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Affordable 1440p Gaming Monitors Tested: Is it worth buying?
The YouTuber Techless tests three of the most affordable 1440p gaming monitors on the market: AMZFast AMZG27F6Q, KTC H27T22C-3, and Gigabyte GS27QA. He compares image quality, gaming performance, and ergonomics to find out which monitors offer the best value for money. AMZFast and KTC perform particularly well, while the Gigabyte falls slightly behind in some areas but is still a solid option.
1. 🔍 Introduction and Selection of the Tested 1440p Monitors
- ✅ The YouTuber tests three affordable 1440p monitors: AMZFast AMZG27F6Q, KTC H27T22C-3, and Gigabyte GS27QA.
- ✅ The KTC was selected due to positive experiences with previous KTC monitors.
- ✅ The Gigabyte represents the affordable offerings from well-known brands.
- ✅ The AMZFast is a "wildcard" monitor with promising specifications for the price (up to $150 for 200Hz IPS).
- ✅ All three are 27-inch 1440p IPS monitors with similar prices ($150-170).
00:00 - 01:22
1. 🔍 Introduction and Selection of the Tested 1440p Monitors
- ✅ The YouTuber tests three affordable 1440p monitors: AMZFast AMZG27F6Q, KTC H27T22C-3, and Gigabyte GS27QA.
- ✅ The KTC was selected due to positive experiences with previous KTC monitors.
- ✅ The Gigabyte represents the affordable offerings from well-known brands.
- ✅ The AMZFast is a "wildcard" monitor with promising specifications for the price (up to $150 for 200Hz IPS).
- ✅ All three are 27-inch 1440p IPS monitors with similar prices ($150-170).
01:23 - 02:55
2. 🎨 Image Quality Comparison: Out-of-the-Box Settings and Calibration
- ✅ The monitors show different image representations with the default settings.
- ✅ The Gigabyte appears darker and has a warmer color tone.
- ✅ The AMZFast has the most accurate white balance out of the box.
- ✅ The Gigabyte has the worst factory setting, the KTC is slightly better, and the AMZFast is the most accurate.
- ✅ Most inaccuracies can be corrected by adjusting the white point.
- ✅ After calibration, AMZFast and KTC measure well, while the Gigabyte cannot quite keep up in the larger P3 color space.
- ✅ In the sRGB color space, the Gigabyte is almost equivalent to the other two monitors.
02:56 - 04:16
3. 🌈 Color Volume, Contrast, and HDR Performance
- ✅ AMZ and KTC have a richer color image and cover approximately 140% of the sRGB color space.
- ✅ The Gigabyte has a lower color volume.
- ✅ The Gigabyte has the highest black level and the lowest contrast ratio (close to 1000:1), while AMZ and KTC reach almost 1400:1.
- ✅ None of the monitors offer a good HDR experience due to the limited brightness and contrast of IPS panels.
- ✅ All three monitors accept HDR signals, with Gigabyte and KTC rendering HDR content decently within their capabilities.
04:17 - 05:56
4. 🖼️ SDR Image Quality, Panel Coating, and Personal Preferences
- ✅ The YouTuber is impressed by the SDR image quality of AMZ and KTC.
- ✅ The Gigabyte is also solid, but AMZ and KTC exceed their price range.
- ✅ AMZ and KTC may use the same panel.
- ✅ The YouTuber doesn't like the strong anti-glare coating of AMZ and KTC as much as the less cloudy coating of the Gigabyte.
05:57 - 07:15
5. 🎮 Gaming Performance: Response Times, Input Lag, and Adaptive Sync
- ✅ The KTC has the highest refresh rate on paper at 210Hz, followed by the AMZ at 200Hz.
- ✅ The Gigabyte has the fastest response times, making movements appear slightly clearer.
- ✅ AMZ and KTC show more smearing, especially in dark areas.
- ✅ The best overdrive mode of the Gigabyte is only optimized for the highest refresh rate.
- ✅ Adaptive Sync works perfectly on all three monitors.
- ✅ Overall, the monitors are pretty evenly matched in terms of gaming performance.
07:16 - 07:51
6. 📐 Ergonomics and Additional Costs: Monitor Arms Recommended
- ✅ The monitors only have the simplest stands without height adjustment.
- ✅ The YouTuber strongly recommends purchasing a monitor arm, especially for the Gigabyte, which stands very low.
- ✅ The monitors focus on the display itself and forgo extras like RGB to keep the price low.
07:52 - 08:54
7. 🏆 Conclusion: AMZFast and KTC Offer the Best Value for Money
- ✅ The YouTuber is generally impressed with the affordable monitors.
- ✅ AMZ and KTC offer very good value for money.
- ✅ AMZFast was a positive surprise.
- ✅ With lesser-known brands, there may be concerns about warranty and support.
- ✅ The Gigabyte is still a good buy for around $150 despite some drawbacks.
- ✅ You don't have to spend much anymore to get a good 1440p monitor.