Summary
RCA has officially entered the PC gaming space with the release of their M Series of monitors. In a market saturated with an array of powerful monitors, RCA is taking a bold step forward with its flagship design, which boasts a sleek look, backed up by impressive stats. The company has always been a bit gaming-monitor-adjacent thanks to its lineup of televisions but what can gamers really expect from the M Series and how does it stack up compared to other monitors currently on the market at the price point?
240hz
Ports
The M Series currently contains two monitors with almost identical designs and stats, separated primarily by their refresh rate. The standard M27SG134F Evolution Select comes packed with a 165hz refresh rate, while the upgraded M27PG135F Evolution Premium boasts 240hz. Both monitors are identical in their physical design, with an impressive high-quality tilt-and-pivot quick-release stand featuring a height-adjustable tripod base. Each monitor features a thin bezel on the edges of the 27-inch flat screen that helps keep players immersed in their favorite games.
The nitty-gritty specifications see the M Series sporting a 1ms gray-to-gray response time, which measures the amount of time it takes for a pixel to proceed from one gray level to the next. This 1ms response time is impressive enough on its own but comes with built-in overclocking for those looking to get the absolute best out of their monitor. Past this, players will also find 300 nits of brightness, adaptive refresh technology, and more packed into a 1440p QHD IPS display.
Quality You Can Feel
The first thing we noticed when unboxing the M27PG135F Evolution Premium is just howgoodit feels. Made with high-quality materials, the monitor strikes a good balance between light-weight and sturdy, which should appeal to gamers looking for a quality build. The screen itself is sleek, featuring a very thin bezel that helps to increase the amount of screen compared to the casing, with the backing of the monitor showcasing a striking V-shape that hides customizable RGB lighting. The light feeling of the screen itself is balanced by the sheer weight of the height-adjustable stand and tripod base. The stand, in particular, feels heavy, which helps to greatly improve the overall stability of the monitor when it’s all put together. The base is exceptionally designed too, with high-quality metal and a three-legged structure that helps to better hold the size of the 27-inch screen. The middle leg on the back is much shorter than its side-facing counterparts, which is a welcome addition as it helps the monitor fit better on a desk.
The stand also features a handy oval-shaped cutout located in the center of the pole that helps with cable management while still maintaining the ability to easily telescope up and down for the perfect height customization. The stand connection at the screen allows for easy tilting too, giving players a wide array of angles that are easily adjustable on the fly. All of this is incredibly easy to assemble out of the box, with the tripod base snapping comfortably into the stand and three included screws helping to firmly attach the screen. Users will only need a Phillips screwdriver to attach the screen to the stand and the entire process takes less than five minutes.
If there is one downside to take away from the monitor, it’s that the telescoping height system seems to lack a “locking” mechanism. This makes it supremely easy to move on the fly, so players can make small adjustments quickly. Adversely, it’s possible for the monitor to “slide back down” from a set height if users bump into their desk or the monitor. Not a massive issue, but it’s something to consider for some looking into getting a height-adjustable monitor.
A Difference You Can See
We compared the M27PG135F Evolution Premium side-by-side with a 27-inch 1080p gaming monitor with a comparable response time. The increase to 1440p is easily noticeable for those craving something with a better resolution that will show them more of their favorite games but what really stood out to us immediately was how much of a difference the 300 nits of brightness made. The colors were much more vibrant compared to the other monitor and things were much easier to see and read thanks to the bright and vibrant screen.
Although the response times were similar, the Evolution Premium did seem to have an edge over its competition, especially when playing action-intensive games and shooters. We spent approximately one week with the M27PG135F Evolution Premium and put it through its paces on titles like Battlefield 2042, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Destiny 2, and more. The monitor performed exceptionally well in every game, with the enhanced brightness and response time making it a visual spectacle during both action-heavy sequences and simple cutscenes.
A Bevvy Of Great Features
The Evolution Premium differentiates itself from the Evolution Select by sporting a 240hz refresh rate, but it also includes a USB-C video cable with a power delivery of up to 90 watts. Both monitor styles also come with a 1.4 Display Port cable. The monitor also features built-in speakers for those looking to save space and use an alternative sound method to headphones. The speakers sounded pretty solid (as far as built-in monitor speakers go) and it’s fantastic that RCA was able to add them on top of all of the other features packed into the Evolution Premium.
The back of the monitor also features an immersive RGB lighting system that will help players engage with their games better by offering a soft back lighting. Those looking for supreme customization over their device will find a wide array of different connection types on the back, from HDMI to Display Port, and the USB-C port on the back will support charging for other devices to help save space, making it a perfect companion for items like wireless keyboards or mice to give them a quick charge during extended play sessions. A smart addition to an already features-loaded monitor.
A Great Entry Into The Gaming Monitor Race
Overall, we really enjoyed the time we spent with the RCA M27PG135F Evolution Premium gaming monitor. The design is spectacularly sleek, with an incredible quality feel that left an impression on us right out of the box. We’ve spent a lot of time with many gaming monitors over the years and this one is a cut above the rest, with exciting features and an easy-to-assemble design that feels sturdy and well-made. The Evolution Premium performed well no matter what game we were playing, with an added brightness that definitely made a difference.
An unfortunate downside is the rather large price tag, which can be a bit of a set back for some. The Evolution Premium is definitely a “premium” device, with a price point of $429. There is a $299 version that will knock the 240hz refresh rate down to 165hz but is similar in almost all other aspects to its pricier counterpart. It can seem a bit difficult to justify the $129 price jump just for a raised refresh rate for some, making the Evolution Premium a bit of a harder sell overall for most casual players or those on a budget.
RCA Evolution Premium 27'' 1440p Gaming Monitor
Gamers can grab theRCA M27PG135F Evolution Premium gaming monitor from RCAfor $429 (with the Evolution Select 165hz variantcoming in at $299).
