Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
In every computer hardware category, there is a balance point where you get 99% of the best possible performance for a reasonable sum. Reaching the absolute bleeding edge costs a lot more. In other words, that last one percent might double the price.
For monitors, that point is QHD resolution at 165 Hz. There are a large number of screens, IPS and VA based, in 27- and 32-inch sizes, that provide excellent performance and image quality for gaming and productivity. Cooler Master’s GM27-FQS is the latest addition to this genre.
It stands out from the competition in a couple of ways. It is one of the more color-accurate examples I’ve reviewed, requiring only a single setting change to deliver reference-level numbers in the grayscale, gamma and gamut tests. It’s one of the faster 165 Hz monitors I’ve tested with less than 30 milliseconds of total input lag. Effective overdrive and a useful backlight strobe blur reduction option mean it can be tailored to the needs of gamers at all skill levels. And it pairs equally well with FreeSync and G-Sync PCs. The only thing it doesn’t have is HDMI 2.1; though with QHD resolution, it’s still compatible with the latest consoles.
My only complaint about the image was a lack of extra HDR contrast. Like many of its competitors, the GM27-FQS does not offer dynamic contrast in HDR mode. This means there is no more depth in the HDR image over the SDR version. Color is a bit more saturated and hits the marks in color testing, but if you want impactful HDR, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Cooler Master’s GM27-FQS delivers value as its primary asset. You get excellent gaming performance, cool styling with unique lighting, solid build quality and a good all-around image that’s well suited for gaming, video or productivity. If cost is a primary consideration, you should definitely check it out.
