It’s hard to deny that there’s something cool about a white computer monitor. You don’t see them very often, so when a manufacturer adopts one of these and its unique styling, it can’t help but stand out.
in best gaming monitorperformance must be a priority, and Gigabyte’s M27QA ICE delivers both image quality and gaming feel. It is a 27-inch IPS panel with QHD 2560×1440 resolution, 180 Hz refresh rate, FreeSync and G-Sync, HDR400 and wide gamut color. Although it has a unique high-end look, it’s not expensive. As of this writing, it’s on sale for $280, so let’s take a look.
GIGABYTE M27QA ICE Specifications
| Panel type/backlight | IPS/W-LED, edge array |
| Screen size/aspect ratio | 27 inches/16:9 |
| Maximum resolution and refresh rate | 2560×1440 @ 180 Hz |
| Row 3 – Cell 0 | Compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync |
| Native color depth and gamut | 10-bit (8-bit+FRC)/DCI-P3 |
| Row 5 – Cell 0 | HDR10, display HDR 400 |
| reaction time (MPRT) | 1 millisecond |
| Brightness (manufacturer) | 350 nits SDR |
| Line 8 – Cell 0 | 400 nits HDR |
| Contrast (MF) | 1,000:1 |
| speaker | without any |
| video input | 1 DisplayPort 1.4 |
| Line 12 – Cell 0 | 2 HDMI 2.1, 1 USB-C |
| vocal | 3.5mm headphone output |
| USB 3.2 | 1x up, 2x down |
| power consumption | 20 watts, brightness @200 nits |
| Panel dimensions with base (width x height x depth) | 24.2 x 15.8-20.9 x 7.6 inches (615 x 401-531 x 193 mm) |
| Panel thickness | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| border width | Top/Side: 0.3 in (8 mm) |
| Line 19 – Cell 0 | Bottom: 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| weight | 11.4 lbs (5.2 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 years |
If you want a smooth-running gaming monitor but can’t afford OLED, a fast IPS or VA screen is the next best option. For the price, the 180 Hz segment is hard to beat. Its price/performance ratio is very favorable. The M27QA ICE is priced around $280, which puts it in the middle of the pack. For that sum, you get better than average IPS contrast. I measured over 1,350:1, ranking it as one of the best in the technical genre. This extra depth comes in the form of excellent black levels, which also help improve color saturation. Although it is not a quantum dot panel, it takes up more than 95% of the area DCI-P3 Color gamut, verified by my testing. The accuracy out of the box is good enough that no calibration is required.
Game performance is also very stable, with a frequency of up to 180 Hz refresh rate This can be achieved without overclocking. Adaptive sync comes in two forms, and I verified it works flawlessly in real-world gaming tests. Gigabyte offers one of the best overdrives in the industry, with fixed and dynamic options that virtually eliminates all motion blur. If you prefer backlit strobing, that’s also available, with the rare ability to work with Adaptive Sync without any brightness loss. The M27QA ICE has significant video processing credentials.
From the looks of it, it’s impossible not to be impressed. White displays are cool because they stand out without much flash. In addition to the color, the M27QA ICE also has a very low-key shape. But it’s perfect for a white PC or gaming console like an Alienware product. The build quality is high, with a stable stand and smooth ergonomics.
Even though the price falls in the value segment, no features are sacrificed. You get KVM functionality through USB ports, including USB-C that can serve as a second DisplayPort input. This port and two HDMI 2.1 ports mean you can connect to almost any device that outputs a video signal. Gaming features include GIGABYTE’s full suite of GameAssist options, including frame counters, timers, aimpoints, sniper mode, and PC health information with chip temperature and fan speeds.
At $280, the M27QA ICE offers a complete gamer’s package that performs well and looks cool.
Assembly and accessories
The packaging box of the M27QA ICE adopts a white theme, and the packaging box is also white with photos printed around it. It opens in a clamshell style, revealing its contents filled with fragile foam. The bracket is assembled with retaining bolts and snaps into place. This cable bundle includes an external power module and wires for DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-A/B.
Product 360
While the M27QA ICE’s white finish is unusual, it’s also understated enough to suggest that’s how it should be. There’s no reason why we can’t have more white displays. But you’ll definitely stand out among your friends at regional networking gatherings. The front bezel is thin, flush, and black, so when the picture opens, the only white you see is the trim at the bottom that says “Gigabyte” in gray letters. The base also claims “Game Series,” in case there was any doubt. Images are clear and bright, with no grain from the effective anti-reflective layer.
The panel is just 1.7 inches thick on the sides, which is thinner than most 27-inch screens I’ve seen. The stand is rock solid and offers 5/20-degree tilt and 5.1 inches of height adjustment. There is no rotation or portrait mode. The action is very firm with no gaps or wobbles. The M27QA ICE is clearly designed for long-term use.
It also says “Gigabyte” on the back, has some molded shapes, and has good ventilation on the top. The OSD joystick is in its usual position and is the only control key on the M27QA ICE. The input panel is clearly labeled and includes two HDMI 2.1, a DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C that can be used as a second DisplayPort input. KVM further supports 1 upstream port and 2 downstream ports, version 3.2. The 3.5mm headphone jack outputs stereo sound, and there are no built-in speakers.
Screen display function
Pressing the joystick of the M27QA ICE will bring up a quick menu with KVM and GameAssist options. Click up to open the full OSD. I was surprised to see a white menu with thin black text. While it fits the style of the monitor, it’s a little hard to read. If the font has a thicker line width, it will be more noticeable.
Signal information is available at the top of each menu screen. You can see video processing status in the first of seven sections, including update rate, overload, and more. Target Stabilizer Sync is a backlight flash that works in conjunction with Adaptive Sync to completely eliminate motion blur. It has a very slight phase artifact that’s more visible in test patterns than in real content. Or you can use the excellent overdrive, which works best for me, set to Balanced. Smart OD options are dynamic and change as the refresh rate changes.
There are nine image modes, with Standard being the default and best option. It includes a full set of calibration controls with gamma and color temperature presets. There is also an accurate sRGB mode for users who require color grading capabilities. The native color gamut covers 95% of DCI-P3, making the M27QA ICE very colorful for both SDR and HDR content.
The quick switch refers to the joystick direction, and all four directions are user programmable. This provides quick access to frequently used content, such as picture modes and input selections. Three setting memories can be saved and recalled. This is a feature that all monitors should have and is very useful.
GameAssist is an independent game assist menu, including aim point (four green shapes), timer, stopwatch, frame counter, sniper mode and PC health data. The M27QA ICE can instantly monitor CPU and GPU fan speeds and temperatures. This information appears in a small window in the upper left corner of the screen.
Gigabyte M27QA ICE calibration settings
The M27QA ICE is right on the verge of needing calibration, but there are few noticeable errors and the preset images are pleasant and colorful. In the preset Standard mode, you get gamma and color temperature presets as well as RGB sliders for dialing in precision. I use these to improve accuracy a bit. The color gamut covers 95% of DCI-P3 unless you select sRGB mode which accurately renders that color space. My recommended settings are as follows. For HDR signals, no adjustments can be made and the brightness is locked at 100%. There’s no dynamic contrast, so the pictures don’t look noticeably different.
| Picture mode | standard |
| Brightness 200 nits | 52 |
| Brightness 120 nits | twenty three |
| Brightness 100 nits | 15 |
| Brightness 80 nits | 8 (minimum 59 nits) |
| contrast | 50 |
| gamma | 2.2 |
| color temperature users | Red 93, Green 99, Blue 99 |
Games and hands-on
There are many gaming monitors that fall into the “get the job done” category, but the M27QA ICE surpasses them all with some of the best video processing I’ve seen in a monitor under $300. Overdrive is enough to manage motion blur, which wasn’t a factor at all during my gameplay. If you can drive it at 180 fps, there’s no need to use any settings beyond Balanced with Adaptive Sync enabled. QHD resolution makes this an easy task.
For slower frame rates, Backlight Flash (Aim Stabilizer Sync) is a great tool because Gigabyte allows you to turn Adaptive Sync on. Brightness is automatically maximized so there is no loss of light output. I noticed slight phase artifacts in test patterns, but it was nearly impossible to replicate in any game I tried. Destroy eternity There’s a lot of detail that would amplify any anomalies, but I didn’t see anything. The video processing here is excellent.
While I noticed that the HDR quality was only average, it’s still a little better than SDR thanks to the M27QA ICE’s wide color gamut and solid accuracy. Blues are particularly vivid, with just the right amount of oversaturation. It makes cold textures like ice and stone more dynamic, but not to the point of being cartoonish. The warm colors are also bolder than the SDR version. I wish there was a live dimming option to make shadow areas more noticeable, but there isn’t one.
When it comes to daily tasks, I can appreciate the styling and unique look of the M27QA ICE. I used a white table to test the monitor, and the white case was the perfect aesthetic complement. Paired with a white computer or gaming console, I can enjoy the look without distracting from what I’m doing. Images are crisp and colorful, making them ideal for documents, spreadsheets, and graphics. Photoshop renders well, and the pixel density (109ppi) is sufficient for fine editing. The only thing I would change is the menu color. This isn’t a big deal since once it’s set up, you won’t spend much time on the OSD. However, a thicker font would be an improvement over a white background. The stylistic choice makes sense, but the execution could be better.
Physically, the M27QA ICE is a solid package. The movement of the bracket is smooth and reliable. The lack of rotation functionality is unusual, but let’s be honest, how often do people rotate their monitors? There is enough height and tilt range to accommodate any combination of desk height and user size. The KVM function is very convenient for peripheral device support and is very easy to set up. The only things missing here are LED lighting and speakers. Neither will affect the usability or performance of the M27QA ICE.
Takeaway: The M27QA ICE is a powerful gaming and workday monitor that delivers excellent video processing and satisfying images for under $300. It performs well in all aspects, it just lacks a little extra impact in HDR mode since there’s no dimming. But thanks to the rich colors, the images are vivid and detailed. It’s suitable for any task or recreational activity.
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