Iiyama G-Master GB247 Review: Is This Gaming Monitor Worth It?

by Jhon Lennon 63 views

Are you guys on the hunt for a new gaming monitor that won't break the bank but still delivers a solid gaming experience? Well, you might have stumbled upon the Iiyama G-Master GB247, and today, we're diving deep into whether this monitor is worth your hard-earned cash. Let's get started!

First Impressions

Alright, so first things first, let’s talk about what you get right out of the box. The Iiyama G-Master GB247 is a 24-inch monitor, which is a sweet spot for many gamers – big enough to be immersive, but not so huge that you're craning your neck to see everything. The design is pretty sleek with a matte black finish, which means no annoying reflections to distract you during intense gaming sessions. It’s got a fairly thin bezel, which is always a plus because it makes the screen feel larger and more modern. Setting it up is a breeze; the stand is easy to attach, and you'll be up and running in no time. No need to spend ages fiddling with screws and complicated instructions! Performance-wise, the GB247 boasts a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. For those not fluent in tech-speak, this means you're getting a super smooth and responsive experience, which is crucial for fast-paced games. Ghosting and motion blur are kept to a minimum, so you can react quickly and accurately to what's happening on screen. The monitor also supports AMD FreeSync Premium, which helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, especially if you have an AMD graphics card. Even if you're rocking an NVIDIA card, FreeSync often works well, providing a smoother gaming experience overall. The color accuracy is decent right out of the box, but like most monitors, it benefits from a little tweaking. More on that later! As for connectivity, you're covered with HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, so you can easily hook up your PC, console, or other devices. There's also a headphone jack, which is always handy for private gaming sessions. Overall, the initial impression is pretty positive. It’s a well-built monitor with solid specs that promises a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. But let’s dig deeper to see if it lives up to the hype.

Image Quality

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of image quality. After all, what good is a gaming monitor if the picture isn't up to par? The Iiyama G-Master GB247 features a VA (Vertical Alignment) panel. VA panels are known for their excellent contrast ratios, which means you get deep blacks and bright whites. This is especially noticeable in dark scenes in games or movies, where you can actually see the details instead of just a blurry mess. The color accuracy on this monitor is pretty good straight out of the box, but it’s not perfect. You might notice that the colors are a little bit off, but don’t worry, this is easily fixable with a bit of calibration. Most modern operating systems and graphics card drivers have built-in color calibration tools that you can use to fine-tune the image to your liking. If you're serious about color accuracy, you can also invest in a dedicated colorimeter, but for most gamers, the built-in tools will do just fine. The 1920x1080 (Full HD) resolution might seem a bit low for some, especially if you're used to 1440p or 4K. However, on a 24-inch screen, Full HD still looks pretty sharp, and it has the added benefit of being less demanding on your graphics card. This means you can achieve higher frame rates without having to shell out for a super expensive GPU. The brightness is decent, but it’s not the brightest monitor out there. It’s perfectly fine for indoor use, but if you’re in a very brightly lit room, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more oomph. Viewing angles are also pretty good, thanks to the VA panel. You can view the screen from different angles without the colors washing out or the contrast shifting too much. This is great if you have friends over for a gaming session and everyone is huddled around the monitor. Overall, the image quality on the Iiyama G-Master GB247 is solid. The excellent contrast ratio, decent color accuracy, and good viewing angles make for an enjoyable viewing experience. Just remember to spend a few minutes calibrating the colors to get the most out of it.

Gaming Performance

Okay, let's talk about what really matters: how does this monitor perform in games? The Iiyama G-Master GB247 is designed for gaming, and it shows. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time make a noticeable difference compared to standard 60Hz monitors. Everything feels smoother and more responsive, which can give you a competitive edge in fast-paced games. Whether you're playing first-person shooters, racing games, or MOBAs, you'll appreciate the reduced motion blur and ghosting. AMD FreeSync Premium is another key feature that enhances the gaming experience. It synchronizes the refresh rate of the monitor with the frame rate of your graphics card, which eliminates screen tearing and stuttering. This is especially important in games where every frame counts. Even if you don't have an AMD graphics card, FreeSync often works with NVIDIA cards as well, thanks to NVIDIA's Adaptive Sync technology. Just make sure to enable it in your graphics card settings. Input lag is another important factor for gamers, and the GB247 performs well in this area. Input lag is the delay between when you perform an action (like pressing a key or moving your mouse) and when that action is displayed on the screen. A lower input lag means a more responsive gaming experience. The GB247 has a low input lag, so you won't feel like you're fighting against the monitor. I tested the monitor with a variety of games, including CS:GO, Overwatch, and Cyberpunk 2077, and I was impressed with the performance across the board. The smooth motion, low input lag, and lack of screen tearing made for a very enjoyable gaming experience. Even in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, the GB247 held its own, delivering smooth and responsive gameplay. Of course, you'll need a decent graphics card to take full advantage of the 165Hz refresh rate, but even with a mid-range GPU, you'll still see a noticeable improvement over a 60Hz monitor. Overall, the gaming performance of the Iiyama G-Master GB247 is excellent. It's a great choice for gamers who want a smooth, responsive, and tear-free gaming experience without breaking the bank.

Features and Ergonomics

Beyond the core specs, the Iiyama G-Master GB247 comes with a few extra features that are worth mentioning. It has a built-in overdrive function, which helps to further reduce motion blur. Overdrive works by speeding up the response time of the pixels, but it can sometimes introduce overshoot (inverse ghosting). The GB247 has several overdrive settings, so you can experiment to find the one that works best for you. I found that the default setting was a good balance between reducing motion blur and avoiding overshoot. The monitor also has several preset picture modes, such as Standard, Game, Movie, and Text. These modes adjust the brightness, contrast, and color temperature to suit different types of content. I found the Game mode to be the most useful for gaming, as it boosts the contrast and sharpness to make the image more vibrant. As for ergonomics, the GB247 is pretty flexible. The stand allows you to adjust the height, tilt, and swivel of the monitor, so you can find the perfect viewing position. It also supports VESA mounting, so you can attach it to a monitor arm if you prefer. The stand is sturdy and well-built, so you don't have to worry about the monitor wobbling or tipping over. The on-screen display (OSD) menu is easy to navigate, thanks to the physical buttons on the bottom of the monitor. The OSD allows you to adjust a variety of settings, such as brightness, contrast, color temperature, and overdrive. It's not the most visually appealing OSD, but it gets the job done. One minor annoyance is the lack of built-in speakers. While most gamers use headphones or external speakers anyway, it would have been nice to have the option of using built-in speakers for casual listening. Overall, the Iiyama G-Master GB247 offers a decent set of features and good ergonomics. The adjustable stand, VESA support, and easy-to-use OSD make it a comfortable and convenient monitor to use.

Pros and Cons

To give you a clear overview, let's break down the pros and cons of the Iiyama G-Master GB247:

Pros:

  • High Refresh Rate: The 165Hz refresh rate provides a super smooth gaming experience.
  • Fast Response Time: The 1ms response time minimizes motion blur and ghosting.
  • AMD FreeSync Premium: Eliminates screen tearing and stuttering.
  • Excellent Contrast Ratio: VA panel delivers deep blacks and bright whites.
  • Adjustable Stand: Height, tilt, and swivel adjustments for optimal viewing position.
  • Affordable Price: Offers great value for the features.

Cons:

  • 1080p Resolution: Might be too low for some users.
  • Mediocre Brightness: Not the brightest monitor on the market.
  • No Built-in Speakers: Requires external speakers or headphones.
  • Color Accuracy: Requires Calibration for best results.

Final Verdict

So, is the Iiyama G-Master GB247 worth it? Absolutely! If you're looking for an affordable gaming monitor that delivers a smooth, responsive, and tear-free gaming experience, this is a great option. The 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium make it a joy to play on, and the excellent contrast ratio provides a vibrant and immersive image. While it's not perfect – the 1080p resolution might be a deal-breaker for some, and the color accuracy requires some tweaking – the pros far outweigh the cons. For the price, you're getting a lot of value. It's a great choice for budget-conscious gamers who don't want to compromise on performance. Whether you're a casual gamer or a competitive esports player, the Iiyama G-Master GB247 will help you take your game to the next level. So go ahead and give it a try, you won't be disappointed!