Meet the ASRock PG27FFX1B Gaming Monitor
If you are looking to upgrade your setup with a super responsive gaming monitor without spending a fortune, the ASRock PG27FFX1B is a deal worth a closer look. This 27 inch display targets gamers who care about speed, smooth motion and solid color quality, all at a price that is surprisingly affordable.
The standout spec here is the refresh rate. This monitor offers an incredible 520 hertz refresh rate on a Full HD IPS panel. That kind of speed makes it especially attractive for competitive players in titles like Valorant, Counter Strike and fast paced battle royales, where every millisecond matters and motion clarity can give you a real edge.
At a current price of 237.99 dollars with a claimed discount of more than 55 percent off its usual price of over 290 dollars, the ASRock PG27FFX1B positions itself as a performance focused option for gamers who want high refresh rate gaming without moving to extremely expensive esports panels.
Why a 520Hz Monitor Matters for Gaming
Refresh rate is one of the most important specs for PC gamers. It determines how many times per second your monitor updates the image on screen. A standard office monitor might run at 60 hertz. Many gaming monitors now offer 144 hertz or 165 hertz. High end esports displays push 240 hertz or more. The ASRock PG27FFX1B goes far beyond that with 520 hertz.
What does that mean in practice?
- Smoother motion: With a much higher refresh rate, animations look more fluid and less choppy. Fast camera pans, flicks and sudden turns feel more natural.
- Lower perceived blur: Higher refresh rates reduce motion blur, so fast moving enemies and objects stay clearer and easier to track.
- Better responsiveness: Combined with a capable graphics card and low input lag, a 520 hertz display can make your in game actions feel more immediate.
Of course to really benefit from a 520 hertz monitor, your PC needs to deliver very high frame rates. That often means pairing this monitor with a powerful modern GPU and a solid CPU, especially in esports titles where frame rates can easily climb into the hundreds.
Even if you do not always hit 520 frames per second, a high refresh headroom is still useful. Games that run between 200 and 400 frames per second will still feel extremely responsive on a 520 hertz panel and you will retain the motion clarity benefits over traditional 144 hertz or 165 hertz monitors.
Image Quality and Everyday Use
Speed is not everything. A lot of old school esports monitors used narrow color gamut TN panels that were fast but had poor color and viewing angles. The ASRock PG27FFX1B instead uses an IPS panel, which is generally better for both gaming and everyday use.
Key benefits of the IPS panel here include:
- Wide color gamut: Colors look richer and more vibrant than on basic panels. This is nice for modern games with detailed art styles and vivid effects.
- Better viewing angles: The image stays more consistent when you look from the sides or slightly above or below, which helps in multi monitor setups or shared viewing.
- Balanced for productivity: An IPS panel is also good for browsing, media consumption and light creative work like photo editing or content creation.
The resolution is Full HD which is 1920 by 1080 on a 27 inch screen. While some users prefer 1440p at this size for sharper text and more detail, Full HD still makes a lot of sense for competitive gaming. The lower resolution is easier on the GPU which means higher frame rates, making it possible to better utilize that 520 hertz refresh rate.
For productivity, 27 inches at 1080p is acceptable for most people though text will not look as crisp as on a 1440p or 4K display. Still, if your primary goal is smooth gameplay and you occasionally use your PC for work or study, this resolution and panel combination is a solid compromise.
Who This Monitor Is For
The ASRock PG27FFX1B is best suited to a specific type of user. Before buying, ask yourself how you will use your PC most of the time.
- Competitive gamers: If you mainly play fast paced shooters, battle royales or any esports title and your system can push very high frame rates, this monitor will give you an incredibly smooth and responsive experience.
- Budget performance seekers: At around 237.99 dollars and advertised at more than 55 percent off, it offers an accessible entry point into extreme high refresh gaming compared to some premium esports displays.
- Mixed use with gaming focus: The IPS panel and wide color gamut mean you can comfortably use this monitor for everyday tasks, watching videos and casual content creation, while still enjoying great gaming performance.
If you mainly play slower cinematic single player games or prioritize ultra sharp visuals and 4K resolution, then a higher resolution monitor might be a better fit than such an extreme refresh rate. But if you live in shooters, racers or any game where fast reaction is crucial, the ASRock PG27FFX1B is designed with you in mind.
In short, this 27 inch 520 hertz IPS monitor offers a blend of esports level speed and decent image quality at a price that is far more approachable than many top tier competitive displays. For PC gamers looking to step up their performance without breaking their budget, it is a compelling option to consider.
Original article and image: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/buy-an-asrock-27-inch-520hz-fhd-ips-panel-for-only-usd237-99-asrocks-phantom-gaming-pg27ffx1b-is-over-usd290-off-and-at-its-lowest-price-ever-on-newegg
