There are a few things I look for in a gaming monitor nowadays: OLED panel, high refresh rate, low response time, and some type of variable refresh rate technology. Lo and behold, this ASRock Phantom Gaming monitor has the lot, and for a very good price.
While most PC components keep getting pricier, gaming monitors, especially OLEDs, are only getting more affordable. This is a prime example of that trend: the Phantom Gaming PGO27QSA is just $299 at Newegg.
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It features a resolution of 2560 x 1440, within a 27-inch frame. That's 108 pixels per inch, for anyone counting, and provides a clear and crisp image overall compared to larger monitors.
A 1440p resolution is within reach for most modern midrange or better graphics cards; however, you will need a powerful GPU to reach the lofty refresh rate offered by this panel. That's 240 Hz. Though the inclusion of a variable refresh rate technology in AMD's FreeSync Premium helps there, matching the monitor's refresh rate to when the GPU is ready to fling another frame over.
This monitor is using a QD-OLED panel from Samsung, and as we've seen in our own testing, this panel technology delivers infinitely deep blacks and stunning vibrancy for gaming. With a typical SDR brightness of just 200 nits, this is sure to be an older generation panel compared to the latest and greatest found in MSI's MPG 322UR X24. We've seen Alienware taking a similar approach with its affordable AW2726DM: older panel, lower price.
The ASRock gaming monitor won't have the RGB Stripe subpixel layout we've come to enjoy on the latest panels, either. That means you can expect some level of text fringing across the panel. Generally, this has minimal impact on gaming, which remains just as glorious even on older QD-OLED tech.
With an option for black and white, and a surprisingly dextrous stand for the money, there's a whole lot of monitor here for the money. You don't get a USB hub, but you do get 2x HDMI 2.1 and 1x DisplayPort 1.4 ports. It also should come with a couple of cables rated to meet those specs in the box, which makes life a little easier.
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1. Best overall / 4K:
MSI MPG 322UR X24
2. Best budget 4K:
Asus ROG Strix XG27UCG
3. Best budget OLED
Alienware AW2726DM
4. Best 1440p:
MSI MPG 271QRX
5. Best budget 1440p:
KTC H27T22C-3
6. Best 1080p:
AOC Gaming C27G4ZXE
7. Best Ultrawide:
Gigabyte MO34WQC2
8. Best budget ultrawide:
Koorui 34E6UC
9. Best competitive
KTC 25M1
