Gigabyte G27F 2 monitor review: It’s all about affordable speed

Price When Reviewed

$199.99

Best Prices Today: Gigabyte’s G27F 2

Shoppers on the lookout for a funds monitor must compromise. It’s potential to snag good coloration efficiency, stable distinction, eye-catching brightness, or a excessive refresh fee, however most funds choices verify simply two of these 4 bins. Gigabyte G27F 2 manages to verify three. Unfortunately, it has one large flaw that holds it again.

This assessment is a part of our ongoing roundup of the best gaming monitors. Go there for data on competing merchandise and the way we check them.

Gigabyte G27F 2: The specs

The Gigabyte G27F 2 is a 27-inch monitor with a decision of 1920×1080 that makes use of an IPS show panel. It additionally has a refresh fee of as much as 165Hz (and, in testing, achieved 170Hz). That’s a really excessive refresh fee for such an inexpensive show. 

• Display dimension: 27-inch
• Native decision: 1,920×1,080
• Panel kind: IPS
• Refresh fee: 165Hz (170Hz examined)
• HDR: Yes, no VESA DisplayHDR certification
• Ports: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x USB-B 3.2, 1x USB-A 3.2, 3.5mm audio
• Stand adjustment: Height, tilt
• VESA mount: 100x100mm
• Speakers: None
• Price: $199.99 MSRP

Pricing may be very inexpensive, carrying an MSRP of simply $199.99. This is a brand new mannequin, so I anticipate it is going to promote close to that MSRP for a number of months, a minimum of. Still, that is on the low finish of pricing for a 1080p 165Hz monitor even when offered at its full MSRP.

Gigabyte G27F 2: Design

The Gigabyte G27F 2’s look is aggressively primary. It has a matte-black chassis with slim bezels on three sides and a big chin on the underside. Around again there’s extra matte-black plastic. A shiny higher quarter provides a touch of sophistication—however solely a touch. There are additionally a couple of PCB-like etchings within the corners, however they’re arduous to note. 

It’s an analogous story for the stand. A thin, matte-black neck connects to a small wedge-shaped base. The stand’s footprint can also be small, making it a good selection for small desks. 

Matt Smith

Height and tilt adjustment can be found, however swivel and pivot are lacking. That’s not an issue on the Gigabyte G27F 2’s worth, as even peak adjustment is just not a assure on the low finish. A 100x100mm VESA mount is out there to connect a third-party monitor stand or arm.

On the entire, the Gigabyte G27F 2’s design is nothing particular. That’s advantageous. The G27F 2 covers the fundamentals at a low worth. It’s additionally tame sufficient to have broad enchantment. It received’t stand out in a lounge or dwelling workplace.

Gigabyte G27F 2: Features and menu

The Gigabyte G27F has two HDMI 2.0 ports and one DisplayPort 1.2. The lack of extra succesful connection requirements is just not a problem, as all three ports can drive the monitor at its most decision of 1080p and 165Hz. The inclusion of three video inputs is typical of a funds monitor, however nonetheless appreciated, as screens under $200 will sometimes get by with simply two.

Matt Smith

A USB hub is out there by means of a USB-B upstream port however connects to simply two USB-A 3.2 ports, each of that are on the monitor’s rear panel. That’s helpful for a wired keyboard and mouse however not handy for USB thumb drives and different gadgets which might be continuously moved. 

Monitor options are managed by a joystick on the monitor’s proper flank. Gigabyte’s giant on-screen menu is simple to learn, however its location close to the middle of the monitor could make changes to picture high quality tough to note. 

The menu format may very well be higher. Many high quality settings require diving by means of a number of menus, and the menu system is a bit sluggish. I had comparable points with the costlier Gigabyte M27Q X.

There’s a fantastic vary of choices, nonetheless. The Gigabyte G27F 2 affords 5 gamma modes, three coloration temperature modes, and RGB coloration calibration by means of coloration temperature settings. 

There’s additionally a devoted sRGB mode for creators who should work in that coloration house. The sRGB mode may very well be higher, although: My testing discovered it restricted sRGB coloration protection to 95 % of that coloration gamut, that means it doesn’t present all the colours that it ought to. 

Quite a lot of primary gaming options can be found. There’s a black equalizer, which boosts black ranges to point out particulars in darkish areas, and an on-screen crosshair. One uncommon characteristic is an on-screen menu that may present key PC metrics like CPU and GPU temperature. It requires the set up of Gigabyte software program.

Matt Smith

The Gigabyte G27F 2 packs a whole lot of video enter and menu choices, however it lacks audio. Speakers aren’t included. A 3.5mm audio is out there for connecting exterior audio sources.

Gigabyte G27F 2: SDR picture high quality

The Gigabyte G27F 2 is a funds 1080p gaming monitor, which implies customers ought to maintain expectations in verify. The G27F 2 goes above and past in some areas however falls behind in others. 

Matt Smith

Maximum SDR brightness is robust at 353 nits. Though removed from the brightest monitor, the Gigabyte G27F 2 is a standout within the funds house, as many screens offered at or under $200 can solely obtain 250 to 300 nits.

This brightness, together with its matte show coat, makes the Gigabyte G27F 2 appropriate for practically any room. You’d want full solar from a close-by window to start to scrub out the picture. 

Matt Smith

The Gigabyte G27F 2 had a distinction ratio of solely 230:1 out of the field. This extraordinarily low distinction ratio is uncommon however not unparalleled. I’ve recorded comparable outcomes from screens on the low finish of their very own aggressive segments, such because the Dell U2422H and Acer R240HY. 

Blame the monitor’s elevated black ranges. Dark pictures have an apparent, hazy grey solid that’s seen even when viewing the monitor in a brightly lit room. This is the dreaded “IPS glow” that plagues so many screens with an IPS show panel, however the G27F 2 has a extreme case. 

I made efforts to tame the glow, with some success. Lowering brightness to 20 and boosting distinction to 70 improved the measured distinction ratio to 460:1. That’s nonetheless not nice, nonetheless, and the glow stays apparent. 

Matt Smith

The monitor’s distinction is a disgrace, as its coloration gamut efficiency is nice for the worth. The G27F 2 can show the complete sRGB gamut and 95 % of DCI-P3. This means the G27F 2 can show a variety of colours past these a funds monitor can normally deal with.

A coloration gamut this large normally results in a punchy, vibrant picture, however the distinction ratio holds the monitor again. The monitor appears to be like good when displaying a vivid picture however boring when displaying a darkish picture. 

Matt Smith

Color accuracy is ok. It’s not as correct as some opponents, however most trendy screens are correct sufficient that it received’t be a problem in primary productiveness, gaming, or different leisure. 

The G27F 2’s coloration temperature efficiency was good, with a measured temperature of 6700Ok. That’s solely barely cooler than the goal of 6500Ok, and I doubt most individuals would discover the distinction. 

Gamma was barely astray, recording a curve of two.1 when set to 2.2. Other gamma modes had been equally off. This means the picture was a bit brighter than it ought to seem like, which can barely contribute to the monitor’s distinction points. 

Sharpness isn’t nice. It gives 1920×1080 decision in a 27-inch show, which works out to about 82 pixels per inch. Only a 32-inch 1080p monitor will seem much less pixel dense. The array of pixels is seen in vivid pictures and apps, together with Word paperwork and net pages with a white background. Games with lackluster anti-aliasing will endure a whole lot of shimmer in movement and video content material can look smooth. 

The Gigabyte G27F 2 has glorious coloration efficiency for a funds monitor. It’s additionally vivid, making it appropriate for practically any room. The distinction ratio is an enormous challenge, nonetheless, sapping the monitor’s picture of depth and vibrancy.

Gigabyte G27F 2: HDR picture high quality

Gigabyte’s G27F 2 is a secret HDR monitor. The spec sheet lists it as “HDR ready,” however HDR assist isn’t marketed on the monitor’s product web page or product listings I discovered at on-line retailers. 

That’s for the perfect. The G27F 2 can detect an HDR sign and swap to HDR mode routinely, however it in any other case lacks options to deal with HDR. 

The monitor’s most brightness will increase a hair, from 353 to 359 nits, with HDR on. I additionally seen the distinction ratio is improved to 600:1, although solely with Windows 11’s HDR settings at their most brightness. This causes different image-quality points resembling misplaced element in vivid pictures.

In quick, it’s not a succesful HDR monitor, and total picture high quality is worse with HDR on. It’s greatest to go away HDR turned off.

Gigabyte G27F 2: Motion readability

The Gigabyte G27F 2’s specs declare a refresh fee of as much as 165Hz. My assessment monitor barely exceeded this, because it was listed as supporting as much as 170Hz when linked to my desktop. The monitor formally helps AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Nvidia G-Sync functioned in my testing.

Motion readability is a spotlight. The monitor has a pointy and outlined picture in movement, particularly at greater refresh charges. Most element is seen even in fast paced objects. It’s not tack-sharp, or nearly as good as screens with greater refresh charges, however it’s excellent for a monitor offered at $199.

Gigabyte affords 4 totally different OverDrive modes to switch movement readability. Picture Quality, the default mode, does introduce some artifacts round quick movement, however I think many players wouldn’t discover. The Smart OD mode can also be quite tame. The Balanced mode is extra aggressive, and the Speed mode introduces apparent artifacts. You can even flip off OverDrive completely, as properly, and it’s possibility. Motion readability stays stable with OverDrive off.

The Gigabyte G27F 2’s movement readability is nice given its worth, and a big improve over a 60Hz monitor. It has no main drawback in movement readability when in comparison with the Acer Nitro XV272, a 1080p 165Hz monitor with an MSRP of $249.

Final ideas

Gigabyte’s G27F 2 is an efficient selection for players who want a excessive refresh gaming monitor on a good funds. The monitor’s nice movement readability and adaptive sync assist make it preferrred for fast-paced video games that run at excessive body charges. 

Image high quality is disappointing, nonetheless, as a result of restricted distinction. Content with a darkish presentation, whether or not it’s a photograph, film, or sport, will seem washed out and boring. Bright pictures are extra vivid due to the monitor’s excessive brightness and good coloration efficiency. 

The G27F 2’s worth affords an excuse. This is an affordable monitor for its class. You’ll see higher outcomes from options just like the Acer Nitro XV272, however that monitor has an MSRP that’s $50 greater. The Gigabyte G27F 2 is suitable in case you can’t stretch your funds that far.