The Gigabyte G24F 2 promises upgraded performance with its faster maximum refresh rate. Gigabyte could have been more creative with the name, but at least this new variant nearly bridges the gap between 1080p monitors with minimal pricing impact. Let’s take a closer look to know if this should be this year’s top E-Sports budget pick.
Gigabyte G24F 2 Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.2 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 21.3” x 20.45” x 5.38”
- Weight: 10.58 lbs
Design and Features
The Gigabyte G24F 2 closely resembles its predecessor, but there are some minor aesthetic changes on some of its parts. The monitor has an all-black finish, so it doesn’t look too aggressive like the Aorus lineup. The display has a three-sided bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like any modern IPS monitor.
It’s a compact option compared to other 24-inch models since Gigabyte managed to make its overall dimensions a bit more modest. The device only needs over five inches of depth, so it would make more sense to choose it if you have limited gaming setups. It also only weighs 10.58 pounds, so you can easily move it around or bring it with you to gaming events or LAN parties.
The monitor’s build quality didn’t change, so you can still expect the same quality the well-predecessors offered. The plastics used are sturdy and free from defects, so the monitor feels and looks just like a premium offering. The included stand is firm and stable, although it will still slightly wobble if you nudge it accidentally.
The Gigabyte G24F 2 has an OSD joystick for convenient access to its features and settings. The gadget is located at the back near the right-hand side, so you have to reach in a bit to access it. However, this monitor is compatible with Gigabyte’s OSD Sidekick, so you can control it via the app in Windows.
The stand included with the device only offers tilt and height adjustment, unlike its premium counterparts. However, that’s all you will need for gaming unless you have multiple screens. It is still compatible with a VESA mount, so there is a solution for specialized setups or needs.
The Gigabyte G24F 2 has a DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 slots which are plenty for most multiplatform gamers. The monitor gets faster USB 3.2 ports, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones. That’s not the most equipped we’ve seen, but it still offers more than what other budget models have.
However, the Gigabyte G24F 2 still doesn’t have speakers like many of the brand’s affordable offerings. That’s fine in most cases since most users will elect to use headsets for the product’s primary purpose. It’s always nice to have valuable extras, but we always look away if the product is more budget-friendly.
Display and Performance
The Gigabyte G24F 2 sports a 24-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 180Hz overclocked refresh rate, and a 1ms MPRT response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output, while its contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS panels. This model mentions that it’s capable of HDR, but it’s not certified and equipped for it.
1080p monitors are easy to run, so this monitor is perfect for an E-Sports setup that stays under a certain budget limit. You don’t have to build the most powerful rig out there to get to its maximum output. It’s also easier to read, type, and browse on it, so it is still used for offices and schools.
The Gigabyte G24F 2 covers 100% of the sRGB gamut and 91% of DCI-P3, so it is capable of great colors in games. Its default accuracy isn’t as great as the other Gigabyte monitors since the deltaE average is quite high at 3.16. It doesn’t look natural in some scenes, but gaming usage will not be affected.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average to 1.08, which is excellent for a gaming display. However, you will need a colorimeter to achieve comparable results since each panel has different test results. We don’t recommend getting one for this display since it’s not practical if you only use it for gaming.
The Gigabyte G24F 2’s backlight reached 351 cd/m2 at 100%, which is plenty for most environments. Its contrast peaked at an excellent 1194:1 at 35% brightness, but it still is incapable of deep blacks. You have to go with a VA or OLED panel to get around this, but there are pros and cons along with daunting price differences.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have any major issues like backlight leaks or clouding issues. There is some variance in the backlight’s spread, but it was barely noticeable unless the screen is blank or showing pitch-black night scenes. Note that this can vary with every unit made due to tolerances, so there are worse ones out there.
The Gigabyte G24F 2’s pixel response time is decent, but it’s not one of the best picks out there. It is prone to blurring and persistence, so you have to rely on its overdrive for fast-paced games. Setting it to its balanced setting helped, but the Speed level did better at the expense of adding a bit of overshoot.
It’s also compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync, so at least you can enjoy tear and stutter-free gaming. Dual compatibility is important so you don’t have to ditch your monitor in case you want to switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag is slightly under 4ms at 180Hz, so it is very fast and responsive.
Thoughts on the Gigabyte G24F 2
The Gigabyte G24F 2 is a decent choice if you want an inexpensive gaming monitor with extended refresh rates and great quality. It’s vibrant and lag-free, although it could use some improvements in the pixel responsiveness and color accuracy departments. We like that it has more connectivity options at a price point that usually limits it.
It is not perfect, but we saw greater default performance from Gigabyte’s first wave of gaming monitors. It should be an upgrade, but some aspects did worse than what we saw on the Gigabyte G24F. But overall, it is still an excellent buy for a budget or E-Sports gaming setup.
Pros:
- Affordable
- High Refresh Rate
- Vibrant IPS
- Excellent Build Quality
Cons:
- Slower Pixel Response Time for IPS
- Poor 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.
Leave a Reply