Buying Guide
The Best Monitors for CAD
Five monitors compared, from the 27US500 to the VG27UQ1A, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
CAD needs sharp lines and accurate colour on a large 4K IPS panel. Every pick is 4K or higher on IPS, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for refresh rate, resolution and size; where a maker leaves out refresh rate, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
LG UltraFine 27US500-W
Undercutting the CUNPU 4K on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for LG UltraFine 27US500-W (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz
48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles.
Best for: Buyers who want 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles.
Our take Check price for CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S71H) 27-inch
4K on a 27-inch IPS panel.
Best for: Buyers who want 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel.
Our take Check price for Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S71H) 27-inch (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR
A dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz.
Best for: Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A
4K at 120Hz for consoles over HDMI at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the CUNPU 4K on price when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for LG UltraFine 27US500-W (opens in a new tab) |
| 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles. | Buyers who want 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles. | Check price for CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel. | Buyers who want 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel. | Check price for Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S71H) 27-inch (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz. | Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR (opens in a new tab) |
| 4K at 120Hz for consoles over HDMI at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
LG UltraFine 27US500-W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 27US500 offers 90% DCI-P3 coverage and HDR10 input on an IPS panel in a white finish.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification.
Why we like it
It suits creative work more than gaming. It shares an IPS panel with the ViewFinity S7 27 and XG27UCSR; the VG27UQ1A goes with a fast IPS panel. You get a 90% DCI-P3 color gamut here, which sets it apart from the XG27UCSR and its a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut.
It also offers a white borderless design and a Reader Mode. At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the CUNPU 4K the next step up. There is no published refresh rate figure, whereas the CUNPU 4K offers 160Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- HDR: HDR10
- Color gamut: 90% DCI-P3
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 90% DCI-P3 colour coverage
- White borderless design
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- No published refresh rate
Also Consider2 of 5
CUNPU 27-inch 4K 160Hz on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
CUNPU's 27-inch 4K screen runs at 160Hz with an HDMI 2.1 input and 99% DCI-P3 coverage.
Best for
- Buyers who want 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the 27US500, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is one of the cheapest 4K high-refresh monitors here. It shares a fast IPS panel with the VG27UQ1A; the 27US500 goes with an IPS panel. You get an HDR400 here, which sets it apart from the VG27UQ1A and its an HDR.
You get a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut here, which sets it apart from the XG27UCSR and its a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut. You also get 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles, a factory calibration of Delta E under 2 and 4K at a budget price tier. Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. It was priced above the 27US500 and below the ViewFinity S7 27 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: HDR400
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the 27US500 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Samsung ViewFinity S7 (S71H) 27-inch on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ViewFinity S7 27-inch is a plain 4K IPS screen for sharp text.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel.
Skip if
- Pass on it if hDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certificatio rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Samsung doesn't state a refresh rate. TÜV-certified Eye Saver mode cuts blue light and flicker, and HDMI and DisplayPort inputs keep setup simple. Like the 27US500 and XG27UCSR, it has an IPS panel, while the CUNPU 4K uses a fast IPS panel.
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. It also brings an IPS panel with wide viewing angles. Its price falls between the CUNPU 4K and the XG27UCSR, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed refresh rate should compare it with the CUNPU 4K, which offers 160Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- HDR: HDR10
Pros
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel
Cons
- HDR10 support without a DisplayHDR certification
- No published refresh rate
- Costs more than the 27US500 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCSR on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XG27UCSR adds USB-C and a dual mode at 1080p 324Hz, with ASUS's 3-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the 27US500 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It shares an IPS panel with the 27US500 and ViewFinity S7 27; the VG27UQ1A goes with a fast IPS panel. It shares a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut with the VG27UQ1A; the CUNPU 4K goes with a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K.
Another plus is 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen. Worth noting too: 4K resolution for sharp text and detail. It was priced above the ViewFinity S7 27 and below the VG27UQ1A at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: IPS
- Response: 0.3ms
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- USB-C: Yes
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- an IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the 27US500 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming VG27UQ1A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The VG27UQ1A brings TUF to 4K at 160Hz with 95% DCI-P3 coverage and a three-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the 27US500 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It needs a strong graphics card to use its refresh rate at 4K. Like the CUNPU 4K, it has a fast IPS panel, while the 27US500 uses an IPS panel. Like the XG27UCSR, it has a 95% DCI-P3 color gamut, while the 27US500 uses a 90% DCI-P3 color gamut.
It also comes with 4K at 120Hz for consoles over HDMI. Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards.
It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the XG27UCSR and the rest. The trade-off is refresh rate; for more, the CUNPU 4K offers 160Hz.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Fast IPS
- Response: 1ms
- HDR: HDR
- Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
- Adaptive sync: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium
- Warranty: 3-year
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a Fast IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- 95% DCI-P3 colour coverage
Cons
- Costs more than the 27US500 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Monitors for CAD
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the 27US500 to the VG27UQ1A, state resolution, screen size and panel and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 27US500 and the ViewFinity S7 27 give no refresh rate; the 27US500 and the ViewFinity S7 27 give no response.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the 27US500 ($150 to $250) to the VG27UQ1A ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Monitor for CAD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Response
The CUNPU 4K and the VG27UQ1A list 1ms; the XG27UCSR lists 0.3ms.
What to check at home
At 4K, check that your graphics card and cable support 4K at the refresh rate you want before you buy. Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K.
Features beyond the spec table
The ViewFinity S7 27: 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel. The XG27UCSR: a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz. The VG27UQ1A: a 3-year warranty with advance replacement.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the 27US500, the CUNPU 4K and the ViewFinity S7 27; $250 to $500 buys the XG27UCSR and the VG27UQ1A at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the budget tight: the 27US500. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the VG27UQ1A.
Size for your desk distance
24 to 25 inches suits 1080p and competitive play at a typical desk. 27 inches pairs well with 1440p and 4K; 32 inches suits 4K at a deeper desk.
How to Choose a Monitor for CAD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | 27US500 | Undercutting the CUNPU 4K on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles | CUNPU 4K | 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles |
| Buyers who want 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel | ViewFinity S7 27 | 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel |
| Buyers who want dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz | XG27UCSR | A dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | VG27UQ1A | 4K at 120Hz for consoles over HDMI at the highest price in the group |
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Key specs side by side
The 27US500, the CUNPU 4K and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27US500 | Not listed | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| CUNPU 4K | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
| ViewFinity S7 27 | Not listed | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| XG27UCSR | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | IPS |
| VG27UQ1A | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Fast IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The 27US500 was the lowest-priced pick and the VG27UQ1A the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | 27US500, CUNPU 4K, ViewFinity S7 27 |
| About $250 to $500 | XG27UCSR, VG27UQ1A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the 27US500 the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for undercutting the CUNPU 4K on price when we checked. It suits keeping the budget tight.
Do the 27US500 and the CUNPU 4K differ on panel?
The 27US500, the ViewFinity S7 27 and the XG27UCSR use IPS; the CUNPU 4K and the VG27UQ1A use Fast IPS.
What should I check before buying the VG27UQ1A?
Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the 27US500 and the CUNPU 4K apart?
The 27US500: a white borderless design. The CUNPU 4K: 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles. The ViewFinity S7 27: 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel.
Is HDR worth it on a budget monitor?
Rarely. Budget HDR10 monitors accept HDR but lack the brightness and contrast to show it well. OLED or DisplayHDR 600 models do it better.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 27US500, chosen for undercutting the CUNPU 4K on price when we checked. Look at the CUNPU 4K for 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 for consoles, the ViewFinity S7 27 for 4K on a 27-inch IPS panel and the XG27UCSR for a dual mode that switches to 1080p at 324Hz if those matter more to you.
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