Gigabyte GS27QC Curved 170 Hz Gaming Monitor Review: Solid Performance for Budget Gamers

27-inch QHD VA 1500R curved gaming monitor with 170 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR and wide-gamut color

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Gigabyte GS27QC
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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It’s good that buying a 27-inch QHD 170 Hz gaming monitor for just $200 is now possible. Not only is that a third of what they cost ten years ago, but today’s displays are better in every way with speedy performance, Adaptive-Sync, HDR and extended color. I remember when $200 would buy you an add-on G-Sync module that had to be installed by the user into a monitor, which would of course void the warranty.

(Image credit: Gigabyte)

Gigabyte has raised the bar for value with the GS27QC. The 170 Hz overclock is entirely stable and reliable. It works perfectly with G-Sync and FreeSync. It has one of the best overdrives available in any monitor at any price. And it delivers a clear, bright and colorful image for both SDR and HDR content without calibration. The curve is a nice bonus too, which you couldn’t get at all ten years ago.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The feature list is a bit thin, which isn’t unusual at this price. There are no internal speakers, USB ports or LED lights. But there are aiming points, timers and a refresh rate indicator. The HDR switch is seamless. And if you want a backlight strobe, it’s there as well. Gaming feel is top-notch and on par with the best I’ve seen. The GS27QC matches motion resolution with most 240 Hz monitors.

So, if the $250 GS32QC is too expensive for your budget, the GS27QC at $200 delivers the same features and performance, just in a smaller size. It’s one of the best values going and gamers looking to save some cash should definitely check it out.

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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.