This 1440p 165 Hz ASRock gaming monitor is now cheaper than many at 1080p

ASRock Phantom PG27Q15R2A | 27-inch | 165 Hz | 1440p | VA | FreeSync Premium | $239.99$153.77 at Newegg (save $86.22 after rebate)
ASRock's gaming monitors are always so darned cheap—we love them for that. This 1440p panel offers resolution and a rapid refresh rate for a potent PC gaming combo, though the built-in Wi-Fi antenna helps it stand out from the crowd. That's hardly essential, but could come in useful for some.

Price check: Amazon $229

It seems like only yesterday that a decent 1440p monitor with a refresh rate of 120 Hz or higher would set you back substantially. That's why seeing just the normal sticker price on this ASRock monitor reminded me how scarily fast the market for the best gaming monitors has progressed over the past few years. But with a hefty discount, too? Yep, I'm listening.

There's plenty that might make this deal on the 27-inch ASRock Phantom PG27Q15R2A worth even its non-discounted $240 price tag, and the retailer currently has it on offer for $154 after rebate, which makes for a sizeable 35% discount. A discount, I might add, that puts it well below the sticker price of many 1080p gaming monitors.

While we haven't got our hands (or our eyes) on this standard aspect ratio model, Jeremy previously tested the similar but ultrawide ASRock Phantom PG34WQ15R2B and found it delightful. The 27-inch ASRock Phantom display on offer today shares the same 550-nit peak brightness as the ultrawide he tested, which permits its DisplayHDR 400 rating. 

In practice, this should mean it delivers punchy visuals and spades of dynamic contrast. Heck, Jeremy even found that the ASRock ultrawide made SDR content look great with Windows-enabled HDR. This punchiness is, of course, to be expected in a solid VA panel. Expect deep blacks, bright whites, and vibrant colours—though don't expect anything close to the contrast of DisplayHDR 1000 hotshots. 

One downside to VA panels compared to IPS panels is slower pixel response times, but ASRock is claiming a snappy