Cooler Master GM27-FQS ARGB Gaming Monitor Review

Performance

From power on, you get to enjoy the lovely ARGB stand. I’ve seen RGB on monitors before, but it’s often some little lights or logos on the rear of the panel. This is a little bit more of a desk decoration and really adds a unique level of customisation. Furthermore, it does it in a way that’s not particularly distracting either. The colours on this panel look stunning too and so they should with a wide colour gamut on offer, and the IPS panel really delivers some good contrast and deeper black levels.

The default settings on the Cooler Master GM27 are really good, better than what I usually see, actually. A little on the rich and bright side, but that’s hardly shocking. Settings the monitor to a warmer white setting, and perhaps dialling down the brightness to suit your taste is about all the average consumer would need to do though, and even content creators will likely be happy with the built-in profiles too.

Gamma results are very good overall, sticking close to the desired 2.2, but measuring at 2.3, you can set it from 1.8 through to 2.6, but I honestly think the 2.2 (that shows 2.3) looks the best.

Video content looks superb on this panel, and why wouldn’t it, with the IPS panel, the rich range of colours on offer, etc.

Plus with HDR10 support and the 2560×1440 resolution, you can really appreciate just how much time and red wine have brought out a wealth of colours in Jeremy Clarkson’s face.

The GM27 is no slouch for gaming either, as per all the above. However, the addition of FreeSync Premium and a 165Hz refresh rate make this a real contender for professional gamers. Sure, there are higher resolution and higher refresh rate monitors out there, however, QHD and 165 Hz are attainable goals for some of the less powerful GPUs out there, even in more demanding games.

The colours, the fresh rate, and FreeSync all add up to a premium gaming experience, even if you’re a single-player gamer, kicking back with some Forza Motorsport 7, you’ll have a lot to love here.

Online gameplay really benefits from the higher refresh rate too. I’ve finally decided to start playing GTA V Online this week, and the GM27 certainly feels smooth and clear, even compared to my usual 4K60 panel. That being said, Elder Scrolls Online, Overwatch, and Halo have all been played to death this week and I really can’t complain.

Finally, the productivity boost if you’re coming from 1080p is great. Having that increase in resolution makes working easier, and text and images clearer. Plus, if you’re doing photo or video editing, the colour gamut of this screen is a huge advantage.