LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B: A Motion Clarity Behemoth
Introduction
LG’s UltraGear 27GX790A-B is a 27-inch OLED monitor that stands out in the gaming monitor landscape with its remarkable 480Hz refresh rate. While it doesn’t match the resolution of newer 4K OLEDs, its exceptional motion clarity promises to tantalize competitive gamers.
Design and Features
The UltraGear 27GX790A-B adheres to the sleek design of the UltraGear lineup, with a charcoal finish that exudes stealth and minimalism. Thin bezels frame the front, while a hexagonal backplate houses the monitor’s controls and connectivity.
In terms of ergonomics, the monitor’s stand offers a full range of adjustments for height, tilt, swivel, and pivoting to portrait orientation. It also features a 100x100mm VESA mount for third-party stands or arms.
The monitor’s connectivity options are limited to two HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort 2.1 port, providing ample bandwidth for high-refresh-rate and high-resolution gaming. However, it lacks USB-C connectivity, which could be a drawback for those connecting multiple devices. Additionally, its USB-A ports are limited to downstream connections only.
Image Quality
The UltraGear 27GX790A-B boasts an LG WOLED panel with a native resolution of 2560×1440 and a refresh rate of up to 480Hz. Its contrast ratio is exceptional, thanks to OLED’s ability to individually dim each pixel, resulting in deep blacks and vibrant colors.
Color accuracy is also impressive, with the monitor delivering accurate and consistent color reproduction out of the box. However, the monitor’s color gamut is narrower than Samsung’s QD-OLED panels, meaning it can’t display the full range of colors in expanded color spaces like DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB.
In terms of SDR brightness, the UltraGear 27GX790A-B falls within the typical range of OLED monitors, with a maximum sustained brightness of around 250 nits. This brightness level is suitable for most gaming environments, but it may not be ideal for brightly lit rooms.
HDR performance is decent, but not groundbreaking. The monitor meets the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification, but its peak brightness is similar to most competitor OLEDs. This may not be a significant difference in real-world use, especially for HDR games which often have lackluster HDR implementations.
Motion Clarity and Gaming Performance
The UltraGear 27GX790A-B shines brightest in the area of motion clarity. Its 480Hz refresh rate delivers near-perfect motion, with crisp and clear images even in fast-paced gaming scenarios. This makes it a dream for competitive gamers who prioritize smoothness over pixel density.
The monitor supports both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync, providing adaptive sync compatibility with both major graphics card manufacturers. This ensures tear-free and stutter-free gaming, even at high frame rates.
Comparison to Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP
The UltraGear 27GX790A-B’s closest competitor is the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP, another 27-inch 1440p 480Hz OLED monitor. Both monitors offer similar performance in terms of motion clarity, contrast, and color accuracy.
However, the Asus monitor has a few advantages, including a more versatile stand with a threaded mount at the top, as well as a black frame insertion feature that can further reduce motion blur at lower refresh rates.
Conclusion
The LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B is a specialized gaming monitor that prioritizes motion clarity above all else. With its exceptional 480Hz refresh rate and OLED panel, it delivers crystal-clear images in fast-paced gaming scenarios.
While it doesn’t match the resolution or color gamut of newer 4K OLEDs, its motion clarity remains unmatched in the OLED monitor market. For competitive gamers who demand the smoothest possible gameplay, the UltraGear 27GX790A-B is an excellent choice. However, those who value sharpness and a wider color range may prefer the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP or a 4K OLED monitor.
