Introduction
The gaming monitor market is a crowded arena, with manufacturers vying for the attention of discerning gamers. Amidst this competition, SANSUI, a brand with a legacy in consumer electronics, has entered the fray with the SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor. This 27-inch monitor promises a blend of performance, features, and affordability. But does it live up to the hype? This comprehensive review delves into every aspect of the ES-G27F2S, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition.
Table of Contents
SANSUI ES-G27F2S Gaming Monitor Review Specifications
- Panel Size: 27 inches
- Panel Type: VA
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (MPRT)
- Panel Curvature: 1500R
- Display Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2
- Other Features: Built-in speakers, VESA mount compatibility, Flicker-Free, Blue Light Filter
Unboxing and First Impressions
The SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor arrives in a sturdy box, adequately protected by foam inserts. Inside, you’ll find the monitor itself, the stand (requiring simple assembly), a power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a basic user manual. The assembly process is straightforward, with the stand easily attaching to the back of the monitor.
The monitor sports a sleek, minimalist design with thin bezels on three sides, creating a modern and immersive look. The back panel is made of textured plastic, and the overall build quality feels reasonably solid for its price point. The stand offers tilt adjustment, allowing for some ergonomic customization, but lacks swivel and height adjustments, which might be a drawback for some users.
Display Quality: A Visual Feast or a Flickering Faux Pas?
The heart of any monitor is its display, and the SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor boasts a 27-inch VA panel with a Full HD (1920×1080) resolution. This resolution, while standard for this size, offers a decent pixel density for everyday use and gaming. The VA panel technology delivers excellent contrast ratios, resulting in deep blacks and vibrant colors.
In our testing, the monitor exhibited good color accuracy out of the box, suitable for casual gaming and multimedia consumption. However, for professional color-sensitive work, calibration might be necessary. The viewing angles are decent for a VA panel, with minimal color shift at off-angles.
The highlight of the ES-G27F2S for gamers is its 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time). This combination provides smooth and fluid motion, reducing motion blur and ghosting in fast-paced games. While not a true 1ms GtG (Gray-to-Gray) response time, the MPRT implementation effectively minimizes blur, providing a competitive edge in fast-paced titles.
Gaming Performance: In the Heat of Battle
We put the SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor through rigorous testing with a variety of games, from fast-paced shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends to visually demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2. The high refresh rate and low response time made a noticeable difference in responsiveness and clarity, especially in competitive titles.
The monitor also supports Adaptive-Sync, compatible with both AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-SYNC (within a specific range). This technology eliminates screen tearing and stuttering by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with the graphics card’s frame output, providing a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.
While the 1080p resolution might not be as sharp as 1440p or 4K, it offers a sweet spot for performance, especially for gamers with mid-range graphics cards. It allows for higher frame rates without putting excessive strain on the GPU.
Connectivity and Features: Plugging In and Powering Up
The SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor offers a decent selection of ports, including:
- 1x DisplayPort 1.2
- 2x HDMI 1.4
- 1x Audio Out
This selection is sufficient for most users, allowing for connections to PCs, consoles, and other devices. However, the lack of newer HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 ports limits the monitor’s potential for future-proofing, especially for console gamers looking to take advantage of higher refresh rates at 4K resolution.
The monitor also includes built-in speakers, which are adequate for casual use but lack depth and bass. For a truly immersive audio experience, dedicated external speakers or headphones are recommended.
OSD and User Experience: Navigating the Settings
The SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor features a user-friendly On-Screen Display (OSD) controlled by buttons located on the back of the monitor. The OSD offers a variety of settings, including brightness, contrast, color temperature, overdrive settings, and various gaming presets. Navigating the OSD is relatively intuitive, although the button placement might take some getting used to.
Value Proposition: Bang for Your Buck?
The SANSUI ES-G27F2S positions itself as a budget-friendly gaming monitor, offering a compelling set of features for its price. The combination of a 165Hz refresh rate, low response time, and Adaptive-Sync support makes it a strong contender for gamers on a budget.
Pros and Cons of SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor
Pros
- 165Hz refresh rate
- 1ms MPRT response time
- Adaptive-Sync support (FreeSync and G-SYNC compatible)
- Good contrast ratio and color accuracy
- Affordable price
Cons
- No height or swivel adjustment on the stand
- Limited connectivity options (no HDMI 2.0/2.1)
Who is the SANSUI ES-G27F2S monitor for?
- Budget-conscious gamers looking for a high refresh rate monitor
- Casual gamers and multimedia users
- Gamers with mid-range graphics cards
Who is the SANSUI ES-G27F2S monitor not for?
- Professional content creators requiring high color accuracy
- Gamers seeking the highest resolution or cutting-edge connectivity
- Users prioritizing advanced ergonomic adjustments
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SANSUI ES-G27F2S is a commendable entry into the gaming monitor market. It offers a compelling combination of features and performance at an attractive price point, making it a strong contender for gamers seeking a smooth and responsive gaming experience without breaking the bank. While it may not be the perfect monitor for everyone, it undoubtedly holds its own in the competitive landscape of budget-friendly gaming displays.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: What type of panel technology is used in this SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor, and what are its characteristics?
It uses a VA (vertical alignment) panel known for its high contrast ratios and deep blacks, but with potentially narrower viewing angles compared to IPS panels.
Q: What is the significance of the 1500R curvature in the SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor?
The 1500R curvature refers to the radius of the curve (1500mm), aiming to create a more immersive and comfortable viewing experience by wrapping the display slightly around the user’s field of view.
Q: How does the 165Hz refresh rate in SANSUI ES-G27F2S benefit gaming?
A higher refresh rate like 165Hz results in smoother motion, reduced motion blur, and less screen tearing, especially beneficial in fast-paced games like FPS and racing titles.
Q: What is the difference between MPRT and GtG response time, and which is more relevant for gamers?
GtG (Gray-to-Gray) measures pixel transitions, while MPRT (Motion Picture Response Time) measures how long a pixel is visible, relating more directly to perceived motion blur. MPRT is generally considered more relevant for gaming.
Q: Is this SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor suitable for competitive gaming?
Its 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT make it a viable option for budget-conscious competitive gamers, although dedicated esports professionals might prefer higher-end options.
Q: How does the VA panel compare to IPS and TN panels in terms of image quality?
VA offers high contrast and deep blacks, IPS offers wider viewing angles and better color accuracy, and TN offers faster response times but poorer viewing angles and color.
Q: How noticeable are the viewing angle limitations of the VA panel in SANSUI ES-G27F2S gaming monitor?
They’re usually not a significant issue for single users sitting directly in front of the monitor but can become more apparent when viewing from wider angles.
