The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 continues the tradition set by the GP27Q by offering high-end specs at a much lower price. What makes this monitor special is its 576-zone mini-LED backlight, which enables drastically better HDR performance. The first-generation Tempest monitors had some kinks, so let’s check out if the latest iterations have corrected them and become more desirable.
Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms (MPRT)
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 600 cd/m² (1200 cd/m² Peak)
- Speakers: Yes (2 x 3 Watts)
- Stand: Height -Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 x 2, DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
Design and Features
The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 follows the same design concept as the rest of the Tempest monitors in the brand’s growing portfolio. The monitor has a matte black finish, so it looks discrete and brings the focus to its panel. The display doesn’t have bezels on three sides, but it still has inner borders and a thicker bottom strip.
It’s not a large monitor, but that uniquely shaped base makes it take up more depth than what’s essential or necessary. Thankfully, the base that’s shaped like a Cooler Master logo is hollow, so you can place your smaller gadgets in the middle. The device isn’t too heavy as well, but the added heft of the mini-LED backlight will be noticeable if you compare it with a regular monitor.
The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711’s build quality is decent compared to most monitors that are priced to be wallet-friendly. The plastics used are sturdy enough to withstand flexing and cracking, plus there were no cosmetic defects on any part. The stand keeps the screen upright and stable, but it can still wobble if you nudge it accidentally.
The device has a joystick for its OSD so you can navigate its settings and features smoothly and quickly. It’s located at the back near the right-hand edge, so it’s within reach if you lean in a bit. Premium monitors tend to add remotes and other nifty upgrades, but it’s not necessary, especially if they will also raise the price.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. It’s easy to get a comfortable viewing angle, so gaming for hours on end shouldn’t be an issue for your neck or eyes. You can still use VESA mounts, but they are only necessary if your desk is small or if there are multiple monitors on deck.
We love the connectivity layout on the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 since it offers more than what a typical 1440p variant has. You get DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 slots, along with a 90-watt USB-C slot for portable devices like MacBooks. You get two usable USB ports, a 3.5mm jack, and a pair of basic 3-watt speakers as well.
Display and Performance
The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 sports a 27-inch VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The 576-zone backlight has a 600 cd/m2 output and a 1200 cd/m2 peak while the contrast is listed at 3000:1. This model is HDR 1000-certified, meaning it is capable of substantially improved HDR performance versus the sea of so-called HDR gaming monitors in the market.
1440p was chosen for this monitor since it makes the most sense as the sweet spot or middle ground for gaming. It’s not as demanding as 4K, and yet it’s sharper and more pleasing to the eyes versus 1080p. it is great for both gaming and productivity because of this, and it doesn’t take a lot of resources to get high framerates.
The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 covers 100% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3 for stunning colors in games and movies. Its default accuracy, however, isn’t as impressive since it had a deltaE average of 3.96. The extra saturation is to blame here, but we know some gamers prefer it like that.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.77, making it usable for editing work. It has an sRGB mode, but its dE average is still slightly above the ideal point with its 2.24 dE average. Note that this part only becomes necessary for professional use, so gamers should be fine without spending more for the gadget.
The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711’s backlight reached 639 cd/m2 with a 1176 cd/m2 peak. Its contrast reached 3499:1 at 25% brightness, but it expanded exponentially when the mini-LED backlight was working its magic. It is not as refined as OLED, but its HDR performance is desirable if you want immersive imagery.
Panel uniformity for the sample had some issues caused by backlight bleeding on its edges. It also has some flaring or haloing in some HDR scenes, but that’s normal for HDR monitors like this. Note that this can vary with every unit made due to tolerances, so there are worse and better displays out there.
What the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 can’t do considerably better is to provide a completely blur-free performance. Selecting the overdrive’s Advanced setting helped in reducing blurring without adding overshoot, but it did not eliminate it completely. This is expected from a VA panel, but there are some with effective counters to it.
The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tear and stutter-free gaming. Having both is essential so you don’t get stuck with one GPU brand throughout the monitor’s life. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so its just as responsive as most modern gaming monitors in the market.
Thoughts on the Cooler Master Tempest GP2711
The Cooler Master Tempest GP2711 is a great choice for HDR gaming thanks to its excellent price and backlight implementation. Its panel provides outstanding colors and contrast, which are then highlighted by the mini-LED backlight. It’s one of the cheapest options we can recommend for HDR 1000 visuals, but it’s far from perfect.
Some of its most significant limitations are its slower pixel response time and poor default color accuracy. However, it’s easy to overlook for weekend warriors who aren’t into color-critical work or E-Sports. We still consider it a nice purchase if you want to upgrade your visual experience without hurting your finances.
Pros:
- Fantastic Contrast and Brightness
- Rich Colors and HDR Imagery
- FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible
- 90-Watt USB-C
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- Dismal Default Accuracy
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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