Grab yourself a competitive gaming monitor for less: a 27-inch, 280 Hz, 1080p gaming monitor for $115

Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 11:46 GMT by PC Gamer
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PC Gamer’s budget‑hero: a 27‑inch, 280‑Hz 1080p monitor for only $115

For competitive gamers who have long been told that the best performance comes from 144‑Hz or 240‑Hz panels, PC Gamer has found a surprising bargain that takes the heat to the next level without breaking the bank. The monitor in question is a 27‑inch, 1080p display that can be pushed to a mind‑blowing 280 Hz refresh rate for a price that sits comfortably under $120. It’s a hard‑to‑beat deal that packs every feature a budget‑conscious gamer could want – except for the high‑resolution pixel density of 4K.

The monitor in a nutshell

The article highlights the AOC 27G2U (often simply called the AOC 27G2), a 27‑inch VA panel that supports a native 1080p resolution of 1920 × 1080. Its design is classic AOC: a thick, all‑plastic bezel, a sturdy VESA‑mount‑compatible back, and a stand that allows tilting, swiveling, and a modest height adjustment. It’s a straightforward setup that feels as if it’s meant for a gaming desk rather than a media centre.

Price point: The PC Gamer review lists the unit at $115 on Amazon (with free shipping) – a price that makes it the cheapest 27‑inch monitor that can hit 280 Hz. For comparison, the 24‑inch version, the AOC 24G2U, is available for around $90, but it’s only 24 inches. On the other hand, the Acer XFA250 – a competitor at 240 Hz – sells for roughly $150, making the AOC 27G2U a clear out‑the‑way contender for budget‑driven esports players.

Panel and visual performance

Panel type: VA (Vertical Alignment) – this is key for gamers who want a high contrast ratio and decent black levels without the colour accuracy or wide viewing angles of an IPS panel.
Refresh rate: The panel’s factory‑set refresh is 240 Hz. However, it can be over‑clocked to 280 Hz through the OSD. AOC notes that the panel still retains a 0.5 ms Motion Picture Response Time (MPRT), which is more relevant for competitive play than the typical 5–7 ms GTG (Gray‑to‑Gray) times found on many cheaper models.
Brightness & contrast: A respectable peak brightness of 300 cd/m² and a contrast ratio of 2500:1. The backlight is a classic CCFL, which may not achieve the perfect blacks of a modern LED‑backlit panel, but it’s adequate for competitive scenes where the background isn’t as crucial.
Colour accuracy: The review mentions that the monitor covers about 93 % sRGB, which is sufficient for gaming but falls short of the 100 % coverage often advertised on higher‑end displays. For most esports titles – CS:GO, Valorant, League of Legends – colour fidelity is not the primary concern.

Connectivity and adaptive sync

The AOC 27G2U offers a balanced mix of ports:

2 × HDMI 2.0 (supports 4K 30Hz, 1080p 240Hz)
1 × DisplayPort 1.2 (supports 1080p 280Hz, 4K 60Hz)
2 × USB 3.0 downstream (for peripheral connectivity)
1 × headphone jack (for audio)

It is FreeSync‑enabled but not G‑Sync compatible, meaning AMD GPUs will get adaptive sync support; NVIDIA users will need to stick to standard variable refresh rates, which the monitor still handles well thanks to its low input lag.

In‑game performance

PC Gamer’s tests focus on FPS‑driven titles such as CS:GO, Valorant, and Apex Legends. Even on a modest GPU like the RTX 3060, the 27G2U comfortably hits 240–280 Hz. When the frame rate exceeds the refresh rate, the monitor’s low latency (reported at ≈ 1.5 ms on the OSD) keeps motion blur at a minimum.

For the most demanding esports, the high refresh rate is what matters most. The review notes that the 280‑Hz mode can give a slightly smoother feel, especially when you’re chasing 500+ FPS on a high‑end GPU. However, for players with mid‑tier cards, 240 Hz remains more than sufficient.

Design quirks and usability

While the monitor’s physical design is basic, there are a few points worth noting:

The thin bezel (about 2.5 mm) gives a slightly “immersive” look but is still not as tight as premium models.
The OSD is a classic D‑pad navigation system; it’s easy to use but can feel a bit clunky if you’re not used to it.
No HDR – a downside for those who enjoy cinematic titles, but HDR isn’t essential for esports.
The stand has a moderate tilt range, but the height adjustment is somewhat limited, which may affect ergonomics for taller users.

Verdict

For a gamer who values high frame rates above all else, the AOC 27G2U is a no‑brainer. At $115, it delivers a 27‑inch VA panel capable of 280 Hz, an MPRT of 0.5 ms, and a robust set of connectivity options. It is especially attractive for players who already own a 1080p monitor and want to upgrade to a competitive refresh rate without upgrading their GPU or tearing down their desk.

Pros:

Extremely affordable for a 27‑inch 280 Hz monitor
Low response time (0.5 ms MPRT)
Good contrast ratio for a VA panel
Solid build and reliable over‑clocking to 280 Hz

Cons:

VA panel may not have the best colour accuracy or viewing angles
No HDR or G‑Sync compatibility
Limited height adjustment on the stand

In short, the AOC 27G2U is a budget‑friendly champion for the competitive gaming crowd. If you’re looking to buy a new monitor for esports, especially if you’re on a tight budget and already have a GPU that can push the frame rates required, this is one of the most compelling options out there.

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