Unveiling the Gigabyte M27QA ICE: A Stylish Powerhouse in 180 Hz QHD Gaming Monitors

Even though the M27QA ICE’s light hue is distinctive, it remains subtle enough to generate the impression that this is how it should be. There’s absolutely no reason we can’t see more white displays. Yet, you will undoubtedly be the center of attention among your peers at a LAN gathering. The front bezel is narrow, level, and black so the only white visible when the display is active is the edging at the bottom which displays “Gigabyte” in gray script. The base likewise states “Gaming Series” in case there was any uncertainty. The visuals are crisp and vibrant with no graininess due to the efficient anti-reflection coating.

The thickness of the panel’s profile is merely 1.7 inches, slimmer than most 27-inch monitors I’ve encountered. The stand is exceptionally sturdy, allowing for 5/20 degrees of tilt and a 5.1-inch elevation adjustment. There is no swivel option or portrait mode available. Movements are very firm, exhibiting no looseness or wobbling. The M27QA ICE is evidently constructed for prolonged use.

The reverse side also displays “Gigabyte” alongside a few molded designs and ample ventilation along the upper part. The OSD joystick is positioned in the conventional location and is the only control button for the M27QA ICE. The input panel is clearly labeled, featuring two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB-C that can function as a secondary DisplayPort input. KVM capabilities are enhanced by one upstream and two downstream ports, version 3.2. A 3.5mm headphone jack provides stereo output, and there are no built-in speakers.

OSD Features

Each menu screen displays signal information at the top. You can observe the video processing status within the first of seven segments, which includes refresh rate, overdrive, and similar options. Aim Stabilizer Sync represents the backlight strobe and operates alongside Adaptive-Sync to entirely eliminate motion blur. It presents a minimal phasing distortion, which is easier to notice in test patterns than in real content. Alternatively, you can utilize the superb overdrive, which performed best for me when set to Balance. The Smart OD feature is dynamic and will fluctuate with the refresh rate.

A total of nine picture modes are available, with Standard being the default and optimal choice. This mode offers a complete array of calibration controls, including gamma and color temperature presets. Additionally, there’s an accurate sRGB option for those requiring color grading capabilities. The native color gamut encompasses 95% of DCI-P3, ensuring that the M27QA ICE is quite vibrant for both SDR and HDR material.

Quick Switch pertains to the joystick directional buttons, and all four can be customized by the user. This feature provides immediate access to frequently utilized elements, such as picture settings and input selection. There are three memory settings that can be stored and retrieved. This is a feature all displays should implement, as it is highly beneficial.

GameAssist is a distinct menu of gaming tools, featuring aiming points (green in four shapes), timer, stopwatch, frame count, sniper mode, and PC health metrics. The M27QA ICE can monitor fan speeds and temperatures for the CPU and GPU in real-time. This information is presented in a small window at the upper left corner of the display.

Gigabyte M27QA ICE Calibration Settings

The M27QA ICE is almost at the threshold of requiring calibration but presents barely noticeable errors, resulting in a pleasing and colorful image by default. In the default Standard setting, you have gamma and color temperature presets along with RGB sliders for precise adjustments. I utilized these to make slight enhancements in accuracy. The color gamut is capable of covering 95% of DCI-P3 unless you opt for the sRGB mode, which accurately represents that color space. Below are my recommended configurations. For HDR signals, no adjustments can be made, and brightness is fixed at 100%. There’s no dynamic contrast, so the picture doesn’t appear significantly altered.

Gaming and Practical Experience

Numerous gaming monitors fit within the “gets the job done” category, however, the M27QA ICE surpasses them with some of the finest video processing I have encountered in a sub-$300 screen. The overdrive is sufficient to alleviate motion blur, which was a non-issue during my gameplay sessions. If you can operate it at 180fps, there’s no requirement for anything beyond the Balanced setting with Adaptive-Sync activated. QHD resolution facilitates this task effortlessly.

For lower frame rates, the backlight strobe (Aim Stabilizer Sync) serves as a valuable tool since Gigabyte allows you to keep Adaptive-Sync enabled. Brightness is automatically maximized, ensuring no reduction in light output. I observed a slight phasing artifact in testing patterns, but it was nearly impossible to replicate this in any games I tested. Doom Eternal has abundant fine detail that would magnify any irregularities, yet I noticed none. The video processing capability here is outstanding.

While I observed merely average HDR performance, it does provide a slight improvement over SDR, thanks to the M27QA ICE’s extensive color gamut and impressive accuracy. Blue hues appear particularly vibrant with just the proper amount of over-saturation. It enhances cold textures like ice and stone, making them more vivid but not to the extent of appearing cartoonish. Warm colors are also more striking than their SDR counterparts. I desired a field dimming feature to intensify shadow regions, but none was available.

When focusing on workday activities, I appreciated the M27QA ICE’s design and distinctive physical appearance. I utilize a white table for monitor testing, and the white casing complemented the aesthetic perfectly. Combined with a white PC or gaming console, it’s a look I found visually pleasing without any distractions from my tasks. The image is sharp and colorful, well-suited for documents, spreadsheets, and graphics. Photoshop performed well with satisfactory pixel density (109ppi) for detailed editing. The only aspect I would modify is the menu color. It’s not a significant issue since once set up, you spend little time in the OSD. However, a bolder font would enhance readability against the white background. The design decision is logical, but its execution could be improved.

Physically, the M27QA ICE presents a robust package. The stand operates smoothly and confidently in its adjustments. The absence of swivel motion is unusual, but honestly, how often does one need to swivel a monitor? There’s a considerable height and tilt range that can accommodate any combination of desk height and user stature. The KVM functionality is convenient for peripheral support and exceptionally straightforward to configure. The only features not present are LED lighting and speakers. Neither of these detracts from the usability or performance of the M27QA ICE.

Conclusion: The M27QA ICE is an exceptionally capable gaming and workday monitor that provides remarkable video processing and a pleasing image for under $300. It performs exceptionally well across the board, though it lacks a bit of additional impact in HDR mode due to the absence of dimming. However, with vibrant color reproduction, the image remains dynamic and detailed. It is suitable for any task or entertainment activity.

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