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If someone asks me to recommend a gaming monitor for less than $400, I have a couple of genre choices. A 240 Hz QHD IPS screen delivers the smoothest frame rates. But an Ultra HD monitor, especially in the 27-inch size, has the sharpest image. It’s important to consider what kinds of games will be played. If you need competition level quickness, Ultra HD might not be fast enough. If ultimate image quality is your goal though, high pixel density like that of the Gigabyte GS27U is the ticket to happiness.
While I enjoy a jumbo screen, 32 inches or larger, there is something special about 163 ppi. That’s the pixel density of a 27-inch Ultra HD monitor and it means you won’t see the dot structure, even at the closest viewing distance.
The GS27U is a standout in its category. The picture is incredibly sharp and colorful thanks to its nearly 93% coverage of DCI-P3. It looked a little green out of the box, but calibration brought it to reference level accuracy. The contrast ratio is on the low side of average, and there’s no extra dynamic range for HDR content. But the GS27U is bright, over 473 nits in HDR mode which gives it added verve.
The best part is its video processing which is on par with the very best displays. The overdrive is flexible and precise, and the backlight strobe feature is usable with minimal artifacts. Thanks to Display Stream Compression through the DisplayPort 1.4 input, it’s possible to max the frame rate at 160 Hz and enjoy super smooth motion and low input lag. In the Ultra HD category, it’s one of the quickest.
All of this can be had for $300 at this writing, which is perhaps the most significant fact of all. The Gigabyte GS27U raises the bar for Ultra HD performance and value. And that makes it well worth checking out.
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