The RCA Evolution M27PG135F joins the foray of high-speed monitors with premium specs and affordable pricing. 240Hz QHD monitors have become widely available now, but most of them are above $500 and are without other high-end add-ons like USB-C. It’s RCA’s first time in the gaming display business, so let’s see how they fared with this new model.
RCA Evolution M27PG135F Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: Yes
- 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 2.0 x 2, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.25” x 20.64” x 11.5”
- Weight: 12.1 lbs
Design and Features
The RCA Evolution M27PG135F starts off like a regular monitor, so it doesn’t stand out against its competitors. It has a matte black finish with a red accent, along with RGB lights at the back, for a bit of customization. The bezels are thinner on this model, so you get a nice and obstruction-free view of the screen.
The packaging for the monitor did not feel “premium” like the variant’s moniker, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot. What matters more is that the device is well-protected and easy to unpack to avoid accidents. Assembly is easy since the arm snaps onto the chassis readily, but the base needs to be attached using three screws.
There isn’t a whole lot in the box with the device itself, but that’s fine since it’s priced low to be competitive. You only get the power brick and wire and a DP 1.4 cable in there, along with the user manual. You can use HDMI if you buy one, but we only recommend that for consoles since HDMI 2.0 will limit you to 144Hz.
The RCA Evolution M27PG135F isn’t bulky, but it needs almost a foot of depth when it is fully assembled. The metal base has slim arms, but it takes up more of your desk than it should. The monitor also doesn’t weigh a lot for its size, but it’s not as portable as the other budget models out there.
The monitor’s build quality is outstanding, thanks to the brand’s experience in manufacturing almost every appliance out there. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, and there were no signs of defects like uneven seams and gaps. The stand is stable and firm, so the screen only wobbles when you hit it accidentally or use its joystick.
We like that the RCA Evolution M27PG135F has a single joystick for all its features and functions. It’s at the back, so you can’t see it, but it’s easy to reach since it’s near the right-hand side when facing the screen. We’ve seen deeper implementations, but a joystick plus a responsive and well-laid-out OSD is all that’s needed.
One of our favorite parts of the RCA Evolution M27PG135F is its connectivity layout. It includes the usual DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 combo, but it also has a 90-watt USB-C for modern laptops like MacBooks. Note that the 240Hz output is only possible on the DP and USB-C slots since the HDMI ports are limited to 144Hz.
You only get two usable USB 3.0 ports along with a 3.5mm jack, but that’s fine unless you’d rather route all your peripherals to the monitor. It also includes a pair of built-in speakers, although they are more for basic purposes. A display like this deserves gaming headsets, which will be better for immersion and focus.
Display and Performance
The RCA Evolution M27PG135F “Premium” model boasts a 27-inch Fast-IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS panels. This model doesn’t have HDR certification, but it is compatible with HDR10.
This monitor also did not have any issues running its 240Hz output and VRR when using its USB-C slot. It has plenty to keep our Asus Zephyrus M16 topped up, although it can fall a bit short, depending on how demanding the game is. Other tasks should be fine, especially when you are using more efficient laptops like MacBooks.
27-inch 1440p monitors are wildly popular as the sweet spot, so it is not a mystery why RCA went with it for its first gaming monitor attempt. The pixel density is perfectly balanced since it upgrades visuals without making text and numbers appear microscopic. The latter is its main advantage against 4K variants, but there are also its GPU power requirements, which are not as demanding.
The RCA Evolution M27PG135F rendered 100% sRGB and 92% DCI-P3 for great colors in games and movies. What’s fantastic about it is its default accuracy, which only had a deltaE average of 0.62. It’s ready to go for editing or gaming out of the box, although some minor adjustments are necessary for extended use.
Calibrating the monitor with our Calibrite Display Plus only improved the dE average to 0.6. This tells us that the monitor’s accuracy potential has already been scoped out and provided from the factory, so there is no reason to buy a colorimeter for it. It’s only worth getting for color-critical work and maintaining the screen’s long-term accuracy.
The monitor’s backlight reached 335 cd/m2 at 100%, so there is plenty for adjustments even if it didn’t reach the specified limit. The screen’s contrast is a bit more disappointing since it only managed to produce 944:1 at 27% brightness. The monitor is incapable of deep blacks, but that’s common and expected from most IPS panels.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had visible clouding issues on all four corners of the screen. They are most prominent in dark scenes but are barely there if a full-color or lighter background is on display. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so it’s possible to get a better unit from the retail pipeline.
The RCA Evolution M27PG135F’s pixel response time is fantastic since there was barely any sign of blurring. There is still some very minute persistence, but setting the overdrive to its Low level cleared that up. The monitor is fantastic for E-Sports titles like CS2 or Valorant, thanks to this performance.
The RCA Evolution M27PG135F is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter and tear-free gaming. We had to activate it manually in the OSD to get it running, unlike some models where it automatically fired up. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 240Hz, so it is definitely one of the faster 240Hz 1440p gaming monitors out there.
Thoughts on the RCA Evolution M27PG135F
The RCA Evolution M27PG135F is a very compelling option, even if it is one of the brand’s first attempts into the gaming display business. It offers superb accuracy and responsiveness out of the box, unlike so many budget options that need tweaking to get the output right. It’s also feature-packed as far as the low price is concerned, so you are getting more than your money’s worth with it.
There are imperfections on it, like limited contrast, but those aren’t real deal-breakers by today’s standards. It’s easy to ignore them at less than half the price of what something better like an OLED variant will cost. The RCA Evolution M27PG135F is an excellent buy, and we highly recommend buying it while it is hot off the press.
Pros:
- Vibrant and Very Accurate IPS Display
- Fast and Responsive
- Very Attractive Price
- USB-C with 90 Watts and DP Alt Mode
Cons:
- Low Contrast
- Panel Uniformity Issues
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