AOC has released yet another value beast monitor delivering a 300Hz refresh rate at an excellent price. If you were looking to boost your gaming experience, this is the perfect occasion.
The CQ27G4ZH is a 27in curved gaming monitor powered by a 2560×1440 VA panel rated for 300Hz refresh rate and 0.3ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time). This makes it a great middle ground between the widely available 240Hz displays and the blazing fast 360Hz / expensive 480Hz OLEDs. While intense movements may not be as clear as the latest 540Hz beasts, its extra resolution sharpness more than makes up for it.
It’s quick to get acclimated to the 1,500R curve and could even improve fatigue as it conforms to the shape of your eye. I daily drive a curved 27in VA, and I no longer notice the curve. However, a flat model would be preferable if you work with geometrical shapes.
Regarding connectivity, AOC packed two HDMI 2.1 ports alongside one DisplayPort 1.4 and an audio jack. Nothing special, just enough to leverage the monitor’s speed. Note that this model comes with a built-in PSU. I prefer external ones due to their ease of replacement since they’re usually the first things to break in a monitor, but it does mean you can use any old kettle lead without scrambling to find the specific brick. This has come in clutch several times in our reviews, as we don’t need to worry about international plugs ruining our day.
While the brand didn’t share any details about the stand’s ergonomics, looking at other models using a similar design we can expect between -3.5° to +21.5° tilt, 30° swivel, 91° pivot, and 130mm height adjustments.
Lastly, feature-wise, CQ27G4ZH packs the usual flicker-free and Adaptive-Sync technologies, alongside HDR support. Just keep in mind that the HDR experience will likely be basic due to the lack of dimming zones. That said, thanks to VA’s higher contrast, you should get a better result than IPS alternatives.
AOC CQ27G4ZH is available on Amazon at the unbeatable price of $279.99. Furthermore, the brand is backing it with three years of zero dead pixels, three years of advance replacement, and one year of accidental damage warranties. To get an idea of the value of this offer, the cheapest equivalent monitor we found sits $70 higher, at $349.99. A great saving if you don’t mind its VA nature.
