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. If you're on the hunt for a new display that balances performance and affordability, you've probably heard about this one. But is it really worth the hype? Let's break it down and see what this monitor brings to the table.
First Impressions and Build Quality
When you first unbox the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU, you'll notice its sleek and minimalist design. It's not flashy, but it looks clean and modern, fitting well into most setups. The build quality feels solid; it doesn't feel cheap or flimsy, which is always a good sign. The stand provides decent stability, and you get tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, allowing you to dial in your perfect viewing angle. This is a huge plus for those long gaming sessions where comfort is key. The monitor's matte black finish helps to reduce glare, which is super handy if you're gaming in a brightly lit room. The bezels are relatively thin, giving you more screen real estate and making it a good candidate for multi-monitor setups. Overall, the initial impression is positive, suggesting a well-built and thoughtfully designed monitor. The materials used don't scream premium, but they are certainly robust enough to withstand daily use. For gamers who appreciate a no-nonsense aesthetic, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU hits the mark. The adjustability options are particularly noteworthy, catering to a wide range of user preferences and ergonomic needs. This level of flexibility is often found in more expensive monitors, making it a standout feature in this price range. The clean design extends to the back of the monitor, with well-placed ports and cable management options, helping to keep your desk tidy. Little touches like this contribute to a more enjoyable user experience. So, right off the bat, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU makes a strong case for itself with its blend of practical design and solid construction.
Display Quality: Colors, Clarity, and Crispness
Now, let's talk about the heart of any monitor: its display quality. The Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU boasts a 23.8-inch IPS panel with a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution. The IPS technology ensures vibrant and accurate colors, which is a significant advantage for both gaming and general use. Colors pop without being overly saturated, and the viewing angles are excellent, meaning you won't experience color distortion when viewing the screen from different positions. This is particularly beneficial if you often have friends over for gaming sessions or if you need to collaborate on visual tasks. The Full HD resolution might seem standard, but on a 23.8-inch screen, it delivers a sharp and clear image. Text looks crisp, and games appear detailed without requiring a high-end graphics card to run smoothly. The pixel density is just right, providing a comfortable viewing experience even during extended use. Contrast levels are also commendable, offering deep blacks and bright whites, enhancing the overall picture quality. Whether you're exploring dark dungeons in an RPG or watching a blockbuster movie, the monitor handles a wide range of content with ease. The color accuracy is another strong point, making it suitable for light photo editing or graphic design work. While it might not satisfy professional content creators who demand the highest level of color fidelity, it's more than adequate for enthusiasts and hobbyists. In summary, the display quality of the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is impressive for its price range. The combination of IPS technology, Full HD resolution, and accurate colors results in a visually pleasing experience that's hard to fault. It strikes a great balance between clarity, color vibrancy, and overall image quality, making it a versatile choice for various applications.
Gaming Performance: Speed and Responsiveness
For gamers, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU truly shines. It has a 165Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, which are crucial for fast-paced gaming. The high refresh rate ensures incredibly smooth motion, reducing motion blur and making fast-moving objects appear clearer. This gives you a competitive edge in games where reaction time is critical, such as first-person shooters and racing games. The 1ms response time further minimizes ghosting and blurring, resulting in a sharper and more responsive gaming experience. This means you'll see less of those distracting trails behind moving objects, allowing you to focus on the action. The monitor also supports AMD FreeSync Premium, which synchronizes the refresh rate of the monitor with your AMD graphics card. This eliminates screen tearing and reduces stuttering, providing a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. Even if you don't have an AMD card, the monitor's fast response time and high refresh rate still deliver excellent performance. Input lag is minimal, meaning there's virtually no delay between your actions and what you see on the screen. This is essential for competitive gaming, where every millisecond counts. The monitor's overdrive settings allow you to fine-tune the response time to your liking. However, it's worth experimenting with these settings, as aggressive overdrive can sometimes introduce inverse ghosting. Overall, the gaming performance of the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is exceptional for its price. The combination of a high refresh rate, fast response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium support makes it a formidable choice for gamers of all skill levels. Whether you're a casual player or a competitive esports enthusiast, this monitor will enhance your gaming experience with its speed, responsiveness, and smooth visuals.
Features and Connectivity
The Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU comes packed with a range of features that enhance its usability and convenience. It includes built-in speakers, which, while not audiophile-grade, are perfectly adequate for casual listening and gaming. They save you the hassle of needing external speakers, especially if you're short on desk space. The monitor also has a headphone jack, allowing you to easily connect your headphones for a more immersive gaming experience or for private listening. The blue light filter is another useful feature, reducing eye strain during long gaming sessions. This is particularly important if you're prone to headaches or eye fatigue. The monitor's on-screen display (OSD) is intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing you to quickly adjust settings such as brightness, contrast, and color temperature. The OSD also includes preset gaming modes that optimize the display for different game genres, such as FPS, RTS, and racing. These modes can be helpful for quickly dialing in the best settings for your favorite games. In terms of connectivity, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU offers a good selection of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, from gaming consoles to older PCs. The inclusion of a USB hub is a welcome addition, allowing you to connect peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and headsets directly to the monitor. This helps to keep your desk tidy and reduces cable clutter. Overall, the features and connectivity options of the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU are comprehensive and well-rounded. It offers everything you need for a comfortable and convenient gaming experience, without sacrificing essential features.
Pros and Cons: Weighing the Options
Okay, let's break down the pros and cons of the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU to give you a clear picture of what you're getting.
Pros:
- High Refresh Rate: The 165Hz refresh rate delivers incredibly smooth motion, enhancing your gaming experience.
- Fast Response Time: The 1ms response time minimizes ghosting and blurring, providing a sharper and more responsive image.
- IPS Panel: The IPS panel ensures vibrant and accurate colors, with excellent viewing angles.
- AMD FreeSync Premium: This technology eliminates screen tearing and reduces stuttering for smoother gameplay.
- Adjustable Stand: The stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, allowing you to find your perfect viewing angle.
- Built-in Speakers: The built-in speakers provide convenient audio without the need for external speakers.
- Affordable Price: The Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU offers excellent value for its features and performance.
Cons:
- 1080p Resolution: While the 1080p resolution is sharp on a 23.8-inch screen, some users may prefer a higher resolution for more detail.
- Basic Design: The design is functional but not particularly stylish, which may not appeal to everyone.
- Speaker Quality: The built-in speakers are adequate but not exceptional, lacking the bass and clarity of dedicated speakers.
Final Verdict: Is the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU Worth It?
So, after all this, is the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU worth it? Absolutely! For gamers on a budget, this monitor is a fantastic choice. It offers a winning combination of high refresh rate, fast response time, and vibrant colors, all at an affordable price. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive monitors, it delivers excellent performance where it matters most: in gaming. The adjustable stand, built-in speakers, and comprehensive connectivity options add to its value, making it a versatile choice for both gaming and general use. If you're looking for a monitor that balances performance, features, and affordability, the Iiyama G-Master GB2470HSU is definitely worth considering. It's a solid all-around performer that won't break the bank, making it a smart choice for gamers and everyday users alike. So go ahead, give it a shot, and elevate your gaming experience without emptying your wallet!