Gigabyte M27Q 27-inch 170 Hz Monitor Review: Fast Response, Huge Color

Might just be the ideal monitor for skilled competition-level gamers looking for a good value.

Reviews
By Christian Eberle
published
Gigabyte M27Q
(Image: © Gigabyte)

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Viewing Angles

Gigabyte M27Q

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Gigabyte M27Q has typical IPS viewing angles with a greenish red tint visible at 45 degrees  to the sides. Light reduction is only about 20%, which is better than many monitors we’ve tested. From the top, things look a little blue with a 30% light falloff and a slight reduction in gamma. Overall, the M27Q’s performance in this test is very good.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

Gigabyte M27Q

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Our M27Q sample had slightly visible hotspots in the two lower corners. We could see them in a black field pattern with the lights turned off but not when there was some ambient light. Brighter patterns showed no issues. Color uniformity was excellent with no visible change from edge to edge.

Pixel Response & Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

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Gigabyte M27Q
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The M27Q is a very fast monitor, even among its speedy competition. Its 6ms draw time is typical for a 165 or 170 Hz screen, although our 165 Hz examples from Pixio, Gigabyte and ViewSonic took 7ms.

But the big news is the low input lag. With a total time of just 22ms, the M27Q ranks as one of the fastest monitors we’ve tested. This puts the M27Q on par with a 240 Hz screen for total lag, though a 240 Hz monitor will produce visibly better motion resolution.

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.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • eating4fun
    The monitor stand is very flat. It's very easy to put things like your keyboard there if you need more deskspace in a moment.
    Reply
  • Joao Nascimento
    Super resolution add blur?
    Reply
  • Rabsi1985
    I'm afraid of buying this monitor after reading some reviews of users that have troubles with the sub pixel lay-out When reading text
    Reply
  • Renato Cvikic
    me to. first time I ever hear for that problem.
    Specially because I need great versatile monitor. I don't game pretty much 10% of my pc usage mostly forums, reading texts, and yt..
    So i need monitor that is good in all of that,
    it seems to me that dell s27dgf is my choice?
    Reply
  • phl0w79
    In the market for a new monitor used for gaming (PS5), reading, and photo editing. Been using an Eizo till now but want a larger more versatile screen. Been eyeing the M27Q for quite some time since it seem to strike a perfect blend of good performance and price. However, this test showed the cheaper G27QC better on all fronts but input lag (6 vs 7 ms). is there something i overlook or why would I get the M27 over the G27?
    Reply