Cooler Master Tempest GP27U 160 Hz Mini LED 4K Review: Bright, Colorful And Speedy

The Tempest GP27U is a 4K IPS panel with a 576-zone Mini LED backlight and a huge color gamut.

Reviews
By Christian Eberle
published
Cooler Master Tempest GP27U
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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Mini LED monitors still represent the premium end of the price scale, but as they grow in numbers, costs inevitably fall. The Cooler Master Tempest GP27U is the first example I’ve seen for less than $1,000. And the good part is that no corners were cut. It outdistances the competition in speed and color volume. 

(Image credit: Cooler Master)

While the fastest 4K gaming monitor is currently Samsung’s 240 Hz G8, the GP27U creates its own tier at 160 Hz. The only bummer is that you can’t use Adaptive-Sync over 144 Hz. Users will have to assess their preferences for frame rates versus the occasional frame tear. But with some of the best video processing I’ve seen, it’s hard to complain. Not only are there multiple fixed overdrive settings, but a variable option also delivers motion that’s almost entirely blur-free with no ghosting.

For me, color and contrast are the stars. With effective local dimming for both SDR and HDR, the GP27U is capable of zero black levels and infinite contrast. In practice, an OLED will still have the edge but not by much. With over 113% coverage of DCI-P3 and a passable attempt at Rec.2020, the GP27U is one of the most colorful monitors available in any genre, at any price.

Since this is the first Mini LED screen to come in under $1,000, a few flaws could be excused. The Cooler Master GP27U is a superlative and addictive gaming monitor that compliments any high-end PC or console with a stunning picture and smooth gameplay. If you are seeking high frame rates and high resolution in the same monitor, definitely check it out.

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • helper800
    Not OLED and >1000 dollars, no thank you.
    Reply
  • healthy Pro-teen
    helper800 said:
    Not OLED and >1000 dollars, no thank you.
    it depends on the resolution you want, for example, the Alienware QD-OLED monitor is 175HZ and not a lot more expensive but it's 1440P instead of 4K. the tempest is the fine value at a thousand dollars.
    Reply
  • DougMcC
    14k pixels per dimming zone. No thank you.
    Reply
  • helper800
    healthy Pro-teen said:
    it depends on the resolution you want, for example, the Alienware QD-OLED monitor is 175HZ and not a lot more expensive but it's 1440P instead of 4K. the tempest is the fine value at a thousand dollars.
    You can get a 4k OLED for less than a thousand dollars...

    Newegg has since changed the link to a different product. The Aorus FO48U monitor.
    Reply
  • PlaneInTheSky
    Alienware QD-OLED monitor is 175HZ and not a lot more expensive but it's 1440P instead of 4K

    Samsung's QD-OLED (which that Alienware uses) has a lot of artefacts and color fringing issues.

    Just search "color fringing qd-oled" and you'll get hundreds of people pointing out the issues with QD-OLED.

    OLED has this problem in general, but it is worse on the QD-OLED from samsung.

    Reply
  • helper800
    PlaneInTheSky said:
    Samsung's QD-OLED (which that Alienware uses) has a lot of artefacts and color fringing issues.

    Just search "color fringing qd-oled" and you'll get hundreds of people pointing out the issues with QD-OLED.

    OLED has this problem in general, but it is worse on the QD-OLED from samsung.

    When you are viewing content and playing games there are no issues. This issue with QD-OLED is also partially a windows problem because they do not support the pixel layout of the monitor. You can get a 3rd party program that fixes this issue for non-windows ui and text elements within it. You can completely fix this issue for W-OLED with ClearType.
    Reply
  • PlaneInTheSky
    When you are viewing content and playing games there are no issues.

    In every game with text, the color fringing of QD-OLED and OLED, IS a major issue.

    Monitor makers are trying to damage control this issue, but when people are paying so much money for an OLED monitor and they realize OLED tech has color fringing issues that even $100 VA or IPS panels don't have, that leaves a very sour taste in people's mouth.


    The color fringing is also an issue with high contrast UI elements.

    Reply
  • helper800
    PlaneInTheSky said:
    In every game with text, the color fringing of QD-OLED and OLED, IS a major issue.

    Monitor makers are trying to damage control this issue, but when people are paying so much money for an OLED monitor and they realize OLED tech has color fringing issues that even $100 VA or IPS panels don't have, that leaves a very sour taste in people's mouth.


    The color fringing is also an issue with high contrast UI elements.

    I am literally staring at this on my W-OLED tv 44 inches from my eyes and cannot distinguish any fringing. My brother's QD-OLED has some fringing at appropriate viewing distances but, like I said, there are 3rd party text clarity programs that can fix the issue in some circumstances.
    52eiLP3Zy-sView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=52eiLP3Zy-s
    Reply
  • Lug
    "The only caveat is that you must turn off Adaptive-Sync to go above 144 Hz "

    Not with firmware update from December 2022.. :

    Changelog:
    Adaptive Sync (VRR) and Local Dimming can now be enabled together.Fixed some instances where the KVM would not automatically switch to a new signal input.
    More overall flexible color adjustments in all picture modes.
    Enabling Adaptive Sync will no longer limit the refresh rate to 144Hz, and instead works up to 160Hz (both HDMI 2.1 and DP).
    Reply
  • healthy Pro-teen
    helper800 said:
    You can get a 4k OLED for less than a thousand dollars...
    That AORUS FO48U could be a legit alternative, but The tempest has Brighter, better HDR, and a higher refresh rate. I'll consider it If it ever comes back into stock.
    Reply