HP OMEN 27q QHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor: features, specs and who it suits

The HP OMEN 27q (2023) is a 27-inch gaming monitor with a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440, an IPS panel and a 165Hz refresh rate. It sits between 1080p and 4K: sharper than full HD, but easier for a graphics card to drive than 4K at high frame rates.

What QHD and 165Hz mean

QHD packs about 3.7 million pixels onto the screen, nearly twice as many as 1080p. On a 27-inch panel that gives a noticeably crisper image for text and game worlds without the heavy demands of 4K.

The 165Hz refresh rate means the picture can update 165 times per second, against 60 on a standard office monitor. HP says this reduces artifacting and motion blur. To use it, your graphics card has to produce frames that quickly, so the benefit depends on the game and your hardware.

Response time and sync

HP rates the response time at 1ms grey-to-grey with Overdrive, which is the time a pixel takes to change shade. Faster changes mean less smearing behind moving objects. The monitor supports AMD FreeSync Premium and is VESA AdaptiveSync certified. Adaptive sync matches the screen's refresh rate to the frame rate coming from the graphics card, which helps avoid tearing and stutter. HP says the certification includes a lab-tested maximum refresh rate.

Colour and brightness

The IPS panel is rated at 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3. sRGB is the standard colour space for most web and game content, while DCI-P3 is the wider range used in cinema and HDR work. IPS panels typically hold their colour well at wider viewing angles than other panel types. Peak brightness is listed at 400 nits, which HP says gives brighter whites and richer colour. Check whether the listing's brightness figure is a peak or a sustained value in the manual.

Connections, consoles and software

The monitor is designed to connect a gaming PC, a console and even a work PC. HP says it ran more than 140 test cases for console compatibility, so connecting by HDMI should get a console working. The box includes a power cord, a DisplayPort 1.4 cable and a quick setup poster. The OMEN Gaming Hub software lets you adjust settings and link the monitor with compatible PCs and accessories.

Stand and design

The adjustable stand offers tilt, pivot and 100mm of height adjustment, and HP mentions cable management. The monitor measures about 24.2 x 8.8 x 8.8 inches in its listed dimensions and weighs 15 lb (about 6.8 kg). HP says its plastics contain 85% post-consumer recycled plastic, based on the IEEE 1680.1-2018 EPEAT definition. A one-year HP limited warranty applies, with restrictions.

Who it suits

It suits PC gamers who want a step up from 1080p, console players who want a sharper desktop screen, and people who split time between games and work on a single display.

What to check before you buy

• Graphics card: confirm your PC can drive 1440p at high frame rates.
• Ports: check which video inputs the monitor has against your PC and console.
• Console limits: console support for 1440p and high refresh rates varies by model, so check yours.
• Desk space: a 27-inch display and stand need room, and the stand's height range may matter for your setup.
• Wall or arm mounting: check the manual for mounting options.
• Warranty: read the terms and exclusions.

The short version

• A 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate.
• 1ms grey-to-grey response, AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA AdaptiveSync certification.
• 99% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3 and 400 nits peak brightness.
• Tilt, pivot and 100mm height adjustment; DisplayPort 1.4 cable included.
• Tested by HP for console compatibility over HDMI.

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