The constant upgrade of PCs has given rise to a whole new bracket of applications, the most popular being gaming and E-sports. Today, PCs flaunt near superhuman specifications, enabling users to get a whole other dimension to computing, and when it comes to gaming, today, we expect nothing less than perfection. While on one hand, we have the sheer performance that gives gamers and rough users, their daily high, what we cannot sideline is the monitor, because no matter how good the PC might be at performance, a bad monitor can always act as an instant deal breaker. BenQ has been in the monitor game for a very long time, and after recently acquiring popular gaming brand Zowie, they are looking to kick things up a notch, and the current front runner in their arsenal is the XL2540.
To start things off, the XL2540 is a gaming monitor brought to you by BenQ and carries by far, some of the best features available for gaming monitors today. Lets dive right into the review, and see for ourselves –
Table of Contents
DESIGN –
Gaming monitors at known to be some of the most robust products in the gadget market, and the XL2540 is no different .Featuring a sturdy matt black cabinet, the XL2540 comes with a specially designed bezel which allows gamers to view maximum content while not causing any distractions at the same time. We have the standard power button and five OSD buttons which assist in functionality. BenQ has also retained the ‘Flaps’ for the XL2540. For those of you who don’t know, BenQ gaming monitors are well known for flaps placed on the bezels on either side of the display. This they claim, is done to avoid distraction from the sides for the gamers. In the long run, the flaps also enable immersive gameplay which is the most essential factor when it comes to competitive play.
Another visible overhaul is the new stand. The new design is one of the best looking in the world of monitors today, and allows users to perform a whole buffet of adjustments with a simple touch of the finger. The additional height raise of 2.74 inches has been provided which plays a very significant role when it comes to viewing your playing field. Swivel and rotating is also allowed and so the gamers can get their most comfortable playing position for maximum results.
Next up, we have the connectivity docks. The XL2540 has a host of connectivity options and they more than sufficiently justify the price tag. We have two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort 1.2, and a DVI-DL for input options and additional ports for a microphone and a headphone. It also has four USB ports, 3 for upstream and one for downstream.
Finally, BenQ has also provided a new accessory in the form of the S switch. This remote allows users to toggle between preset modes, saved modes , OSDs and other functionality options at the touch of a button, and is very handy when you need a rapid change in settings.
Overall, the XL2540 features a very sophisticated design and a host of compelling features, making it a must buy for gamers looking for a stunning monitor.
PERFORMANCE –
The XL2540 is a piece of high end tech, and just like every other high performance monitor, it is highly recommended that you perform the tweaking to your individual taste before firing up your favourite game. The adjustment buttons on the underside of the monitor help the user to adjust the settings to their individual liking and offers a list of options including bluelight filter, film mode and black equalizer. You can set and save upto 3 personal settings which can be switched between each other using the 1-3 toggles on the S Switch remote.
The screen on the XL2540 features the Twisted Nematic film panel, and despite coming with the queer downgrade of the material, the new offering from BenQ has a staggering 240Hz refresh rate, making it only the second monitor to flaunt this feature, the first being the Asus PG258Q. What this refresh rate does is provide fluid movement even in the heat of the action, which means , coupled with a high end gaming rig, the XL2540 is unstoppable.
The only bit of bother is that the XL2540 does not feature either the Gsync or Freesync features, that are commonly found in gaming monitors. BenQ instead says that the XL2540 features an adaptive sync feature which can be fired up by selecting the DisplayPort as the input option.
Last but definitely not the least, the XL2540 is capable of a mind numbing 400 nits of brightness, which can be adjusted using the provided toggles.
All in all, the XL2540 is definitely one of the most potent gaming monitors in the market, and along with a robust and practical design, takes gaming to a level that other monitors can only dream of achieving.
Things we like :
- Black eQualizer
- Viewing Angles
- Headphone mount
- Variety of ports
- 240Hz though not much difference if you are used to 120Hz
