Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU Review: Is It Worth Buying?
Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the world of gaming monitors to check out the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU. If you're in the market for a new display that balances performance, features, and price, you've probably stumbled across this model. So, let's break it down and see if it's the right fit for you.
First Impressions and Build Quality
When you first unbox the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU, you'll notice its sleek, understated design. It's not overly flashy, which some gamers might appreciate. The bezels are reasonably thin, giving you a more immersive viewing experience. The stand is sturdy and offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, allowing you to dial in the perfect viewing angle for those long gaming sessions. The build quality feels solid; it doesn't feel cheap or flimsy, which is always a good sign.
The monitor's aesthetic is clean and functional, making it suitable for both gaming setups and professional environments. The matte black finish helps to minimize reflections, ensuring that you remain focused on the screen. The stand's adjustability is a significant plus, as it allows for ergonomic customization, reducing strain during prolonged use. This is particularly beneficial for gamers and professionals who spend extended periods in front of the screen. The overall design prioritizes practicality and comfort, making it a versatile addition to any workspace or gaming rig.
On the rear, you'll find a decent selection of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices. There are also audio input and output jacks, as well as built-in speakers. While the speakers aren't going to blow you away with their audio quality, they're perfectly adequate for casual use and save you from needing external speakers right away. The inclusion of multiple connectivity options makes it easy to hook up your PC, consoles, and other peripherals without any hassle. This versatility is a major selling point, especially for users who need to switch between different devices frequently. The thoughtful port placement also contributes to cable management, keeping your setup clean and organized.
Display Performance: Diving into the Details
Now, let's get to the heart of the matter: the display itself. The Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU features a 23.8-inch VA panel with a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution. While some gamers might scoff at 1080p in this day and age, it's still a sweet spot for balancing visual fidelity and performance, especially if you're running a mid-range graphics card. The VA panel technology offers good contrast ratios, resulting in deep blacks and vibrant colors. This makes games and movies look more immersive and engaging. The monitor's color accuracy is also decent, making it suitable for content creation tasks, though professional color graders might want to look elsewhere.
The monitor boasts a 165Hz refresh rate, which is a significant upgrade over the standard 60Hz. This higher refresh rate results in smoother motion and reduced ghosting, making fast-paced games feel much more responsive. Combine this with the 1ms Moving Picture Response Time (MPRT), and you have a display that can keep up with even the most demanding games. Adaptive Sync technology, including AMD FreeSync, further enhances the gaming experience by eliminating screen tearing and reducing stuttering. This ensures a fluid and seamless gaming experience, even when your frame rates fluctuate.
Viewing angles are also respectable, thanks to the VA panel. Colors remain consistent even when viewed from off-center angles, which is important if you often have friends watching you play. The monitor's brightness levels are adequate for most indoor environments, and the anti-glare coating effectively minimizes reflections, ensuring comfortable viewing even in brightly lit rooms. Overall, the display performance of the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is impressive, offering a balanced blend of visual quality and responsiveness that will satisfy most gamers and general users.
Gaming Experience: Is It Smooth?
Alright, let's talk about gaming! The Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU truly shines when it comes to gaming. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time make a noticeable difference in fast-paced games like CS:GO, Fortnite, and Call of Duty. The action feels incredibly smooth and responsive, giving you a competitive edge. The Adaptive Sync technology eliminates screen tearing and reduces stuttering, further enhancing the gaming experience. I found myself reacting quicker and more accurately in games, thanks to the improved clarity and responsiveness of the display.
The VA panel's excellent contrast ratio also contributes to a more immersive gaming experience. Dark scenes in games like Resident Evil and The Witcher 3 look incredibly atmospheric, with deep blacks and rich details. The vibrant colors make the environments pop, drawing you deeper into the game world. Whether you're exploring a lush forest or navigating a dark dungeon, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU delivers a visually stunning experience.
Of course, no monitor is perfect. Some users might find the 1080p resolution limiting, especially if they're used to higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K. However, for most gamers, 1080p is still a sweet spot, offering a good balance between visual fidelity and performance. Plus, running games at 1080p is less demanding on your graphics card, allowing you to achieve higher frame rates. Overall, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU provides a fantastic gaming experience, offering smooth, responsive, and visually immersive gameplay.
Features and Extras: What Else Does It Offer?
Beyond the core display performance, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU comes with a few extra features that are worth mentioning. It has built-in speakers, which, as I mentioned earlier, are decent for casual use but not ideal for serious audio enthusiasts. There are also a few gaming-centric features, such as Black Tuner, which allows you to adjust the black levels to better see enemies in dark areas. This can be a real game-changer in competitive shooters.
The monitor also has several pre-set picture modes, including Standard, Game, Movie, and Text, allowing you to quickly optimize the display for different tasks. The on-screen display (OSD) is easy to navigate, with intuitive menus and controls. You can adjust various settings, such as brightness, contrast, color temperature, and overdrive, to fine-tune the display to your liking. The inclusion of low blue light mode is also a welcome addition, reducing eye strain during long gaming sessions or work periods.
Another notable feature is the flicker-free technology, which eliminates screen flicker and further reduces eye fatigue. This is especially important for users who spend long hours in front of the screen. The Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU also supports VESA mount compatibility, allowing you to easily mount it on a monitor arm or wall mount for a more ergonomic setup. Overall, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU offers a solid set of features that enhance the user experience and make it a versatile choice for both gaming and general use.
Pros and Cons: Weighing the Options
To summarize, let's break down the pros and cons of the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU:
Pros:
- High refresh rate (165Hz): Provides smooth and responsive gameplay.
- Fast response time (1ms): Reduces ghosting and blur.
- Adaptive Sync technology: Eliminates screen tearing and stuttering.
- VA panel: Offers excellent contrast and vibrant colors.
- Adjustable stand: Provides ergonomic comfort.
- Multiple connectivity options: Ensures compatibility with various devices.
- Affordable price: Offers great value for money.
Cons:
- 1080p resolution: May be limiting for some users.
- Built-in speakers: Audio quality is not exceptional.
- Design: Lacks the visual flair of some gaming monitors.
Who Is This Monitor For?
The Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is an excellent choice for gamers who are looking for a responsive and visually appealing monitor without breaking the bank. It's particularly well-suited for players who enjoy fast-paced games and appreciate smooth, tear-free gameplay. It's also a great option for students and professionals who need a versatile display for both work and play. If you're on a budget and don't want to compromise on performance, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is definitely worth considering.
However, if you're a hardcore gamer who demands the highest possible resolution and refresh rate, or if you're a professional content creator who needs the most accurate colors, you might want to look at more expensive options. But for the vast majority of users, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU offers a compelling blend of performance, features, and price.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Buying?
So, is the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU worth buying? Absolutely! It's a fantastic monitor that offers excellent value for money. The high refresh rate, fast response time, and Adaptive Sync technology make it a joy to game on, while the VA panel delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. The adjustable stand and multiple connectivity options add to its versatility, making it a great choice for both gaming and general use. While it's not perfect, its pros far outweigh its cons. If you're in the market for a new gaming monitor, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU should definitely be on your shortlist. You won't be disappointed!