessors, although there is still some room for improvement. The plastic panels are durable enough but feel noticeably lighter than its competitors. The stand also has some wobble, but it mostly happens when you nudge the screen or touch its controls.
The Pixio PXC327A has an OSD joystick for your convenience, unlike some of the other budget models we’ve seen. Its located at the back near the right hand edge of the screen so you can simply reach in and use it. Other budget models often go with buttons which usually take more time and effort to use properly.
The stand included in the package only offers tilt, but that’s okay since most will likely center the screen since it’s curved. Adding height adjustments would have been better, although we understand that this was done to help lower the price. You can use VESA mounts, but we recommend going with a better-equipped alternative if you still have to buy it and spend more.
The Pixio PXC327A’s connectivity layout is basic, but it does have two DisplayPort 1.4 slots and a single HDMI port. There is a USB-A connector, but it is intended for firmware updates rather than data transfers. You also get a 3.5mm jack for headphones, but there are no speakers on this product.
Display and Performance
The Pixio PXC327A boasts a 32-inch VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 320 cd/m2 maximum, while the contrast is listed at 3500:1. This model doesn’t have HDR certification, but Pixio mentioned that it is HDR-compatible so it can receive and translate signal inputs.
32-inch 1440p monitors have a looser pixel density, but the increase in pixel count is still there. It is comparable to a 24-inch 1080p screen, but objects and text are noticeably sharper and cleaner. You will also need a more powerful GPU for this, but the midrange cards have been doing great at this resolution for some time now.
The Pixio PXC327A covers over 100% sRGB and 95% of the DCI-P3 color space. However, the downside is its dismal color accuracy which had a deltaE average of 3.89. We recommend switching through the filters to see which works better for you if you won’t calibrate it.
Using a colorimeter reduced the dE average to 1.81 which is better and more balanced for any type of use. However, the gadget itself can cost as much as this monitor, so it’s not going to be worth it in most cases. We only recommend a colorimeter purchase if you are into color-critical work, but buying a better-tuned display should be your priority.
The Pixio PXC327A’s backlight reached 341 cd/m2 at 100% so it can fight off a decent amount of glare. Its contrast peaked at 3641:1 at 60% brightness, indicating that its capable of deep blacks. It’s not very good at HDR since it is not adequately equipped for it, but it’s a nice feature to play around with or test with your favorite games.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some backlight leaks at the top and bottom edges of the screen. They show up as clouding in dark scenes but are less noticeable against lighter backgrounds. This issue is common with curved displays, but there are better units out there.
The Pixio PXC327A advertises a boosted pixel response time, but it is still prone to some blurring and ghosting. It’s considerably better with some added overdrive, but be careful not to overdo it to avoid overshoot. This means that it won’t be the best for competitive gaming, but it’s serviceable compared to other VA offerings.
The Pixio PXC327A is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. It is wise to get a monitor that’s compatible with both VRR solutions so you don’t get stuck with one GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so it’s as snappy and responsive as the best out there.
Thoughts on the Pixio PXC327A
The Pixio PXC327A is a decent choice if you want an immersive screen with rich color coverage and contrast. It shows the brand’s steady level of improvement in both performance and quality. It lacks a few creature comforts, but that’s acceptable for those who want to spend as little as possible.
However, the weaknesses associated with a curved VA panel are still with this model. It’s not truly a 1ms display like the BenQ XL2566K, but again, that’s understandable since it’s a natural technical limitation of the type. Overall, you get excellent value with this monitor, but the Gigabyte G32WQC for a few bucks more is a stronger choice.
Pros:
- Very Low Price
- High Contrast
- FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible
- Fantastic gamut Color Coverage
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- Limited HDR
- Tilt-Stand
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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