After weeks of testing, we recently rated the LG 27GL850 as the best gaming monitor on the market. This 1440p 144Hz display impressed us with its excellent color reproduction and motion processing, and because of its relatively affordable price of less than $ 500, some missing features were forgiven. Today, I think we need to give more details on why this new type of display has received our highest recommendation, including a closer look at the display ’s innovative Nano IPS panel, its 1ms GtG response time rating, and some other interesting things. Would be very interesting. Not included in the article we summarized.
The biggest difference between the LG 27GL850 and our previously selected "Best Gaming Monitor" spot is the type of panel they use. Although displays such as the Acer XB271HU and Asus PG279Q use AHVA IPS panels from Taiwanese supplier AU Optronics, this new display is built on LG Display's next-generation Nano IPS panel, which is a subsidiary of the larger LG Treasure.
Nano IPS is based on the conventional strength of IPS panels known for their wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction by stacking nanoparticles on the white LED backlight of the display. This layer filters out wavelengths of light outside the intended color gamut, allowing more accurate colors therein. Therefore, the Nano IPS specification reaches 98% of the DCI-P3 color space, which is equivalent to about 135% of the less demanding sRGB color gamut, which can provide more accurate colors and even support HDR input.
However, compared to VA or OLED panels, Nano IPS cannot solve the biggest problems of IPS screens-relatively darker darkness, relatively lower maximum brightness, lack of local dimming, so the contrast is below average. This is why the 27GL850 cannot even meet the minimum DisplayHDR 400 standard, as this requires a peak brightness of 400 nits, while the backlight of LG displays can only reach 350 nits. The widescreen model 38GL950G of this monitor can reach a peak brightness of 450 nits, but it is lower than the 1000+ nits that the HDR screen is really worth.
Not only does the 27GL850 improve color reproduction, it also surpasses the previous-generation IPS display with an independently verified 1ms GtG rating in response time. This metric measures how long it takes for a pixel to switch between two colors; the longer this process takes, the faster an object moves, leaving a blurred trail on the screen.
For most IPS monitors, its GtG response time is about 4 to 8 milliseconds, so 1 millisecond represents a major improvement that improves the clarity of fast-moving objects, such as enemy players in FPS titles. In testing the 27GL850, we found that tracking players is easier than other 144Hz IPS displays, such as the Acer Predator XB271HU, which has a GtG response time of 4ms.
Please note that the GtG time depends on the overspeed setting used, of which the "faster" of the 27GL850 produces the lowest response time, but it will also introduce significant overshoot, and visual artifacts will increase the tracking effect in front Fast moving objects. We recommend using the second-highest setting, "fast", which is still significantly better than the equivalent setting on all other IPS-type displays (even competing with 240Hz TN displays) and does not cause significant visual degradation.
Interestingly, this LG display was originally advertised as the 27GL850G with full G-Sync support, but has been released as a 27GL850 or 27GL850-B. Somewhere between the initial announcement and release, it was decided to drop the expensive physical G-Sync module in favor of a software-only solution. This may have reduced the price by around $ 100/100, and the display is still certified G-Sync compatible by Nvidia, so it can be used immediately on Nvidia and AMD hardware. The downside of this decision is that VRR will stop working below 48Hz, and the option to overclock to 165Hz has been removed-at least in our book, a reasonable compromise considering the price difference.
There are other minor issues that seem to be worth covering. We mentioned ultra-thin bezels in the best gaming monitors, but the way to do this is also different from the way I see it on most other monitors. The bezel here does not protrude from the plastic bezel above the screen, but below the screen, and connects at right angles to the sides of the display, so you can move your finger from one edge to another without feeling bumps. this is notit works In any meaningful sense, this does make the 27GL850 look more modern and minimizes the gap between each panel in a multi-monitor setup.
A more substantial upgrade is the stand, which takes up relatively little desk space and offers 90-degree rotation, height adjustment, tilt and rotation. It can also be installed without tools. Ideal for LAN parties and other situations without a screwdriver. If you prefer to use a monitor arm or other mounting mechanism, you can also use a 100×100 VESA mount. All I / O is concentrated on the back of the display, with two USB 3.0 ports and a headphone pass-through port, which typically loads one DisplayPort 1.4 port and two HDMI 2.0 ports together. I / O is easier to access in this position, but the working length of the cable is reduced compared to the usual placement down.
The on-screen display (OSD) is another highlight. First, the 27GL850 starts with the right foot and includes an intuitive joystick at the bottom of the frame, rather than the convoluted button row at the back. (You can also use Windows or macOS applications if you like.) Internally, the OSD includes modes for different game types, settings to brighten dark areas (to find sneaky enemies), and multiple screen crosshairs ( Can be used in CS without range): GO and Hardcore mode in Call of Duty). None of these features are absolutely necessary, but having more options is always appreciated, and a percentage of users will no doubt find them useful.
Considering the specifications and features of the 27GL850, you want it to be an expensive offer-to be fair, it certainly is not a budget model around $ 490/470. Spend a lot of money on any part of your setup, but the display is reasonably priced in the context. Its closest competitors, such as the earlier IPS displays such as the Acer XB271HU, actually become more expensive due to the inclusion of hardware G-Sync modules, which are simply not necessary for most users. Our previous best gaming monitor choice was the MSI Optix MAG271CQR, which is usually cheaper, but lacks the near-perfect color reproduction and fast response time of the 27GL850. So choosing this new LG display as our best recommendation is an easy choice-if you are buying a new display on the market, then this should be the first display checked out.
