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Updated to Test Bench 1.2, resulting in changes to the results and scores with the Response Time and Input Lag. Added tests for Console Compatibility and macOS compatibility and made minor changes to other tests, which you can see in our Changelog. Added that the Gigabyte M27Q P is a newer monitor that uses an RGB subpixel layout for better Text Clarity. We decreased the text clarity score from 7.5 to 7.0, as the BGR subpixel layout can be an issue for some users. The streamline appearance represents the simplicity of the GIGABYTE gaming series design philosophy, sturdy stand and matte finish built for functional and aesthetic features adding more to the characteristics.
Turning on HDR brightened the M27Q’s image considerably, but you can compensate with the brightness slider if it seems too harsh. We only used HDR for gaming and video, not for workday tasks. It offers no benefit when editing spreadsheets. Switchover is automatic and rapid when you select the HDR option in Windows’ Display Settings. Here are some photos taken at 100% and 125% scaling, with ClearType on and off, as well as with the screen turned upside down: Update 11/25/2021: We decreased the text clarity score from 7.5 to 7.0. The BGR subpixel layout isn't an issue in apps that support ClearType, but many apps don't, and text clarity is an issue in those apps.As an unseen player, monitor is often being underestimated. The truth is monitors form as a synergistic effect and bring out the best performance of PC components. GIGABYTE gaming monitors offer the ultimate specifications and quality, users can truly enjoy upscale performance without the need for extravagance. Taking a look at the display itself, the 27-inch “Super Speed” IPS panel technology promises a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, in addition to a VESA DisplayHDR 400 rating—both claims we’ll run tests against later. Fast IPS displays, known under various marketing names, claim to deliver response times four times faster than normal IPS displays, thanks to a thinner liquid-crystal layer and higher driving voltage. The screen supports AMD FreeSync Premium, and is rated for a 1ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time. The M27Q X delivers on its wide gamut promise. Color is bold and vibrant in both SDR and HDR modes. The difference between the two isn’t much, so that’s a downside. If Gigabyte added a dynamic contrast feature for HDR mode, it would give that format more impact. Contrast is just average, which compared to other monitors in this price range is a negative. Though it is close to the 1,000:1 benchmark, newer IPS screens have demonstrated 1,200:1 and even a few are over 1,300:1 so the bar is being raised.
Clarified text throughout as part of Test Bench 1.2, including adding text to the Console Compatibility boxes. This feature will allow you to customize crosshairs that helps improve your aim in the shooting game. If you run multiple PCs, an included KVM feature has a USB-C input that can provide power, video and peripheral support. And with two HDMI 2.0 and a DisplayPort 1.4, you can run 10-bit color and HDR up to the full 240 Hz. The M27Q X is a full-featured display that looks to provide an ideal balance of resolution and speed. Assembly and Accessories Non-gaming viewing was great, with no glare detected no matter the viewing angle. And of course, the games looked great, too; I detected no noticeable ghosting when playing Halo Infinite or Guardians of the Galaxy. The PIP and PBP functions allow users to view different video sources which are presented in one screen at the same time, you are able to watch the game guides at the same time using only one monitor!Keep in mind that we test all of our monitors fresh out of the box at factory settings, so that doesn't mean there aren't ways to improve the brightness level. For example, switching over to the monitor's Movie mode made a significant difference, measuring 430 nits of brightness in SDR mode. Your viewing environment is also important to consider, as a lower brightness reading might benefit a user who is in a well-lit room, for example.
With the M27Q calibrated to 200 nits brightness, the Windows desktop looked bright and sharp. Our office has a moderate light level with filtered sunlight coming in one window. We never had trouble with glare or other environmental factors affecting the image. Color looked well-saturated but not overly so. Greens and blues are especially vibrant. Pictures of sky and grass radiated with brilliant hues. Skin tones looked natural and robust without excessive warmth. Detail in tiny fonts and icons was well-resolved, thanks to the screen’s 109 pixel per inch (ppi) pixel density -- right at our sweet spot. The M27Q X features simple and unassuming styling with an 8mm-wide flush bezel for the main panel and angular accents on the triangular base. All parts are finished in matte-textured plastic. The upright is a solid piece with a 130mm height adjustment and 5/20 degrees of tilt. There is no portrait or swivel functionality. The panel can be placed high enough to use vertically with the eyepoint at center-screen. The anti-glare layer is matte and keeps reflections at bay while maintaining a sharp, grain-free image. With HDR on we played a bit of Call of Duty: WWII. Comparing HDR to SDR in this game showed a brighter overall environment for HDR but better detail and color saturation in SDR mode. Your selection will come down to user preference. We preferred playing all games in SDR mode. Other titles, like Tomb Raider, looked fantastic with deeply detailed shadows, vivid color and defined textures in this mode. The stand is very solid with firm movements. The vertical movement has subtle detents, which make it even more positive. You get a 5.2-inch height adjustment plus -5 and 20-degree tilts. There is no swivel or portrait mode. Thankfully, we didn’t encounter any play or wobble when moving the M27Q around. It is very well-built. This feature allows you to have more details of the dark side without overexposing the bright side at the same time.Instead of testing for response time, we test for input lag using the HDFury Diva Matrix. In this case, the Gigabyte M27Q X measured a very good input lag of 1.6 milliseconds. You might've already guessed, but when it comes to input lag, the smaller that number, the better. While other monitors like the Corsair Xeneon 32QHD165 do measure under 1 millisecond, the difference here will be unnoticeable except, perhaps, in edge cases at the far extremes of competitive esports. The M27Q is unassuming from the front with just a Gigabyte logo and a tiny white LED adorning the bottom trim strip. The remainder of the bezel is flush mounted with an 8 mm frame around the image. The anti-glare layer is the same 3H-hardness part found on almost all computer monitors. Here, it provides a sharp, bright image with no apparent grain or optical distortion. Clarified that there are different versions for it in the Variants section and specified that the review is valid for all versions.
Clarified the differences between this monitor and the newer Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0) in the Intro and Updated Aug 23, 2023:High resolution and fast refresh rate, giving you the detailed display quality and fluid gaming experience! The Gigabyte M27Q has decent text clarity. Windows ClearType (top photo) makes diagonal lines look better, like on the R and N. It uses a BGR sub-pixel layout, which doesn't affect image quality, but it can cause blurry text, especially in programs that aren't affected by ClearType. That said, the difference in text clarity between RGB and BGR isn't very noticeable at native scaling unless you're actively looking for it, so it shouldn't be an issue for most people. On the flip side, while the contrast was low, the color gamut results were pretty good, as Gigabyte M27Q X registered 100% of sRGB coverage, 96% of Adobe RGB, and 93% of DCI-P3. These are better results than some other QHD monitors we’ve looked at, like the Razer Raptor 27. The side view is angular and slim. The M27Q X is a bit thinner than typical 27-inch flat panels. Compared to most I’ve reviewed, it’s about one inch shallower. Unfortunately, there are no USB ports on either side.
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