The Gigabyte GS27FC is a very affordable monitor with a 27-inch curved display and a gaming-grade refresh rate. It’s the 1080p version of the GS27QC, but it is even cheaper at its sub-$150 price point at the time of this review. Let’s look closer at how the Gigabyte GS27FC compares to its already very competitive alternates.
Gigabyte GS27FC Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 24.03″ x 17.36″ x 8.19″
- Weight: 9.99 lbs
Design and Features
The Gigabyte GS27FC sports a simpler aesthetic than its predecessors, but the gaming pedigree is still present in the details. The monitor has a matte black finish all over, so it looks clean and unassuming, unlike other gaming variants. The screen still has a bottom bezel, but its noticeably slimmer than what older designs have.
It is not intrusive size-wise like some offerings, even if it’s a larger curved display than the typical budget model. The monitor only needs a little over eight inches of depth since its base has become smaller than the old design. The monitor weighs a hair below 10 pounds, so it’s portable enough to be brought to gaming sessions like LAN parties or competitions.
Its build quality is surprisingly very good, even if its price is drastically lower than the previous variants. Its mostly made of plastic, but each panel is sturdy and is free from any type of cosmetic or manufacturing defects. The stand is a bit wobbly, but it’s not at an alarming rate and is quite normal for a low-riding design.
The Gigabyte GS27FC has a joystick for its OSD, making it easier to manipulate or tune on the fly. The gadget is now located under the Gigabyte logo on the bottom of the chassis, so you don’t have to lean in to access it. The monitor is also compatible with the brand’s OSD Sidekick app, which works better for adjusting on the fly.
The first downside of this model is its stand, which is limited to tilt, unlike the G27F, which has height adjustments. It is understandable since the monitor is made to be extra affordable, but some may treat it as a deal breaker. Buying a VESA arm solves this predicament, but that might offset the savings you are going for in the first place.
Its connectivity layout is also quite limited, but it has everything it will need for usability with a gaming PC or console. You get DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones. The monitor doesn’t have speakers as well, but that’s okay since headsets will be better for focusing and immersion.
Display and Performance
The Gigabyte GS27FC sports a 27-inch curved VA panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 3000:1. The monitor is not HDR certified, but it is compatible with HDR signals as per Gigabyte.
1080p at this size isn’t sharp, so many often prefer smaller variants to lessen the chance that games will look pixelated. And while that may be slightly true about the looser pixel density of this model, it still has benefits on the opposite side of things. Visibility and legibility are arguably better on it because of that, so it’s easier to see and discern smaller objects like letters or bobbing heads from the opponent’s side.
The Gigabyte GS27FC covers 99% of sRGB and 75% of DCI-P3, so it is not the most vibrant monitor out there. Its default accuracy has a deltaE average of 2.93, meaning that it is decent enough for purposes other than professional endeavors. Gamers won’t need to calibrate it, and we think many will like the cooler hue versus the warmth of sRGB-calibrated displays.
Using a colorimeter for the monitor reduced its dE average to 2.18, balancing out the bluish hue of the screen. However, it is not at a level that professionals would consider suitable for editing photos and videos. We don’t recommend getting the gadget for this model and advise that prioritizing a better-tuned display should be your first step for prosumer use instead.
The Gigabyte GS27FC’s backlight reached 291 cd/m2 at 100%, but its contrast peaked at 4119:1 at 45% brightness. Games and movies with dark scenes look incredibly deep and convincing, although some black crushes can happen sometimes. These numbers aren’t HDR-grade, but Gigabyte doesn’t advertise this monitor for that application.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some backlight leaks at the top edge of the screen. They showed up as clouding in dark scenes but are a bit less visible against lighter backgrounds. Note that this can vary between every unit due to tolerances, so there are better monitors out there.
Another weakness of the Gigabyte GS27FC’s performance is its slower pixel response time. It is prone to blurring like all VA panels but setting its overdrive to its Balance mode helps in that regard. Using the maximum level will induce overshoot, so we don’t recommend using it.
The Gigabyte GS27FC is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tear- and stutter-free gaming. It is essential to have dual compatibility to save money since you don’t have to buy a new monitor if you switch to the GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 180Hz, so it is just as fast as the more premium models in its category.
Thoughts on the Gigabyte GS27FC
The Gigabyte GS27FC is a great choice if you want a high-refresh-rate monitor at a considerably lower price point. It offers great smoothness and superb contrast, plus it is built quite well, so it should last a while. It doesn’t have a lot of features, but it will certainly be better for gaming than the monitor you inherited from your mom or dad.
However, there are some limitations that need to be highlighted before letting you pull the trigger. It is not the fastest monitor out there regarding motion clarity, and it’s not the most accurate out of the lot. But it’s still a decent buy overall for gamers who want to save as much money as possible while upgrading.
Pros:
- Very Affordable
- Superb Contrast
- FreeSyn and G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- Limited features
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