The Cooler Master GM2711S is a reasonably-priced 1440p gaming monitor with a wide gamut panel and premium video processing. It has essential features for a quality gaming experience, but it’s priced to be very competitive. Let’s take a closer look to know if it has what it takes to be 2024’s value king.
Cooler Master GM2711S Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 2ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 2
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.2” x 21” x 8”
- Weight: 14.7 lbs
Design and Features
The Cooler Master GM2711S employs a simpler design than the higher-tiered GP2711. It doesn’t have the CM logo-shaped base, and it still has a matte black finish that’s very easy to maintain. The display has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most monitors.
This variant’s dimensions have been reduced as a result of the redesigned base. The whole device only needs 8 inches of depth, plus the base is flat, so it doesn’t take up too much room. The whole device weighs 14.7 pounds, so it is very easy to move around or bring with you to gaming events.
The Cooler Master GM2711S’s build quality is very solid, especially for a budget model. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, and there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The stand was firm and stable, so it only slightly wobbles if you nudge the screen or hit it accidentally.
The monitor has an OSD joystick for quick access to its settings and features. It’s located at the center of the device for easy access, so you won’t have to lean in too much to reach it. Other monitors have remotes like the BenQ Hotkey Puck, but that’s a luxury most budget models won’t be able to include without raising the price too much.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. It is very easy to get a comfortable viewing angle to help you avoid strain after extended hours of gaming. It’s also compatible with VESA mounts, but it’s not entirely necessary for typical setups.
The Cooler Master GM2711S’s connectivity layout includes DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, plus an input and output slot for USB 3.0 and analog audio jacks. We’d love to see USB-C on it, but it is not a common addition to most affordable monitors yet. This is forgivable in our eyes, simply because the monitor is quite cheap for what it is and it mostly will be connected via DisplayPort anyway.
The Cooler Master GM2711S also has a pair of 2-watt speakers to complete the package. Their output and quality are not worth writing home about, especially since they are incapable of booming bass response that’s necessary for action-packed titles. Again, this doesn’t weigh heavily on our rating for the product since it’s expected and more suitable to use headphones.
Display and Performance
The Cooler Master GM2711S sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 2ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model doesn’t advertise HDR certification, but it is compatible with HDR10 signals.
1440p monitors are very popular because they are still the sweet spot for gaming because they are sharper, balanced, and easier on the eyes compared to 4K. It’s also easier to run and get maximum refresh rates with various GPUs, so you won’t need a top-end build. It is great for both productivity and games because of these facts.
The Cooler Master GM2711S covers more than 100W% sRGB and 93% of DCI-P3. These are high marks for a budget monitor, so gamers will most likely enjoy the extra color pop it offers. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of only 1.81, so there is no need to calibrate it out of the box.
Using a colorimeter improved the dE average to 1.49, making it a bit more suitable for content creation and some editing work. However, that is not a considerable improvement, so it is not going to be worth it to spend more and get a colorimeter. It might be for those who are into color-critical work, but we recommend prioritizing a better monitor instead.
The Cooler Master GM2711S’s backlight reached 441 cd/m2 at 100%, so it has plenty of illumination for granular adjustment or to fight glare. Its contrast, on the other hand, is underwhelming since it only reached 875:1 at 30% brightness. Blacks and dark scenes are a bit washed out, so you might have to spend a bit more on the GP2711 if that bothers you.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was decent since there were no major light leaks on the panel. There are some variances that induced some clouding, but they were only noticeable in select instances. Note that this can vary with every monitor made, so it is possible to get a better or worse unit.
The Cooler Master GM2711S’s pixel response time is decent since it uses IPS instead of high-contrast yet slower VA panels. Using a moderate level of overdrive helped limit the persistence to make it more pleasing for fast-paced action. We don’t recommend maxing it out, however, since it will induce overshoot instead.
The Cooler Master GM2711S is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for smoother visuals. Dual compatibility is essential if you plan to keep the monitor since VRR will work with both card brands. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 180Hz, so it is fast and responsive like most modern monitors out there.
Thoughts on the Cooler Master GM2711S
The Cooler Master GM2711S is a competitive pick at the $300 price range. It offers substantial gamut coverage and decent accuracy out of the box. Its panel’s capabilities make it suitable for visually stunning titles, but it’s also fast enough to hold its own for E-Sports titles. It is built quite well despite its low price, so you aren’t getting short-changed by buying it.
It’s far from perfect, like many budget offerings out there. Calibration wasn’t successful in bringing it down below sub-1.0, and its contrast leaves a lot to be desired. However, we think Cooler Master did an excellent job here, and we can’t wait to see their future monitors and what they can do.
Pros:
- Fantastic Gamut Coverage
- Low Price
- Decent Color Accuracy
- FreeSync and G-Sync
Cons:
- Low Contrast
- Calibrated Results not Considerably Better
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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