The ViewSonic XG2705-2K puts emphasis on the essentials to give gamers a comfortable and enjoyable gaming experience. The monitor offers a fast IPS panel which is standard for monitors this year, unlike their previous models which often came with TN screens. Let’s see how the ViewSonic XG2705-2K compares to its competitors when it comes to performance and value per dollar.
ViewSonic XG2705-2K 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: 3ms (1ms MPRT)
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- 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: HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, 3.5mm Jack
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.14” x 17.08” x 9.41”
- Weight: 16.76 lbs
Design and Features
The ViewSonic XG2705-2K looks just like the XG2405 so it looks clean and sophisticated and it’s slightly bigger. The device has a matte black chassis that is timeless and will not clash with most setups, including workstations. The device is bezel-free on three sides so they are ideal for triple monitor setups as well.
It’s not too big, but the ViewSonic XG2705-2K isn’t too modest as well when it comes to dimensions. The cabinet itself is slimmer than most same-sized monitors, but the stand is a bit beefier due to its overall design and functionalities. It needs almost 9.5 inches of depth and it’s quite heavy, but that can only mean that it’s a solid monitor even if it is less portable.
Build quality for the ViewSonic XG2705-2K is also great since it uses thick plastic panels with sufficient reinforcement. There are no cosmetic or structural defects even if this is a budget model, just like the older ViewSonic monitors. The stand is firm and it doesn’t wobble so it won’t shake while gaming or sag after holding the cabinet’s weight for a while.
One downside of the ViewSonic XG2705-2K’s budget-oriented nature is its use of OSD buttons instead of a joystick. The keys are located under the lower bezel and they are clearly labeled, but it’s less convenient when you are tweaking several items. This is acceptable at low prices, but many competitors have already added joysticks to their recent budget models.
The stand included with the ViewSonic XG2705-2K offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment to suit your needs. The company highlights this as a selling point, and we agree that it is an essential feature of a gaming monitor that ensures comfort and healthy use. You can swap it out with VESA mounts, but that’s only necessary if space is concerned.
The ViewSonic XG2705-2K also only has a single slot each for DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0, along with a 3.5mm jack. It’s all you will need for your PC and a gaming console next to it, plus maybe a pair of headsets. We’d like to see more like at least an extra HDMI slot for a second console, but it’s always hard to argue with a lowered price point.
You also get a pair of speakers with the ViewSonic XG2705-2K to complete its specifications and functionality. They only have 2 watts of power so they arent’ suitable for gaming use or watching movies due to the lack of bass and limited range. However, they are useful for productivity tasks such as conference calls so they add a bit more flexibility to this product.
Display and Performance
The ViewSonic XG2705-2K sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms MPRT response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 typical output while the contrast ratio is still stuck at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. This model isn’t advertised as an HDR monitor, but that’s okay since most budget offerings in that category aren’t truly HDR-capable anyway.
The 1440p resolution is perfect at 27 inches since it offers the best balance between legibility and increased sharpness. Games and movies look cleaner and more detailed, but your reading and document processing won’t suffer. You get a larger space to work with as well, so it’s a pleasure to use whether if it’s for work or play.
The ViewSonic XG2705-2K renders more than 100% sRGB and around 97% DCI-P3 which is quite impressive for a budget model. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.67 which is fantastic for a budget model aimed at gaming enthusiasts. The screen looks balanced so most users will be happy with only a few minor changes to it such as its brightness setting.
Calibrating the ViewSonic XG2705-2K further improved its dE average to an even better 0.67 which makes it usable for editing work. Combine that with the extended gamut coverage and you get a formidable monitor for content creation and digital arts. However, gamers shouldn’t worry about this since it is not essential, and the cost of a colorimeter is quite high.
The ViewSonic XG2705-2K’s backlight fell a bit short at 331 cd/m2, but that’s still plenty for daily use. Its contrast ratio managed to reach 1081:1 at 60% brightness, but it is unable to help the screen in producing deep blacks in dark scenes. Some games with nighttime environments might look grayish or washed out, but that’s an expected weakness of IPS panels.
Panel uniformity for the ViewSonic XG2705-2K test unit could also be better since there were light leaks on the panel’s edges. This manifests as clouding when you are viewing dark scenes, but they aren’t as noticeable in full-color images. Take note that this varies between every unit so there are better and worse ones out there.
Pixel response times on the ViewSonic XG2705-2K are excellent so there is no need to worry about blurring and persistence. The screen barely shows any trailing or artifacts, so you don’t need to use too much overdrive to enjoy it. We recommend using its middle setting at the most since pushing it too much will induce overshoot.
The ViewSonic XG2705-2K is a FreeSync monitor but it also works with Nvidia’s G-Sync Compatible mode. This is an essential feature that basically doesn’t strap you down with one GPU brand when you upgrade. Input lag sits at 4ms at 144Hz, so there is no need to worry about delays while enjoying your fast-paced titles.
Thoughts on the ViewSonic XG2705-2K
The ViewSonic XG2705-2K is an excellent choice for thrifty gamers who care about imaging performance and creature comforts. It features a vibrant IPS panel that requires very little adjustment so you can enjoy it almost instantly once it’s out of the box and plugged in. We also love the fact that it includes a fully adjustable stand even if it’s a budget model.
However, the lower price also means that you will miss out on some add-ons like HDR functionality or a few extra ports. It doesn’t matter that much since the ViewSonic XG2705-2K can already handle a PC or a console, but more ports mean better flexibility. It is still an excellent buy overall since it edges out some popular picks when it comes to value per dollar spent.
Pros:
- Well-Designed and Durable
- Fast IPS with Blur-Free Performance
- FreeSync, G-Sync, and 120Hz (PS5 and Xbox Series X) Compatible
- Excellent Gamut Coverage and Calibrated Accuracy
- Affordable
Cons:
- Limited Connectivity Ports
- Weak Speakers
- Uniformity Needs Improvements
- Mediocre Contrast
-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 his junior high years. 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.
Julio C says
Hello Paolo, which monitor would you buy for a mixed usage (office, gaming on PC and PS5): ViewSonic XG2705-2K or BenQ EX2780Q?
Thanks!
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Julio! The BenQ EX2780Q has better speakers, but other than that, they are mostly comparable. However, you should note that the PS5 doesn’t support the 1440p resolution, so it will default to 1080p. Cheers!
mia says
I have a VX3258-2KPC-MHD model monitor, I need some money and minor upgrades, for example I want to gain characteristic values with sacrifice of inc value. If I bought this one, i will have extra 500 bucks. I working as graphic designer also Im a huge gamer. So did u suggest that?
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Mia! The ViewSonic XG2705-2K is a good compromise for both fields. It should be a great buy for you since you mentioned that you will save more money for other upgrades. Cheers!