As an image-quality geek, I search for one factor above all when evaluating shows —distinction. Dynamic vary, the distinction between black and white, is king. Get that proper, and all the pieces else falls into place. When CRTs and plasma panels left this planet, so did deep distinction. Self-emissive applied sciences can flip off particular person pixels to supply a real black. LCDs can’t do that, however there’s hope.
Right now, now we have LCDs that may do a satisfactory imitation of a plasma or OLED panel. We all know them as Full-Array Native Dimming (FALD) panels, and so they are available in two varieties: LED and Mini LED. That second one has grow to be extra important of late. Although a premium expertise, Mini LED has expanded the variety of dimming zones attainable. Extra zones imply higher management over extra and smaller items of the picture.
Better of all, the latest 27-inch 4K panel from Cooler Grasp, the Tempest GP27U, comes out of the gate for round $800. It options 576 dimming zones, a Quantum Dot movie for huge gamut colour, 160 Hz refresh fee, Adaptive-Sync and HDR 1000. Let’s check out this extremely certified candidate for our finest 4K gaming screens checklist.
Cooler Grasp Tempest GP27U Specs
| Panel Sort / Backlight | IPS / Mini LED |
| Quantum Dot Movie | |
| 576 dimming zones | |
| Display Dimension / Facet Ratio | 27 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Decision & Refresh Charge | 3840×2160 @ 160 Hz |
| Adaptive-Sync: 48-144 Hz | |
| Native Colour Depth & Gamut | 10-bit / Rec.2020 |
| HDR10, DisplayHDR 1000 | |
| Response Time (GTG) | 1ms |
| Brightness (mfr) | 600 nits SDR |
| 1,200 nits HDR | |
| Distinction (mfr) | 1,000:1 |
| Audio system | 2x 3w or None |
| Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 (w/DSC) |
| 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C | |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone output |
| USB 3.0 | 1x up, 2x down or None |
| Energy Consumption | 49w, brightness @ 200 nits |
| Panel Dimensions | 24.3 x 16.4-20.7 x 10.8 inches |
| WxHxD w/base | (618 x 416-526 x 274mm) |
| Panel Thickness | 2.5 inches (64mm) |
| Bezel Width | High/sides: 0.3 inch (8mm) |
| Backside: 0.7 inch (17mm) | |
| Weight | 14.7 kilos (6.7kg) |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
The GP27U delivers a number of worth on the $800 worth level. Mini LED often delivers excessive brightness, which is right here with a VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification and an precise peak of over 1,200 nits (which I verified in testing). I additionally found infinite black ranges in HDR mode due to a backlight that switches off utterly, when crucial (extra on that later). A Quantum Dot movie produces an enormous colour gamut. I measured over 113% protection of DCI-P3 and a very good try at Rec.2020 with over 81% of that colour area. You additionally get presets for sRGB, Adobe RGB and DCI-P3.
Amongst 4K screens, 144 Hz is the standard most pace however the GP27U manages a dependable 160 Hz refresh fee. The one caveat is that you will need to flip off Adaptive-Sync to go above 144 Hz. However Cooler Grasp supplies an excellent overdrive possibility with a number of presets and a 100-step variable setting, which is sort of uncommon. It enables you to dial within the good stability between clear movement and ghosting.
Further conveniences embody aiming factors and timers together with properly subtle LED lighting within the again. A USB-C port can settle for video and function the anchor for a KVM function that’s managed from the OSD. A strong stand and rugged construct high quality spherical out a premium package deal that at this writing, undercuts the competitors by a couple of bucks.
Meeting and Equipment
The GP27U comes out of its carton in three items with a strong metallic base, sturdy upright and a panel that snaps in place. The packaging is versatile foam, not the crumbly stuff I detest. Thanks, Cooler Grasp. Meeting is straightforward since no instruments are crucial, and it’s a sturdy piece. Together with a big exterior energy provide, you get HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C and USB-A/B.
Product 360
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The GP27U has a skinny flush bezel across the picture with simply 8mm of body across the high and sides. The underside trim is 17mm with a tiny energy LED on the proper and an equally tiny Cooler Grasp brand within the middle. Powering on reveals the rounded hexagon that allows you to know the maker, adopted by a vibrant and colourful picture that’s razor sharp and freed from any grain related to the anti-glare layer. Don’t be fooled by the photograph above; it isn’t shiny. The end is matte, like practically each different pc monitor. The very first thing you’ll discover is the breathtaking colour. You’ll see why that’s once you learn the take a look at outcomes on web page 4.
The stand is a single spherical pole with a big metallic base, additionally in a hexagonal form. It’s practically 11 inches deep, so there’s no hazard of the GP27U falling over. Ergonomics embody 110mm top, -5/20 levels tilt and 15 levels swivel. You additionally get a 90-degree portrait mode. Actions are agency and freed from play, befitting a premium show. Unsnap the stand to disclose a 100mm VESA mount for which you’ll have to supply your personal fasteners.
Attain across the again proper, and also you’ll discover the GP27U’s sole management, a tiny joystick. It covers all monitor features and navigates the OSD. Additionally within the again is an LED ring across the stand’s pivot level, together with two further strips flanking it. The one management of the sunshine present is to show it on or off. It easily adjustments colour by means of your entire spectrum and casts a pleasant glow on the wall behind the monitor. A number of chiseled accents spherical out Cooler Grasp’s delicate and efficient styling cues.
The enter panel contains two HDMI 2.1 ports plus a DisplayPort 1.4 with Show Stream Compression (DSC). The USB-C enter accepts video too, mimicking the DP features. An upstream and two downstream USBs deal with the KVM function, which could be arrange within the OSD. You additionally get a 3.5mm audio jack with two three-watt inner audio system. They’re typical monitor audio system with a small however clear sound concentrated within the higher midrange frequencies.
OSD Options
The GP27U’s OSD is styled for gaming with information bubbles on the high exhibiting decision and the standing of Adaptive-Sync, HDR, and overdrive. On the proper is a refresh fee indicator ticked off in fps models. There are many choices for tweakers organized into six sub-menus.
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After the enter selector, the GP27U’s Image menu is the place you’ll discover luminance, black stabilization (shadow element enhancement), and the 9 image modes. You may assume Commonplace is the default, nevertheless it’s Consumer 1, which has all of the calibration choices wanted for a really correct image.
Shifting to Colour Regulate, there are 4 colour temp choices plus a exact person mode with RGB sliders. 5 gamma presets vary from 1.8 to 2.6, and you’ll regulate hue and saturation for all six colours. Colour Area refers to sign format, RGB or YPbPr. Auto is the proper setting there. Colour Area lets the person select Adobe RGB, sRGB, DCI-P3 or Rec.2020. If you wish to hold image controls accessible, select Auto. The Blue Gentle Filter warms the picture to assist cut back eye fatigue.
Gaming Setup accommodates probably the greatest overdrive menus you’ll discover anyplace outdoors of a Dough Spectrum monitor. Along with the 4 presets, the Consumer possibility has a 100-step management. You may get an ideal stage of blur discount with out ghosting. I additionally had good luck with Dynamic and Superior. The GP27U’s video processing is high shelf. Gaming Plus affords a timer, aiming factors, and an fps indicator.
You’ll be able to set HDR to Auto within the Superior menu so that it’ll change between codecs with out person intervention. Native Dimming enhances distinction for SDR but additionally makes the image extraordinarily vibrant although you’ll be able to compensate by turning down the brightness slider. It’s a should for HDR if you’d like the very best high quality. I measured zero black ranges as a result of any setting of Native Dimming, even Low, turns off the backlight when a black sample is displayed. This menu additionally has the KVM setup, the place you’ll be able to bind video inputs and USB ports to accommodate a number of programs linked to a single GP27U.
Cooler Grasp Tempest GP27U Calibration Settings
Within the GP27U’s Consumer 1 mode, I discovered a barely cool grayscale and gamma that rode only a tad underneath the reference line (too mild). A couple of changes to the RGB sliders took care of the primary situation, however gamma continues to be somewhat mild. Larger presets make the image too darkish, so I counsel leaving it on 2.2. I needed to flip down distinction two clicks to resolve a clipping situation at 100% brightness. Although set to Auto, the colour gamut makes use of its full quantity for all content material, SDR and HDR. That is nice for HDR, however SDR photographs are extraordinarily vivid. Most customers will favor this look, and the GP27U is actually very colourful. However if you’d like sRGB or DCI-P3, you’ll be able to go to the Colour Area sub-menu and choose your most popular gamut. My instrument-derived settings are beneath.
HDR indicators reveal three further image modes. Consumer is the default, letting you regulate brightness and distinction in case you discover the 1,200-nit peaks too vibrant. It’s very color-accurate, so no additional changes are required. I like to recommend setting Native Dimming to Low in HDR mode for the perfect luminance monitoring.
| Image Mode | Consumer 1 | Row 0 – Cell 2 |
| Brightness 200 nits | 24 | Row 1 – Cell 2 |
| Brightness 120 nits | 11 | Row 2 – Cell 2 |
| Brightness 100 nits | 7 | Row 3 – Cell 2 |
| Brightness 80 nits | 4 (min. 64 nits) | Row 4 – Cell 2 |
| Distinction | 68 | Row 5 – Cell 2 |
| Gamma | 2.2 | Row 6 – Cell 2 |
| Colour Temp Consumer | Purple 51, Inexperienced 49, Blue 48 | Row 7 – Cell 2 |
Gaming and Palms-on
The GP27U is a beautiful monitor proper out of the gate. With a bigger colour gamut than practically all the pieces I’ve seen of late, it’s awash in vivid hues. The image is razor-sharp with excellent distinction. Working in SDR mode with productiveness apps, it appears to be like fantastic with the native dimming turned off and higher set to Low. I didn’t see any downsides like clipped element. For those who’re accustomed to an sRGB monitor, the additional colour will look somewhat overblown at first. Nevertheless, since there is no such thing as a lack of element or dynamic vary, it’s OK to make use of the total gamut (113% of DCI-P3) for all the pieces. I reached for the sRGB mode a couple of occasions when working in Photoshop, however the additional colour is good for basic use.
A 27-inch 4K monitor has great pixel density, 163ppi, extra than simply about another display outdoors a high-end laptop computer. That distinction could be seen, even when in comparison with a 32-inch 4K monitor. I’m a fan of enormous panels, however the fantastic element and sharpness of the GP27U are as addictive as its worth is engaging.
I ran my response and lag exams at 160 Hz, however I noticed a couple of body tears when viewing the G-Sync pendulum take a look at, so I dialed the GP27U all the way down to 144 Hz to have interaction Adaptive-Sync. It labored with each FreeSync and G-Sync platforms equally nicely. Organising the overdrive was straightforward, with many mounted and variable choices. For many content material, Superior saved the blur at bay with no ghosting. I additionally tried the Consumer mode set to 67 out of 100. This gave me a delicate enchancment. This is likely one of the few screens with a user-tweakable overdrive, and I like to recommend taking benefit in case you purchase a GP27U.
Gaming was a deal with, particularly in HDR mode, the place the distinction and colour have been merely beautiful. Blacks have been very deep with simply the proper really feel for evening scenes, whereas element was wealthy in spotlight and shadow areas. The HDR Consumer mode was perfect with the brightness slider maxed at 100, permitting the occasional 1,200-nit spotlight to slide by means of nevertheless it was by no means harsh. Native Dimming labored finest on Low; larger settings made the image uncomfortably vibrant, and a few element on the extremes of the size was misplaced.
The GP27U’s immense colour gamut was on full show in Doom Everlasting. The crimson major shone by means of probably the most with bloody hues that have been virtually too lifelike. Maps with greenery and vegetation had a pure and three-dimensional look with heat earth tones and vivid textures. Movement processing was past reproach, and I noticed no blur or tearing. I performed at 144 Hz and managed to peg the fps meter a couple of occasions. Although I nonetheless gravitate to 240 Hz QHD screens with their screaming body charges, the sharp element made attainable by such excessive pixel density is compelling. A monitor like this can be a nice cause to place a big chunk of your construct finances into speedy video playing cards. Excessive body charges and excessive decision are costly however when you’ve skilled them collectively, it’s onerous to return.
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