The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) is a 27-inch 1440p budget-friendly gaming monitor with extra productivity features. It has a maximum refresh rate of 170Hz and VRR support to reduce screen tearing. It also has several additional features, including a Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture mode, a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, and a KVM switch that lets you control two devices with the same mouse and keyboard.
Gigabyte has released a second version of this monitor, the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0), which replaces the original version. It uses a different panel with an RGB subpixel layout instead of the BGR subpixel layout on the first version. It's unclear which version you'll get when buying from retailers, but the second version is more available, and there are differences on the boxes of the two versions to tell them apart, which you can read more about in the variants section.
The Gigabyte M27Q is decent for PC gaming. It has a high 170Hz refresh rate for a smooth feel and VRR support to reduce screen tearing. It also has low input lag and a fast response time, but there's still motion blur with fast-moving objects. However, it has a low contrast ratio and no local dimming feature, so deep blacks appear gray in darker environments, and highlights don't pop in HDR either.
The Gigabyte M27Q is okay for console gaming. It lacks HDMI 2.0 bandwidth to take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, but it still offers good gaming performance with low input lag for a responsive feel. It also has a decent response time, but fast-moving objects still have motion blur. However, it has limited picture quality with a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray, and it doesn't make highlights pop in HDR.
The Gigabyte M27Q is good for office use. Its 27-inch screen provides plenty of space for multitasking, but it has worse text clarity than other 1440p monitors due to its subpixel layout. It has great brightness and decent reflection handling and overcomes glare in most environments. It also has wide viewing angles so that images remain consistent when viewed from the sides. However, it lacks swivel adjustment, which is an issue if you need to turn the screen to show your work to others. On the plus side, it includes a KVM switch and a USB-C port for you to quickly connect a laptop, but it's limited to 10W of power.
The Gigabyte M27Q is decent for content creation. Its 27-inch screen is big enough to open two windows side by side, but it has worse text clarity than other 1440p monitors due to its subpixel layout. It has an excellent sRGB mode, so you don't need to calibrate it for accurate colors. It has wide viewing angles, so the image remains consistent from the sides, too. However, it has a low contrast ratio, and no local dimming feature, so deep blacks appear gray in darker environments, and it's disappointing if you need to edit HDR content.
The Gigabyte M27Q has good brightness. It gets bright enough to fight glare, but it doesn't make highlights pop in HDR.
The Gigabyte M27Q has a decent response time. While its response time is fast with most refresh rates, there's still noticeable blur with fast-moving objects.
The Gigabyte M27Q is bad for HDR. It has a low contrast ratio makes black look gray, and it lacks a local dimming feature to further improve it. It also can't make colors look vivid.
The Gigabyte M27Q has okay SDR picture quality. While it displays a wide range of colors, it has limited picture quality as it has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray.
The Gigabyte M27Q has excellent color accuracy. It has a very accurate sRGB mode, but you can still calibrate it for the best accuracy.
We tested the 27-inch Gigabyte M27Q, which is the only size available for this monitor. Some European retailers also carry an M27Q-EK or M27Q-EEK variant. It's the same monitor but with the new energy efficiency labels.
This monitor is the original version of the M27Q, which has a BGR subpixel layout and is different than the newer Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0), which has an RGB subpixel layout. It's unclear which version you'll get when buying from retailers, as they don't specify if it's Rev. 1.0 or Rev. 2.0. The two versions have slightly different designs on the boxes they come with. You can see the box we got with Rev. 1.0 here and the one with Rev. 2.0 here. The biggest difference is that Rev. 1.0 is labeled as '170Hz' on the box, while Rev. 2.0 is labeled as '165Hz,' but each has a max refresh rate of 170Hz. That said, the second version is more available with most retailers.
There are also follow-up models to this monitor: the Gigabyte M27Q X, which has a higher max refresh rate, and the Gigabyte M27Q P, which supports DisplayPort 1.4 bandwidth. You can see the differences below, but the results are only valid for the first version of the M27Q.
Model | Size | Panel Type | Resolution | Refresh Rate | DisplayPort Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M27Q (rev. 1.0) | 27" | IPS (BGR) | 2560 x 1440 | 170Hz | 1.2 |
M27Q (rev. 2.0) | 27" | IPS (RGB) | 2560 x 1440 | 170Hz | 1.2 |
M27Q P | 27" | IPS (RGB) | 2560 x 1440 | 170Hz | 1.4 |
Our unit was manufactured in August 2020; you can see the label here.
The Gigabyte M27Q is a good budget monitor that's well-suited to a number of uses. In addition to its great decent gaming performance, it's a good choice for work-from-home setups. The KVM switch lets you use the same keyboard and mouse with two computers with the press of a switch, but it has limited power delivery over USB-C. However, its BGR subpixel layout results in worse text clarity than other 27-inch, 1440p monitors, which may be distracting to some, but the newer Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0) doesn't have this same panel type. If you don't need the office features of the Gigabyte monitor and want a budget monitor mainly for gaming, you can also consider the Dell G2724D, which has better motion handling.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best 1440p gaming monitors, the best 27-inch monitors, and the best budget gaming monitors.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) is better for gaming than the Gigabyte G27Q. It has a higher 170Hz refresh rate and a much quicker response time at 60Hz, resulting in minimal motion blur. It has a better SDR color gamut, making it a better choice for content creators, and it has a KVM feature allowing you to control two devices with the same mouse and keyboard. On the other hand, the G27Q has a bit better reflection handling and gets slightly brighter in HDR, but these are minor differences and may be hard to notice.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B are similar 1440p gaming monitors. The Gigabyte has extra productivity features like a USB-C port and KVM switch, making it the better choice if you need to connect different computers. However, the LG has a faster response time, leading to less motion blur with fast-moving objects.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the ASUS TUF VG27AQ perform very similarly. They're both 27-inch IPS monitors with a 1440p resolution. The Gigabyte has better response times at max refresh rate and 60Hz. Its refresh rate is slightly higher, 170Hz compared to the ASUS' 165Hz, but this isn't noticeable. Although both monitors have a black frame insertion feature, only the ASUS' can be used simultaneously with VRR, and it works over a wider frequency range than the Gigabyte. The Gigabyte has more features for productivity, including a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode and Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture, but its BGR sub-pixel layout might bother some people as it can affect text clarity in some instances.
The Acer Nitro XV272U KVbmiiprzx and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are very similar. They're both IPS monitors with a 1440p resolution and a 170Hz refresh rate. Gaming-wise, the Acer has better response times, at max refresh rate and 60Hz. It also has significantly better ergonomics because it allows for swivel adjustment and rotation to portrait mode. The Gigabyte has more features, like a USB-C input with DisplayPort Alt Mode and a Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture mode.
The Gigabyte M28U is a higher-end monitor than the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0), but choosing the best one depends on your usage. The M28U has a higher resolution screen, making it a better choice for office use or media creation. The M28U also features two HDMI 2.1 ports, so it's also a better choice for console gamers looking to get the most out of their PS5 or Xbox Series S|X. On the other hand, the M27Q is slightly better for most PC gamers, as it has slightly lower input lag and less overshoot.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the Dell G2724D are both budget-friendly 1440p gaming monitors, with a few differences. The Gigabyte has extra features like a USB hub and KVM switch, making it a great choice if you need something versatile for different computers. However, the Dell has better text clarity due to its subpixel layout, and it's the better choice for gamers, thanks to its faster response time at any refresh rate.
The MSI G274QPF-QD and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are 27-inch gaming monitors. Both have similar overall performance, though the Gigabyte is better in brighter environments, as it gets considerably brighter in SDR. The Gigabyte also has better motion handling, so fast-moving objects look more crisp, making it a better choice for fast-moving games. However, the MSI has a wider HDR color gamut, so it displays more realistic colors with HDR videos and games.
The Gigabyte M27Q X is a bit better than the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0). The Q X has a higher native refresh rate, resulting in a faster response time and clearer motion in general. The Q X also has a more standard RGB subpixel layout, resulting in clearer text.
The Gigabyte M27Q P is the newer version of the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and has many of the same features. The main difference is that the P version has an RGB subpixel layout for improved text clarity versus the M27Q (rev. 1.0), and the P model also supports higher DisplayPort 1.4 bandwidth. The performance between the two is similar, with the M27Q (rev. 1.0) getting a bit brighter and having a faster response time at the max refresh rate. On top of that, the M27Q (rev. 1.0) also has a lower input lag at 60Hz.
The ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are very similar 1440p gaming monitors with a 170Hz refresh rate. Gaming-wise, the Gigabyte performs better because it has a faster response time, at max refresh rate and 60Hz. It also has wider viewing angles, gets brighter to combat glare, and offers more features like USB-C input, a Picture-in-Picture mode, and an integrated KVM.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) is a bit better than the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B for most uses. Although they have similar response times, the Gigabyte has a higher refresh rate of 170Hz compared to the LG's 144Hz, resulting in a slightly smoother and more responsive gaming experience. Also, the Gigabyte's input lag is much lower at 60Hz than the LG's, making it more ideal for 60fps console gaming. For those in a well-lit room, the LG has better reflection handling, but it doesn't get as bright. The Gigabyte has more productivity features, including a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode support, an integrated KVM switch, and a Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture mode.
The Gigabyte M27U is a higher-end monitor than the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0), so it's the better choice for most gamers. This is because the M27U has a higher 4k resolution, resulting in more detailed images and sharper clarity. It also has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of gaming consoles and modern graphics cards, and it has a faster response time, leading to sharper motion.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the Gigabyte M32Q are very similar overall, but the M32Q is slightly better for most people. The M32Q has better ergonomics, with a stand that can swivel and a wider height adjustment. The M32Q also uses a more standard RGB subpixel structure, whereas the M27Q uses a suboptimal BGR structure, which can cause some text clarity issues in certain apps.
The Samsung Odyssey G7 C32G75T and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are different types of gaming monitors. The Samsung is available in a 27-inch and 32-inch size, while the Gigabyte is only available in a 27-inch. The Samsung has a higher refresh rate of 240Hz and a faster response time, resulting in smoother motion and greater responsiveness, although the difference is not that big and might be hard to notice for casual players. The Samsung is better for dark rooms because it has a VA panel with a better contrast ratio, while the Gigabyte has wider viewing angles because it has an IPS panel. The Gigabyte has a few more features, like a USB-C input and KVM, which lets you control two devices with one set of peripherals.
The Gigabyte M27Q is available in two versions: the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0). The main difference is that the first version has a BGR subpixel layout, while the second version has an RGB subpixel layout. This results in better text clarity on the second version because computer programs render text better with the RGB subpixel layout. However, besides that, the first version has an advantage in most areas, as it gets brighter and has a faster response time, leading to less motion blur.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are two decent gaming monitors with a 1440p resolution. They each have fast response time, low input lag, FreeSync support, and G-SYNC compatibility. The MSI has much better ergonomics, making it easy to place the screen how you like. However, the Gigabyte has much better out-of-the-box accuracy, so colors don't look oversaturated like they do on the MSI. It also has Picture-by-Picture/Picture-in-Picture modes, allowing you to display images from two sources at once.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the Samsung Odyssey G5 S27AG50 are similar 1440p gaming monitors. They have similar gaming features with good motion handling and low input lag. The Samsung is better for co-op gaming because it has better ergonomics as the stand can swivel. However, the Gigabyte is better for productivity because it features a USB hub with two USB 3.0 inputs and a USB-C input, which the Samsung doesn't have.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both excellent gaming monitors. They have a lot of similar features, including a 170Hz refresh rate and fast response times, and both support VRR to reduce screen tearing. If you're going to be using the monitor for content creation as well, the Gigabyte also offers greater coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, and it includes a USB-C port, allowing for more connectivity options.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the Dell Alienware AW2724DM are similar 1440p gaming monitors. The Dell has a slightly higher 180Hz refresh rate compared to the 170Hz refresh rate on the Gigabyte, and it has better motion handling at higher refresh rates, but the Gigabyte has an optional backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur. While they're both excellent for gaming, there are a few differences when it comes to office work, as the Dell has better ergonomics. However, the Gigabyte has more office features like a KVM switch and USB-C port, meaning it's easier to multitask with it.
The LG 27GN800-B and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both excellent gaming monitors. Looking past the terrible ergonomics on the LG, they both perform fairly similarly. That said, the Gigabyte has an overclockable refresh rate of 170Hz, higher than the 144Hz max refresh rate of the LG. The Gigabyte also gets brighter in SDR and HDR, and it has one of the widest color gamuts on any monitor we've tested, which is great if you also do color-critical work. Even though its response time isn't quite as fast as the LG's, the Gigabyte offers more versatility thanks to its additional features, including USB 3.0 ports and a USB-C port, as well as a Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture mode.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the HP OMEN 27q are both budget-friendly 1440p monitors, but they have a few differences. The Gigabyte has a few extra features, like a USB hub and a KVM switch, making it better for multitasking. It's also better for gaming, as it's more compatible with consoles. That said, the HP uses a different subpixel layout with better text clarity.
The LG 27GR83Q-B and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both budget-friendly gaming monitors, with a few differences. The LG is a bit higher-end as it has a faster 240Hz refresh rate and supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, which the Gigabyte doesn't support. This means that the LG is the better choice for consoles or if you have a modern graphics card. The LG also has better motion handling at high refresh rates and better text clarity. If you want something for work, the Gigabyte has extra features, like a KVM switch and USB-C port.
Although the AOC CQ27G2 and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both 1440p gaming monitors, there are many differences between them. Gaming-wise, the Gigabyte performs better because it has a higher refresh rate of 170Hz and a much faster response time. The Gigabyte has an IPS with wider viewing angles, while the AOC has a VA panel that makes it a better choice for dark rooms. The Gigabyte offers more features, like a USB-C input, HDR support, and a Picture-in-Picture mode. It also gets much brighter to combat glare.
The Samsung Odyssey G5 C27G55T and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both 1440p gaming monitors but with different types of panels. The Samsung has a VA panel that's better suited for dark rooms, while the Gigabyte uses an IPS panel with wider viewing angles. As for gaming performance, the Gigabyte performs much better. It has a higher refresh rate of 170Hz and a much faster response time. The Gigabyte supports a wide color gamut for HDR, gets brighter, and offers more features like a USB-C input.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the Samsung Odyssey G5/G55C S27CG55 are different types of entry-level gaming monitors, mainly due to their panel types and features. The Gigabyte is more well-rounded, with wider viewing angles and better motion handling, so it's better for gaming. The Gigabyte also has extra productivity perks like a USB-C port and a KVM switch that makes it easy to use two computers connected to the monitor with the same keyboard and mouse. On the other hand, the Samsung is the better choice if you want to use it in a dark room, as it has a higher contrast ratio.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) is a better budget-friendly gaming monitor than the Samsung Odyssey G5/G51C S27CG51. The Gigabyte has much better motion handling thanks to its faster response time, and it has a few extra features like a USB hub, including a USB-C port. The Gigabyte is also better for everyday use, like if you want to use it in a well-lit room, as it gets brighter and displays a wider range of more accurate colors. The Samsung has an advantage if you want to use it in a dark room because it has a better contrast ratio. The Samsung also has better ergonomics, making placing it in an ideal position easier.
Overall, the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) performs better than the Gigabyte G27QC. Gaming-wise, the M27Q has a slightly higher 170Hz refresh rate, and its response time is much faster with less overshoot, resulting in clearer images in fast-moving scenes. The M27Q has wider viewing angles for sharing content and playing co-op games, and it gets much brighter to combat glare in well-lit rooms. It also has a much better SDR and HDR color gamut, making it better for content creators. If you often game in the dark, the G27QC might be a better choice because it has a VA panel that can produce deep blacks. Also, while its response time isn't as good as the M27Q's, it's still great and should satisfy most gamers.
The AOC 24G2 and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both excellent gaming monitors but with different specs. The AOC has a 24" screen with a 1080p resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, while the Gigabyte has a 27" screen with a 1440p resolution and 170Hz refresh rate. The Gigabyte is a more versatile monitor because its larger screen and higher pixel density are better suited for productivity and media consumption. It also has wider viewing angles so that you can share content easily, and it gets brighter to combat glare. The Gigabyte supports HDR and can deliver a relatively decent experience, whereas the AOC doesn't support HDR at all.
The BenQ EX2780Q and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both 27-inch 1440p gaming monitors. The Gigabyte performs better for the most part. It has a higher refresh rate of 170Hz, a faster response time, and more features, like a USB-C input, a Picture-in-Picture mode, and a KVM.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the Dell S2721DGF are very similar overall. Gaming-wise, the Dell has faster response times. Its refresh rate is just a bit lower, 165Hz compared to the Gigabyte's 170Hz; however, this is a small difference that isn't noticeable. It also has significantly better ergonomics, making it easier to position the screen the way you want. On the other hand, the Gigabyte has more features. It includes a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, an integrated KVM switch, and a Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture mode that lets you display two input signals simultaneously, which can be useful for streamers running on two computers.
The LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both great 1440p IPS gaming monitors. They perform very similarly gaming-wise; the Gigabyte has a higher refresh rate of 170Hz, but the LG has a better response time. The Gigabyte offers more features, such as a USB-C input that supports DisplayPort and charging, a Picture-in-Picture mode, and a KVM. It also has a wider color gamut for HDR and gets much brighter overall.
The Lenovo Legion Y27q-20 and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) have very similar gaming performances, so they mainly differ in features. The Lenovo has better ergonomics because it allows for swivel and pivot adjustments. On the other hand, the Gigabyte gets brighter to combat glare, displays a wider range of colors in HDR, and offers more features, like USB-C input and a Picture-in-Picture mode.
The ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are very different monitors. The ASUS is designed for productivity and offers significantly better ergonomics. The Gigabyte is primarily a gaming monitor with a much higher refresh rate and faster response time to deliver a better gaming experience. The Gigabyte also has more features, like HDR support, a Picture-in-Picture mode, and a built-in KVM switch so that you can control two devices with one set of peripherals. If you plan on only using it for work, it might be better to go with the ASUS because the Gigabyte has a BGR subpixel layout that might cause blurry text in some applications.
The Gigabyte AORUS FI27Q-X and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are both excellent gaming monitors with similar features. The FI27Q-X has a higher 240Hz refresh rate than the 170Hz on the M27Q, but they each have quick response times. The FI27Q-X has much better ergonomics as you can swivel and rotate it into portrait mode. On the other hand, the M27Q has a USB-C input, which the FI27Q-X doesn't have, so you can display an image from a compatible device and charge it at the same time.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) is a much better gaming monitor than the HP X27q. The Gigabyte has a faster response time, especially at lower refresh rates, resulting in much clearer motion with less blur around fast-moving objects. The Gigabyte also has better compatibility with the Xbox Series X and PS5 consoles, as it can display a downscaled 4k image.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the Gigabyte M34WQ deliver similar performance overall but have a different form factor. The Gigabyte M27Q has a slightly faster refresh rate and a bit better motion handling. The M34WQ has an ultrawide aspect ratio that's better for productivity, and it delivers a more immersive gaming experience. The increased resolution requires a more powerful graphics card, though, so if your PC can't maintain high frame rates with a 16x9 aspect ratio, it'll be even worse with an ultrawide.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) and the Samsung Odyssey G7 S28AG70 are both excellent for gaming, but they're different types of monitors. The Gigabyte has a 1440p resolution with a 170Hz refresh rate, while the Samsung has a 4k resolution with a 144Hz refresh, and it has HDMI 2.1 inputs that make it a good choice for console gaming. The Gigabyte has better motion handling at 60Hz because there's more overshoot on the Samsung. The Gigabyte also has more productivity options like a USB-C input, and it gets brighter, but the Samsung has better ergonomics because you can swivel it.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) is better than the Acer Nitro VG271UP Pbmiipx for most uses. The Gigabyte has a higher refresh rate and faster response time to deliver a clearer image in fast-moving scenes. It also has better ergonomics and gets brighter to fight glare. It has more features, like a USB hub with two USB 3.0s and a USB-C that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, a Picture-in-Picture mode, and a built-in KVM.
The ergonomics are decent. You can easily adjust it for yourself, but without swivel adjustment it's harder to share your screen with someone next to you. If you'd prefer a gaming monitor with better ergonomics, check out the Dell Alienware AW2721D.
The back has a clean design, with a mix of matte and glossy plastic. The stand has a small cutout for cable management. Unfortunately, there's no quick-release feature to remove the stand for VESA mounting.
The contrast ratio is mediocre, so blacks appear gray in darker environments. This monitor has no local dimming feature to improve the contrast further. If you want a similar monitor with better contrast, check out the LG 32GN600-B.
This monitor doesn't have a local dimming feature. We still film these videos on the monitor so you can compare the backlight performance with a monitor that has local dimming.
The SDR brightness is great. There's almost no variation in brightness across different content, and it's bright enough to fight glare.
These results are from after calibration in the 'Custom 1' Picture Mode with Brightness set to max.
The HDR peak brightness is okay. It's not much brighter than in SDR, and highlights don't pop. While it follows the PQ EOTF curve reasonably well throughout much of its range, it over brightens dark scenes and begins tone mapping too early, causing highlights to be less bright than they could be.
These results are from the the 'Custom 1' Picture Mode with Brightness set to max.
The horizontal viewing angle is great. Images remain consistent when viewed from the side, so it's a great choice if you need to share your screen with someone sitting next to you.
The vertical viewing angle is great. The image remains consistent if you stand up and look down at the monitor.
This monitor has excellent accuracy in the sRGB mode. Colors are fairly accurate, and the white balance is good. Gamma follows the target sRGB curve fairly well, but dark scenes are too dark. The color temperature is also cool, giving the image a slightly blue tint.
Unfortunately, using the 'sRGB' Picture Mode locks other settings, including Overdrive and Aim Stabilizer. So, if you want to use those settings, you need to change Picture Mode to something else, like 'Custom 1,' which is still fairly accurate, but colors are more saturated, as you can see here.
The accuracy after calibration is fantastic, and you won't notice any issues with the image. You can use any of the settings that are locked out in sRGB mode.
The SDR color gamut is superb. It covers the entire sRGB color space used in most content and has nearly full coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, but some colors are oversaturated in this color space.
The HDR color gamut is great. It has excellent coverage of the commonly used DCI-P3 color space and acceptable coverage of the wider Rec. 2020. It tone maps well in DCI-P3, but it's worse with Rec. 2020, as white is considerably off.
This monitor has decent text clarity. Windows ClearType (top photo) makes diagonal lines look better, like on the R and N. It uses a BGR subpixel layout, which causes text to look worse in programs that aren't designed to render text in the BGR subpixel layout. That said, the difference between this BGR layout and text from RGB panels on most other monitors isn't very noticeable for some at native scaling unless you're actively looking for it.
If text looks blurry due to the BGR subpixel layout, you can mount the screen upside down, which gives it a proper RGB layout. However, this workaround seems to increase input lag at the maximum refresh rate to 15.1 ms from the standard 3.2 ms, and G-SYNC doesn't work properly.
A second version of this monitor, the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0), uses an RGB subpixel layout, so you won't have any of the same text clarity issues with that monitor.
Here are some photos taken at 100% and 125% scaling, with ClearType on and off, as well as with the screen turned upside down:
Here are some photos of text from a MacBook running on Big Sur. It appears that macOS doesn't use subpixel dimming in any of the apps we tested, which includes Safari, TextEdit, Notes, Finder, and Chrome, so the BGR subpixel layout doesn't cause blurry text.
The Gigabyte M27Q 27 has decent reflection handling. While it handles glare effectively in most environments, it struggles with direct sunlight, though the screen gets bright enough to compensate. If reflection handling is important to you, look into the Razer Raptor 27 165Hz.
Due to bandwidth limitations, this monitor can only reach 170Hz over a DisplayPort connection with 8-bit color. If you want a monitor with an even higher refresh rate, consider the Acer Predator X25 bmiiprzx.
NVIDIA | VRR Min | VRR Max |
DisplayPort | <20Hz | 170Hz |
HDMI | N/A | N/A |
AMD | VRR Min | VRR Max |
DisplayPort | <20Hz | 170Hz |
HDMI | <20Hz | 144Hz |
Refresh Rate | CAD Heatmap | RT Chart | Pursuit Photo |
169 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
165 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
144 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
120 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
100 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
80 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
60 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
The Giabyte M27Q has decent motion handling across its refresh rate range, but there's still some motion blur with fast-moving objects. The 'Picture Quality' Overdrive setting performs consistently the best, while the other settings get much worse at lower refresh rates. The 'Smart OD' setting acts as a variable overdrive where it's meant to change the overdrive based on the refresh rate, but it performs like 'Balance'.
The refresh rate compliance is decent. Its response time isn't fast enough to make full color transitions before the monitor draws the next frame at high refresh rates, but it's better at lower refresh rates.
Overdrive Mode | CAD Heatmap | RT Chart | Pursuit Photo |
Smart OD | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
Picture Quality | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
Balance | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
Speed | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
The CAD at the max refresh rate of 170Hz is good. The 'Balance' overdrive has a fast total response time, leading to minimal motion blur, but there's still some inverse ghosting. If that bothers you, the 'Picture Quality' setting is better, but it has more blur.
Overdrive Mode | CAD Heatmap | RT Chart | Pursuit Photo |
Smart OD | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
Picture Quality | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
Balance | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
Speed | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
The CAD at 120Hz is decent. There's noticeable blur with fast-moving objects, but there isn't any noticeable inverse ghosting with the 'Picture Quality' setting. That said, the other settings have too much overshoot, leading to inverse ghosting.
Refresh Rate | VRR | Motion Blur Photo |
170Hz | On | Photo |
170Hz | Off | Photo |
120Hz | On | Photo |
120Hz | Off | Photo |
80Hz | On | Photo |
This monitor has a backlight strobing feature to reduce persistence blur. However, when enabled, it produces notable amounts of image duplication and locks the Overdrive setting to 'Smart OD,' which results in a lot of inverse ghosting. You can use the feature as low as 80 fps with VRR enabled, but below that it stops working and doesn't turn back on until it reaches the max refresh rate again.
The input lag is low, so you won't notice any delay, and you'll get a responsive feel.
The Gigabyte M27Q Gaming Monitor has a KVM feature, allowing you to use the same mouse and keyboard to control two devices. To use it, plug the mouse and keyboard into the USB 3.0 ports, the primary device into the USB-B port, and the secondary device into the USB-C port. Then, press the KVM button (above the monitor's main control joystick) to switch between the two devices.
The USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, which lets you display an image from a compatible device and charge it simultaneously with a single cable. However, this port only delivers 10W of power, which isn't enough to charge or sustain a standard laptop while it's in use.
This Gigabyte M27Q 27 has issues working with macOS in certain picture modes. The 'FPS,' 'RTS/RPG,' and 'Movie' modes cause the screen to flicker, even with a fixed refresh rate. Additionally, enabling VRR while in 'FPS,' 'RTS/RPG,' or 'Movie' mode in HDR causes an aggressive visual effect (Note: The preceding video shows flickering and/or rapid distortion effects).
It appears that macOS doesn't use subpixel dimming in any of the apps we tested. For more information on this, see the text clarity section.
The Gigabyte M27Q has a few extra features, including: