Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU Review: Is It Worth It?

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Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU Review: Is It Worth It?

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU, a monitor that's been making waves in the gaming community. If you're on the hunt for a new display that balances performance and affordability, you've probably come across this model. We're going to break down everything you need to know, from its key features to its real-world performance, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your gaming setup.

First Impressions and Design

Let's kick things off with the unboxing experience and overall design. The iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU boasts a sleek, minimalist design that will fit seamlessly into almost any gaming or workspace environment. The monitor features thin bezels on three sides, giving it a modern and immersive look. The stand is sturdy and offers a good range of adjustments, including tilt, swivel, pivot, and height, allowing you to find the perfect viewing angle for maximum comfort during those long gaming sessions.

Aesthetics: The matte black finish is understated yet stylish, avoiding the flashy, over-the-top aesthetics that some gaming monitors sport. This makes it versatile enough for both gaming and professional use. The build quality feels solid, and the materials used don't feel cheap, which is a definite plus considering its price point. Setting up the monitor is a breeze; it’s mostly tool-less, so you can get it up and running in just a few minutes. The stand clicks into place easily, and all the necessary cables are included in the box.

Connectivity: In terms of connectivity, the GB2470HSU offers a decent selection of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices. It also includes a headphone jack and built-in speakers, although the speakers are fairly basic and probably won't replace a dedicated sound system. The OSD (On-Screen Display) menu is straightforward and easy to navigate, allowing you to quickly adjust settings like brightness, contrast, and color profiles. Overall, the initial impression is positive. The monitor looks good, feels well-built, and offers a practical design with good adjustability.

Key Features and Specifications

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty details. The iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is packed with features designed to enhance your gaming experience. Understanding these specifications will help you gauge whether this monitor meets your specific needs and expectations.

Panel Type and Resolution: The monitor features a 23.8-inch IPS panel with a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution. The IPS panel ensures vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, making it great for both gaming and multimedia consumption. While some gamers might prefer a higher resolution like 1440p or 4K, the 1080p resolution is still a sweet spot for many, especially when paired with a high refresh rate. It's less demanding on your GPU, allowing you to achieve higher frame rates in games without needing top-of-the-line hardware.

Refresh Rate and Response Time: One of the standout features of the GB2470HSU is its 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. A high refresh rate means smoother motion and reduced blur, which is crucial for fast-paced games like first-person shooters and racing games. The 1ms response time further minimizes ghosting and motion blur, providing a clearer and more responsive gaming experience. This combination is ideal for competitive gamers who need every advantage they can get.

Adaptive Sync Technology: The monitor also supports AMD FreeSync, which helps to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering by synchronizing the monitor's refresh rate with your graphics card's frame rate. This results in a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience, especially in graphically demanding games. FreeSync is a great addition for gamers using AMD GPUs, but it's also compatible with NVIDIA's G-Sync technology on newer graphics cards, offering wider compatibility.

Other Features:

  • Black Tuner: This feature allows you to adjust the black levels to improve visibility in dark scenes, giving you a competitive edge in games where spotting enemies in the shadows is crucial.
  • Preset Game Modes: The monitor comes with several preset game modes optimized for different game genres, such as FPS, RTS, and racing. These modes automatically adjust the display settings to provide the best possible visual experience for each type of game.
  • Blue Light Reducer: The blue light reducer helps to reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions by filtering out harmful blue light emissions. This can help prevent fatigue and improve sleep quality.

Image Quality and Performance

Okay, specs are great, but how does the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU actually perform? Let's dive into the image quality and performance aspects of this monitor. Color accuracy is one of the key strengths of the GB2470HSU. The IPS panel delivers vibrant and accurate colors, making games and other content look rich and lifelike. The monitor covers a decent portion of the sRGB color spectrum, which is the standard for most games and multimedia content. This means you'll see colors as they were intended, without any noticeable color distortion or inaccuracies.

Brightness and Contrast: The monitor has a typical brightness of 250 cd/m², which is adequate for most indoor environments. However, it might struggle in very bright rooms or direct sunlight. The contrast ratio is also decent, providing good distinction between dark and light areas of the screen. Viewing angles are excellent, thanks to the IPS panel. Colors remain consistent even when viewed from extreme angles, making it great for sharing the screen with others or for setups where you're not always sitting directly in front of the monitor.

Gaming Performance: In terms of gaming performance, the GB2470HSU truly shines. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time deliver a smooth and responsive gaming experience. Motion blur is minimal, and fast-paced action looks crisp and clear. The AMD FreeSync technology works effectively to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering, providing a more immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. Input lag is also low, which is crucial for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts. Whether you're playing fast-paced shooters, racing games, or strategy games, the GB2470HSU provides a fluid and responsive experience that will keep you competitive.

Overall: The image quality and performance of the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU are impressive for its price range. It delivers accurate colors, wide viewing angles, and smooth gaming performance, making it a great choice for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts alike.

Pros and Cons

To give you a clear and concise overview, let's break down the pros and cons of the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU.

Pros:

  • High Refresh Rate: The 165Hz refresh rate provides smooth and fluid motion, which is ideal for gaming.
  • Fast Response Time: The 1ms response time minimizes ghosting and motion blur, resulting in a clearer and more responsive gaming experience.
  • IPS Panel: The IPS panel delivers accurate colors and wide viewing angles, making it great for both gaming and multimedia consumption.
  • AMD FreeSync: The AMD FreeSync technology eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, providing a smoother gaming experience.
  • Adjustable Stand: The adjustable stand allows you to find the perfect viewing angle for maximum comfort.
  • Affordable Price: The GB2470HSU offers excellent value for money, packing a lot of features into an affordable package.

Cons:

  • 1080p Resolution: While 1080p is still a popular resolution, some gamers might prefer a higher resolution like 1440p or 4K.
  • Low Brightness: The brightness of 250 cd/m² might not be sufficient for very bright environments.
  • Basic Speakers: The built-in speakers are fairly basic and probably won't replace a dedicated sound system.

Alternatives to Consider

If the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU doesn't quite tick all your boxes, here are a few alternative monitors to consider:

  • BenQ ZOWIE XL2411K: This is a popular choice for competitive gamers, offering a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and BenQ's DyAc (Dynamic Accuracy) technology for reduced motion blur. It's a bit more expensive than the GB2470HSU but offers excellent performance for fast-paced gaming.
  • ViewSonic XG2405: This monitor offers a similar feature set to the GB2470HSU, with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync technology. It's also a bit more affordable, making it a great option for budget-conscious gamers.
  • ASUS TUF Gaming VG259Q: If you're looking for a slightly larger screen, the ASUS TUF Gaming VG259Q offers a 24.5-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and ASUS's ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur) technology. It also features G-Sync compatibility, making it a great option for gamers with NVIDIA GPUs.

Final Verdict: Is the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU Worth It?

So, after putting it through its paces, is the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU worth your hard-earned cash? Absolutely! This monitor strikes an excellent balance between price and performance, making it a fantastic option for gamers on a budget. The 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time deliver a smooth and responsive gaming experience, while the IPS panel ensures accurate colors and wide viewing angles.

While it might not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive monitors, the GB2470HSU offers everything you need for a great gaming experience without breaking the bank. Whether you're a casual gamer or a competitive esports player, this monitor is sure to impress. If you're looking for an affordable and reliable gaming monitor, the iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is definitely worth considering. It's a solid all-around performer that delivers excellent value for money. Happy gaming, folks!