The Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 is another extremely tough competitor for the high-speed OLED monitor segment. It uses the same 360Hz QD-OLED screen as most of its competitors, but the difference will be in its design and implementation. Let’s take a closer look to know if this takes the top spot in its contested segment.
Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: OLED
- Refresh Rate: 360Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500000:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2 (1000 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD18W x 1, USB 3.2 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x 2
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.03” x 15.84” x 6.24”
- Weight: 15.21 lbs
Design and Features
The Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 has a simpler design than the older AORUS offerings, but it is still strikingly a gamer-centric display. The monitor has a matte black finish with RGB lighting on the back, so it’s your best pick if you already have AORUS gear in your build. The display has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern OLED displays.
The dimensions on this model has improved, so the space it will consume on your desk is drastically lesser than what the older AORUS models needed. It only takes up 6.24 inches of depth thanks to the redesigned base. It weighs 15.21 pounds, so its not a whole lot if you carry it around.
The Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 is an excellent specimen when it comes to build quality. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, and there were no signs of aesthetic flaws or any flexing on the panels. The included stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t sag or shake while youre in the middle of an intense gaming session.
This monitor also has an OSD joystick that’s flanked by two quick access buttons for easier operation. Its located in a convenient spot, so you won’t have to reach in too much to get to it. Other high-end monitors include remotes, but they are unnecessary most of the time and can usually raise the price further.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. Its easy goet a comfortable view with the stock setup, and it doesn’t take up too much space like its predecessors. You can use VESA mounts, but its completely unnecessary unless you have multiple screens.
The Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 is better equipped when it comes to connectivity compared to some of its competitors. It has DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 slots, but it also has a USB-C slot. You also get USB 3.2 ports and a 3.5mm audio inputs and outputs on the monitor.
It also comes with 5-watt speakers, which can get decently loud for basic audio tasks. It’s not gaming-grade, but it’s usable for watching movies or streaming videos. However, we still recommend using headphones for better immersion and clarity that match the beautiful OLED panel’s offerings.
Display and Performance
The Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 boasts a 27-inch OLED panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 360Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. The panel’s brightness sits at 250 cd/m2 for SDR but it peaks at 1000 cd/m2 in HDR. That along with its 1500000:1 contrast enables HDR 400 True Black certification for substantial HDR performance.
1440p is a perfect choice since it enables a combination of upgraded visuals and high framerates with modern GPUs. Its easy to read and write on it unlike 4K, and its easier to reach maximum refresh rates with high-mid to top-end cards. Its also being pushed as the next platform for professional E-Sports, so it will pay to invest in it in the future.
The Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 covers 100% of sRGB and 97% of DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy is fantastic as well since the deltaE average is only at 1.15. most users won’t need to calibrate it since its already verty accurate out of the box.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.4, putting it next to prosumer monitors which are often more expensive. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results. Its worth spending the money if you do color-critical work, but its impractical otherwise.
The OLED panel’s brightness reached 255 cd/m2 in SDR, but it peaked at 1051 cd/m2 in HDR. Its contrast is near infinite as well, enabling it to produce richer colors and deeper blacks or dark scenes. HDR imagery looks mighty fine on this screen, and most won’t be able to turn back to IPS once they’ve experienced monitors like this.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was fantastic since there were no light bleeding. This is another advantage of OLED panels since its self illuminating, meaning that it doesn’t need a backlight like regular LCD or LED panels. However, its prone to burn-in, so extra care is necessary to maintain the screen’s integrity.
Its pixel response time is also instantaneous since it doesn’t have to go through a backlight, and it delays transitions. Fast-paced games with lots of motion look amazing on it. There is no doubt that this would be the preferred format for E-Sports if it wasn’t so expensive.
The Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. Dual compatibility is necessary for an expensive monitor since it allows you to keep it even if you switch GPU brands but want to keep VRR. Its input lag sits at a little over 2ms, making it one of the fastest gaming monitors around.
Thoughts on the Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3
The Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 is a fantastic gaming monitor when it comes to specs and performance. It’s capable of fantastic speed and color, plus it doesn’t have the weaknesses of typical panels in the market. It is designed and equipped quite well, so you are getting your money’s worth.
The Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 also has a lower price than many of its competitors. It’s a sweet deal at $700, but that’s still a lot of cash for money. However, that’s the price we typically pay for the best monitor releases, so it is not a deal-breaker in our eyes.
Pros:
- Fantastic Colors, Contrast, and HDR
- Lightning Fast
- FreeSync/G-Sync
Cons:
- Prone to Burn-In
- Pricey for 1440p
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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