iiyama G-Master GB2870UHSU-B1 28″ IPS

Overview

The Iiyama G-Master GB2870UHSU features a 28-inch IPS panel with an Ultra HD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. It stands out from the competition thanks to its 150Hz native frequency compatible panel and an HDMI 2.1 input supporting 4K 120Hz signals and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ideally suited for the latest generation of Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5 gaming consoles. It also benefits from fairly complete ergonomics and a USB 3.0 hub.

The Iiyama G-Master GB2870UHSU is priced at around £600. This may seem expensive, but it’s affordable for a 120Hz Ultra HD monitor with HDMI 2.1 connectivity. You can find slightly cheaper monitors, such as the ViewSonic VP2756-4K or the Samsung Odyssey G7 LS28AG700NUXEN, which are sold for around £550, but this type of 4K 120 Hz monitor is still quite expensive.

Ergonomics

In line with other models from the Japanese manufacturer, the design is very classic, with well-finished matt black plastics. This gaming monitor can easily pass for an office model. There are very few gimmicks and no RGB lighting system, for example.

The Y-foot is very airy and leaves much space on the desk. At the back, there is a very basic but effective cable management system for grouping a maximum of three to four cables.

The G-Master

GB2870UHSU has a height adjustment of 13 cm and a tilt adjustment between -3° and +18°. It also has a pivot for portrait mode.

The rear of the monitor is as plain as the front. It is covered with a good quality matt black plastic, and the Iiyama models age very well. Once the stand is removed, the screen is compatible with VESA 100 x 100 mm mounts.

The connectivity consists of an HDMI 2.1 input compatible with 4K 120 Hz and VRR, a DisplayPort input, a headphone output and three USB 3.0 ports. The screen also has two 2W speakers. These are far from exceptional, but they allow you to watch short videos without putting on your headphones, for example.

The On-Screen Display (OSD) menus are navigated using five touch buttons on the front panel. This system is less practical than a clickable joystick, as the manufacturer offers on some of its models (Iiyama ProLite XB3288UHSU-B1…), but the interface is straightforward, and the settings are numerous.

The Iiyama GB2870UHSU is very comfortable on our 120 x 80 cm desk. With a depth of 25.6 cm, the stand could be more compact as some 32-inch models are content with a 15 cm deep unit (AOC Q3279VWF). However, its airy design leaves enough room for the keyboard and mouse. The latest versions of the Windows and macOS operating systems handle Ultra HD perfectly and allow for efficient scaling to 150% or even 200% (Full HD equivalent). Text elements are large enough to be readable, and the image is sharp.

However, the native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels on a 28-inch panel, or 157 pixels per inch (PPI), is almost unusable without scaling. Photo editing software such as Photoshop handles this perfectly in the interface. Still, it displays images at the native resolution of the panel, which allows for a very high level of detail for those who enjoy editing. In games, the contribution of Ultra HD on a 28-inch panel is not necessarily prominent. For the time being, the choice of a Quad HD monitor, especially on this diagonal, seems more reasonable to us, especially for reaching 150 fps. If you want to play with a PS5 or an Xbox Series, the support of Ultra HD at 120 Hz is a real plus.

CONCLUSION

The Iiyama G-Master GB2870UHSU is an excellent Ultra HD monitor with the luxury of displaying a well-calibrated image and a refresh rate of 150 Hz. Its HDMI 2.1 connectivity makes it perfectly compatible with 4K 120 Hz and VRR on the PS5 and Xbox Series. This model will please console gamers who also want to enjoy their computer. However, its average contrast, high power consumption and HDR capabilities prevent it from being awarded the fifth star.