Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU Review: Is It Worth It?
Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU, a monitor that's been making waves in the gaming community. Is it all hype, or does it genuinely deliver? Let's break it down, piece by piece, to see if this monitor deserves a spot on your desk. We'll cover everything from its design and build quality to its performance in gaming and everyday use. So, buckle up and get ready for an in-depth look at the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU!
Design and Build Quality
First impressions matter, right? The iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU sports a sleek, minimalist design that will fit seamlessly into pretty much any setup. It's not overly flashy, which some might appreciate, but it still looks modern and professional. The bezels are relatively thin, giving you more screen real estate and making it a good candidate for multi-monitor setups. The stand is sturdy and offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, allowing you to find the perfect ergonomic position for those long gaming sessions or workdays. The build quality feels solid; there's no noticeable wobble or creaking, which is always a good sign. It feels like iiyama put some thought into making a monitor that will last. The materials used don't feel cheap, and everything is well put together. While it might not have the premium feel of some higher-end monitors, it definitely holds its own in its price range. Overall, the design and build quality of the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU are commendable. It's a well-built, functional monitor that looks good without being too ostentatious. If you're looking for something that blends into your setup and offers solid adjustability, this monitor is a great option. The stand, in particular, is a standout feature, offering a wide range of adjustments that are often lacking in other monitors in this price range. This makes it easy to find the perfect viewing angle, no matter how you're sitting or what you're doing. Whether you're gaming, working, or just browsing the web, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU's design and build quality won't disappoint. It’s a reliable and aesthetically pleasing monitor that gets the job done. Furthermore, the matte finish on the screen does a great job of reducing glare, which is a huge plus if you're working in a brightly lit environment. This attention to detail really enhances the overall user experience and makes the monitor a pleasure to use for extended periods.
Display Quality and Performance
Okay, let's get to the juicy stuff – the display quality! The iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU features a 23.8-inch VA panel with a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution. Now, some might argue that 1080p is a bit low for a monitor of this size, but honestly, it looks pretty sharp. The pixel density is decent, and unless you're sitting super close to the screen, you won't notice any pixelation. The VA panel is where this monitor shines. It offers excellent contrast ratios, meaning you get deep blacks and bright whites, making images and videos look vibrant and punchy. Colors are generally accurate, although they might not be quite as vivid as on an IPS panel. However, for most users, the color accuracy is more than sufficient for gaming, watching movies, and everyday use. The monitor also boasts a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, which are crucial for smooth and responsive gaming. Ghosting is minimal, and motion blur is well-controlled, making fast-paced games look crisp and clear. The high refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in games like first-person shooters and racing games, where every millisecond counts. The iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU also supports AMD FreeSync Premium, which helps to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering when paired with a compatible AMD graphics card. This ensures a smooth and tear-free gaming experience, even when your frame rates fluctuate. Viewing angles are also pretty good, thanks to the VA panel. Colors and contrast remain consistent even when viewing the screen from off-center angles. This is particularly useful if you're sharing the screen with someone else or if you tend to move around a lot while you're using the monitor. In terms of brightness, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is more than adequate for most environments. It can get quite bright, making it easy to see the screen even in brightly lit rooms. However, if you're working in a very dark room, you might want to lower the brightness to avoid eye strain. Overall, the display quality and performance of the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU are excellent for its price range. It offers a great balance of image quality, responsiveness, and features, making it a great choice for gamers and everyday users alike.
Gaming Performance
Alright, gamers, let's talk about what you really want to know: how does the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU perform in games? In short, it's fantastic! The combination of a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium makes for a buttery-smooth and responsive gaming experience. I tested this monitor with a variety of games, including fast-paced shooters like Call of Duty and Overwatch, as well as more visually demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2. In all cases, the monitor performed admirably. The high refresh rate made a noticeable difference in the smoothness of the gameplay, and the low response time ensured that there was minimal ghosting or motion blur. AMD FreeSync Premium worked flawlessly to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, even when my frame rates dipped below the maximum refresh rate. I was particularly impressed with how well the monitor handled fast-paced action. The image remained crisp and clear, even when there was a lot of movement on the screen. This is crucial for competitive gaming, where every millisecond can make the difference between victory and defeat. The VA panel's excellent contrast ratio also contributed to the immersive gaming experience. The deep blacks and bright whites made the visuals pop, and the colors looked vibrant and engaging. Whether I was exploring the dark alleys of Night City in Cyberpunk 2077 or traversing the vast landscapes of Red Dead Redemption 2, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU delivered a stunning visual experience. Of course, no monitor is perfect, and there are a few minor drawbacks to consider. The 1080p resolution might be a bit limiting for some gamers, especially those who are used to playing on higher-resolution displays. However, for most gamers, 1080p is still perfectly acceptable, and it allows you to achieve higher frame rates without sacrificing too much visual fidelity. Additionally, the VA panel's color accuracy might not be quite as good as that of an IPS panel. However, for most gamers, the difference is negligible, and the benefits of the VA panel's superior contrast ratio outweigh the slight compromise in color accuracy. Overall, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is an excellent gaming monitor that offers a great balance of performance, features, and price. If you're looking for a monitor that can handle fast-paced action and deliver a smooth and immersive gaming experience, this is definitely one to consider.
Features and Connectivity
Let's talk features! The iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is packed with a bunch of useful extras that enhance its overall value. First off, it has built-in speakers, which are decent for casual listening. They're not going to blow you away with audiophile-quality sound, but they're perfectly adequate for watching videos or playing games without headphones. The monitor also has a headphone jack, which is always a welcome addition. In terms of connectivity, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU has you covered. It features one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and a VGA port, so you can connect it to a wide range of devices. The inclusion of a VGA port is a nice touch, as it allows you to connect older devices that might not have HDMI or DisplayPort outputs. The monitor also has a USB hub with two USB 2.0 ports. These ports are useful for connecting peripherals like keyboards and mice, but they're not ideal for transferring large files, as USB 2.0 is relatively slow. The iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU also has a few gaming-specific features that are worth mentioning. It has a Black Tuner feature, which allows you to adjust the black levels to improve visibility in dark scenes. This can be a huge advantage in competitive games, where being able to see your opponents in the shadows can mean the difference between victory and defeat. The monitor also has a range of preset gaming modes that optimize the display settings for different types of games. These modes can be useful for quickly adjusting the settings to suit the game you're playing. Additionally, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU has a flicker-free backlight and a blue light filter, which help to reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions or workdays. These features are particularly important if you spend a lot of time in front of the screen, as they can help to prevent fatigue and headaches. Overall, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is well-equipped with features and connectivity options. It has everything you need to connect it to your devices and enjoy a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
Pros and Cons
Okay, let's break down the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU into its pros and cons to give you a clear overview:
Pros:
- High Refresh Rate: The 165Hz refresh rate provides a super smooth gaming experience.
- Fast Response Time: The 1ms response time minimizes ghosting and motion blur.
- AMD FreeSync Premium: Eliminates screen tearing and stuttering for tear-free gaming.
- Excellent Contrast Ratio: The VA panel delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors.
- Adjustable Stand: Offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for optimal ergonomics.
- Built-in Speakers: Decent speakers for casual listening.
- Affordable Price: Offers great value for its performance and features.
Cons:
- 1080p Resolution: Some users may prefer a higher resolution for sharper visuals.
- VA Panel Color Accuracy: Color accuracy might not be as good as an IPS panel.
- USB 2.0 Ports: The USB ports are relatively slow.
- Speakers: The speakers are not very good
Final Verdict
So, is the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU worth it? Absolutely! For the price, you're getting a fantastic gaming monitor that offers a smooth, responsive, and immersive gaming experience. The high refresh rate, fast response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium make it a great choice for gamers who want a competitive edge. While the 1080p resolution might not be for everyone, it's perfectly acceptable for most gamers, and it allows you to achieve higher frame rates without sacrificing too much visual fidelity. The VA panel's excellent contrast ratio and decent color accuracy make the visuals pop, and the adjustable stand ensures that you can find the perfect ergonomic position. The built-in speakers are a nice bonus, and the wide range of connectivity options ensures that you can connect it to a wide range of devices. Overall, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is a great value for the money. It's a well-rounded monitor that offers a great balance of performance, features, and price. If you're looking for an affordable gaming monitor that can handle fast-paced action and deliver a smooth and immersive gaming experience, this is definitely one to consider. Whether you're a casual gamer or a competitive esports enthusiast, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is sure to impress. So, go ahead and add it to your cart – you won't regret it!