ViewSonic Elite XG270 Review and Full Analysis

Want to know about the best 240Hz gaming monitor? The ViewSonic Elite XG270 is the best gaming monitor with a 240Hz IPS panel.

The ViewSonic Elite XG270 review describes this monitor in detail, which will give you a clear idea about this fast gaming monitor.

In addition to analyzing the Nano IPS 2K version, we have also proposed to go through the laboratory of this ViewSonic Elite XG270.

A monitor in aesthetics is the same as the Elite version but is even more focused on gaming if possible; competitive gaming suitable for practically any GPU because it is Full HD and 27 inches.

ViewSonic has mounted an IPS panel that gives us 240 Hz of refresh rate at only 1 ms of response with Nvidia G-Sync certification. It even includes Blur Buster’s certificate to prove it has no image blur or ghosting.

We begin not without first thanking ViewSonic for providing this best monitor to be able to do our analysis.

ViewSonic Elite XG270 technical characteristics

Unboxing

We started this best monitor review without ever forgetting the Unboxing of the ViewSonic Elite XG270 since we need to see what it includes and how this gaming monitor comes.

And for this, a presentation identical to the entire Elite series has been used, that is, a thick cardboard box with a vinyl-like coating to show a photo of the monitor on a black background.

We also have a table in several languages ​​with the product specifications.

We open it, and we find a sandwich-type panel with built-in expanded polystyrene (white cork) responsible for storing all the elements that make up the monitor.

We take it out on one of the upper faces and remove the plastic band responsible for preventing the mold from opening.

The bundle, in this case, has the following elements:

• ViewSonic Elite XG270 Monitor
• VESA variant support arm 100 × 100 mm
• T-shaped legs
• 2x side visors for display
• DisplayPort
• USB Type-B – Type-A data cable
• European and British power connectors
• External power supply
• User manual

Since we are Spanish and not British, instead of finding a plug of this type, it would have been better for us to have an HDMI cable for users who do not have DisplayPort, which honestly will be very, very few.

Stand design of ViewSonic Elite XG270

We began the analysis of the ViewSonic Elite XG270, taking care of the supporter base.

This time we have one made up of two pieces, the assembly of which is as simple as attaching the base’s support and tightening the screw located at the bottom with your fingers.

Both pieces are made of metal, painted matt black. The only plastic is used in the trim for the raising and lowering of hydraulics.

The design of this support is the same as its older brother with an IPS panel, and in general the entire Elite family; the truth is that we liked it a lot in terms of stability, but also its design, although that base in T shape could be a bit more stylized.

As elements of interest in the design, we have extra superior emo with a hollow and curved to transport it more comfortably. In the central part, we also find a hole to pass the cables through and route them.

It is a fairly slender stand to ensure a sufficient height of the monitor to rotate it. It has a slight curvature in the support arm to ensure that the screen is more forward than the legs but is a fair measure. 

The depth that this monitor need is between 11 and 12 inches, so it takes up a lot of space.

The base itself is not extensive since, in it, we have a T structure that is much more compact than the typical V-shaped ones. The best thing is the great stability that it gives to the whole.

Now we go to see the upper part where the support mechanism is, and that is that it has all the necessary degrees of freedom for the movement or positioning of the ViewSonic Elite XG270.

It is very robust and prevents screen wobbling on unstable surfaces with great results. A VESA 100 x 100 mm type fastening system has been installed but customized with quick installation.

The monitor’s attachment and detachment are done with a system of tabs and a button-unlockable click from behind.

Screen layout

We now continue with the ViewSonic Elite XG270 screen, on which they have also done a good design job.

We already know that it is a panel with a 27-inch diagonal and without any curvature, and in it, the frames have been greatly optimized.

Both the top and sides have an ultra-slim design with the necessary frames to hold the panel, about 3 mm thick. We only find a physical plastic frame in the lower area, which is about 2 cm thick.

The rest of them are directly integrated into the image panel, being 7 mm thick. This is a great advantage if we want to build a setup with more monitors for the simulator.

The panel’s anti-glare finish is very good, which is demonstrated in the images taken by not appreciating any type of reflection on it even with incident lighting.

The lower central area is where the firmware control is located, thanks to a successful joystick that allows us to move them through the menus and select options.

Next to it, we have a button to go back and another to turn the ViewSonic Elite XG270 on and off.

The back is entirely made of a good quality plastic casing in which we have side vents to facilitate cooling.

As well as two lower ones where the sound of the excellent 4x2W set that the equipment has will come out.

But what stands out the most is the lighting system, formed by a hexagonal area around the support mechanism and two lower bands that we will see in action later.

At the back, we also have high-quality metal support to place cables or headphones and trim that will cover the port panel that we will analyze later.

It is not only a cover, since, in the side lacquer, but we also have a rubber clamp to allow us to hold these cables.

4D ergonomics

We still have to review the ergonomics of the ViewSonic Elite XG270, a monitor that offers great versatility in this regard.

Being a 27-inch monitor with a fairly high base, we have the possibility of rotating it on its axis to place it vertically or reading mode. Also, this can be done on both the right and left.

The arm’s length ensures that it does not rub against its base or table where it is installed.

The arm has a hydraulic system to move, allowing vertical movement in a range of 120 mm from the lowest to the highest position.

It is not the highest since others allow up to 130 mm, but more than enough for the diagonal.

The clamping ball joint located directly on the support allows us to move in the two missing axes to position the screen’s orientation.

The first of them corresponds to the possibility of orienting the panel frontally, which we can rotate down -5 ⁰ or up by about 20 ⁰. 

The second is the Z-axis movement (sideways) in a range of 70⁰, 35 to the right and 35 to the left. The specifications say that it is 90⁰, but we do not see such a range in the tests.

Connectivity of ViewSonic Elite XG270

We now continue with the connectivity, a previous step to dedicate ourselves to the screen and calibration of the ViewSonic Elite XG270.

We have a fairly complete panel, although we remember that the HDMI cable is not included once again.

This is what we found:

• 3x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
• USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-B (for data and configuration)
• 1x Display Port 1.2
• 2x HDMI 2.0
• 1x 3.5mm Mini-Jack for sound output
• Kensington slot for universal lock
• Jack type power connector

On this occasion, both ports will give us the maximum capacity of the video link. DisplayPort has no problem whatsoever, and HDMI supports precisely 1920 × 1080 @ 240 Hz, so there would be no problem in terms of performance.

However, we recommend DisplayPort when using HDR and FreeSync.

Lighting system and management software

As we have already advanced in the design characteristics, this ViewSonic Elite XG270implements a good RGB lighting system that we can also manage by software.

The system consists of two RGB lighting zones. The first area is located at the rear, around the monitor support mechanism.

This consists of a hexagonal-shaped strip compatible with effects and animations in the Display Controller software.

This element does not offer great power, but it does offer enough power to give that ambient backlight effect useful for very dark rooms.

Somewhat more powerful is the configuration of a double strip located under the lower frame of the screen, which falls on the surface where it is placed to complement the back. And thus improve the user experience.

The system can be managed using the software mentioned above, but only if we have the equipment connected to our PC through the USB Type-B.

We can download it directly from the official website, although it is still in the beta version, and it has very few options to control the monitor.

We can only modify the lighting and select an image mode from those already predefined in the OSD panel itself. We hope that in future updates, this interaction will be more complete.

Keep in mind that we can only activate or deactivate the lighting through the OSD panel but not change the color.

E-Sport ready IPS screen

We finally come to the specifications section of the ViewSonic Elite XG270 where we will see more in detail the features and especially the calibration and color of this screen.

What will interest us most in this monitor are its gaming features, more than the quality of the color and its coverage, although we will also analyze it in detail.

For this model, a 27-inch IPS technology panel has been installed that delivers a Full HD resolution at 1920 x 1080p natively.

The maximum brightness is 400 nits (cd / m 2 ), and it is compatible with DisplayHDR 400, so it should offer those 400 nits in a sustained way on the panel.

The contrast ratio is the standard of an IPS, that is, 1000: 1 typical and 120M: 1 dynamic thanks to HDR.

The manufacturer also offers information about the useful life of the white LED backlight used by this panel, being at least 30,000 hours.

But let’s focus on the gaming features because this brutal 240 Hz refresh rate has finally reached IPS monitors.

Many new generation notebooks already had their IPS on this frequency, but I had not yet reviewed a monitor of this size.

This is complemented by a 1ms  (GTG) response speed and FreeSync adaptive refresh timing compatible with Nvidia G-Sync.

With these features, we reach levels typical of a TN panel with the advantages that an IPS gives us in terms of color fidelity.

When it comes to typical performance issues like ghosting, flickering, or bleeding, ViewSonic appears to have quite a bit of control over it, as we haven’t experienced any issues.

In the next section, we will see it in more detail, but it even has Blur Buster’s certification that ensures a moving image without blurring.

Its color characteristics consist of a standard depth of 8 bits to 16.7 million colors and maximum coverage of 99% sRGB. In this case, we do not have an interpolation wheel to reach 10 bits, although we do have excellent viewing angles that ensure those 180 horizontally and vertically, as we can see in the images shown.

Likewise, we did not find any type of Pantone calibration certification, something perfectly normal in an e-sport like this. But we do have a blue light filter, something necessary if we plan to spend many hours in front of the screen.

We can select between many pre-defined image modes or, where appropriate, customize up to three new custom configurations from the OSD panel. Similarly, it is possible to select a crosshair to use in first-person games.

Another detail that has left us very good feelings is the sound system, composed of 4 2W speakers installed in the rear of the ViewSonic Elite XG270 and grouped in two.

It is practically at the level of common televisions; that is, we have a good volume power and even the presence of bass and good balance in the rest of the frequencies to use them without multimedia content problems.

Calibration and performance testing

ViewSonic Elite XG270 Review: We will analyze the calibration characteristics of the ViewSonic Elite XG270, verifying that the manufacturer’s technical parameters are met.

For this, we will use the X-Rite Colormunki Display colorimeter together with the DisplayCAL 3 and HCFR software for calibration and profiling, verifying these properties with the sRGB color space and also DCI-P3.

We have also used the Flickering and Ghosting tests on the Testufo page to verify that the monitor does not have this type of problem and tests while playing and performing benchmarks.

Flickering, Ghosting and Glow IPS

Through a recording made directly to the screen with the ghosting and blur test, we have analyzed the images in search of these artifacts.

In the capture obtained from a video frame, we can see that the image looks quite sharp even though it is moving at 960 FPS.

You can see the pixels turning off and on around it, but at no time does the whitish or black halo typical of ghosting that we see in two generic captures appear for reference.

We can then determine that we have neither of these two problems on the ViewSonic Elite XG270.

This is also reinforced by the captures of another video made during a Metro Exodus benchmark. Avoiding the loss of quality of a video when recording a screen, we appreciate how the figures are perfectly defined and with great clarity.

We did not observe any ghosting in those with higher contrast, such as trees or fire. In the same way, we have not obtained any flickering with this enormous refresh rate of 240 Hz that, of course, we have activated for the test.

Finally called the ViewSonic Elite XG270 Review, we use a new photograph on the screen with maximum brightness and dark gray background to detect glow ips and bleed.

Once again, we see a uniform panel with the corners in perfect harmony with the rest of the surface and without bleeding.

The brightness is also entirely consistent, thus demonstrating the excellent quality of this IPS. Great job in this regard.

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Contrast and brightness

For the brightness tests, we have used 100% of its capacity and automatic HDR. With the effect of HDR, we see that the contrast ratio is somewhat higher than the specifications show, with something more than 1100: 1, which is not bad.

The medium gamma value is also quite good, although we will see it better later with the grayscale distribution for the different color spaces.

And as with the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG, the color temperature tends to be well below the D65 point, thus showing somewhat warmer colors.

Also, due to Nano IPS technology and higher brightness, we have a black level that exceeds 0.5 nits, something acceptable and normal exceeding 400 nits.

As far as brightness is concerned, the specifications are met more than enough since the peaks observed reach up to 473 nits in the panel’s central area.

Only in the upper corner are we slightly below 400, while in the rest, the 440 are easily exceeded, which is very positive and demonstrates the quality of this LED backlight used.

SRGB color space

In view of the results obtained in this space, the ViewSonic Elite XG270 seems to be calibrated based on this space.

This is especially noticeable in the average Delta E of 2.35 that we have for space, slightly better than that of DCI-P3.

Also here we confirm that the coverage in this space is practically 100% sRGB, coinciding with that 99% that was assured.

Regarding the color graphics, we also see a very good adjustment in luminance, gamma, and white levels. Although it lags in blacks, we see that the blue tone is well below red and green.

This indicates that the color temperature calibration is not optimal, which is why we are below 6500K. We will have the balance corrected by entering the OSD panel and raising the blue or decreasing green and red.

DCI-P3 color space

We turn to see the DCI-P3 space, of which coverage of 80.3% has been found, significantly below the Nano IPS panel of the XG270QG version, which is normal in this case.

In any case, it is very good coverage for a panel focused on gaming, and surely it could be improved with a retouch to the profiling.

These panels always have a good fit for the blacks and whites in this space, something that is not a secret. Otherwise, we are in the same conditions as in the previous space. The mean Delta E obtained here was 2.76.

Calibration

The ViewSonic Elite XG270 has been carried out with DisplayCAL in the standard profile of the monitor with a brightness of about 300 nits.

In this case, it was only necessary to touch the green level in the outlining to adjust the three RGB tones and correct the low level of blue shipped from the factory in this configuration.

We see a notable improvement, especially in the sRGB space, lowering the average Delta E to just 0.29, which would be good news for maximum color fidelity.

In the case of DCI-P3, it seems that it costs more work, and it has remained at 1.46, although we see that the grayscale adjustment is almost perfect with values ​​identical to the reference.

The OSD panel of the ViewSonic Elite XG270 will be controlled through the joystick that we have located in the lower central area of ​​the screen frame.

Despite having a second button to go back or exit, it is not a priori necessary because the joystick offers this same functionality. In the directions of space, we only have a quick menu to modify the blue light filter.

The overclocking and the PureXP image mode are disabled because a panel already comes out of the factory with 240 Hz. In the other case, it does not implement said image technology.

The general OSD has 6 sections, of which one of them is not accessible in this model. In the first menu, we find the different pre-configured image modes, especially geared towards gaming.

We have available three custom profiles in which to put the configuration that we like the most.

The second menu takes care of the bulk of the screen configuration; some options will be disabled either because it does not support them or because they are already active from the factory, such as 240 Hz overclocking. From here, we can activate the automatic HDR or deactivate it.

The second menu is responsible for selecting the video input, which is not automatically selected. The third menu we will use to control the sound volume.

Finally, we have generic options, such as the OSD configuration, crosshair selection, and turning the Elite RGB lighting on or off.

Use experience

Before finishing ViewSonic Elite XG270 Review, we like to comment on our experience of using this ViewSonic Elite XG270 to see what its benefits and shortcomings are.

The 240 Hz also reaches IPS desktop monitors

It was only possible to achieve such refresh rates on TN panels with considerably improved image quality until recently.

We also have it in IPS monitors; they first came to gaming laptops in low-diagonal panels and now also in desktop monitors.

In this case, we have the perfect combination for competitive gaming. 27 inches that adjust well to our field of vision at a short distance where we can have everything under control without the need to move our neck.

Full HD resolution in which the vast majority of graphics cards can move a game above 100 FPS, especially those used in high-capacity e-sports reaching the limit of the games themselves.

In addition, FreeSync is a great advantage to avoid flickering, and this is where it is best used.

To this, we add an excellent response of 1 ms, which in practice is a little more depending on the cable we use to connect the monitor and the game in question.

In any case, it ensures a perfect image without ghosting, flickering, and blurring in scenes with a great amount of detail and dizzying action animations.

The experience in this sense is fantastic, as long as we will use its capacities to the maximum since it would not make sense to buy a Ferrari to drive at 50 km / h.

Read Also Here: Wimaxit Portable Touch Monitor Review.

Good integrated sound, for multimedia but not a design option

It is also a great option for multimedia consumption since it offers us good quality flashes such as the integrated sound system, which has surprised us quite a bit due to its good quality. Its HDR capacity is not too remarkable; it indeed complies in terms of the vividness of color and contrast, although it is not spectacular either.

In any case, the great quality of the panel is demonstrated by comfortably exceeding those promised 400 nits and raising them to almost 500.

It is not a monitor for design; this is more than clear since its calibration is normal, and it does not have enough coverage to reach demanding spaces such as DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB.

For this, an option such as the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG is better, which has given excellent results in color quality.

Final words about ViewSonic Elite XG270 review

We come to the end of this monitor review of one of the best gaming monitors that ViewSonic has.

The Elite family has expanded this 2019 with equipment like these, in which the TN panel is history thanks to high-power IPS such as this 240 Hz with FreeSync compatible with G-Sync, 1 ms and Full HD resolution ideal for e-sports.

It is precisely the complete pack for competitive gaming and taken to a very good level since it offers peaks of up to 470 nits of brightness and very good image quality infidelity if we do good profiling.

We have excellent viewing angles and the total absence of phenomena like bleeding, ghosting, flickering, or blur, of which the manufacturer certifies us through blur busters.

It is certainly not a design-oriented monitor; this is obvious, because its hardware would be useless. 

The factory calibration is quite good for the user’s needs, with a slightly warmer image than usual to tire the eyes and a blue light filter.

The good thing about these panels is that with slight profiling and calibration have very good E Deltas.

Its design is oriented to use it with more screens simultaneously, with very small physical frames, 27 inches, and compatibility with VESA 100 × 100 mm mounts.

It also includes a good back and bottom backlighting system, useful for dark environments and manageable from software.

It includes many ports for video and USB peripherals, such as flash drives or even a mouse and keyboard that will travel through a second USB-B cable that we must connect. 

We would have liked more options in the Display Controller software, although it is in beta, and we expect much more from it in the future.

The integrated sound system must be said that it is very good for a monitor.

It can be a bit high without considering that the resolution is Full HD, but it is one of the few 240 Hz IPS we have right now for desktop. In addition, its quality and benefits have more than met the requirements.

Hopefully you’ve got enough information about the ViewSonic Elite XG270 monitor. Let us know about it in the comments below. Thank you for reading the ViewSonic Elite XG270 review.

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