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The ViewSonic XG2736-2K is a reasonably-priced IPS gaming monitor with desirable specs and capabilities. It’s a $300 240Hz 1440p display, but it also gets bolstered with USB-C and HDMI 2.1 connectivity. Let’s take a closer look if this should be your next upgrade that will improve gaming visuals and sharpness without costing an arm and a leg.
ViewSonic XG2736-2K 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: 2ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: Yes
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (75 x 75)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB-C PD65W x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.2” x 17.35” x 9.56”
- Weight: 9.48 lbs
Design and Features
The ViewSonic XG2736-2K has a simple design like most of the brand’s Elite monitors, but it still has that gamer flair. The monitor has a matte black finish, but it’s laced with RGB LEDs at the back for themed setups. The display has a bezel-free design, but it still has a thicker bottom strip and inner borders like most options.
It is not a large monitor, so placement shouldn’t be a hassle for most, including those with non-standard desk sizes. It only needs 9.56 inches of depth, so it should fit on shallow desks with larger keyboards and other peripherals. The whole thing only weighs 9.48 pounds, so it should be very easy to move it around when necessary.
The ViewSonic XG2736-2K feels plasticky because its lightweight, but its build quality is actually more than just decent. The plastics used are thick and sturdy enough to fight flexing and cracking, plus there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t sag or shake just like that.
This model also has a joystick at the back for easy access to its settings and features. It’s located near the right side of the panel, so it’s easily within reach even if you don’t have a direct line of sight. Other monitors have remotes, but those are not necessary enough to justify the added cost.
The ViewSonic XG2736-2K doesn’t have a lot of extras like USB ports, but it has desirable video inputs for modern systems. You get DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 for gaming PCs and consoles, but it also includes a 65-watt USB-C port for the latest laptops such as MacBooks. The only slot for an accessory is a 3.5mm jack for analog headphones.
You also get speakers with this model, but they only have 2 watts of power per channel. They are usable, but no one can consider them gaming-grade since they lack bass response and are not capable of getting loud enough for immersion.
Display and Performance
The ViewSonic XG2736-2K sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 2ms response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 while the contrast is listed at 1000:1 like most IPS panel. This model doesn’t come with HDR certification, but it is listed as HDR10 compatible by ViewSonic.
The 1440p monitor category is alive and well simply because they are still relevant and desirable. Its crisper and clearer than the more common 1080p screens, but its not as demanding and eye-straining as a 4K display. Its easier to hit the 240Hz limit with most GPUs now, so you can build an effective setup with this without spending top dollar.
The ViewSonic XG2736-2K covers more than 100% sRGB and 93% DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.87, so images look balanced and natural despite the extended gamut coverage. Most users will be happy with it, although we think some brightness adjustments will be necessary to match your ambient lighting.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.94, making it comparable with prosumer monitors that cost more. However, you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results, and those can cost more than the monitor itself. We can only recommend the purchase if you do color-critical work, but its impractical otherwise.
The ViewSonic XG2736-2K’s backlight reached 327 cd/m2 at 100%, so it can get decently bright. Its contrast reached 987:1 at 40% brightness, so its not as good at producing deeper dark scenes as the other variants out there. It’s not a big deal for colored scenes, but night settings in some games will make the limitation noticeable.
Its panel uniformity was great overall, although there were some minor light leaks on the top edges of the screen. they become noticeable in select instances like night scenes but full-color or lighter images are not as affected. Note that this can vary with every monitor made, so there are worse and better units out there.
The ViewSonic XG2736-2K’s pixel response time is fantastic thanks to the advantages of its fast IPS panel. It also helps that it goes up to 240Hz, eliminating the need for maximum overdrive or strobing. Its great for E-Sports titles, unlike the older IPS panels which bowed out to TN variants a couple of years ago.
The ViewSonic XG2736-2K is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. Dual compatibility is essential since it allows you to keep the monitor if you switch to the other GPU brand and want to keep VRR at the same time. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 240Hz, making it one of the faster 1440p options out in the market.
Thoughts on the ViewSonic XG2736-2K
The ViewSonic XG2736-2K is an excellent choice for thrifty gamers who want a combination of speed and color fidelity. Its IPS panel offers top-notch responsiveness, as well as excellent color coverage and accuracy. We love its simplicity, but the RGB lighting and modern connectivity layout are welcome bonuses.
It’s far from perfect, but that’s true of most monitors from the budget all the way to the top end. Overall, it’s a fantastic pick, especially if you have more than just a PC in your home or work setup.
Pros:
- Excellent Color Quality
- HDMI 2.1 and USB-C
- Very Fast and Responsive
- VLow Price
Cons:
- Limited Contrast
- No USB Ports
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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