Pros & Cons
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- Supports AMD's FreeSync technology.
- Lots of video inputs.
- USB hub.
- Quad HD resolution.
- Excellent gaming performance in testing.
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- Expensive.
- Narrow viewing angles.
BenQ XL2730Z Specs
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Height-Adjustable Stand? | |
| Landscape/Portrait Pivot | |
| Native Resolution | 2560 x 1440 |
| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 27 |
| Rated Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 |
| Swiveling Stand? | |
| Tilting Stand? | |
| USB Ports (Excluding Upstream) | 3 |
| Video Inputs | DisplayPort |
| Video Inputs | DVI |
| Video Inputs | HDMI |
| Video Inputs | VGA |
| Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 36 |
| Weight | 16.5 |
BenQ has been manufacturing outstanding gaming monitors for years and continues that trend with the XL2730Z ($599). This 27-inch display pairs Twisted Nematic (TN) panel technology with AMD's FreeSync dynamic-refresh technology to deliver excellent gaming performance with sharp, accurate colors and a Quad HD (2,560-by-1,440) resolution. You'll pay a premium for this monitor, but you get loads of features for your money, including a fully adjustable stand, gaming presets, speedy 144Hz refresh rates, and a generous assortment of I/O ports. It's our new Editors' Choice for big-screen gaming monitors.
FreeSync Technology
FreeSync is AMD's answer to Nvidia's G-Sync anti-tearing and smoothing technology. Both take control of the monitor's refresh rates to eliminate screen tearing, an artifact that occurs when a monitor with a fixed refresh rate tries to keep up with the graphics card. This results in a split-screen effect as the monitor shows portions of two frames at the same time. Both technologies also reduce motion chop and input lag (the time it takes for the monitor to react to a controller command). Whereas G-Sync monitors contain a proprietary module that allows the GPU to handle refresh rates, FreeSync displays utilize DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync, an industry standard method of controlling a monitor's refresh rate via the DisplayPort 1.2 input. In order to take advantage of FreeSync, you'll need a monitor that supports DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync, an AMD Radeon graphics card that supports FreeSync, and AMD's Catalyst Control Center software and drivers.
Design and Features
The XL2730Z is similar in design to other BenQ gaming monitors, such as the XL2420G, but not identical. It sports the familiar black cabinet with red accents and comes with an add-on, programmable, three-button controller that lets you toggle between gaming presets and change picture settings without having to use the function buttons on the right side of the monitor. This time, however, the controller is puck-shaped rather than wedge-shaped, and it sits in a round recess in the stand instead of attaching to the right side of the base.
