HP Omen 27k Overview | PCMag

The HP Omen 27k ($579) is a 4K gaming monitor with a VESA DisplayHDR 400 score, promising high-fidelity visuals at an honest worth. And for probably the most half, it delivers. It provides exceptionally low enter lag, good distinction and brightness rankings, and extra nice-to-haves like a built-in KVM change. Add in a fairly excessive 144Hz most refresh price, and the HP Omen 27k turns into a worthy buy for informal avid gamers with 4K-capable PCs or consoles and round $500 to spend on a monitor.

The Design: A Good Omen

Compact, at 27 inches on the diagonal, the Omen 27k sports activities a easy, clear look. Skinny black bezels wrap across the display’s edges, creating an almost borderless body, whereas the Omen emblem adorns the underside a part of the monitor. Flip it round, and also you’ll spot the Omen emblem once more, together with an RGB-lit diamond that surrounds the monitor’s middle. On the decrease left nook, you’ll discover the OSD management stick, in addition to a couple of shortcut buttons. The stand itself is easy, with a sq. backside that holds the monitor regular.

(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)

So far as ports go, the HP Omen 27k ought to fulfill each console and PC avid gamers, with two HDMI ports (one 2.0 and one 2.1), a DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB Kind-C (which can be used as a DisplayPort enter). The HDMI 2.1 assist is crucial for tapping into excessive body charges on the Xbox Sequence X and PlayStation 5. Utilizing the HDMI 2.0 port will lock you at 60Hz, so you’ll be able to’t join a type of consoles and a PC concurrently and luxuriate in most efficiency.

Two 3-watt built-in audio system inhabit the proper and left sides. They produce okay sound, although in testing we have been tempted to seize a set of exterior audio system or a gaming headset for longer periods.

Notably, you may additionally discover two USB Kind-A ports, which work with the built-in KVM change that is much like those discovered on extra premium gaming displays just like the Lenovo Legion Y32p-30. A KVM change means that you can management a number of units with one keyboard and mouse plugged straight into the monitor. It is a great tool for multitaskers who discover themselves switching between machines on the identical show.

(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)

The HP Omen 27k measures 20.6 by 8.8 by 24.2 inches (HWD), and with the stand, it weighs 16.6 kilos. It is available in a bit greater and a bit heavier than different 27-inch displays, just like the Sony Inzone M9. The stand permits for loads of adjustment, with a height-adjust vary as much as 4 inches, assist for a 90-degree pivot to portrait mode, and a -5 to +20 diploma tilt.

(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)

The HP Omen 27k makes use of an IPS show, which is the go-to panel know-how for many gaming displays, as they usually show decrease response instances, better coloration accuracy, and higher viewing angles than VA panels do. Whereas these strengths make IPS panels an excellent match for gaming, OLED panels are higher nonetheless, unmatched in coloration vibrancy. The trade-off is a a lot larger worth, regularly north of $1,000, which makes the $580 Omen seem like a downright cut price.

(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)

The Omen additionally consists of further customization performance with the Omen Gentle Studio, an app that permits customers to customise the monitor’s RGB lighting and hyperlink it to different suitable HP gaming gear for their very own game-specific gentle present. The software program must be acquainted to anybody who has used comparable utilities from different makers (equivalent to Razer Synapse), although there could also be a slight studying curve if you happen to’re new to the world of customized RGB lighting results.

Testing the HP Omen 27k: The Satan’s within the Particulars

The HP Omen 27k is a succesful monitor, on paper anyway. To raised decide its true efficiency, we pitted the monitor towards comparable 4K gaming displays in a benchmark gauntlet that measures coloration gamut, brightness, coloration accuracy, and distinction ratio utilizing our Calman monitor calibration software program, Murideo Six-G sign generator, and Klein Ok-80 colorimeter.

Our first check measures the monitor’s brightness over an SDR sign in its default image mode. The Omen 27k reached 421 nits of brightness, barely above its 400-nit score. To measure peak HDR brightness, we use the VESA DisplayHDR compliance checks, obtainable at no cost on the Microsoft Retailer. On this check, the Omen soared above its DisplayHDR 400 score, measuring 552 nits.

Analyzing the monitor’s color-gamut protection subsequent, the HP Omen 27K spanned 95% of the sRGB coloration gamut, 70% of Adobe RGB, and 70% of DCI-P3. That is not unhealthy, however we’ve seen higher from different 4K displays.

(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)

Measuring coloration accuracy subsequent, the HP Omen 27k recorded a Delta E of two. The upper the Delta E, the extra the colours are likely to stray from their supposed hue. A price below 1 is good, although most gaming displays are likely to hover nearer to 2, particularly with out-of-the-box settings. The HP Omen 27k sits proper on the supposed mark, and the colours certainly look candy on the display.

Lastly, we have a look at the distinction ratio, which signifies the distinction in luminance between the brightest white and darkest black {that a} monitor can produce. It makes a distinction in image high quality, particularly throughout darkish scenes in gameplay. The HP Omen 27k measured 1,035:1 with a black degree of 0.5, which basically matches the static distinction ratio of 1,000:1 marketed on the monitor’s product web page.

Media and Gaming Efficiency

For a gaming monitor, crucial metric for a lot of critical gamers will likely be its enter lag. To measure that, we make use of the HDFury Diva HDMI matrix. The HP Omen did not disappoint, measuring lower than 1ms of enter lag. That’s a wonderful consequence, and a great one if you happen to’re hardcore about aggressive video games. AMD Freesync Premium is included, and so is Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, which ought to get rid of any potential display tearing.

Some individuals would possibly contemplate the monitor’s 144Hz refresh price to be on the low finish, given the appearance of 240Hz and better displays (see the rocket-high Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor, for instance) however I discover that it’s a candy spot for avid gamers who’ve midrange computer systems and consoles. (Bear in mind: 240Hz is beneficial provided that the sport you are enjoying can hit 240fps in your {hardware} at your supposed play decision!) Operating Counter-Strike: World Offensive, Cyberpunk 2077, and Rainbow Six Siege all proved profitable, with none noticeable points on the monitor’s half. General, gaming on the Omen is easy—and handsome, too.

Verdict: An Auspicious 4K Gaming Monitor

The HP Omen 27k provides good brightness, a large coloration vary, respectable coloration accuracy, and remarkably low enter lag. Higher nonetheless, at below $600, it’s comparatively inexpensive, and a much better deal than final 12 months’s HP Omen 27u or current 4K displays just like the Legion Y32p-30. Whereas we advocate OLED fashions just like the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 if you happen to’re available in the market for a top-shelf 27-inch gaming monitor to pair with a kitted-out gaming PC, the Omen 27k delivers nearly all the things you want for gaming in your console or midrange PC by way of efficiency, and it does it with pleasing 4K visuals.