iiyama Gold Phoenix G-MASTER GB2790QSU

Overview

The Iiyama G-Master GB2790QSU-B1 monitor features a 27-inch IPS panel with a Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. It supports a maximum refresh rate of 240 Hz while being compatible with FreeSync, by extension, G-Sync. The manufacturer claims a response time of 1 ms, a full brightness of 400 cd/m², a contrast of 1000:1 and viewing angles of 178°. The monitor has basic connectivity and some excellent adjustments to the stand.

The Iiyama G-Master GB2790QSU-B1 is sold for around £450 and is in direct competition with the Samsung Odyssey G7 27″ – a reference in the gaming monitor segment with its 27″ Quad HD 240 Hz panel – which can be found for less than £400.

Ergonomics

The Iiyama G-Master GB2790QSU-B1 has a classic design with well-finished matte black plastics. The Y-shaped stand is a little more original than the rectangular one on other Japanese screens, but this monitor is still very sober and could pass for a simple office screen.

The G-Master GB2790QSU-B1 offers 13 cm height adjustment and tilt adjustment between -3° and +18°. It also has a pivot for portrait mode.

The black matt plastic back is of good quality, and the manufacturer’s previous models show that this plastic ages very well over time. Once the stand is removed, the monitor is compatible with 100 x 100 mm VESA mounts. All the connections are oriented downwards to be grouped at the base of the arm via a small pin that acts as a basic cable management system.

The connectivity consists of an HDMI input, a DisplayPort input, a headphone output and two USB 3.0 ports. The screen also has two 2W speakers, which are far from exceptional but can be used for system sounds and short videos.

The On-Screen Display (OSD) menus are navigated using five buttons on the edge of the screen. Not very practical, they lead to frequent handling errors. It’s a shame that the manufacturer didn’t opt for a joystick, as it does for some of its models (Iiyama ProLite XB3288UHSU-B1, for example).

Unsurprisingly, the Iiyama GB2790QSU-B1 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 model (AOC Q3279VWF). However, its airy design leaves enough room for the keyboard and mouse.

The Quad HD definition of 2560 x 1440 pixels on this 27-inch panel results in an average resolution of 109 pixels per inch (PPI). This definition is excellent for games, especially at 240 Hz – a frequency that requires a powerful graphics card. It is comfortable for other tasks, such as office work or even surfing the internet, and provides enough workspace on this 27-inch diagonal.

CONCLUSION

The low ghosting and low lag make the Iiyama G-Master GB2790QSU an excellent gaming monitor and an excellent choice for competitors, but not only. It’s also very well-calibrated and offers enough settings for comfortable everyday use.