Gigabyte GS27QC 27" Black 2023

The Gigabyte GS27QC is a 27-inch curved VA gaming monitor with 1440p resolution, 170Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync Premium. It's one of the best budget options for high refresh rate QHD gaming, though the VA panel has some ghosting and the brightness is limited. At $225 to $275, it's a great value; at $500, skip it.

The GS27QC hits 170Hz overclocked, and in our testing it holds that refresh rate without frame skipping. The 1ms MPRT response time is a bit of a trick, that's motion blur reduction, not true pixel response. In practice, fast-paced games feel responsive, but you'll notice some ghosting in high-contrast scenes. That's just VA panel behavior. Dark smearing is real, especially in games like Escape from Tarkov or dark horror titles.

Input lag is low enough that we couldn't feel it in Apex Legends or Valorant. FreeSync Premium works as advertised, keeping things smooth between 48Hz and 170Hz. If you're on an NVIDIA card, you can force G-Sync compatibility through the DisplayPort connection, but it's not officially supported. The 250 nits brightness is fine for a dim room but struggles in bright spaces. HDR is basically a checkbox here, don't expect real HDR performance from this panel.

Against the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG, the Gigabyte loses on color accuracy and HDR performance. The ASUS uses a faster panel with better brightness, but it costs way more. The MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 is in a completely different league for contrast and response time, but again, you're paying OLED prices. The Samsung Odyssey G60SD offers better build quality and a brighter panel, but the Gigabyte undercuts it on price significantly.

Where the GS27QC wins is pure value. The LG UltraGear 32GX850A-B is bigger and brighter but costs nearly twice as much. The Alienware AW2725D has better color and a faster panel, but it's also in a higher price bracket. If you're comparing budget curved gaming monitors, the Gigabyte holds its own. Just don't expect it to compete with monitors that cost $200 to $400 more.

Pricing on the GS27QC is all over the place. We've seen it as low as $225 and as high as $500 across vendors. At the low end, this monitor is an absolute steal. At $500, you're getting into territory where better panels exist. Newegg currently has the best deal we've found, so check there first. For context, the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG and MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 both cost significantly more and deliver better color and contrast, but you're paying double or triple. If you just want high refresh rate QHD gaming on a budget, the GS27QC at $225 to $275 is hard to beat.

The Gigabyte GS27QC is one of those monitors that makes you wonder why you'd spend more. You get a 27-inch curved VA panel running at 2560x1440, a 165Hz refresh rate that overclocks to 170Hz, and a 1ms MPRT response time. For a gaming monitor in the $225 to $500 range, that's a solid spec sheet. It's aimed squarely at gamers who want QHD smoothness without dropping OLED money.

The 1500R curve is subtle enough for everyday use but adds a bit of immersion in racing games and shooters. You also get AMD FreeSync Premium, which matters if you're running a Radeon card. The HDR Ready label is more marketing than substance, but we'll get to that. For the price, this thing checks a lot of boxes.

If you've been searching for a budget 1440p 165Hz curved gaming monitor, the GS27QC is probably already on your radar. And honestly, it should be. It's not perfect, but it delivers where it counts for most gamers.

Skip the GS27QC if you're a competitive esports player who needs the absolute fastest response times, the VA panel ghosting will annoy you. Content creators and photo editors should also look elsewhere, the 108% sRGB coverage and 8-bit color are just average, and the brightness is too low for color-critical work. If you game in a bright room or near windows, the 250 nits panel will struggle. For those users, consider an IPS panel like the LG UltraGear 32GX850A-B or save up for the MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 if contrast and color matter more than budget.

Should you buy the Gigabyte GS27QC? If you're on a budget and want 1440p at high refresh rates, yes. This monitor delivers smooth gameplay, a decent curve, and FreeSync Premium at a price that's tough to argue with. It's a great entry point into QHD gaming without spending $400 or more.

But if you're picky about color accuracy, hate ghosting, or game in a bright room, look elsewhere. The VA panel has limitations, and the 250 nits brightness is a real constraint. For most gamers though, especially those upgrading from 1080p, the GS27QC is a solid step up that won't empty your wallet.